Despite living at her father’s inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be. When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious … notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father’s death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded midcharade, Jonas’s life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler’s daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.
more
With a lot of suspense, intrigue, adventure, and a dash of romance, Sian Ann Bessey brings history to life in The Noble Smuggler. Set in the late 1700s in England when smuggling was frequent and deadly, this tale captured my interest from the first page and didn’t let go until the end. The characters were colorful, well-crafted, and came alive on the page, and the setting was richly painted and intriguing. I loved the main characters, Jonas and Elizabeth, but the stellar supporting characters were also outstanding.
The captivating cover adds to the mystery and sets the mood for the book. If you enjoy riveting historical fiction, this tale should appeal to you. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book very much. I love when I read a romance and actually learn a thing or two while reading it. I liked all the details about how the smuggling was done and how so many people were involved.
The romance was minimal, but just what I was expecting from a book about smuggling. The main characters we’re well developed and I really enjoyed their interactions.
The ending was perfection and I am so excited to read the next book in the series.
I was able to listen to the audio version of this book and it was amazing. The narrator did a fantastic job.
I enjoyed this book very much. I love when I read a romance and actually learn a thing or two while reading it. I liked all the details about how the smuggling was done and how so many people were involved.
The romance was minimal, but just what I was expecting from a book about smuggling. The main characters we’re well developed and I really enjoyed their interactions.
The ending was perfection and I am so excited to read the next book in the series.
I was able to listen to the audio version of this book and it was amazing. The narrator did a fantastic job.
Suspense, mystery and rescues all tied up in solving the concerning troubles around the smugglers in the area around their lives. Elizabeth and Jonas are both touched by the smugglers in their village and the mystery that is years in the making.
An enjoyable read with well written characters and scenes…almost feel like you are there on the beach with the smugglers or hiding in secret rooms.
I enjoy stories that make me want to dive into the historical part of it and this story did that very well!
I have enjoyed other books by the author and this one did not disappoint!
Although more adventure than romance, there is enough romance to make it interesting. Elizabeth is downtrodden as a maid in “her father’s” inn, with a very dreary future. Then along comes a “smuggler” named Reynard and neither of their lives will be the same ever again. Smugglers, wreckers, aristocrats, nobility in disguise, lost identities, and numerous evil men barely scratch the surface of Elizabeth’s story. Oh, I must not forget the birds.
The writing is smooth with a few tidbits of historical details.
Highly recommended.
This is a well written story with believable characters involving smuggling along the Kent coast. Bessey offers up danger, suspense, mystery and rescues all in a sweet romance. A very entertaining read.
Dear Lady Bessey,
I simply must say, right out of the gate, as it were: Holy moly, did you craft an incredible story with this one or what? This is such a unique book, with the setting of smugglers along Britain’s coast during the Georgian era. I loved the conflicts, the characters, the rich setting details (that made me feel as if I were present in the story), the adventure, the suspense. It was a wonderfully written story with so many factual, historical elements (at this point I wish to thank you for the author’s note at the end; I love reading those kinds of things).
More than once did you surprise me with the way things went and I was continually impressed with your genius. Whenever a twist took the story in a direction I hadn’t guessed, I thought to myself, “This is why she [that you would be you, my lovely Lady Bessey] writes and I read. Her ideas are far superior to my own!” I am so happy you have so many other books I can still read because I just want to devour all of your incredible words and rich storytelling.
I liked Elizabeth from the very beginning. Her father is terrible and I felt badly for her mother. I like her tenacity and moral compass; not many women of her day would have stood up to any male, let alone a domineering and cruel father. Give me an independent female, with a mind of her own, who is ready to say what is in her mind, and I am one very happy reader. Particularly when that female still feels period appropriate. Elizabeth fits this description quite deliciously and I could read many more books with her as protagonist.
Naturally one would have to be daft not to like Jonas. The dashing hero, with a strong desire to see justice met, while being willing to watch out for someone far below him as he takes on dangerous missions and faces even more dangerous men? A swoon-worthy hero indeed. Mmm. Perhaps I simply need to reread this story because I could handle more of Jonas as well. (Also, he feels more like a Reynard to me than a Jonas, so he shall forevermore be referred to in my mind by that name. I sincerely hope he doesn’t mine overmuch.)
