This Earl of Mine
A Bow Street Bachelors Novel
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4.4 • 181 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
"Bateman's scintillating first Bow Street Bachelors Regency is full of intense emotions and dramatic twists. Intelligent, affable characters make this fast-paced novel shine, especially for fans of clever women and the men who sincerely admire them. Future installments will be eagerly anticipated by Regency readers." -- Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Introducing the Bow Street Bachelors—men who work undercover for London’s first official police force—and the women they serve to protect. . .and wed?
WILL A FALSE MARRIAGE
Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed is done with men who covet her purse more than her person. Even worse than the ton’s lecherous fortune hunters, however, is the cruel cousin determined to force Georgie into marriage. If only she could find a way to be . . . widowed? Georgie hatches a madcap scheme to wed a condemned criminal before he’s set to be executed. All she has to do is find an eligible bachelor in prison to marry her, and she’ll be free. What could possibly go wrong?
LEAD TO TRUE AND LASTING LOVE?
Benedict William Henry Wylde, scapegrace second son of the late Earl of Morcott and well-known rake, is in Newgate prison undercover, working for Bow Street. Georgie doesn’t realize who he is when she marries him—and she most certainly never expects to bump into her very-much-alive, and very handsome, husband of convenience at a society gathering weeks later. Soon Wylde finds himself courting his own wife, hoping to win her heart since he already has her hand. But how can this seductive rogue convince brazen, beautiful Georgie that he wants to be together…until actual death do they part?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Set just after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, the first book in the Bow Street Bachelors series blends mystery, espionage, and sexual tension in the most delicious way. Georgiana Caversteed is determined to keep control over her inheritance. Armed with an ironclad prenup, she marries a convict destined for Australia. But Georgie soon discovers that Benedict Wylde is no criminal—he’s an undercover spy working to stop a treasonous plot. Imagine a Regency-era Nick and Nora, volleying affectionate snark back and forth. This Earl of Mine is a fast-paced and seductive read.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bateman's scintillating first Bow Street Bachelors Regency is full of intense emotions and dramatic twists. Shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed, desperate to avoid marriage to her cousin Josiah, procures a husband, Benedict Wylde, from Newgate Prison, thinking she's saving him from being transported to Australia. The two are hastily wed but have no plans to live as husband and wife. But Benedict is actually the younger son of the Earl of Morcott and has gone undercover at Newgate to track down a traitor. When Georgiana sees Benedict at a ball and discovers his true identity, the two must decide how to proceed with their marriage. Determining that divorce and annulment are not options, they decide upon a public courtship and public marriage ceremony, after which they can live apart. Attraction and friendship blossom between Benedict and Georgiana as they see each other at social gatherings, and soon she's helping with his spy work, as well. Intelligent, affable characters make this fast-paced novel shine, especially for fans of clever women and the men who sincerely admire them. Future installments will be eagerly anticipated by Regency readers.
Customer Reviews
Fantastic!
Georgiana Caversteed is very wealthy and is accustomed to and adept at fending of fortune hunters. When her noxious cousin attempts to compromise her in order to marry and access her fortune, she has reached the limit of her patience. Her plan is quite daring, rather, quite desperate. She will marry a condemned prisoner and then live as a widow. When the prisoner chosen for her dies before the wedding, the guards force his cellmate, Benedict Wylde, to take his place. The problem? Benedict is not really a prisoner, but the second son of an Earl and an undercover agent for Bow Street. The other problem? He can’t get out of marrying the girl without blowing his cover. He will have to try to straighten it all out later. Believing her plan has succeeded, imagine the shock of seeing Ben at a ball several weeks later. Once the shock wears off and she learns the truth, they decide they Ben will court her, they will marry publicly, and then go their separate ways. Now, you know about best laid plans, right?
The characters in this story, with the exception of slimy cousin Josiah, are intelligent, independent, caring, and a bit cautious. Georgie runs the shipping company her father left her competently and expertly. She takes care of the business and the people who work for her. She loves and cares for her family. Ben served the country in the war in France. He is courageous and intelligent. He and his brother, the Earl, were left impoverished by their father and are working hard to make the estate sound and profitable again. Ben is unfortunately quite poor, but he is not a fortune hunter. He is honorable and perfectly agreeable not to make claim on Georgie’s fortune.
The couple spends a great deal of time together and start down the road to a possible happy future. Several things help this along, Georgie’s curiosity about Ben’s case, her desire for adventure, and her overwhelming need to satisfy their physical attraction.
This is a great start for the new series. The story is compelling and somewhat different. Ben and Georgie are fantastic. The chemistry between them sizzles. I love the side story of her sister’s romance, the way she made sure cousin Josiah would no longer be a problem, and the two absolutely awesome surprises at the end. A great read! I enjoyed and recommend it.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Charming!
Charming! This is the first story that I have read by Kate Bateman and I can’t wait to read the next one! This story was a unexpected delight. It had fabulously crafted characters, that were engaging, full of warmth, intelligence and sexual tension that was off the charts. The plot was original, clever, full of witty banter, adventure, intrigue and swoon-worthy romance.
This Earl of Mine is absolutely everything I want out of a romance. A cold hero with hidden depths, a spirited heroine who’s got dreams and ambition. And a plot that is consistent and compelling. As well as secondary characters that add to the story rather than distracting from it and most importantly the romantic and sexual tensions is off the charts. Loved it! Loved It! Loved It! Don’t miss this one!!
Blessed to receive a early copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This Earl of mine
Wow this is a fantastic book. So very well written. Full of mystery,adventure and romance. Strong female and male characters with whit and intelligence. I sat at the end of my seat.