Desiring Lady Caro

Reread mass market paperback August 18 2020<br />I still love this title! ?<br /><br />…and the games continue!<br /><br />Lady Caroline Martindale and the rake Huntley! Will they fall in love?<br />Gervaise, Earl of Huntley, heir to the Marquis of Huntingdon, is a man of infinite patience and strength once having decided that it is Caroline whom he wants as his Countess.<br />This Marriage Game begins with a marriage of convenience that slowly grows to something more, defying Caro's tragic past. The ravishment and rape of young women by scoundrels is a danger that one doesn't think about. I suspect us readers have been anaesthetized by Jane Austen. This is Caroline's darkest secret and deepest nightmare. A nightmare she constantly relives with fear and loathing.<br />Fleeing Vemice and the unwanted attentions of the deranged Marchese di Venier,<br />Caroline and Huntley are thrown together by Huntley's aunt and Caro's godmother, Lady Horatia Laughton in an effort to protect Caroline.<br />A torrid race through Italy over the alps en route to Nancy via Austria pursued by the wicked Marchese makes for a different turn of events. <br />However, the strength of Lady Horatia and her finding love in an unexpected place actually entranced me, and nearly eclipsed the romance between Caroline and Gervaise. I did enjoy Horatia and Captain John's repartee and interaction. Theirs is a whirlwind romance, witty and amusing. I found it very satisfying that this wonderful widow found the love and companionship she deserves.<br /><br />A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley. <br />Many thanks to the author and publisher.<br />(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars<br />Series: The Marriage Game #4<br />Publication Date: First Published 1/1/14 – new release 8/23/22<br />Period: Regency Europe <br />Number of Pages: 301<br /><br />This was a scrumptiously feel-good book. Yes, there was a villain, and yes, there were exciting coach chases over the alps, but, all-in-all it just felt good. It seems every male and female who met fell in love. While there were several mentioned romances, the two featured ones were: the main one between Gervais (Earl of Huntley) and Lady Caroline (Caro) Martindale; and the secondary one between Lady Horatia and John Whitton, the Earl of Devon. <br /><br />Lady Caroline left England five years ago to live with her aunt, Lady Horatia, in Italy. She’s spent that time trying to heal after the horrendous events that caused her to leave England. She enjoys her life with her aunt and she adores Italy. Unfortunately, she has become the focus of Duca di Venier, and his attentions are most unwelcome. His family is ultra-powerful in the area and she’s heard some very dark stories about him. Leaving Venice is the only answer – even if it does have to be with her Godmother’s nephew.<br /><br />All of Gervais’s friends have been bitten by the love bug and married and he’s been pursued by every marriageable lady in England. The only way to escape is to take his Grand Tour and visit his Aunt Horatia for a while. The houseguest he finds there is beautiful, intriguing, and totally uninterested in him. How can that be – all the ladies love him?<br /><br />I just loved Gervais – he had the most wonderfully generous heart and a protective streak a mile wide. Almost as soon as he saw Lady Caro he was smitten and would do whatever he had to do to protect her. Of course, he couldn’t tell her he intended to marry her – he’ll have to quietly woo her and convince her. However, he has to save her first. Can they escape the Duca before he swoops in to kidnap Caro? Can Gervais convince Caro to stay with him and have a happy marriage?<br /><br />While Gervais and Caro are careening through the alps, Horatia is trying to lead the Duca on a false trail – where she meets the most enigmatic man. He’s so very handsome, and so very determined to marry her. He intrigues her. He vexes her. He entices her. Oh! My!<br /><br />I can definitely recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters were absolutely wonderful. <br /><br />I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.<br />

3.5 stars, rounded up.<br /><br />Five years ago a heartbroken Lady Caroline “Caro” Martindale agreed to a betrothal arranged by her father but later realized that she could not go through with the marriage. She met with her fiance and was brutally accosted and raped by the man. Traumatized and shamed, she told her mother of the incident and begged to leave London, her mother agreed and she was sent to stay with her godmother, the widowed Lady Horatia Laughton in Italy. Now Caro has settled into life with Horatia and has no plans to marry or return to England. But the arrival of Horatia’s nephew, Gervais, Earl of Huntley and heir to the Marquis of Huntingdon, turns Caro’s life upside down.<br /><br />With the marriage of several of his friends, Gervais has decided to escape London and embark on his long overdue Grand Tour, with a stop to visit his Aunt Horatia in Venice. Gervais is stunned by Caro’s beauty and his instant attraction to her, but Caro is an innocent and therefore off limits unless he wants to succumb to the bonds of matrimony, which he doesn’t. Not to mention, Caro has made it quite clear that she is not interested in him or any man. Unfortunately for her, the Marchese di Venier has decided that she will be his and refuses to take no for an answer. His persistence causes Horatia to tell him that Caro and Gervais are betrothed and that they are leaving Venice. A lie that ultimately sees them married. But will that be enough to keep them safe from the Marchese’s obsession?<br /><br />This story is a re-release of a book I read back in 2014, I can honestly say that I did not notice any difference between that edition and this one. I have mixed feelings about this book, on one hand, there are many things I like and on the other, there are things that bothered me. I loved that the book was set abroad and that there is a secondary romance, but I did not care for Gervais’ single-minded desire to bed Caro, nor the fact that he touched her while she was semi-conscious. I found Caro to be a believable survivor of violence and was happy that she was able to move beyond the pain of her attack and have a loving relationship. And aside from the overwhelming lust that Gervais had for her, I did believe he cared for her and had her best intentions at heart. Overall this was a well-written, emotional story of healing, second chances, and love. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title.<br /><br />*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Haunted by her past, Lady Caroline Martindale fled England for the solace of Lady Horatia Laughton, 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<br />The book was first released in 2014. I love this series &amp; we have two happy endings, which is a lovely bonus. I loved both Gervais &amp; Caro &amp; was drawn in from the first page until the last. Gervais is sigh worthy &amp; falls hard &amp; fast for Caro. The chemistry between them sizzles. The characters are well portrayed &amp; have lovely depth. A well paced book with chases &amp; two lovely romances. An engrossing, which I loved<br />My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read<br />