The other characters, Rosalind, Lady Langton, and Alexander, we’re each wonderful and I loved them. They were the perfect supports for Elizabeth and Jonas (aka Reynard) and provided just the right touch to the overall storyline.
Lady Bessey, I enjoyed this book immensely. Perhaps the more accurate description would be that I loved it so much and can’t wait to read more of your amazing words in other books.
Your devoted fan,
Jessica
*Note: contains smuggling; murder; physical and mental abuse; death of a parent; abduction; spying; shooting and blood
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Read by Noel Wall—I really like her accents and her emotions. You can feel every emotion coming through her voice and I loved that. I do wish she had used more unique voices between characters, however.
This book was perfect, it was exactly what I wanted to read! I really enjoyed this book and I am so excited for the next book. It was the first book that I have read of Sian Ann Bessey and I was so happy that it was better than I had hoped. The Noble Smuggler is the first book in Sian Ann Bessey’s Georgian Gentleman series.
Elizabeth Doyle had a hard life and I felt so bad for her. She worked hard and she felt as if she was alone. I wanted her to find peace and to find her happy ending. I thought that she was such a strong character, she didn’t let her circumstances define her. I liked watching her character grow, as she learned to take chances and to reach for a better future. I did like how she was kind, and considered those around her.
Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton was impulsive and brave, but he was also noble (which you probably got from the title) I liked reading about him as he searched for the truth behind his father’s death and as he tried to bring the smuggler’s down.
The characters were so sweet and the storyline was compelling. I didn’t know what was going to happen. It was so interesting to learn about Jonas and Elizabeth. They were so cute together and it was sweet to see them fall in love. The smugglers were a bigger problem then they had thought at first and there were so many twists and turns. I didn’t want to put it down and now I am eagerly waiting for the next book. The Noble Smuggler left me feeling happy and content. I would definitely recommend it!
Sian Ann Bessey never disappoints. Her brilliance in weaving together fact with fiction to create a breathtakingly beautiful story can not be understated. The twists and turns in A Noble Smuggler will keep you on the edge of your seat as you neglect all of your work and chores to find out what happens next.
The Noble Smuggler is a wonderful book. I loved that as a historical fiction the reader is transported out of the ballrooms and to the seaside where smuggling runs rampant. I appreciated the perspectives offered as to how and why people were involved in smuggling and how it was a means of survival for many. Lizzie longs to break free from her father and the smuggling gang and finds the means with the arrival of Jonas. Together they embark to expose the leader of the gang and the corruption that has tainted so many lives. Along the way there is mystery, intrigue and of course, clean romance. The story line is well written and captivated me from start to finish. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
Wow! The Noble Smuggler was such a beautiful read!! I loved getting to know more about this practice (which, admittedly, I hadn’t heard much about before) while getting to know the main characters’ lives, backgrounds, struggles, and of course, see them slowly fall for each other. I loved Ms. Bessey’s blend of lush descriptions, action scenes, mischief, a suspense thread, and romantic moments wonderfully woven throughout this story.
I think Miss Elizabeth Doyle made for a great heroine, always facing uncertainty with bravery and determination while also maintaining a kind and gentle spirit towards others who needed it. Of course, Lord Jonas, Viscount of Langton was her perfect counterpart. Also brave and kind while looking for ways to serve king and country, as well as seeking justice for personal matters, I enjoyed and learned a lot through his Reynard persona, looking forward to his next interaction with Elizabeth. Of course, the cast of secondary characters was just as wonderful and added to my enjoyment of this book. Finally, what became the cherry on top of my experience while reading this book was finding out the shared loved of birds with the main character (I think I learned a bit more about them through these pages). ~5 stars
What stood out to me first was the era- late 1700’s. The politics of the time come into play along with powdered wigs, but both were used moderately- thank goodness! 😉 Elizabeth and Jonas both rescue each other in turn, and their bond forms quickly. They instinctively trust, even before they know the secrets the other is hiding. There is a wonderful sense of anticipation and suspense throughout the entire story as they work together to end the smuggling through more than one avenue, and uncover the mystery behind Jonas’s father’s death. I especially enjoyed the mother and sister of Jonas and the unpretentious way they accept and embrace Elizabeth into their fold. Elizabeth never aspires to join the upper class, feeling more comfortable with a future as a maid, but her role in undermining the master of the smugglers keeps her uncovering clues with Jonas and his family and friends. All the while the danger mounts from both the smugglers and her unscrupulous father and corrupt magistrate. While I wished for more chemistry and romantic development between Jonas and Elizabeth, the strong plot kept me glued to the pages as I read to the satisfying conclusion.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I have been wanting this book since I knew it existed, and I was so excited to get a copy of it. Everything about the description attracted me, and I think that’s where my main disappointment began. While the description is a scene that takes place, it is so toned down and minimized that it almost plays no part in the story.
