The true story of the Scarlet Pimpernel… and her life threatened. Daventry rescues her, and the two are forced to run for their lives. But when danger closes in, will the viscount stand at her side or save himself?
Is not the one you’ve been told.
Hugh Daventry visits France frequently to import wine for the family business. On his way out of the country, he stops at the comtesse’s house party out of obligation. But after meeting the raven-haired beauty, he tries to persuade her to leave France with him. When the peasants attack, he realizes he’s already too late, and now he must protect Angelette, whose sharp tongue is far from angelic. Too soon the couple is caught up in the rising revolution, dodging bloodthirsty mobs, hiding from soldiers, and embroiled in the attack of the Bastille. Hugh wants nothing but to leave tumultuous France for the calm of England. He knows Angelette is intelligent and resourceful—a survivor. But can Hugh survive without her?
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Viscount Hugh Daventry is in France to further his family’s wine importation interests and, as a favor to her sister, he also plans to visit a house party hosted by Angelette, Comtesse d’Avignon, and do all he can to convince her to return to England with him and flee the unrest and brewing violence in Paris before it spreads. But when he arrives at her home in Versailles, it is as if he has entered a different world. Angelette and her aristocratic friends are either unaware or completely in denial about the danger they are in and refuse to heed Hugh’s warnings. Angelette refuses to come with him and, though he continues to try to convince her, she is more interested in ensuring the success of her first event since the end of her widow’s mourning period after the death of her husband. Despite being presented with logical arguments, the naive countess insists on remaining in France, believing any unrest will be put down. When the violence makes its way to her own home, sooner than even Hugh anticipated, Angelette is forced to open her eyes. Yet even after fleeing her home with Hugh, she continues to insist upon remaining in France, so Hugh decides he’s given it his best shot and has no reason not to make good his own escape back to England. Although France is her adopted country, Angelette feels she can do something to get justice for her friends and warn others. By the time she realizes the situation is more dangerous than she thought, she finds her own life in peril and herself separated from Hugh, who she labels a coward. But Hugh is trying his best to keep her alive and get her to safety, it just may not be enough.
I loved how this began as a story being told by a father to his son. Of course the son thinks his parents are boring and stuffy and doesn’t know what to make of his father’s outrageous tale. I thought this was a nice touch. This story kept me in suspense and although I wanted to bash Angelette over the head at times, it worked out well in the end and I couldn’t put the book down until I’d finished. I would highly recommend this as a quick and suspenseful read with enough adventure and romance to keep everyone engrossed till the end.
I received an advance review copy of this title from the author and read and reviewed it voluntarily. Thank you!! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Shana Galen has crafted a suspenseful story with captivating characters in To Ruin A Gentleman! The novella takes place during the French Revolution and is the prequel to A Traitor In Her Arms. I was drawn to the characters and the drama in this fast- moving story and read it in one afternoon.
Viscount Thomas Daventry has travelled from London to Paris on business. He has promised his friends that he would visit Angelette, the Comtesse D’Avignon after his meetings. He tries to tell Angelette and her house guests about the growing hostility in Paris. He is ignored until Angelette’s chateau is taken over by her servants and a group of peasants and burned to the ground.
Shana Galen has a rich, descriptive voice and it is showcased in this novel. She is able to shine a light on the decline of power and priveledge in French society in this suspenseful, sensuous story. Daventry and Angelette narrowly escape the attack on her chateau and decide to head towards Paris. Their journey is filled with intrigue, love and surprises. I loved that Daventry was a perfect gentleman and just a little bit in love with the headstrong, clever Angelette. Their romance is woven into this story centered on the fall of the Bastille. Ms. Galen creates a sense of danger as well as a thrilling plot as Angelette and Daventry experience firsthand the violence and unrest between the peasants and the aristocrats.
If you enjoy historical fiction with appealing characters and a dash of suspense—To Ruin A Gentleman is for you. Loved the many unexpected plot twists and turns in the storyline and the ending was fabulous!! I enjoyed every word of this novella and cannot wait for the next book!
This new series – detailing the ‘true’ story of the Scarlet Pimpernel – promises to be exciting and different, if this first entry is any indication. Centered around the storming of the Bastille, ‘To Ruin a Gentleman’ follows the story of Hugh and Angelette – two strong characters caught up in the rising discord between the peasants and aristocrats in France. Together they strive to not only keep each other alive, but with the help of Sir Percy – a secret agent of the Crown – they create a society to help others flee to the safety of England. This society becomes The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Hugh and Angelette are well developed, and their conversations are equal parts witty, warm, and timely. I enjoyed watching them spar while they fell in love.
This is definitely the start of something great, and I look forward to meeting the rest of the Scarlet Pimpernel’s cohorts.
I’ll start off saying that this is a wonderful book and I’m trying not to spoil any of it. It starts when Thomas Daventry, son of a viscount, wants to know if his normal, predictable parents have secrets he’s not aware of. His father, Hugh’s story started in the 1780s when he visited France to buy their excellent wine. Friends in England had asked him to escort their widowed sister, Angelette, to London as they were worried about the unrest in France. She refuses to leave her home and he’s determined to protect her.
I could not put this book down. It catches you and you want more. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next one in the series! Great job Shana Galen!