The Indebted Earl

I mostly read contemporary fiction but I got my love of reading growing up reading historical fiction with Victoria Holt, Georgette Heyer, and others. I do like a good Regency and have enjoyed the Serendipity &amp; Secrets series. The Indebted Earl is the story of Captain Charles Wyvern and Lady Sophia Haverly. The two meet when Charles returns Sophie's fiancé's belongings after he died serving under Charles aboard the Dogged fighting against France. Major Rich Richardson and Charles were both injured. Rich passed away but asked Charles to visit Sophia and his mother with whom Sophia was living with and caring for. The war is over and Charles doesn't have a position at sea. Mamie, Rich's mother, wants to visit the coast where she was born and Charles has just found out that he has inherited the family estate on the coast in Devon. He is now the Earl of Rothwell so he accompanies the two women to the coast stopping at his home first. They encountered the estate a complete mess and a trio of orphans that the old earl had sponsored on the Charles' doorstep, so the ladies stayed on to help. What a time that they all had! Something is afoot in the small village as well...a mystery to unravel on top of grief, disorder, and yet Charles just wants to get back to sea. I enjoyed the delightful dialogue with Charles using sea jargon to relate to everyday affairs on land and adjusting to a new life. The children add delight to everyone's life as healing begins and so does romance. This are some anxious times with the local activities to uncover. Loved it!<br />I received a complimentary ARC from Kregel Publications through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

Portugal and England 1814<br /><br />Lovely conclusion to the series. Satisfying slow build of a romance between Sophie who just lost her fiance to war and Charles, her fiance's friend and captain. My favorite part was the use of seafaring language by the youngest characters in the book. So sweet how they admired Charles.<br /><br />Glad to build my word knowledge as well. Had to look up a few words. :-)

I have a soft spot for wounded naval officers when I read a Regency book! Charles is the epitome of a British captain, but through humbling experiences and Sophie's influence, he finds himself and his desires for the future shifting away from the sea. The strong emotions of grief were felt, but the author skillfully balanced the sadness with new hope as Sophie moves forward with the help of Charles. Theirs is a gentle and slow romance that blossoms from friendship and a common goal of taking care of those whom they have charge over. I loved the coastal setting as Charles and Sophie make a new life for themselves and it was easy to see how well they matched. Mamie, Sophie's former fiancee's mother, and the three girls that have become Charles' wards are absolutely delightful and brought additional layers of warmth and charm to the story. The increase in pace came at just the right time in the book, with some suspicious villagers and suspenseful action. This was a story that was easy to fall into and stay interested in the lives of the characters. My favorite of the series!<br /><br />Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

I had so been looking forward to this last book in Erica Vetsch’s ‘Serendipity and Secrets’ series! Vetsch absolutely excels at this genre. I totally lose myself in her stories. <br /><br />Captain Charles Wyvern is completely shocked to return from war to find himself the new Earl Rothwell, owner of a large estate and, it seems, guardian to three young girls. Then there’s that marriage of convenience to Sophia Haverly. Ack!<br /><br />It was great to see old friends from the previous book and to meet new ones. I do enjoy a good Regency and as I stated earlier, Erica Vetsch has mastered the art of telling a good Regency story. Well done!!<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publishers. I was not compensated and the opinion in this review is my own.

from endorsement:<br /><br />Vetsch’s impeccable research and compelling Regency voice have made Serendipity and Secrets one of the strongest offerings in inspirational historical romance in years. Here, the compulsive trilogy comes to a wonderful conclusion in a tale that packs as much adventure as it does heart. High emotional stakes, love lost and found and an intelligent treatise on duty and honour will delight established fans while sweeping newcomers off their feet

This book was an enjoyable Regency with a wonderful heroine and interesting hero. Captain Charles Wyvern is operating under the weight of guilt and a burden to make things right when his friend a major dies in part saving the captain's life. Sophie is the major's fiancee and finds her life upended in the worst way when the major dies. The captain longs to get back on his ship, with his men, and Sophie just wants a safe place to grieve. That ends when the captain learns he's now an earl. An earl with three wards. At this estate, they find themselves in a marriage of convenience, caring for the wards and on the hunt of a mystery. The book is engaging, the characters well-developed, and the plot interesting. I've been on a Regency binge, and this was a satisfying addition to the reading list while also an enjoyable conclusion to the series. It's one that will leave lovers of Kristi Ann Hunter and Sarah Ladd satisfied!

