A missing heirloom. A stolen inheritance. Can love conquer mistrust?
Athena Hawthorne never imagined that she would lose everything she’d ever had. But after the death of her father, his prosperous jewelry store is sold off to pay his supposed debts. Athena, now destitute, embarks on a mission to discover the truth, but circumstances force her to accept an offer from a handsome stranger to work … stranger to work as a governess. She’s determined to clear her father’s name, but a certain earl is making matters far more difficult than necessary. And she can’t be in danger of losing her heart to a member of the aristocracy…
Orion Ashcroft, the Earl of Rockford, is convinced that Athena is a grasping thief who stole a priceless family heirloom, the rare sapphire known as the Couleur Magnifique. When he offers her the position of governess to his sister’s children, he only intends to catch her in some nefarious scheme and get back the sapphire—his grandmother’s dying wish. But he soon discovers that keeping his distance—and his sanity—around the beautiful Athena isn’t as easy as he’d planned. It certainly doesn’t help that his sister and his best friend plead her innocence at every frustrating turn. Soon he’s struggling between honoring his promise and his growing attraction to Athena.
But there’s danger closer than either expect. Even a masquerade can’t hide Athena from the curiosity of the ton forever…and there’s a threat hiding among the highest members of society…
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2017 Best Indie Book Award Winner!
Why the Earl is After the Girl by Tabetha Waite is book One in the “Ways of Love” series. This is the story of Athena Hawthorne and Orion Ashcroft, the Earl of Rockford.
Athena has lost everything after her father’s death and she is out to find out what really happened.
Orion is out to find out what happen to a family jewel that is missing and he thinks Athena is the one to blame. Sitting Athena up in his sister’s home to watch her so he can catch her.
Really enjoyed this book! Will look for more books from this author!
Fantastic chemistry between Orion and Athena. Intriguing plot with lots of twists. Loved the final twist at the ending. This was one that kept me wondering, and one I did not want to put down.
This is the first book I’ve read of Tabetha Waite’s and what a discovery this was! The writing is absolutely phenomenal and the story completely riviting. I was entirely drawn in by the story, and the emotions that poured through every page. I’m in love with the all the characters. They all have something that attracts you and demands attention. A book that can be read more than once. I can’t wait to dig into the next one!
What a great debut story!! I love historical romances and this fit right into everything I enjoy. Mystery. intrigue, romance and humor took the story through to the end. What happens when a a woman is left destitute after her father dies and finds that nothing adds up? Athena Hawthorne sets out to find out why her father owed so many debts, but seemed to be a prosperous jewelry store merchant. Through what seemed a fortuitous meeting with Orion Ashcroft, the Earl of Rockford, she obtains a job as a governess for his sister’s children. But Orion is convinced that Athena has a family heirloom that was stolen from his family. This is when everything gets interesting!! Orion and Athena feel an attraction but of course, Orion battles with himself because he thinks Athena is a thief! The banter between the two is really delightful and brought a smile to my face. Read to see how this entertaining story comes to a conclusion and be prepared to pick up the second book in this series! Well done Tabetha Waite!
I previously read this book 3 or 4 years ago & I enjoyed it then but after reading it a second time when the author re-released it; well, I was thoroughly lost in the story & characters & the twists, danger, mystery & romance kept me turning pages.
Athena Hawthorne is lovely, kind & a daughter of a deceased jewelry designer in London. After her father leaves her destitute, she suspects there is something strange going on with his death. He would never have gambled her dowry or left her without an inheritance – she will find out who is responsible for this & she will clear her father’s name & reclaim her money.
Orion Ashcroft, Earl of Rockford, swore to his grandmother that he would retrieve her brooch from Hawthorne Jewelers but after the man’s death, the family heirloom is missing & he is sure Hawthorne’s daughter has stolen it to sell later. He devises a plan & when he purposely runs into Athena after she leaves the solicitor’s office, she is upset & tells him why – he offers her employment a governess for his sister’s children.
Orion is glad when she accepts the position as being close to the family will allow easier investigation & discovery of the brooch. However, after some time investigating, clues point to other suspect(s) & they must join in the search together but also the attraction between them is making working together difficult. There are so many twists & turns in this mystery & the lies, deceit, passion, romance & most importantly lack of trust make for an exciting adventure. The research done by the author regarding the Regency Era & social rules was excellent. I highly recommend this spicy romance with a great mystery plot & a wonderful HEA ending! I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
The first book in the Ways of Love Series starts the twists and turns that leads the fates of all it touches. They first start with Athena’s fate which brings her into the arms of the Earl of Rockford after her father’s death. The Earl immediately begins to ensnare her into his trap to find out what happened to his grandmother’s jewelry. As she lives with the Earl’s sister as the governess to her children, the bonds that form are touching which drew me in further.
