Imprisoned by her past Set free by her enemy! Part of The King’s Elite. Charged with high treason, Lady Jessamine Fane’s under the watchful eye of icily calm Lord Peter Flint. A task this spy won’t be swayed from, no matter how alluring his prisoner! Only, it’s not long before Flint realizes tenacious Jess hides a lifetime of pain. With so much at stake, can he afford to take a chance on their … a chance on their powerful attraction?
The King’s Elite miniseries
Book 1 — The Mysterious Lord Millcroft
Book 2 — The Uncompromising Lord Flint
Book 3 — The Disgraceful Lord Gray — available April 2019
And look out for the last book in the miniseries coming soon!
“The Mysterious Lord Millcroft is thrilling, exhilarating, sensual, seductive, alluring, and so, so, so very romantic” Goodreads on The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by Virginia Heath
“Historical romance does not get any better than The Mysterious Lord Millcroft” Goodreads on The Mysterious Lord Millcroft by Virginia Heath
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Lord Peter Flint was personally escorting this particular prisoner to London because she was too important for anyone else to handle: Lady Jessamine Fane, traitor to the Crown. Every minute of the painful sea voyage, she is a thorn in his side, looking for ways to escape, taunting him, and looking too lovely doing it. Peter made a costly mistake once because he let his lust prevail over his duty; never again.
THE UNCOMPROMISING LORD FLINT has got to be the ultimate enemies-to-lovers in this nail-biting spy story where the most unlikely romance blooms. Flint is one of the most captivating characters I have ever read, and he must have been so difficult to write because he never falters, he must control his impulses. He remains a true agent to the Crown until the end: he wants justice to be done and if Jess is indeed guilty, nothing could convince him to deviate from his mission. I cannot express how much I respect Ms. Heath for being able to write a hero with his cool temperament and still make him, dare I say, utterly adorable! There are so few heroes who are truly honourable, especially in such a context, and who remain such until the end. The romance is dealt with stark realism, and I wondered how it could ever come to be because of both Jess and Flint’s convictions and the circumstances under which they met. For obvious reasons, neither knew if the other one could be trusted, and Virginia Heath navigated those treacherous waters splendidly. As for the romance, it was magnificent; everything happened as it should; it could not have been better.
THE UNCOMPROMISING LORD FLINT is a fantastic spy story, very intricately plotted, with stunning twists, and where the most unlikely couple fall in love in a most convincing fashion. The secondary characters are also wonderful: who could forget Flint’s fabulous mother and Hadleigh, “the King’s lawyer”, whose appearance is memorable. This second instalment in The King’s Elite series is yet another proof of Virginia Heath’s exceptional storytelling skills, and it is with bated breath that I await The Disgraceful Lord Gray!
This was an excellently written, fast-paced, action-packed story that includes a lot of intrigue – not to mention a lovely and unlikely romance between two seemingly very different people. There were some humorous moments and a breath-holding ending. This was the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. You do get some visits with characters from the previous series as well as the first book in this series, so it was nice to say hello – although there was so much action going on there wasn’t much time to visit. Now, I can hardly wait to read the next installment in the series.
Lady Jessamine (Jess) Fane has not had an easy life. For all intents and purposes, she has been alone and on her own for her entire life. While that is a very sad thing, it has also made her very strong and resilient. Now, she needs every ounce of that strength and resilience. She’s been captured in France and arrested as a traitor. How in the world did a sweet and lovely English rose come to this? Well, it is a long tale and it isn’t an easy one. It begins with her French mother taking twelve-year-old Jess away from her father and England and returning to France. Her father didn’t care and went so far as to renounce her and divorce her mother. Jess was then totally at the mercy of her mother and Comte de Saint-Aubin-de-Scellon – her mother’s lover. When her mother died, the cruel Saint Aubin tortured and forced Jess to participate in his smuggling/espionage ring. She couldn’t stand doing that and managed to send hints to the Engish, but, now they’ve come for her and captured her and are taking her to England to stand trial as a traitor. Can she escape both the English and Saint Aubin? If not, can she convince the English she really isn’t a traitor? Whatever the case, she knows she cannot trust her captor(s) and that she’ll just have to save herself from her situation.
