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She’d never forgotten him . . .
Miss Octavia Pierce is witty, well-off . . . and shockingly unwed. Still, she is far too successful insociety to remain on the shelf forever, and her family has hopes that Octavia will finally make the perfect match. What theydon’t know is that, years earlier, Octavia was scandalouslytempted by the one man capable of sweeping her off her feet—the man now known as the Marquess of Doreé.
A third son, never meant to inherit, Lord Ben Doreé hasabandoned his past and grown accustomed to his illustrious new position of wealth and power. But he has never forgotten Octavia, and now she desperately needs his help in a most dangerous, clandestine matter. Although she claims she has put the memories of the passion they shared behind her, Ben is determined toonce again have her in his arms—and in his bed.
When you fall in love at a very young age and wait patiently for the man you love to return and he does not a normal woman would despair. Miss Octavia ("Tavy") Pierce it turns out is an extraordinary woman as she not only moves on, she prospers. Tavy still longs at times for Ben Doreé, the man of her dreams to come back to rescue her another time but does not think he will.
Tavy returns to London after spending a number of years in India growing up and around a different culture that she loved. Once back in London everyone assumes she will marry the man who has asked for her hand, but Tavy still holds out hope that the once third son Ben who has become Benjirou Doreé, Fifth Marquess of Doreé will come for her as he once did and they will be together in love.
Ben and Tavy are reunited at dinner parties, dance at balls, and dare to have a secret rendezvous or two but none of the stolen kisses, and tender caresses are enough and they both know the secrets between them are destructive. Ben does not want the distraction that Tavy provides as he is running a business both in public and private that needs his undivided attention as trying to prevent cultural disaster is a very time consuming job. Ben may save the known world but he is still it seems unable to tell Tavy what his true feelings have been for her all these years together and apart.
Tavy must deal with an annoying fiancé that is not a fiancé who won't go away, family that is trying to steer her path away from Ben, and figuring out where her life should go. Will she unearth Ben's secrets and discover that he is not the man she sees or will he tell her the truth and make her love him more? Even more puzzling is the secrets Ben did not know existed coming to life and the complexities of trying to figure out who is your friend and who is a deadly enemy.
This book is one that might appear to have too many pages, but trust me it has the perfect number. You need this amount to give you enough love, romance, suspense, danger, and well more love. At first the reader is not sure the mix of Tavy and Ben will work but trust me they are perfect together. Take this book for the "historical romance" that it is and enjoy without over thinking it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 22, 2012
Half of the time i didn't know what was going on and was lost. I had to back track most of it to be able to understand it and was forcing my self to read it. I made it to page 63 before giving up.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SallyLayne
Posted December 25, 2011
Another fabulous read from Katharine Ashe! Can't wait to read her next novel.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 1, 2011
Two worlds collided when Ben Doree, not yet the Marquee of Doree, rescued a wide eyed Octavia Pierce her first day in the markets of India. A harsh reality is soon learned. Some "noble" Englishmen believe that a man of mixed blood, no matter his wealth and lineage, should never aspire to court an English rose much less marry one. That prejudice ran deep and had the ability to make rational men into methodical monsters!
If you love a heart stopping period romance that sweeps you into the book from page one, have I got an easy recommend for you! Author Katharine Ashe is well on her way to making a name for herself as a fantastic Historical writer. After reading Ben and Tavy's story it's easy to see why. Her characters are multi-faceted and the plot has more layers than an onion. I literally couldn't put the book down until I was assured not only of a HEA for Ben and Tavy but that all parties' involved, secondary characters and side stories alike were resolved. Ms. Ashe does a fabulous job of tying up the loose ends by the conclusion of a thoroughly eventful journey.
Let me be very clear on one point, though. This is not a casual read. Ms. Ashe obviously puts a great deal of effort into creating a true and unique story that has historical facts interspersed throughout. Readers will come away feeling like that didn't just read a part of English history but actually witnessed it. Her writing is very articulate and vividly exacting.
I often create a soundtrack to a story when I'm reading and for this novel I kept hearing the lyrics to Walter Egan's 1978 hit single Magnet and Steel. The line that mirrored this book is "With you I'm not too shy to show the way I feel, With you I might try my secrets to reveal, For you are a magnet and I am steel". Ben and Octavia are drawn to each other just like a magnet is drawn to steel and when they touch the love and physical chemistry practically explode off the page.
I couldn't help but feel for Ben's situation. When he thinks he can't have Tavy he still provides protection. Ben feels compelled to keep secrets that weigh him down. I very nearly cried when he finally began revealing his true nature to Octavia and seeing her reaction. She is the kind of heroine that I can always get behind and cheer on. She's normally honest to a fault but circumstances force her into a subterfuge that is obviously unnatural and distasteful to her character. It was actually pretty entertaining watching her lie while trying really hard not to lie.
In the Arms of a Marquess is an exquisite experience for Historical romance lovers. You'll connect with the characters and join them for an epic journey that you'll want to keep on your shelf and re-read over and again. Do yourself a favor and pick a copy of this wonderful book. I think you'll be glad you did!
Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 28, 2012
Difficult to follow. It definitely wasn't one of her best. A bit disappointed
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Posted January 5, 2012
Well written
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In 1812 teenage Octavia "Tavy" Pierce arrives in Madras, India from England during a monsoon. She lives with her older sister and brother-in-law. Tavy and her sister's neighbor Ben Doree meet and fall in love, but her family rules him unacceptable as a hybrid third son.
Just under a decade of residing in India, Tavy relishes her time there as she loves the culture. Now five and twenty years old she turned into a beauty. Thus in 1821 Tavy goes back to London where she is expected to make a match. Ben also lives in England as he has become the Marquess of Doree, which makes him acceptable by her family. The pair remains in love, but Lord Marcus Crispin also wants to marry Tavy. As the two male aristocrats compete for Tavy's hand in marriage, someone stalks them.
In the Arms of a Marquess is an exhilarating Regency romantic suspense that uses early nineteenth century India to refresh the mostly in England plot. The cast is solid while readers will enjoy this fine fast-paced, historical thriller while wondering who the villain is. Note that a portion of the sales will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Harriet Klausner
I absolutely loved this 3rd installment in the Rogues of the Sea series from Katharine Ashe! It's a reunion story beautifully told. I was completely swept up in the gorgeous settings and, of course, the heat between the main characters. I've come to expect Katharine to create two characters who are so completely meant for each other that they couldn't possibly ever be with anyone else, and she delivers that here, expertly. Aside from the wonderful chemistry between them and a plot that twists tighter and tighter as it nears its conclusion, this book also has one of the best endings I've read in quite some time-- it made me want to cheer, laugh, and cry, all at once. Recommended whole-heartedly.
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Posted October 31, 2011
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Overview
She’d never forgotten him . . .
Miss Octavia Pierce is witty, well-off . . . and shockingly unwed. Still, she is far too successful insociety to remain on the shelf forever, and her family has hopes that Octavia will finally make the perfect match. What theydon’t know is that, years earlier, Octavia was scandalouslytempted by the one man capable of sweeping her off her feet—the man now known as the Marquess of Doreé.
A third son, never meant to...