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.<br /><br />What a fantastic finale! I adored this entire series, and each book was better than the previous one. The series built beautifully and felt very connected, which I completely love about series books.<br /><br />The plethora of naval, water, and sailing analogies helped me feel immersed in Captain Charles Wyvern’s world. They added richness and depth to the atmosphere. I liked that the story began in Portugal. That’s a country I don’t see featured much in Christian fiction, so it was a delight to spend a chapter or so there. The other setting of England really popped to life through the description throughout the book.<br /><br />From beginning to end, this story was complex. It was twisty with loads of surprises along the way. I especially enjoyed the children’s personalities. They bumped against each other as they were all so different, yet there was a clear thread of love keeping them tethered to one another despite what their words declared at times. This little makeshift family was charming, and I was beyond happy to spend plenty of hours alongside them.<br /><br />Happy sigh, y’all. This book was spectacular. It was a superb finale. I can hardly wait to see which series will be next up for Mrs. Erica Vetsch. I adore her writing and highly recommend it.<br /><br />Content: alcohol

<b>A deathbed promise leads to a marriage between a taciturn sea captain and a life-loving duke's daughter. </b><br /><br />The Indebted Earl is an age-gap, sweet historical romance with a tad of adventure, spirituality, and courtroom drama.<br /><br />Charles Wynern was a captain in the navy who had lived his whole life on a ship. Baron Richardson, one of his officers, got seriously hurt while saving Charles' life and, on his deathbed, asked the captain to take care of his ailing mother and fiancee.<br /><br />The captain had never met Lady Sophia Haverly, but he had always admired her sunny disposition and the witty letters she wrote to her betrothed. Half of the crew was in love with Sophia and waited anxiously for the bits of her missives that Richardson would occasionally share with the men.<br /><br />Sophia and Charles were very different, but they bonded over their grief, and those bonds deepened over the love they shared for Charles' wards: three lovely orphan girls.<br /><br />Charles was conflicted by his unrequited love for the young Sophia and the pull of the sea. Things got worse when some unknown enemies started a plot against him.<br /><br />There is a light element of faith, with the main characters having doubts and looking for God's guidance in their moment of grief and uncertainty. <br /><br />I loved the contrast between Charles's deep insecurities and his unwavering protection and support of Sophia and Richardson's mother. He was such a mature and honorable man. His tenderness for his wards was so endearing.<br /><br />Sophia was a remarkable heroine: young yet constant, reliable, loyal, and most of all, always very kind.<br /><br />The side characters were lovely. It was especially nice to see the portrait of a positive and loving relationship between mother and daughter-in-law (they were not precisely in-laws, but it made their relationship even sweeter).<br /><br />The Indebted Earl is a lovely story with relatable characters, family love, romance, and a bit of courtroom drama. It is my first book by this author, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her stories.<br /><br />Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.<br /><br />*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://lureviewsbooks.com">https://lureviewsbooks.com</a> *

What a wonderful conclusion to a series that has quickly become one of my favorites! For readers who love clean Regency novels, I suggest picking up this entire series. However, even if you haven’t read the previous stories, The Indebted Earl can easily be enjoyed on its own.<br /><br />The author did such a beautiful job of conveying the heartbreak that both Sophie and Charles felt at the loss of Sophie’s betrothed. It was very clear that Sophie loved Rich dearly and that Charles had lost a close friend.<br /><br />I have loved the marriage of convenience aspect of all three of these novels, as that is one of my favorite tropes. The marriage of convenience does not happen immediately in this novel, instead occurring a bit later in the story. Instead, Sophie and Charles must navigate caring for three girls who become Charles’ wards. They also continue to care for Rich’s mother, Mamie. All of this while Charles must navigate a new and uncertain future.<br /><br />I really liked the way Sophie and Charles began to connect and care for each other, even as Charles carried guilt due to Rich’s death and Sophie tried to balance her sadness with a newfound respect for Charles. This book, just like the two previous stories in the series, had a wonderful balance of romance, intrigue, and even some danger thrown in.<br /><br />The Serendipity &amp; Secrets series is a solid favorite of mine. I recommend all three books in the series, as well as a connected novella which takes place just after The Indebted Earl. It is Cilla’s story and is titled The Wonders of His Love. It can be found in the novella collection Joy to the World: A Regency Christmas Collection.<br /><br />I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com/2021/04/04/review-giveaway-the-indebted-earl-by-erica-vetsch/">https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...</a>

One of my favorite genres is Regency historicals and this series has been the icing on the cake! <br />In book number three of Serendipity and Secrets, Stalwart Captain Charles Wyvern has his life planned out when everything is turned upside down. He has an obligation to fulfill from his dying friend Major Richardson. He has promised to look after Rich’s mother, Mamie and fiancé Lady Sophia Haverly. There are more surprises in store when he gets to his family estate. He is the new Earl and has three young wards. Sophie was looking after her almost mother in law while she waited for Rich to return from war: “Duties are not burdens when they are performed out of love.” Can obligation turn to love? <br />Charles and Sophie are thrust into a new situation and seek God for the answers. But are they ready for what God shows them? <br />This is a story with a bit of intrigue and danger that brings feelings to the forefront. It is packed with likable characters. The three young girls are portrayed with spirit and wisdom beyond their years. The loving relationship between Mamie and Sophie shows that God can bring comfort in times of sorrow and He makes family where hearts come together. <br />Ms. Vetsch has penned a delightful end to her fantastic Regency series. I do believe Regency is her talent. She genuinely blossoms in these stories. <br />* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel on behalf of the author through Audra Jennings Tours. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*