Lord Peter Flint is twenty-seven years old, very rich and titled – and he’s also a member of the Kings Elite. A large part of his self-identity comes from that – his life purpose is to serve the Crown by being an effective, respected and disciplined agent. He once made a mistake with a female prisoner that almost cost his father his life, and he will never EVER make that same mistake again. As a lead agent, it is his responsibility to see that the traitor arrives in London to stand trial as a traitor and he has decided to see to that task personally rather than assign someone else to do it. Above all, he knows that he absolutely cannot trust her or believe anything she has to say.
Peter’s first encounter with Jess was to find himself being pelted with a hailstorm of stale breadcrumbs and having “English pigs!” shouted at him. She was behind bars on a Royal Navy frigate that was being used as a floating prison until they could get her from France to London. Being a proper English gentleman with five older sisters and a doting mother, he wanted to assure that she was treated with respect (until she was found guilty) and was afforded at least some comfort even though she was behind bars. His gentlemanly considerations only gave Jess the opportunity to escape – more than once. He certainly had to learn to respect her cunning, determination and resilience.
Her escapes caused him to have to revamp his entire plan for getting her to London. The other traitors in England as well as those in France were after her and wanted her dead. It had been Peter’s plan to lure them out by using Jess as bait – until he learned what a valuable asset she really was.
I absolutely adored both of these characters. Each had every reason to mistrust the other, but somehow they managed to find their happily-ever-after even while being chased by villains.
I will also mention that for American readers, there are some grammar usages that will throw you a bit. Those usages are the standard in England, so don’t think that they are oopses. For example – “Jess found herself sat on the exact same…” instead of “Jess found herself sitting on the exact same…”.
I can highly recommend this book. It is an excellent read and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Well, what can I say about this, but absolutely, bloody brilliant? Just when I thought that Virginia Heath couldn’t get any better, she stuns us all with this beauty. When I say beauty, I mean it!! I know that I am – and always will be – a huge fan of a certain Warriner brother, but this book inches past and has now become my favourite of all Ms Heath books.
This is the perfect ‘enemies to lovers’ story, another reason to fall in love with it. Enemies to Lovers has to be my whole time favourite trope, there is something about the heated bantering that goes on between the couple that really gets me. Jess and Peter are not just literal enemies but their personalities are so different, you do wonder if they are even going to be able to have that HEA which we all want. Peter is a patriotic, loyal and brilliant agent of the crown who has been tasked with bringing down a smuggling ring. He is escorting a known traitor back to England; Lady Jessamine who has been charged with high treason, there really is no other man capable of such an important mission, just as there is no doubt that this alluring, infuriating woman is guilty of the very crimes she is charged with and being such a head strong young woman, she tries at every opportunity to escape.
I have found my whole time favourite character, ever in the form of fiery, hot-headed and obscenity throwing Jessamine – Jess. My goodness, this young lady is a real blast, when we first meet her she is throwing missiles of food at Flint from her cell as well as throwing a very wide range of abuse and insults at him; this girl has quite the acid tongue and I absolutely love the bantering – or maybe that should abuse hurling? that goes on between her and Flint.
Flint is so different to the previous agent we met; Seb, who was agonisingly shy and quiet, whereas Flint is the complete opposite, he is cool, controlled, regimented, confident, he’s not one to allow his personal thoughts and emotions to deter him from his mission. He may sound a bit cold and unfeeling, but that is far from the truth, when he allows himself to show a more human side he is captivating and adorable.
Fabulous, witty, imaginative, sexy, thrilling, alluring, basically mind-blowingly good, I should stop there as just spouting out various words isn’t really a review, is it? But when you read something of this fine quality, then you just want to gush about it as much as humanly possible – even if that does mean your putting people to sleep with the babbling. But, I don’t care, this book is just wonderful. The story is a master piece of writing, it’s has two of the best lead characters and secondary characters I’ve met in a while, a plot that has the reader hooked from the bread flinging first scene and will keep you turning the pages at lightning speed wanting to find out what happens and then you cry on the last page that it’s finished – which just gives you the excuse to re-read it. A romantic, engaging, exhilarating, compelling, one of the best I’ve read.