The writings of the ton, gentry, ways of the time were perfect and hooked me right in. So well written that I actually cried three times during Athena’s moving moments through love, lust, anger, and fear. The lust-filled times were the right amount of heat; ravished, loved, seduced, wanting more.
The attractions lead to violence and threatening moments filled with danger for Athena quite a few times as she delves further into the mystery of her inheritance, or lack thereof. The secondary characters throughout the story are written just as well and truly make this a well-rounded read. Beautifully written historical romance that sets the stage perfectly for the rest of the series. Very thrilled to have received this debut novel as part of a book tour for the third in the series.
I loved this book.
This was my first read from this new to me author and I absolutely loved it.
The storytelling, the characters, the plot, it was all so amazing. I started and finished this book within two days because it captured my attention and took me on a thrilling ride. Can’t wait for more from this author.
It’s one of those books that keep you asking what will happen next so you keep turning to the next page and just lose yourself in the story !
A missing heirloom. A stolen inheritance.
Athena Hawthorne never imagined that she would lose everything she’d ever had. But after the death of her father, his prosperous jewellery store is sold off to pay his supposed debts leaving Athena destitute, so she embarks on a mission to discover the truth, but circumstances force her to accept an offer from a handsome stranger to work as a governess. Orion Ashcroft, the Earl of Rockford, is convinced that Athena is a grasping thief who stole a priceless family heirloom, the rare sapphire known as the Couleur Magnifique. When he offers her the position of governess to his sister Cassie’s children, he only intends to catch her in some nefarious scheme and get back the sapphire his grandmother’s dying wish. But he soon discovers that keeping his distance and his sanity around the beautiful Athena isn’t as easy as he’d planned. It certainly doesn’t help that his sister and his best friend plead her innocence at every frustrating turn. But there’s danger closer than either expect. Even a masquerade can’t hide Athena from the curiosity of the ton forever.
An engaging debut novel the story is well paced & the characters are well portrayed. There are twists & turns along the way & I certainly wasn’t expecting an inscription at the end. I soon found myself engrossed in the book & will certainly read the next books in the series. The book is well written & on the whole well researched. However my one gripe was the novel is set in 1819 but there are references to works by Poe & Dickens who were 10 & 7 respectively!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Why the Earl Is After the Girl is a cleverly written story with strong interesting characters, a roller coaster romance, and a bundle of mysteries with twists and turns that keep the characters on their toes and the reader wondering what will happen next. Several questions must be answered as the story unfolds. What happened to Gram’s brooch? What happened to Mr. Hawthorne’s finances and Athena’s inheritance? Who is trying to cause her harm? As Rion and Athena work to solve the mysteries, they fight the attraction growing between them (the chemistry simply sizzles!). The harder they try to resist their growing attraction, the harder the wonderful cast of secondary characters (with the exception of the villains, of course) push them toward their happily ever after. I happily recommend this engaging story. Oh, and, you are going to love the surprises at the end of the story.
Why the Earl is After the Girl by Tabetha Waite is book one of her Ways of Love Series. I found this book to be very exhilarating. It has mystery, danger, humor and of course wonderful romance. The characters are well developed without being overly complicated. I liked the heroine Athena Hawthorne. She is very relatable. Orion Ashcroft the Earl of Rockford is at times almost comical in his devotion. This story has twists and turns that I didn’t expect. It kept me up late just wanting to find out how it turned out. Looking forward to more by Ms Waite.
Miss Athena Hawthorne, the daughter of a celebrated jeweler, is left dismayed when her father’s lawyer tells her there is no money for her inheritance because it was gambled away. She would not believe that was true, and is determined to find out who has cheated her.
Orian Ashcroft, Earl of Rockford promised his grandmother he would reclaim an important family heirloom. He knows where it was last seen, but can’t prove who has it.
This is a lovely mystery with danger in the background for our sensible and courageous heroine. Someone is out to do her serious harm.
Our hero had to take responsibility far too young, that has made him wary of allowing his emotions out.
This is obviously part of a series of books than can be read alone, but are better read in order. I can’t wait to read the next book even though I know, from this story, who the main characters will be.
Thoroughly enjoyable reading.