The sinking of the Brig Minerva results in many deaths, while for others, the future is suddenly brighter. But it’s not always easy to leave the past behind… Minerva leaves her charge an orphan and she selects a notorious rake as her guardian, Evie is determined to protect both of them from his attentions. But faced with the most charming man she’s ever known, can she protect her own heart?
Eliot Armitage is rich, idle and spoilt, whiling away his life with a succession of mistresses. He’s not tempted by his eighteen-year-old ward, but it would be an amusing game to seduce her cool and oh-so-ladylike companion. When Evie disdains his approach and challenges him to find the jewel merchant’s missing diamonds, he sets out to prove that he’s not the worthless rogue she thinks him. But will he ever be able to convince Evie that a rake can change his ways?
This is a complete story with a HEA. Book 5 of a 6 book series. A traditional Regency romance, drawing room rather than bedroom.
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I’ve read all of Mary Kingswood’s books and this is definitely one of my favorites.
Before I begin, I want to tell you that though I did receive a pre-release copy of the book to review, I had already pre-ordered The Orphan because I’ve been reading the series. If you are looking for a clean, thoroughly enjoyable series to read, you are in for a treat with this series by Mary Kingswood. Although The Orphan could be read on its own, I would recommend reading the series in order because several characters from the previous books do make an appearance. I won’t spend the words giving a synopsis because you can read that in the description. What I will tell you is that Mary Kingswood does her homework when it comes to the language and settings of the regency period. I found the characters in this book just as enjoyable as the previous characters in the series, although I will say that Eliot (the hero) didn’t have many redeeming qualities in the beginning. Evie (the heroine) wouldn’t put up with his nonsense at all. Eliot did change his attitudes and ways and I wound up liking him very much in the end. I especially love the way the author weaves a little mystery into each story. I also enjoy the side characters as well.
Suffice it to say that you won’t be disappointed in the least with The Orphan or any of Mary Kingwood’s other books if you like a clean (chase kisses only) regency that will allow you a pleasant escape.
I love the Silver Linings Mysteries series by Mary Kingswood, and on release day, I read The Orphan until I finished at 4 am.
The title of this book should really The Governess because the orphan wasn’t the heroine, the governess was. However, the spoiled, silly orphan led her governess on a merry dance, which was a focal point of the story.
The hero didn’t start out as appealing and took a ways into the book to start redeeming himself.
Of all the many Regency writers I’ve read, Mary Kingswood’s stories remind me the most of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer–both favorites of mine. I like how her characters often come from constrained circumstances and are trying to make the best of what may seem a dismal life. The details are accurate and well described (as much as can be done in a historical novel) and thankfully lacking some of Heyer’s made-up cant (slang) that’s become ubiquitous to many Regencies.
I enjoyed the twist of having a mystery in each story and threads of an overarching mystery for the series. I also like that the books aren’t sexual, with modern authors trying to justify why their Regency heroines would leap into pre-engagement sexual relations in a time when a woman risked everything to indulge.
Can a Parsons daughter and a known rake make a match? This straight laced woman will make this rake want to reform his ways but can she ever learn to trust him? Interesting story. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
An enchanting tale of Evie Parfitt, companion to eighteen year old Violet, whose father had perished with the sinking of the Brig Minerva. Violet found that she was able to name a person she wanted as her guardian, since she had no living relatives to take that place. Of all people she named Eliot Armitage, a known rake and libertine, but from a good family. Violet had taken a tendre’ for him when she had met him earlier in the season.
Surprisingly he agreed to take on the responsibility but proceeded to take her to the country to spend time with his mother and father.
Eliot became aware of Evie, who considered herself on the shelf at nine and twenty with no prospects for marriage. But she intrigued Eliot and he was going to seduce her.
“One day, sooner or later, Evie Parfitt would be his.”
A determined rake, an equally determined woman, an infatuated rich eighteen year old and a mystery of some missing diamonds make this a perfect story not to be missed!
Evie Parfitt is almost thirty, penniless and with no prospect of ever marrying. She has her hands full helping turn a jewel merchant’s wilful eighteen year old heiress into a lady able to move in good society. When the sinking of the Minerva leaves her charge an orphan and she selects a notorious rake as her guardian. Eliot Armitage is rich, idle and spoilt, whiling away his life with a succession of mistresses. He’s not tempted by his eighteen-year-old ward, but it would be an amusing game to seduce her cool and oh-so-ladylike companion. When Evie disdains his approach and challenges him to find the jewel merchant’s missing diamonds, he sets out to prove that he’s not the worthless rogue she thinks him.
This is the fifth book in the series & it could easily be read on its own as the reader is brought up to speed with events in a such way that if you’ve read the previous books you’re not bored This is a well written book that is well paced but that pace is more a gentle walk but it never lags. The characters are very well portrayed & have depth, I loved both Evie & Eliot & how their relationship developed. A gentle read which was heart warming
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I found this to be a very well spun tale. I felt l was set back in time. The writing is what I call sedate, for want of a better word. It carries on at a gentle, unrushed pace, without boring this reader. Miss Evie is unafraid to speak her mind, but politely. Her charge, the orphaned miss, is a bit flighty and a bit unchecked, but not excessively, so she is not annoying.
And rakish Eliot discovers he’s not quite so jaded as he thought.
This installment can be read as a stand alone as sufficient background information is provided, yet avoiding unduly repetition for readers who have been following the series.
I read an advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.