Brilliant book that I cannot recommend enough and I cannot wait for book three.
The Uncompromising Lord Flint is the second book in The King’s Elite series by author Virginia Heath and another fabulous story I couldn’t put down! I’ve never really leaned towards spy/romance stories, but Virginia Heath’s new series has changed my mind!
Lord Peter Flint is a dedicated agent of the Crown and determined to always do what’s right. He’s escorting the heroine Jess to face charges for treason. He was a fabulous hero and when you catch glimpses of his humor especially around his family he is absolutely adorable! I loved his interaction with his family, especially his mother. She was definitely a wonderful addition to this story!
Lady Jessamine (Jess) Fane has been accused of treason and is being escorted by agent Flint. The banter and tension between these two from the very beginning made for a fabulous enemies to lovers story. Jess was a wonderful heroine, strong and determined to escape. She catches your attention from the start and once you get to really know her you can’t help but love her and hope she ends up with the HEA she deserves.
This series is definitely turning out to be another favorite of mine! A great balance of intrigue, suspense and romance to keep me up late reading! Highly Recommend and looking forward to book three!
4.5 stars
Lady Jessamine “Jess” Fane has been captured and is being taken to London to face charges of treason. Her capture is a break for the King’s Elite who have been investigating the smuggling ring she is purported to be part of, she has been placed into the custody of one of the Elite’s best agents, Peter, Baron Flint.
Peter is immediately attracted to Jess, but a sad past history with female prisoners puts him on high alert from the start. He doesn’t want to feel sorry for her, he just wants to get her to London and be done with her. But Jess is not going to make it easy, she fights tooth and nail against incarceration and manages to escape more than once. She doesn’t trust anyone and has a very sad and horrifying past of her own. But Peter is the first person she can ever remember being kind to her. She has to decide if she can trust him with her secrets or should she hold her information close in case her mother’s lover Comte Saint-Aubin finds her. She is torn, she wants to make amends by revealing her knowledge to Peter, but knows that Saint-Aubin will track her to the ends of the earth and that she will never survive his “punishment”.
Things take a turn when Jess reveals that Saint-Aubin is following them, Peter feels protective of her and changes the plan. Instead of London, he takes her to his home and leaks false information to throw Saint-Aubin off their trail. Once in his home, Jess meets his mother and sisters (who provide much needed lightness to the story) and slowly Jess comes to trust Peter. And Peter decides to follow his heart to save the woman he realizes he loves. But despite the best laid plans, Saint-Aubin finds them and they will both have decisions to make, decisions that may ultimately cost them the chance for a HEA.
I really enjoyed this book, it is well written, flows nicely, has a lot of action, some witty banter, lots of secrets, a bit of “tomfoolery”, a cringe-worthy villain and wonderful secondary characters. My heart broke for the pain and suffering Jess endured and I fervently hoped she would get her HEA. The author is English and the spelling and turn of phrase might be a little confusing for American readers, but as my mother is English, nothing seemed out of the norm to me 🙂 There were a few phrases that were decidedly not Regency era and a couple of times when characters with titles were introduced incorrectly, but they were minor and didn’t impact the story. All in all, this was an amazing, emotional book and I would happily recommend it. It is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone title with no problem at all.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*
Lady Jessamine Fane, traitor and termagant, is on a Royal Navy Frigate bound for England. Her French mother left her English father for her French lover. She took the young Jessamine with her. Her mother’s lover, Saint-Aubin, is a Comte loyal to Napoleon and head of a smuggling ring. She escapes him only to be caught by the British and realizes she is the bait for them to catch the Comte. Unknown to anyone, she knows more about the smugglers than anyone expects as she was forced to help the Comte and speaks and writes in both languages.
