Enamored with a Brooding Earl: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Sally Forbes

She painted beauty to hide her own scars, but his love revealed a masterpiece she never expected...

Lady Temperance Greenwood is a woman trapped by expectations. Her disfiguring accident destroyed her debutante dreams, leaving her a social outcast confined to her aunt's seaside estate. With every brushstroke, she escapes the cruel whispers of society into vibrant worlds on canvas, yet her own aching heart remains untouched. Destiny takes an unexpected turn on the windswept cliffs – a fateful encounter that will irrevocably alter the course of her life.

James Cartwright, the Earl of Calverton, is haunted by the weight of his family's decline and the guilt of choices beyond his control. Struggling to restore his earldom while preserving his honor, he has no room for distractions. Yet, on a windswept cliff, he encounters a solitary woman whose enigmatic beauty and quiet dignity stir something long-dormant in his soul.

As passionate connection blossoms amidst canvases and storm-tossed shores, dark forces conspire to tear them apart. Scandal, manipulation, and the echoes of past tragedies threaten their fragile happiness. Can their love withstand the relentless onslaught and illuminate a path toward a future where scars are emblems of strength and shared passions paint a portrait of enduring devotion?


"Enamored with a Brooding Earl" is a Regency historical romance novel full of twists and turns, no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after—around 60000 words. Get your copy today to unlock Temperance's and James story.

Also available with Kindle Unlimited!

171 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2024

Reviews

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago Temperance was happily engaged to be married. Until an unfortunate accident leaves her scarred along her face and single. She has decided that she will live her life happily as a spinster, with her Aunt and Uncle, on the coast, focusing on her art. But fate steps in, and its chasing down a stray piece of her art that lands her in the presence of James. James has just moved back to the coast and is silently taking over his late brothers role as Lord. While Temperance is settling into spinsterhood, and James is settling into his role as Lord they find themselves in each other's presence more and more. They find they like each others presence and come to rely on it. And James is different than anyone Temperance has met, he doesn't look at her scar, he focuses only on her. And James is enamored by Temperance, he's drawn to her braverly, kindness, and beauty. As their friendship grows they face the biggest challenge in their friendship... Temperance's fiance returns and wants her back! With no other men waiting to marry her, will Temperance take him back? Is their friendship meant to be something more? The more time Temperance spends with her ex fiance the riskier things become and more and more she's at risk of being forced into a marriage with him. James can only interrupt her exs courting attempts but so many times, before he fears, it may be too late!

This was a wonderful story. James is a truly admirable man. He wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Temperance. Stepping up first as her friend and then protector when so many had let her down. The story is a bit if a slow burn, perhaps at times a little too slow for me. But all in all, I loved the story.

4 stars!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED James Cartwright. He is just so sweet and caring. I enjoyed this book a lot. It follows Lady Temperance Greenwood and James Cartwright on their path to love. They face scandals, scoundrels, and secrets along the way. Temperance has been in an accident that left her with face-altering scars and she has left society to live with her aunt. James just wants to get his family away from society as the wake of their scandal dies down. I loved that Temperance is an artist. I loved that James is kind of the hero in this story. I also loved that this story is set by the seaside. It is somewhat refreshing that this book is set away from the hustle and bustle of the season in town. The twist towards the end of the story is written so well.
Thank you to Sally Forbes. These opinions are my own.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, by this author. Full of love, drama, romance, intrigue, friendship and society. Temperance received a scar on which causes her to end up with a broken engagement. She leaves society to live with Aunt and Uncle as a spinster. Happy to be there after an accident she is able to continue with her paintings. She is living by the sea and while out there , she meets James. As they becomes friends, feelings develop between them., each able to talk to the other. James is the new Lord after his brothers' death. Add in the ex who comes back for reasons of his own and you have an enjoyable story. Would recommend to others.
I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It was about a beautiful woman who had been totally rejected after a riding accident. Her Betrothal had canceled the engagement. The ton spread such rumors, which made the rejection worse. Feeling totally ruined, she went to stay w her aunt by the seashore. She contented herself w painting 🖼. After a while, a gentleman came to live by the sea. Meanwhile, her ex Betrothal came back to force her to marry him. This is a beautiful story that included Temperance growing in her skill of painting 🖼. This story caught me up from the beginning and never became boring and had a great ending. I love all of Sally Forbes books.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Temperance found herself scarred and secluded. With a broken engagement and a physical disfiguration, she thought no one would love her.

Enter the brooding Earl, who is less brooding and more perfect. Caring, compassionate, and protective, he begins a deep an meaningful friendship with Lady Temperance.

Then the hits come. Will Lady Temperance see that she is more than disfigured and a spinster? Will the Earl push his brooding aside to explore the affection welling inside? Will the mother back off and let her daughter shine? A lovely story with a HEA.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heroine had an accident which left her with a facial scar and a broken engagement. She goes to the seaside to recuperate and starts painting. While she is out sketching, the hero sees her and they start a conversation. He and his mother have come the shore to relax. Things progress and then her manipulative mother and ex fiancé arrive to stir up trouble. Will she be strong enough to go after what she really wants? It was an interesting read with a setting outside of London for a change. I received an ARC for an honest review.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Calverton and Temperance meet by sea while she is rescuing a sketching from the rocks They both have their own reasons for not being in London for the season. She because of a scar that resulted from an accident and he because of what his now deceased brother did. What was the accident she was involved in and how did his brother’s affect him? As he helps her in a serious matter and how this all results in hea for them is revealed within the story.

[Pamela Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can happen when a man feels guilty that his older brother died and now he is the Earl and a young lady who was has a scar on her face from when she feel off a horse found her impending marriage was cancelled meet each other? Is there any hope or help for either or could each help the other to find healing? You will need to read this story to see just how much kindness, caring and consideration can go to help heal.

[Melody Tregear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Story!
I loved Calverton & Temperance's story! She is a strong character and Calverton a true hero. This book made me feel like I was in the regency era. The language, behaviour and overall tone of the book felt authentic. There is some angst woven through the story, but the ending is lovely. I recommend this clean, enjoyable read!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Temperance and James

Enamored with a Brooding Earl is an exciting and intriguing book. I enjoyed reading as all of the experiences and personalities were described. I liked trying to guess how everything would be resolved in a satisfying way. I liked how the characters learned and changed and in the end helped and fought for each other.

[Barbara Cardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book I give it 5 stars. This book was well written and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to buy it.

Sincerely
Barbara R Cardin

[Ophelia Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enamored with a Brooding Earl

This book is such a good story. I fell completely in love with the Earl and felt the pain and angst of Temperance. Sally managed to weave a thrilling story that kept me spellbound.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Temperance is afraid of her own shadow and the whole novel is people just telling her how to act.

[Rene Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little romance.