HI there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're jumping feet first into a Historical Romance that hit bookstore shelves the tail end of February. It's the latest from author Julie Anne Long, and though my first time in her writing world, I doubt it will be the last...especially with THIS series! We're joining this Avon Books BLOG TOUR already in progress, but don't let the team of close out post-ers (including moi) scare you off what was truly a FUN READ! Ready...set...today's blog tour guest and book of choice is...
The Palace of Rogues, Book 1
by
Julie Anne Long
9780062867469
About the book...
A mistress. A mountain of debt. A mysterious wreck of a building.
Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, learns the hard way that her husband, “Dear Dull Derring,” is a lot more interesting—and perfidious—dead than alive. It’s a devil of an inheritance, but in the grand ruins of the one building Derring left her, are the seeds of her liberation. And she vows never again to place herself at the mercy of a man.
But battle-hardened Captain Tristan Hardy is nothing if not merciless. When the charismatic naval hero tracks a notorious smuggler to a London boarding house known as the Rogue’s Palace, seducing the beautiful, blue-blooded proprietress to get his man seems like a small sacrifice.
They both believe love is a myth. But a desire beyond reason threatens to destroy the armor around their hearts. Now a shattering decision looms: Will Tristan betray his own code of honor…or choose a love that might be the truest thing he’s ever known?
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~~ EXCERPT ~~
She’d taken two steps when he said, his voice raised only a little, “Lady Derring . . . something
puzzles me.”
She halted.
Closed her eyes.
Took a shuddering breath for courage.
Turned back to him. From the relatively safe distance of three feet, she said, “Surely not. We’ve established you know everything.”
His smile was small and patient. “You seem to excel at so very much here at The Grand Palace on the Thames. Yet you can’t seem to disguise how much you want me.”
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We begin at the end...which is in fact a NEW beginning.
The Earl of Derring was dead to begin with...no really, totally and unequivocally dead...and if he wasn't, I would have had to crawl through the pages to give him a piece of my mind to CHOKE upon. The nerve of that "man" and yes, I used quotations marks around the word man because he wasn't truly in the sense of the word. What he did...and with whom...and why...ugh! It's enough to make a lady step down a few notches and have to add some pence to the swear jar. The funny part is...despite what he did, and despite how it all comes to light, the two truly wronged parties come out all right, at least for the time being. The kinship that forms between the two ladies "Derring", though only one actually carries the name, is so GIRL POWER, so not of the times, but so smile inducing, and fist pump worthy, that you'll have all you can do not to cheer loudly from your favorite reading chair as they show the people what two LADIES can do...
Now that all being said, it doesn't mean that the ladies didn't have some manly intervention along the way. Much to their chagrin, there is some sidestepping they have to do around the opposite of their kind, but it isn't because they lack a choice, but rather MADE the choice because it was more beneficial to them and their endeavor...and what a man it is! I'm sorry (not really), but Tristan Hardy (Captain, my captain! *smirk*) is a heck of a guy, I mean man. He seems hardcore, he seems cut from different cloth and unattainable, but everyone has a weakness, and he's about to meet his...and how it happens is such a memorable "meet cute" if ever there was! The going is tough, the mission he is on can't be compromised, but he'll be darned if he isn't the least bit distracted by a certain someone...and though I may want to swat him about the ears a time or two, I still wouldn't turn him away.
In the end, I was DELIGHTFULLY surprised by how much I enjoyed my time between the pages. Getting to know the characters, watching them battle the presumptions of the ton, coming along for the entrepreneurial endeavors, and seeing them struggle to come to terms with their feelings...why it made for an enchanting read from start to finish! Highly recommended to the adult Historical Romance reading audience...and I for one can't wait for the next!
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About the author...
USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long originally set out to be a rock star when she grew up (and she has the guitars and fringed clothing stuffed in the back of her closet to prove it), but writing was always her first love. Since hanging up her guitar for the computer keyboard, her books frequently top reader and critic polls and have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Rita, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, and The Quills, and reviewers have been known to use words like “dazzling,” “brilliant,” and “impossible to put down” when describing them. Julie lives in Northern California.
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Special thanks to Kayleigh at Avon Books for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the series, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour as it makes its way through the blogosphere...including the other amazing blogs I'm sharing today with...
Now, if you're ready for EVEN MORE FUN, here's your CHANCE TO WIN!
That's right. Thanks to the fabulous Avon Books team, I have the chance to give ONE LUCKY READER a new addition to their bookshelf, and all you have to do is ENTER TO WIN!
Here's the scoop...open to US/Canada residents only; no PO Boxes please. Entries accepted through 03/15/19. Winner will be drawn, contacted, and have 48 hours to respond with their mailing information to be sent to the publisher for prize send out. If no response is received, a new winner will be selected. SFIR is not responsible for lost prizes.
Until next time, GOOD LUCK, and remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
A unique and captivating historical which I would enjoy. I have read this author's novels which are memorable and very special. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see that Julie Anne Long is back to writing historicals. I look forward to reading this book.
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