Lord Peter Flint oversees this mission and catches Jess every time she tries to get away. He takes her to his country house while other agents act as if he’s in London. His mother, Lady Flint, likes Jess and tells him there will be no tomfoolery in her house! He keeps reminding her that it’s his house and this is not a party. Surprisingly, Lady Flint knows what to do to prepare for a siege.
Saint-Aubin comes after her and breaches the castle with men dressed as farmers. The outcome? You will have to read to find out as I left out a lot! It was nice to see a few characters from the other books in this series. This book can be read on its own. Virginia Heath’s books get better and better. She is an automatic buy for me. If you haven’t read her books, I highly recommend them.
I absolutely loved this book. It grabbed my attention and held it until the very end. Lord Peter Flint is an agent for the crown, and Lady Jessamine Fane is his prisoner, accused of being a traitor. He is rigid in doing his task as well as she is in attempting to evade her fate of prison and possible hanging. Both characters are so well written I found myself feeling as if these were old friends, rooting for them both. The secondary characters were wonderful. Flints mother and sisters were delightful and full of mischief, love for Peter, and all charming. As trust is learned between these two, they fall in love. It is so sweet it seeps into your heart before you realize it. I did not read Book 1 in the Kings Elite miniseries but I’ve purchased it and plan to and eagerly await The Disgraceful Lord Gray. I highly recommend this book and any by Virginia Heath. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
Book two in The King’s Elite series is another fabulous read from Virginia Heath. The Uncompromising Lord Flint is a completely engrossing tale of lies, betrayal and an undeniable attraction that seems to face impossible odds. Lord Peter Flint has been tasked with bringing a prisoner, Lady Jessamine Fane, to justice. Jess is guilty of aiding smugglers and numerous serious crimes against the crown. Evidence and circumstances point to her guilt. Lord Peter has been badly burned before by trusting a woman that he shouldn’t have, so he is determined not to feel sympathy or anything at all for his prisoner.
If you like a lively heroine that never quits trying to save herself and a hero that is level headed, kind and brave you love this book. If you like supporting characters that fill out the cast and make this book a cinematic movie for the mind you will love this books. If you love tomfoolery then this is the book for you!
Just a note, I thought Lord Hadleigh really shined in this book as a side character and I’m looking forward to reading his book in the The King’s Elite series when it comes out.
Honestly, I cannot recommend Virginia Heath’s books enough. Just when I think I know what is going to happen in her stories, she surprises me and I love that. Make sure you read all the The King’s Elite series, all The Wild Warriners series , The Mistletoe Wager and the lovely standalone Miss Bradshaw’s Bought Betrothal. Fantastic books all of them. The rest of her books are very high up on my TBR list.
This is the first book by Ms Heath that I have read and it covered all the things I like in a book. The characters were wonderfully written, with lots of feeling, there was action, suspense, humor, romance, spies and a loving mother who took everything in hand. It moved along at a very nice pace keeping you turning the page. I found it very hard to put down. There was a sex scene that this reviewer as always skipped but it didn’t stop my enjoyment of this book and I will definitely be reading more from this author. I received this book as ARC.
What a rollercoaster ride this book was.
So very different from The Mysterious Lord Millcroft.
Lord Flint and Lady Jessamine’s story is a darker story than the two previous ones with a deeply wounded heroine. But do not get me wrong, it is still a light and sweet read like Virginia Heath knows how to write them.
How my heart arched for Jess, what an awful upbringing she had. She was robbed of her childhood, let down by those who should have cherished her and protected her to only get abused and tortured to get her compliant.
But whatever life throws on her path, she stays a good and kind woman, trying to right the wrongs done with the few means she had.
When we meet her, she is in a dire place, facing execution for treason. She is unable to trust anyone, only trying to survive one day at a time.
Lord Peter Flint is the perfect representative of the law, he lives only to serve his country, he will allow nobody to go between and justice, even a beautiful woman. But as time goes by, he begins to see there is more than the hellion who tries to run away every time she get an opening.
But his feelings are not enough to believe she might only be a pawn in a greater game.
He is so straight, he will need full reinsurance she is not what she appears to be.
