The Return of the Earl

Setting - England, 1810 --- Taking one long look at the clear blue sky Geoffrey Sauvage and his 12 year old son Christian stepped down into the darkness of the belly of the Retribution - a prisoner transport that would take them to New South Wales and away from England for fifteen years. Fifteen years later, a man claiming to be Christian Sauvage has returned to England after receiving a letter notifying him that he was the new Earl of Egremont. Having been a child when he left who was to say that he was that same person. The young woman, engaged to marry the other claimant for the earl's title remembered that her cousin, Julianne Lowell, knew Christian before he was transported and invited her for a visit, never telling her the true reason and hoping to prove Christian as an imposter. As the battles raged over who was the rightful heir it was hoped that, Julianne, sister to the Christian's best childhood friend might be able to identify him through some common recollections of childhood memories. Julianne remembered the young lad, but the handsome man with brilliant blue eyes was an enigma. The more time spent together she felt that he was that young lad grown up, yet she couldn't say for certain as the elegant, well-bred and polite, grown man simply stole her breath away. This was a beautifully written and entertaining story of intrigue, betrayal and romance. Both the protagonists were truly likeable and Julianne was wonderful. I truly liked that she was nobody's fool, who very early on realized that her cousin was using her, and let her know she knew it. The secondary characters were all well defined with reasonable depth for even those cast in minor roles. I can't say I was surprised by who the culprit was, but there were some surprises in at the end that did sneak up on me. As far as sensuality goes - it was clearly felt (though not acted on)throughout though I felt the story was steered more towards the mystery. BOTTOM LINE - I can recommend this as a most enjoyable read with enough action and characters you care about that will keep you turning the pages in order to solve the mystery. --- Marilyn Rondeau (...)

I immediately fell in love with both the hero and the world of this book! Return of the Earl is a perfect union of romance and intrigue. This book combines fabulous and fascinating characters with real suspense and plot twists that keeps you turning pages. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!

This is not a book filled with sex, zany characters, or anything paranormal. It is a traditional book. It is filled with good strong characters with a story to tell. You will enjoy the build up to the ending.