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Emerson #1
Always Come Home
From the author of the Kellington series of Regency romances, comes the first novel about the Emerson family.
Colin Emerson, the Earl of Ridgeway, has two unmarried sisters and a mountain of debt incurred by his late father. He has no choice but to marry an heiress. It is most unfortunate, therefore, when he falls in love with a penniless governess.
Ava Conway has been making her way in the world since the death of her father. She takes a position as the governess to Lord Ridgeway's sisters, but finds her growing attachment to the earl threatens his family's future.
Bound by honor, torn by love, can Colin do right by his sisters while following his heart?
WARNING: This book contains explicit sexual content and adult situations. You will not like this book if you don't like either of those two things.
Colin Emerson, the Earl of Ridgeway, has two unmarried sisters and a mountain of debt incurred by his late father. He has no choice but to marry an heiress. It is most unfortunate, therefore, when he falls in love with a penniless governess.
Ava Conway has been making her way in the world since the death of her father. She takes a position as the governess to Lord Ridgeway's sisters, but finds her growing attachment to the earl threatens his family's future.
Bound by honor, torn by love, can Colin do right by his sisters while following his heart?
WARNING: This book contains explicit sexual content and adult situations. You will not like this book if you don't like either of those two things.
317 pages, ebook
First published March 6, 2014
786 people are currently reading
1072 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Driscoll
29 books192 followersMaureen Driscoll is an Emmy-nominated writer/producer in Hollywood, whose writing credits include "MADtv," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and Nickelodeon's "BrainSurge."
Maureen's latest project is a serialized novel, Fracked, available on Amazon's Vella platform. The paranormal romance is about what happens when fracking opens up a portal to hell and the only people able to save the Earth are the residents of an over-55 community.
She has two Regency romance series about the Kellington and Emerson families, and a series set in the early Victoria era about the residents of Jasmine Cottage. She is also the author of the Remington Mansion time-travel/cozy mystery trilogy and a contemporary romance series about the wealthy Carmichael family in Los Angeles.
She loves hearing from her readers at Maureen Driscoll Author on Facebook, as well as on Twitter @MaureenDriscoll. Her blog, MaureenDriscollRomance.Wordpress.com, is top secret because she never ever updates it.
She is very grateful to Mayhem Cover Creations for the book covers.
Maureen's latest project is a serialized novel, Fracked, available on Amazon's Vella platform. The paranormal romance is about what happens when fracking opens up a portal to hell and the only people able to save the Earth are the residents of an over-55 community.
She has two Regency romance series about the Kellington and Emerson families, and a series set in the early Victoria era about the residents of Jasmine Cottage. She is also the author of the Remington Mansion time-travel/cozy mystery trilogy and a contemporary romance series about the wealthy Carmichael family in Los Angeles.
She loves hearing from her readers at Maureen Driscoll Author on Facebook, as well as on Twitter @MaureenDriscoll. Her blog, MaureenDriscollRomance.Wordpress.com, is top secret because she never ever updates it.
She is very grateful to Mayhem Cover Creations for the book covers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
October 4, 2018
Meh, boring... It started so good, but thennn. Sometimes it looked like Dostoyevskiy's style: misery, misery and more misery...
August 10, 2014
Really should be 2.5 rating. I borrowed from Amazon Prime so I don't feel too bad about the time I spent. I really liked 1st Kellington book but none since have compared. It seemed like the writing was short, choppy sentences. I hate to be too critical since I have never attempted to write a book, but this was hard to read. I doubt if I will bother with another Driscoll book.
March 2, 2017
My Review:
First response: I wish we had half stars, I'd give this 3 1/2 stars. It was good with lots of interesting characters that will make interesting reading in the following books. Rose, especially. Check my blog for a full review soon.
This was a traditional historical romance except that it has explicit sex. So, if that's not your thing, skip this one. I found it a bit gratuitous actually.
Colin may be an Earl, but being penniless with two sisters to marry off, he needs an heiress. However, his relationship with Ava is forecast all over the first few pages. He's the type to take in every wounded bird he sees. His valet is so badly scarred from burns that people don't want to be around him. Ava is not being treated well as a governess and the future at her current position looks even grimmer. Colin to the rescue! He takes along the assistant cook as well, since she's a friend of Ava's and she's not put off by his valet's scars.
So he's returning from his trip to London to find an heiress to marry without the heiress. And with two extra mouths to feed. And he finds his family is now living in the Dower House and has rented out the family mansion. At least one person in his family has some common sense! That would be Rosemary, his sister.
Rose is one of those characters that will make interesting reading in other books. Her practicality may yet save their neighbor, the Marquess of Grayson. I'm sure Colin's half-brother, Nicholas, the Earl of Layton will have a story of his own as well. As will James Emerson, Colin's younger brother with the illegitimate daughter who is half Native American.
In spite of its shortcomings, I liked this book and will try some of the author's other offerings. This was a BookBub acquisition. My honest review is offered without any compensation. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
First response: I wish we had half stars, I'd give this 3 1/2 stars. It was good with lots of interesting characters that will make interesting reading in the following books. Rose, especially. Check my blog for a full review soon.
This was a traditional historical romance except that it has explicit sex. So, if that's not your thing, skip this one. I found it a bit gratuitous actually.