I’m going to go ahead and say that this is by no means a bad book. It’s just not my cup of tea, and I’m disappointed because I was expecting something very much my cup of tea. Please consider the review to end there, despite the fact that I am going to continue to complain.
The book is about smugglers and smuggling, yet our main characters are the most cookie-cutter angels I’ve ever seen. Elizabeth is remarkably beautiful, hard-working, polite, kind, can sing and if that’s not enough for you, hold on because she turns out to be a long lost noble. Jonas is her male equal. Remarkably handsome, hard-working, polite, kind, and even has the telltale small scar on his lip and slightly crooked, once-broken nose to let you know that he got into trouble once, but he still turned out perfect. They are absolutely perfect humans and the most boring characters ever.
The plot is slow (not a bad thing…) and mostly predictable (can be a bad thing…) and builds up to what I would consider a very melodramatic ending. Again, the characters are all so cut and dry. The smugglers are evil. The noble people are good.
And the romance. The part I really came for. It was so minimal! It didn’t even have a part in the story! We’re just told that he’s attracted to her and she’s attracted to him, and then the very last scene involves him proposing. I was shocked when he proposed. Not because it was surprising, but because they literally hadn’t been around each other enough to even think about it! There was no love between them, apart from some random kiss.
I’m sorry for my rant. I get emotional when I’m disappointed. As I said, I’m sure this isn’t a bad book. It just described something that it is not, and I had so much hope for where it could have gone.
4.5 stars.
The Noble Smuggler was a very enjoyable read. I had some suspicions that were happily proven false, and the guessing of certain pieces of this puzzle kept me on my toes.
The main characters were wonderful. I love how they didn’t fit the proper English molds.
I didn’t recall that tea was so highly taxed and was fascinated by that and the other historical aspects of the story.
This is a fast, clean read with a happy ending. I can see myself reading it again.
Elizabeth Doyle would rather not be involved in smuggling, but as an innkeeper’s daughter, she has little choice in the matter. Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, on the other hand, enters into smuggling of his own freewill. As Jonas seeks a way to overthrow the local smuggling gang and find answers to his father’s death from year’s ago, he’s surprised to discover he has feelings for Lizzie. But Elizabeth thinks Jonas is a smuggler named Reynard and faces serious difficulties when her father pushes her toward marrying a corrupt local official. Forced to flee, Elizabeth seeks Reynard for help only to discover he isn’t who she thought he was. But together they work to take down the smugglers only to realize there’s a secret to be uncovered that’s greater than any they have yet come across. Bessey tells a fabulous tale that I found to be a compelling read. As usual, her historical details are suburb without slowing the story. I appreciated the use of an interesting time period involving those other than just the aristocracy. An enjoyable story mixed with an intriguing romance made for a thoroughly engaging read.
***4.5 stars***
I am sighing happily. Coming to the end of a good book is bitter-sweet. It’s sweet because there is resolution and bitter because I wish the book would continue.
This book takes place in England around the time of the United State’s war for Independence. King George is on the throne and the tea tax is a crucial part of the plot. I have never considered the impact of the tax on the people from Great Britain. The tea tax to me conjures images of the Boston Tea Party. This story centers around the smuggling aspect of the tea tax.
Early on it is revealed that Viscount Langston (Jonas) is disguising himself as a smuggler to infiltrate a gang of smugglers. He needs to find out if the smugglers killed his father years ago. Plus, the smuggling is happening on the shores near his home. His escapade leads him on a different road than he planned on. He suffers an injury and meets the beautiful daughter of the innkeeper.
This book did my heart so much good and brought a smile to my face. The beginning of the book was a little slower pacing, but by the end, I couldn’t put the book down. I loved so many of the characters. I fell in love with the family of Viscount Langston. They’re good people with good hearts who don’t ask many questions when asked to take in a young woman fleeing from her abusive father.
