Feature: Romance Novelist Eileen Dreyer - Blog Tour

ALWAYS A TEMPTRESS

By Eileen Dreyer

Series: Drake's Rakes #3

Available: Now

Reading Level: Adult

Genre: Historical Fiction

His greatest battle is just beginning . . .

Captain Harry Lidge has done his duty. After losing too many good men on the battlefield, he's ready to put his responsibilities behind him and live a life free of care. But first he has one last mission: find out what the most outrageous woman in London, the same woman who betrayed him nearly a decade earlier, is concealing, before her secrets take down the crown.

Her heart is the only thing she won't risk . . . 

Surrounded by ardent admirers and a few loyal friends, Lady Kate Seaton glides through the ton on a confection of couture gowns and bon mots. No one suspects that beneath her lighthearted façade Kate hides a sorrow so scandalous she'll do anything to keep it hidden. But only when she trusts Harry with the truth and only when he trusts her with his heart can they stop the villains all too willing to kill Kate to attain their ultimate goal: destroy England.

Books in this series:

Barely a Lady

Never a Gentleman

Always a Temptress

Eileen Dreyer on the web:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Review & Giveaway: Never a Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer

Title: Never a Gentleman
Series: The Drake’s Rakes #2
Author: Eileen Dreyer | Authors Website
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (Forever)
Available: Now
Genre: Historical Romance
Reading Level: Adult










Description from Goodreads:

HE HIDES HIS TRUE COLORS . . .

Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier's daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton.She may have been caught in a scandal with society's favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?

WHILE SHE HIDES HER TRUE SELF . . .

Diccan Hilliard doesn't know which of his enemies drugged him and dumped him in Grace's bed, but he does know the outcome. He and Grace must marry. To his surprise, a wild, heady passion flares between them. Yet Diccan is trapped in a deadly game of intrigue Grace knows nothing about. Will his lies destroy Grace just as he realizes how desperately he needs her? And how can he hope for a future with her, when an old enemy has set his murderous sights on them both?

My thoughts:

Grace Fairchild is aptly nicknamed Little Colonel. Raised on the battlefield with her soldier father, she is selfless and continuously puts others needs before her own. Content to spend her life as a childless spinster until she wakes up in bed with Diccan Hilliard. It is apparent both Grace and Diccan were drugged, but in order to protect both of their names they decide to marry. Grace is upset to give up the dreams of a simple life on the land she inherited from her aunt. Diccan isn’t thrilled to be stuck with a wife when he prefers the life of a bachelor. They move to London where Grace with her bum leg and plain appearance faces ridicule and teasing. Diccan is wrapped up in political intrigue, and forced to shun his wife and take a mistress to protect her. Neither planned to have genuine feelings for each other, but find it happening regardless. 

I have such mixed feelings when it comes to Never a Gentleman. This was a very hard one to rate and review. I absolutely adore Eileen Dreyer’s style of writing. It is so descriptive and thoroughly captivating. She also creates such well developed characters. With that said, the plot took so many turns that I truly didn’t anticipate. I loved the political side and the tender moments witnessed between Grace and Diccan, but the situations he found himself in for his mission left a bad taste in my mouth. There was one scene in particular that made me especially uncomfortable. The author gave justifiable reasons for his mistreatment of Grace, but this wasn’t what I usually look for in a historical romance. 

I also discovered while reading that I don’t like to spend most of my time feeling pity for the main characters. Poor Grace was continuously made to feel ugly and worthless. She didn’t emanate the strength I’d expected from the “Little Colonel”. I even felt (a little) sorry for Diccan. He seemed sincerely remorseful for his behavior and I think he did an OK job of redeeming himself at least partially, but I really need more sigh worthy moments and warm fuzzies with my romance novels.

Even though the romantic elements weren’t what I had hoped for, there is still top-notch story telling in Never a Gentleman. The ending was also what I’d consider angsty perfection. I’ll definitely pick up the next book in the series which features my most favorite character, Kate. 

My Rating:

Eileen Dreyer on the web:

Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Win 1 of 3 copies of Never A Gentleman:

Rules:

Open to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please

Winners are subject to the 1 copy per household rule
Books ship directly from publisher

Please fill out the form to enter

Comments are always appreciated, but will not count as an entry

Ends May 8th

Review & Giveaway: Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Title: Barely A Lady
Author: Eileen Dreyer
Available: Now
Number of pages: 432
Reading Level: Adult (Historical Romance)


4 out of 5 Stars


Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review and particpating in the Barely A Lady Blog Tour.

Description from publisher’s website:

Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

My thoughts:

Olivia is a shunned wife left to survive after everything was taken from her. Jack is the man who put her in that predicament. After five years apart, Olivia comes across Jack in the most unlikely place. Half dead on a battlefield while dressed like a traitor. When he finally wakes he is suffering from amnesia, and thinks he is still married to Olivia. She sets out to prove Jack innocent of treason with the help of her new friends.

This was a beautiful story of a second chance at love. Olivia was a strong and honorable character. While Jack’s actions made you want to hate him, he managed to maintain many redeemable attributes. I wanted things to work for Jack and Olivia. The chemistry they created couldn’t be denied. The story kept a fast pace that had me turning the pages with anticipation of what was to come next. 

Barely A Lady also features an amazing supporting cast of characters. I look forward to learning more about the demure Grace, and sharp-witted Lady Kate in future books. This was a wonderful start to a new series. I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

Eileen Dreyer on the web:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Author Bio

5 Fun Facts about Barely A Lady

I also have 5 copies of Barely A Lady up for grabs thanks to Anna with Hachette Book Group.

This Giveaway Is Closed!

Rules:

Open only to residents of the U.S & Canada

No P.O Boxes please :)

Book ships directly from the publisher

Ends @ 11:59 P.M CST on 7/31

Please fill out this from to enter.