Thursday, April 3, 2014

[Pat's Review]: "Desiring Lady Caro"

Desiring Lady Caro by Ella Quinn
Publisher: eKensington (April 3, 2014) 
Series: The Marriage Game, 4
Genre: Historical Romance



Haunted by her past, Lady Caroline Martindale fled England for the solace of her godmother's palazzo in Venice. But if Caro was hoping to escape the charms of marriage-minded men, she's come to the wrong place. And she'll resort to extreme measures to spurn the advances of a dangerously determined Venetian marquis...

Though most of his friends have married off, Gervais, Earl of Huntley, remains bent on eluding the parson's mousetrap. But his convictions begin to falter when he arrives in Venice and meets his match in the alluring Lady Caro. What began as a hastily concocted lie to save her from the marquis may become a chance for them both to relinquish their fear - and embrace what they can no longer deny... 



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Pat's Review:



This is a love story that begins in Venice, and ends in Paris.  Two young people who intended never to marry are thrown together, one a protector, the other a young woman whose innocence was violently taken and any hope of marriage is lost to her.  She flees to her Godmother in Venice for peace and safety.  She is convinced no man would ever marry her after her attack.



Gervais, Earl of Huntley has attended the weddings of his close friends, and decides to leave London to protect himself from "wedded bliss."  He will be gone for months, traveling the Continent, ending in Venice to spend some time with his widowed aunt Horatia.  He enjoys his travels but is very happy to reach Venice and spend some relaxing time there.  He is greeted by a very prickly, beautiful young woman introduced as Lady Caroline Martindale . She is very outspoken about her dislike of men, and Huntley is included. He feels there is a story behind her anger and fear of men. Marchese di Vernier is a Venetian man who pursues Caro relentlessly. At one point Huntley sees Caro struggling against the Marchese, to release her arm he is brutally squeezing, and steps in with a fist to his face.  Considering the Marchese's  powerful family, and his intentions to marry Caro, even against her will, it's decided they must leave Venice immediately. Caro and Huntley will travel ahead, and meet Horatia at Lake Garda.  To try and discourage the Marchese, Horatia lets it be known that Caro and Huntley are betrothed.  They travel with their entourage of servants, and spend grueling hours in a carriage.  They get to know each other, and Huntley tries desperately to prove he is a very patient man, and would never harm Caro.  He wants to know her secrets, to help her forget them.



Meanwhile Lady Horatio is having quite an adventure herself.  She runs into a ship's captain who her husband had mentored, and wrote long letters about her. John, Earl of Devon, had already fallen a little in love with her through those letters, and was actually trying to find her when they met.



There is humor, danger, sweet romance and an unexpected appearance of mothers!  The food and chocolate discussed at every shop and Inn was drool worthy. My only complaint  was that at times, there was a lot if dialogue, and constant traveling. This did not ruin my enjoyment of the book, just seemed to slow my reading down.. If you have read Ms. Quinn's previous Marriage Game novel, this would be a great addition.



3 1/2 STARS! 

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Pat received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for her honest opinion.

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Thanks for the review, Pat! :) 

It does sound like a lovely setting for a romance! And who can resist delicious food and/or chocolate, even in a book? 

Have you read a book (romance or otherwise) that discusses food in such detail that you start to drool a bit at the thought of it? :) Guilty! 







Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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2 comments :

Pat Egan Fordyce said...

Thanks TBQ!

Anna@herding cats&burning soup said...

Ooo sounds good Pat but like one that would have me hungry and craving sweets!