The book has a few plot twists that felt natural to me. In fact, I had guessed a few of them early on. Instead of feeling like it was predictable, it kept me reading anxiously to the end to see if I was right. Sian Ann Bessey always produces a well-written book with a solid plot and fantastic characters and setting. I seriously love every book of hers that I have read. I will continue to anxiously anticipate her new releases.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I loved this book so much that I didn’t want it to end! I really enjoyed the adventures that this book had to offer.
The way the author used her words to describe the scenery I felt like I was there right along with Elizabeth who quickly became my favorite character.
Elizabeth was someone that I greatly admired from afar. She was determined, smart and what I most liked about her was that she had some backbone to her. I guess you had to be in those days and times. The 17oo’s to be exact.
Jonas wasn’t too far behind. He’s awesome because he’s kind, caring and he does his job pretty darn good in my opinion! My hero! Too bad he isn’t a real person. He can have my back anytime!
This book won’t let you put it down until you’re finished because there’s just so much going on and the author has covered some subjects very well. Her writing is just so exciting!The characters were just wonderful to be around but of course there’s some unsavory ones as well but hey, that’s what makes a great story isn’t it?
I’d really like to know more about mama. It seems like she raised Elizabeth the right way. I think I’d like her a lot!
If the cover of the book is any indication I highly recommend this book and author!
She’s fabulous and has made me a fan for life!
I was sad because the book came to a quick end! More please!
My thanks to Netgalley and Covenant Communications for an awesome read! I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
Every book I read by Author Sian Ann Bessey instantly transports me away to another world and in this case, it’s the coast of England in 1784. The details in her writing actually make me feel as if I’m there. Authors that can write this way amaze me! It’s like all of your senses are opened up just by the descriptions written in this historical novel.
The next spectacular thing to point out, are the characters. You have a brave and spirited daughter of an innkeeper, Elizabeth Doyle, who is not afraid to do the right thing amidst a bad situation. Then there is the handsome and courageous Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, who will do everything to find the truth about his father’s death and nobly try to stop those breaking the law with the smuggling ring in the area.
The cast of side characters is strong with the addition of Jonas’s sister Rosalind, his mother Lady Langton, and the housekeeper Mrs. Beecham. What wonderfully strong women are portrayed in this novel! The book also has the perfect combination of history, action, mystery, intrigue, danger, and astonishment. Sian Ann always has something up her sleeve that seems to blow me away at the end when the mystery and the true villains are revealed.
This novel is one that you do not want to miss reading. I honestly grow to love her writing more and more with each novel of hers that I read. This historical romance mixed with entanglements and never-ending suspense will make for a day of reading with an enjoyable and rewarding conclusion.
I am such a fan of Sian Ann Bessey. Her books make me happy and so grateful to be a reader. Seriously. I’m a fan.
This book transported me right to the coast in England and a little inn with Elizabeth who I fell in love with right away. Downtrodden, abused and lonely yet still keeping that little light in her heart, Elizabeth is a heroine worth rooting for. I loved her resilience, determination and the softness that she carried despite the hardness around her.
Jonas is a good man from a good family. I loved the dynamics of his family and how it really gave me a sense of who Jonas was at his core. He is all things a hero should be in my book.
This book had a great flow that had me invested and interested from beginning to end. There was a growing plot that developed right along with the relationships in this story. It felt full and I had the best time watching it all play out in my head. I didn’t want to put it down and I was a wee bit sad when it was over. I loved it. LOVED it.
Content: peril, violence, kissing
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I loved reading this book! There is plenty of danger, suspense, and romance. I loved the way I didn’t know what was coming. The ending was a complete surprise to me.
Elizabeth is the main character. The book opens with her mother dying and Elizabeth there as the only person with her as she passes. I felt sad for Elizabeth. Her dad was horrible to her. Things went from bad to worse when he sold her to an abominable man in marriage without even telling her.
Elizabeth had to escape quickly. She went to the only place she knew to go, Langton Manor. A smuggler that she had helped previously, had told her to go there and mention his name, Reynard, if she ever needed help.
Little did she know that Reynard was really Jonas, Viscount Langton. I loved Jonas. He was a nobleman, he wanted to make a positive change and get rid of smuggling. But he also needed to find the truth about what had happened many years ago. He risked his life to find that, and to protect Elizabeth.
This is such a great novel. I loved the way it was written. It was a great escape for me during these turbulent times.
I was sent a copy of The Noble Smuggler as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.