 |
| The Reluctant Earl |
by
C.J. Chase
5
stars~*****
Reviewed by Marian Baay
England,
1817
The new
earl of Chambelston—Julian DeCambelle, or Lord Chambelston is not yet used to
his newly acquired position. His father recently died due to being wounded in
an accident. Now he got an anonymous letter that states that it was no accident
after all. To search for answers Julian travels to the estate of his sister to
speak with her husband, Lord Sotherton.
When
he is retiring he finds his niece’s governess—Miss Leah Vance searching his
room with the letter in her hands. Julian demands an answer what she is looking
for and why.
Leah
has been Miss Teresa’s governess for eight years. The position doesn’t bring in
enough money to also support Leah’s mentally ill sister. She is hired to spy
for an anonymous person who wants to know what is happening in the Sotherton
household for political reasons. With this money she is able to pay for her
sister’s care in the asylum.
Leah
is shocked to be caught with the letter in her hands. What explanation can she
give Julian without bringing her cousin and sister in danger?
After
Julian has figured out what Leah was doing he decides she can be of help in his
search to the truth about his father’s death. He offers to hire her if she
agrees to give information, which he shall provide, to her contact man. Leah
doesn’t have much choice and agrees with his proposal. But can Julian ever
trust her now she’s working for both parties?
When
people are attacked, dying, and disappearing—Julian and Leah must work together
and learn to trust each other. But above all they must learn to trust God.
While
reading how a lovely romance develops we are also trying to solve a murder
case, and trying to prevent a political murder.
This
is the first book I have read by C.J. Chase and certainly not the last. This
story has all the ingredients I like to see in a novel—history, suspense,
romance, and a believable storyline. C.J. mixes all the ingredients into a
delightful story.
Marian Baay is a freelance editor in the Netherlands, working for Kok Publishing. She is a contributor on the Overcoming With God group blog.CFP: Thanks Marian, for the review! This book is available for pre-order and releases February 5th.
GIVEAWAY: We will be giving away one signed copy of C.J. Chase's new release to one lucky commenter!
Marian, you'll have to get C.J's first, Redeeming the Rogue. Fast paced suspense and romance!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the process of reading the new one now, and enjoying it.
I surely plan to read CJ's first book. Don't think it's still available in paperback, so I probably will have to look for the Kindle edition.
DeleteGlad to hear you're enjoying The Reluctant Earl, Debra. When I got the book, I started reading immediately and couldn't stop till it was finished.
Sounds like a good book. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteHope you'll enjoy the book when you get to read it, Debbie.
DeleteThanks for the review, this one sounds interesting. I really enjoyed C.J's first book and I look foward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteAnd I look forward to reading the first one. :)
DeleteThank you very much, Marian Baay, for this enlightening review! It sounds like a winner! Joy Ross Davis, your Angel friend
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, my Angel friend!
DeleteThank you, Marian! You summarized the book much more succinctly than I did for my editor when I sent her the synopsis, and yet you hit all the best parts. I may have to hire Marian to write my next synopsis... Kind of funny. When I first starting working on this book, I didn't think I'd like it as much as my first -- and I ended up liking it better in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to be back at CQ -- even if this book doesn't deal with American history like my first. I figured I might as ride the Downton Abbey wave for a while, but I'm hoping to get back to some American history eventually. And someday, someday, I hope to find a publisher for the colonial I wrote before I was told, "Colonial doesn't sell in the Christian fiction market."
Thanks again for sending me a copy of this book, CJ! I really enjoyed reading it. My pastor's wife is currently reading and enjoying it. And after that there's a friend who wants to read it. Isn't it nice that your book is being read in the Netherlands?
DeleteHow do you say, "thrilled to death" in Dutch?
DeleteI think I'll support further international goodwill by listening to a little Lucas and Jaap Kramer while I'm writing today. Never fails to put a smile on my face.
Well, you can't really translate that in Dutch. Then you'd say something like that you are happy to die. LOL
DeleteHave a great time with Lucas and Jaap Kramer!
A wonderful review, MARIAN! Sounds like an exciting book -- should be getting my copy soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana! I know you enjoyed CJ's first one and I'm sure you'll enjoy this one!
DeleteGreat review Marian, it certainly piqued my interest!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Noela! :)
DeleteI loved this book, Marian, and it will be on my best of 2013. Some books you can just tell right away after you've read them. I had to keep reading, too. So well done. Pacing was exceptional--I think C.J. has nailed all the craft issues in writing a great book and then she just pounds it with pacing which was perfect. I hope I have learned something from reading this book besides just enjoying it immensely! Thanks Marian!!!
ReplyDeleteAre you doing a review on this book, Carrie?
DeleteGreat Review MARIAN! This one sounds really interesting, I'll have to look into reading C.J.'s books. :)
ReplyDeleteYou will love this book, T.! Try to find time to read it. :)
DeleteI'm always looking for new authors and I loved the cover
ReplyDeleteThe cover is lovely indeed.
DeleteLove the cover and would love to read the book!
ReplyDeletewinterrose (at) comcast (dot) net
Good luck in the giveaway, Louise!
DeleteA good review is really helpful in picking out a good book and learn about the author as well. I really enjoy historicals and learning about the past, they are exciting as well. Thanks Marian and C.J. Chase!
ReplyDeletejennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com
Then this is a great book for you, Jennifer. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteGreat review Marian! The book sounds really good. I have not read this author's books YET! Would love to. Thanks for the chance to win it.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
joeym11@frontier.com
This was also my first book by C.J. It's just great. You'll love it, Diana. Good luck in the draw!
DeleteHaven't read this author but the review is great and the cover inviting. Please enter my name. Blessings! Darlene
ReplyDeletespangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks, Darlene. You're entered.
DeleteGreat review. This sounds like a great book. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you
ReplyDeleteKatie Johnson
johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thanks Katie. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteWOW, Marian. This is intriguing. (misspelled). I might just have to get Leah to take all of the other names out of the pot so she can draw my name for this book. It sounds really, really a great story. I sure do hope to win it. Being a Editor, can't you just put my name in the winner spot? LOL Love all of you girls. Thanks for giving us this site! MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLOL Maxie! Just pray very hard that you'll win. Good luck in the draw!
DeleteThis looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win it! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in the draw, Megan.
DeleteWOW this sounds amazing! Please enter me! :)
ReplyDeleteAmada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez
amada_chavez{AT}yahoo{DOT}com
It IS amazing, Amada. Good luck!
DeleteWould love to win this book.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds amazing.
CherylB1987@hotmail.com
You're entered, Cheryl.
DeleteThis sounds amazing! I'd love to win! shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOkay, we will enter you, Veronica.
DeleteSounds exciting. Have not read one of Marian's books yet. But this
ReplyDeletesounds like a good oe to start with.
Thanks for stopping by, Juanita. Maybe some day you can read one of my books, but for now I still have to start writing one. ;) I'm sure you meant to say that you haven't read any of CJ's books yet. :)
DeleteGood luck in the drawing!
Congrats to Debbie Curto, our winner for a copy of C.J. Chase's new book "The Reluctant Earl."
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS DEBBIE CURTO!
Delete