I did not realize this book is a re-release from 2014. I kept wondering why this story seemed familiar! Nevertheless, I enjoyed rereading this book. Caro is hiding out in Italy living with her godmother. She does not want to marry or have anything to do with men. Gervais arrives to visit his aunt and is attracted to Caro. While trying to protect her from a crazed suitor, he decides that being single may no longer suit him. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.

Originally posted on <a href="" rel="nofollow noopener">Buried Under Romance...visit to read a recipe. :)</a><br /><br />Gervais, Earl of Huntley, plans to marry only when he is coerced into producing an heir for his future marquisate, which is to say, not in a long while. The recent marriages of his friends (fellow heroes of Ella Quinn's previous books) had him wanting to escape England for a while. So, why not tour the Continent and visit his Aunt Horatia in Italy as well?<br /><br />Upon arriving at Horatia's residence, he sets eyes on Horatia’s goddaughter, the most beautiful woman he had ever met – Lady Caroline Martindale, who is repelled by his touch, but her frosty demeanor only makes him more intrigued by her. While Gervais is ready to shed his bachelor state and court her, Caro simply wants him to go away. Yet, when a powerful, determined suitor (stalker) comes to claim Caro, she and Gervais must embark on a journey together to Paris, en route needing to get married, with Gervais the difficult challenge of convincing his bride to give him a chance.<br /><br />If you’re in want of a fast-paced book, then look no further. Time in this novel is shaped like a “U,” fast paced in the beginning and end, but slower in the middle to allow for more character interactions. This technique is nicely utilized here, as Caro and Gervais are quickly thrust together with only each other on whom to depend. Gervais’s ploys to melt his Ice Maiden are coupled with his wishes to protect her, and under his care, Caro’s true self slowly emerges. For years, Caro was repulsed by a man’s touch, after being raped by a scoundrel (this is known early on). She repressed herself, lost the joys of life, only to be brought alive by Gervais’s rakish charm and caring heart. Of course, her being a chocoholic and Gervais’s Food Temptation plan also helped. ;-)<br /><br />The characters, while not overly complex, are a delightful treat in this Regency romance. The most remarkable aspect of Ella Quinn’s writing is her focus on a greater scale of characters, such as the giving the widowed Horatia her own secondary romance, and painting the villain as a kind father, making me wonder if the villain might possibly be redeemed at the end of the book. <br /><br />In essence, this book feels like one of Heyer’s Regencies, set in a more exotic locale and with a distinctly European flair that suits both its setting and the characters, and enliven those readers who have found Regency England de trop. <br /><br />Side note: If you’re feeling hungry, you can go look up some of the recipes mentioned in this book, and satisfy your physical hunger as well as your hunger for great reads. <br />

The cover is beautiful but I’m not sure it fits the characters in the story. Gervais, Earl of Huntley goes to Venice to avoid the marriage minded mamas. But there he meets the beautiful Lady Caro (Caroline Martindale) who is living with her Godmother. She is the object of unwanted attention of a powerful titled Venetian who has murdered others. In agreement they flee going to journeying to Austria before rendezvousing with the Godmother in France. Along the way they are compromised and quickly marry. Caro didn’t plan to marry as she was raped at 15. The rape is vaguely described and makes her unsuitable for a real marriage. Gervais sets out to woo her. The flip side of the story is a romance for the Godmother as well. <br /><br />I actually enjoyed the journey, especially the many different foods and variety of chocolate they find along the way. The couples are sweet and you know everything is going to work out well between them. The book seems to be a re-release of a book originally published in 2014. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Caro has lived in Italy for five years after being traumatized in England. Gervais, Earl of Huntley, is in Italy to visit his aunt and meets Caro. When an Italian marchese becomes obsessed with Caro, Gervais whisked her away on a long journey from Italy to France. In the meantime, his aunt, her godmama, is on her own adventure. Seduced by a captain now an Earl, with the enticement of marriage, she resists marriage thinking she is barren. Each gentleman must prove their ladies perception of their self worth for marriage is wrong. A long book with a pace a little slower than I usually like. Nice plot with two connecting romance stories. <br />Heat level 4<br />I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Lady Caroline is haunted by a past that includes rape. Will she let Garvais into her life and heart?<br />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 . . .<br />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<br />I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily. . . .

Lady Caroline do not want to marry and Gervaise Earl of Huntley is running from rabid ton mother hunting for a decent candidate for their daughters <br />They agree to take one agreement and fall in love <br />She has a painful episode in her past <br />Nice sweet bodice ripper romance. <br />Cover not matches the book <br />Side trope enjoyable <br />3 stars. <br />Well done <br />Thanks NetGalley for the arc