Tag: Kate Bateman

The Princess and The Rogue by Kate Bateman

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

The Princess and the Rogue (Bow Street Bachelors, #3)The Princess and the Rogue by Kate Bateman

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Bow Street Bachelors, #3

Release Date: December 29, 2020

Princess Anastasia “Anya” Denisova was staying in Paris when she learned that her brother Prince Dmitri perished in the battle of Waterloo. Heartbroken she makes plans to return to St. Petersburg with her companion Elizaveta and is in the process of dismantling her family heirloom tiara to pay for passage when she is accosted by a fellow countryman – Count Vasili Petrov – he is sure her brother sent her evidence of his traitorous activities and wants the letters and demands that she marry him so she would not be able to testify against him. She refuses but is easily overpowered by the larger man, but thankfully Elizaveta returns in time to save her. And in an instant, their plan changes, since her family is dead, there is no one to protect her from Petrov – so she fakes her death and escapes to England. Fast forward one year, she and Elizaveta have created a new life for themselves and she changes her name to Anna Brown. She has not only taken a job as secretary to the dowager Duchess of Winwick, but she has also befriended her neighbor – Charlotte Haye – the owner of a very exclusive brothel and offered to teach the girls to read and write. It is there that she finally meets her employer’s roguish nephew – Sebastien “Seb” Wolff, the newly minted Earl of Mowbray, owner of the Tricorn Club and sometime Bow Street Runner. She is at the brothel to give reading lessons to some of the girls when Seb comes in the room and mistakes her for a courtesan – they share a kiss and he offers her an outrageous sum to spend the night with him. She refuses and leaves – intent on never seeing his handsome face again. But She that plan is tossed when her worst nightmare comes true – Petrov has followed her. The dowager figures out what is going on and offers to hide her in the country – she will ask Seb to provide them with protection.

Seb is intrigued by the girl and amazed that she turned him down, something that has almost never happened to him. He should just forget about her, but he can’t – much to the delight of his newly married friends, who are also his business partners in not only the club but also in Bow Street. They are working the case of a Russian man found dead on the docks and believe it is connected to a Russian spy – a case that is frustrating them and one they could use help with. It is about this time that his Great Aunt asks him to provide an escort to her country estate – he forgot and sets out to find them – what he finds is their carriage under attack and his mystery woman being abducted! He saves her and his aunt insists that he must take her back to London and protect her – but they don’t tell him who she is or why they were attacked. Seb agrees and they return to London. He tells himself that she is off-limits and that she is irritating – but he is still fascinated and attracted to her. He recruits her to help with his case and slowly, she worms her way into his heart and the hearts of his staff. But when he learns the truth – he is enraged and sends her back to his Aunt – with a plan to save her from Petrov – He tried to convince himself that she means nothing to him, but when things go wrong and he finally admits what is in his heart – will he be able to save her in time or will she be lost to him forever?

I loved this well written, fast-paced final installment of the series – Seb and Anya are a wonderful couple and I just loved their interactions. The book has it all; intrigue, murder, steamy love scenes, witty banter, delightfully silly Russian superstitions, cameos from the other “Bachelors” and their wives, a really vile villain, a shocking surprise, and finally a hard-won HEA. I am sad to say that while this book was a great read – I was disappointed in the lack of an epilogue – it was the end of the series and I was hoping for a glimpse into the collective HEA – but sigh, no such luck. This is the third and final book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title with no problems. I highly recommend this book and the entire series!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

To Catch An Earl by Kate Bateman

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)1 Comment

To Catch An Earl
Barbara’s Rating:  4 of 5 Stars

Series: Bow Street Bachelors #2
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 336

Welcome to the second exciting and steamy installment of the Bow Street Bachelors. You are going to love this excellently-written, well-plotted, and well-delivered story which takes place just two months after the first book, This Earl of Mine. I will admit, I had a love-hate relationship with Alex – quite often I didn’t care for how he treated Emmy, even though I could understand his turmoil. As for Emmy, well, I just loved her and her family and was happy to see her find her HEA.

Emmy Danvers (Emmeline Louise d’Anvers), the daughter of Europe’s most elusive jewel thief, has only broken one of her father’s rules – and it will bring her great pleasure and great pain. That rule? Only touch what you’re going to steal. She broke it four years ago when she kissed Alexander Harland at a masked ball. He had no idea who she was, but she knew exactly who he was because she’d admired him from afar for a very long time. She has never forgotten that kiss nor the man who bestowed it – no other man has ever felt ‘right’. She knows he’ll never notice her among the crowds – and she’s grateful for that – because they are on very different sides of the law. After her father’s death, Emmy has assumed his role as the Nightjar and is now being sought by Bow Street after stealing a gem owned by the Prince Regent.

Two months ago, after he and his two best friends, Seb and Benedict, had foiled an attempt to rescue Bonaparte from exile on St. Helena, they were all granted titles. He is now Alexander Harland, Earl of Melton. But, more importantly to him, he is a partner in the Tricorn Club and he aids Bow Street with sensitive cases. He’s just been handed one such sensitive case – a thief known as the Nightjar has stolen a diamond from Rundell Bridge and Rundell. The owner of that diamond is none other than the Prince Regent and he is demanding they find his diamond and prosecute the scurrilous thief. Alex likes nothing better than a good challenge and the Nightjar will be a challenge.

Alex doesn’t ever see himself marrying, but he can’t forget that kiss four years ago. A woman kissed him at a masquerade ball and he never learned her name – but he’s never forgotten her. He remembers every detail -he can picture it in his mind – and her scent – OH! He remembers that as well. When he visits the scene of the crime at Rundell Bridge and Rundell, he catches a whiff of that scent. He hasn’t smelled exactly that scent in four years, but he is positive it is the same. Yet, there are so many people on the street he can’t find the source ** He should be prepared, that scent is going to drive him insane for the next few weeks. **

I loved the mystery and the chase. Emmy and Alex are both very smart strategic thinkers and each takes delight in outwitting the other. Will she finish her father’s task and escape being arrested? Will he catch her and send her to the gallows? It seems it must be one way or the other with no in-between. You’ll just have to read the story to find out all of the wonderful details. Be prepared – there isn’t a dull minute in there anywhere.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.