« However, that was a feeling—not fact. The remaining quarter, the pragmatic and sensible agent of the Crown, knew he needed more proof than merely her word »
But while he never doubted who he was, then just be, she had to fight her way to stay alive, bending her back when necessary.
« he realised that Jess was two people. The wounded, frightened, sad woman she was most of the time, burdened by misplaced guilt and constant disappointment, and the tenacious, brave, indomitable woman she wanted the world to see. »
Their story is a long journey to the Road of Trust, it will not be easy and quite bumpy, meanwhile they will hurt another but they will get to grow and understand the other.
Even as an enforcer, he can’t stand abuse, he will do his best to protect her even when he thought her guilty.
They are drawn to another, but while he wanted to just scratch an itch by giving to their attraction, she is looking for more, for someone who will see her for whom she really is.
« ‘I don’t want to hear pragmatic! I don’t want to know what the agent of the Crown thinks. I hate him! I want to hear what you think. The real man. The one I see flashes of when you forget yourself. »
Thanks to Peter’s mother, the story was lightened, she has a way to say things so funnily.
By the end, I was so very happy for Jess, she get her well deserved reward, someone who will always be there for her plus a true family.
I do hope that like for the Warriner series, the last book will give us the long awaited epilogue.
It’s no wonder I love this author, she never ceases to amaze me with her brilliant books. I so enjoyed Lord Peter Flint and Lady Jessamine Fane’s story and you can’t help loving each character. Flint is an agent to the Crown while Jess is a traitor to the Crown and his prisoner but it doesn’t take long before you learn how Jess came to be in that predicament and even though Flint is determined to be true to the Crown, they finally learn to trust each other. Love truly does conquer all!!
I must say, the secondary characters were a hoot…between Flint’s mother and his sisters, they are forever making his life miserable (not really!) and you find yourself laughing out loud! All in all, this book has everything to keep your attention from beginning to end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Uncompromising Lord Flint is an all-consuming and completely engaging read. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I can’t begin to express how much I enjoyed this story. The writing was brilliant and the characters were thoroughly captivating. Peter was everything I always hope for in hero and more, and I couldn’t get enough. Jess is a heroine that you can’t help but love. She is an extremely strong, determined and likeable character. All the characters were extremely interesting. I haven’t read the previous book but I am definitely going back to do that, I don’t want to miss a thing! Absolute page turner!! I highly recommend this book.
Great story-historically accurate and imaginative. Peter and Jess begin as enemies but fighting a mutual bad guy and just a little tomfoolery later there is a HEA.
Spellbinding, captivating, hard to put down good book!
Fear, Hate, Trust…..Love
January 22, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
From the beginning Virginia Heath ‘s words have kept me glued to the character’s, especially to Jess, The life she led since her mother took her away from all that she knew, loved and had felt safe. Then her “supposed step-father abused her from the time that she was small and continued to after her mother’s death.
The comes in Peter, Lord Flint; he’s his majesty’s loyal servant in that he is a spy has to keep Jess and take her to London for her trial as being charged with treason. Peter’s emotions and his logic are battling with his job’s responsibility.
What will he do? Will Jess trust Peter ? Will Jess be tried for treason or not? Virginia Heath will not let you stop reading her words are so captivating that they bring everything to life as if you’re there, seeing, feeling and acting as the whole story comes out.
This is the second of the series “The King’s Elite”, and the first one that I have read now I will be getting not just the first book (to catch up), but the whole series. And of course Virginia Heath is a favorite author to me and many others.
The Uncompromising Lord Flint is a great addition to an already great series!!!! It is the story of romance between two very unlikely people.
Lady Jessamine is a prisoner who is accused of treason and is on her way back to England to face them. Flint is the man who in charge of bringing her back. All the evidence points to her guilt, but things aren’t always how they appear as Flint will soon discover.
One of my favorite things about Virginia Heath are her characters, and I loved both Jessamine and Flint. Both are fiery and have been burned in the past, so they have some trust issues. However, they can’t stop the attraction that they feel towards one another. Both will do what they can to fight it, but thankfully, they won’t succeed on that point.
Heath always creates a female lead that is strong, intelligent, and beautiful in a time period in which women weren’t seen more than a possession by men. Jessamine is no different…she isn’t only a survivor but a fighter! Flint, like other male leads in Heath’s novels, respect the women they love and treat them as partners. I have come to love that about her writing.
The storyline is full of adventure and romance that sizzles with chemistry. The setting for this one is a bit different. Much of it is on a ship and not in places like grand homes or ballrooms. That makes it unique. I also have come to appreciate the way in which Heath gives readers both POVs, but it isn’t done in alternating chapters. She is one of those rare writers who can flawlessly seam that into the storyline itself.
If you are looking for a romance with fiery characters, sizzling chemistry, and grand adventure, look no further than this book!
The members of the King’s Elite have been working to bring a group of French smugglers to justice. Lord Peter Flint’s assignment? To bring Lady Jessamine Fane to London. Why? Because the King’s Elite believe, Comte Saint-Aubin, her late mother’s lover is the head of the French smuggling ring. Lady Jessamine will be charged with treason and its’ Flint’s task to bring the feisty Frenchwoman to London.
I loved the novel’s suspenseful storyline. Lady Jessamine was being held on board a navy frigate—her presence on the ship was being used to draw Saint-Aubin and his men out of hiding. The author does a fabulous job creating a sense of danger throughout the novel which increases with every page. Jess knew she was in danger and had to take a leap of faith in order to trust Flint to keep her safe.
Peter Flint is honest, brave and dedicated to his job. He is unwavering in his mission-even if he is tempted by the beautiful Lady Jessamine. I loved the pairing of the independent, feisty Jess with the calm, dedicate English spy. Loved how the author wove their romance into such an intriguing storyline and kept Flint true to character. He wanted to believe Jess but he had to do what was right for his country.
Flint and Jess’s story captivated me from the first page! Ms. Heath has created an honorable hero with heart. I adored how the author had Jess speak in French when she was upset—it added so much depth to her character. Peter’s mother Baroness Flint added warmth, humor and understanding to the story. I adored her relationship with her son. And the king’s man, Lord Hadleigh, was unrelenting in his pursuit of the truth. I can’t wait for his story. I loved that the author surprised me throughout the novel—and the ending was fabulous-totally caught me off guard—loved it!
If you are looking for a suspenseful novel filled with captivating characters, several surprising plot twists and turns then Virginia Heath’s The Uncompromising Lord Flint is the book for you!
Charged with high treason, Lady Jessamine Fane is under the watchful eye of icily calm Lord Peter Flint. It’s a task this spy won’t be swayed from, no matter how alluring his prisoner! Only it’s not long before Flint realises that tenacious Jess hides a lifetime of pain.
Fast paced, great characters, spies, deceit & of course romance. What more can you want from a historical romance?
The pages flew by as I was drawn in from the start & breathless by the end. A very well written book that had me enthralled. Jess is a person of two parts the outward strong fearless woman but the other is terrified that Saint – Aubin will find her. Peter is stoic but also caring & loyal. The more he comes to know Jess the more their attraction grows but he also starts to question the evidence against her. Not everything was resolved so I’m now waiting impatiently for the next book.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This was a wonderful read! It had it all-a suspenseful action filled story with lots of twists, a bit of a road trip, passion, love and wit and humor.
Lord Flint has been charged with bringing Lady Jessamine Fane to London to be tried for treason. He has been betrayed in the past by a beautiful spy so his instant attraction (or lust as he thinks), is something he fights. Jess is a combination of strength and vulnerability.
I’m trying to avoid spoilers so won’t go into detail.
Loved the secondary characters-especially Lady Flint and her five daughters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book and my opinion is my own. But I have to say that Virginia Heath is a talented author and an auto buy for me.
My first book by Virginia Heath – it won’t be my last! I needed a book that would hold my attention and this was just the ticket. Full of adventure! Sea adventure! Road adventure! A castle! Hidden passages! Swords! And two wonderful characters falling in love through it all! I have several Virginia Heath books to catch up on!