Colin may be an Earl, but being penniless with two sisters to marry off, he needs an heiress. However, his relationship with Ava is forecast all over the first few pages. He's the type to take in every wounded bird he sees. His valet is so badly scarred from burns that people don't want to be around him. Ava is not being treated well as a governess and the future at her current position looks even grimmer. Colin to the rescue! He takes along the assistant cook as well, since she's a friend of Ava's and she's not put off by his valet's scars.
So he's returning from his trip to London to find an heiress to marry without the heiress. And with two extra mouths to feed. And he finds his family is now living in the Dower House and has rented out the family mansion. At least one person in his family has some common sense! That would be Rosemary, his sister.
Rose is one of those characters that will make interesting reading in other books. Her practicality may yet save their neighbor, the Marquess of Grayson. I'm sure Colin's half-brother, Nicholas, the Earl of Layton will have a story of his own as well. As will James Emerson, Colin's younger brother with the illegitimate daughter who is half Native American.
In spite of its shortcomings, I liked this book and will try some of the author's other offerings. This was a BookBub acquisition. My honest review is offered without any compensation. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review
April 5, 2023
Boring, just very boring
April 14, 2017
Maureen Driscoll is a new author to me. I purchased this book because some of the people in the Face Book group "Love Historical Romances" were very impressed and highly recommended this romance. The story is about two people who are practical, and able to move forward during life's many struggles. Our heroine after the death of a much loved father finds herself penniless has taken a position as a governess in a household that is less than peaceful. Withstanding insults from her two teenage charges and the lascivious advances of their older brother and his friends, she has learned to remain positive and remarkable happy though cautious, with reason. Our hero is a man that after serving in the military comes home to both his abusive father death and finding out that his father gambled and drank away all the money their family had and to a mountain of debit his father left behind. Our hero, as guardian of his two unmarried sisters has no choice but to marry an heiress. It is most unfortunate, therefore, when he falls in love with a penniless governess. What they learn is there are more valuable things in life than money.
This is a wonderful story . Both the main characters and the secondary characters are well developed and feel very real to the reader. I would also give the passion in this romance a hot and passionate 6. Highly recommend this novel......I will be buying more romances written by this author.
This is a wonderful story . Both the main characters and the secondary characters are well developed and feel very real to the reader. I would also give the passion in this romance a hot and passionate 6. Highly recommend this novel......I will be buying more romances written by this author.
April 10, 2016
I don't generally give 5 stars to books that have rakish heros, so that should tell you how good the book is. The writing is execellent, with very well devloped and complex characters (even the antagonists and secondary ones). There was never a dull moment. Good conflict, nice steady pace, and lovely romance.
I have had this on my kindle for quite some time now, and I have been trying to whittle down books that I ordered a long time ago, many of them are ones I may not have chosen to read today. I was happily surprised to have found this one.
This is a story that touches on class separation, love of family, and mostly this is a riches to rags story. It was very sweet and I loved both the H & h as well as the two secondary characters who also develope love together.
The story was wonderful. The heroine was strong, intelligent, and witty. The hero, although a former rake, was not boastful or arrogant about his skill in the bedroom. He didn't talk about OW or were there any details about his past sexcapades. Therefore, I found him to be likable, in fact he was in fact a perfect gentleman. Honorable, and devoted to his family, so much so that he was willing to sacrifice his happiness for them.
The heat level was average but the romantic level very high.
I plan to read the rest in this series.
March 21, 2014
It’s no news to my followers that I’m a huge fan of this author and have been ever since I read her first book in the Kellington series. I think she is a wonderful storyteller and after Kellington’s I wondered in which direction she would take us next. I didn’t have to wait too long. She is back with a brand new family and I love them as much as I did the Kelington brood.
Watch out Kellington’s, here come the Emersons, starting with Colin, a man who would do anything for his two little sisters and their ancestral home.
This is one of those stories that are sweet and sensual at the same time. The hero and the heroine of this story are good and decent people who are faced with a dilemma of giving in to their feelings or do their duty toward people that they care about.
Ms. Driscoll pens a tale filled with ....
Thanks for jumping to b2b to finish reading this review....
http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.co...
Melanie for b2b.
Complimentary copy provided by the author.
Watch out Kellington’s, here come the Emersons, starting with Colin, a man who would do anything for his two little sisters and their ancestral home.
This is one of those stories that are sweet and sensual at the same time. The hero and the heroine of this story are good and decent people who are faced with a dilemma of giving in to their feelings or do their duty toward people that they care about.
Ms. Driscoll pens a tale filled with ....
Thanks for jumping to b2b to finish reading this review....
http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.co...
Melanie for b2b.
Complimentary copy provided by the author.
May 9, 2015
Having abandoned a couple of historical chick-lits (too confused, too boring) I was pleased to start this and find a straight forward story with no attempt at loading the reader with an enormous number of superfluous characters and a hero who is filthy rich and handsome to boot. A refreshing change!
I thoroughly enjoyed this as a light, easy to read novel with a couple of wonderful servants and a plot that was both simple and yet kept me reading to the end.
My only quibble is that it waffled in a places, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. I was going to give three stars, but I know I will re-read this, so, in 'my' ratings, it gets four.
I thoroughly enjoyed this as a light, easy to read novel with a couple of wonderful servants and a plot that was both simple and yet kept me reading to the end.
My only quibble is that it waffled in a places, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. I was going to give three stars, but I know I will re-read this, so, in 'my' ratings, it gets four.
May 7, 2018
While expectantly predictable, that's why I love these books! I thoroughly enjoy the happy endings, the subtle surprises, and the little breadcrumbs for the rest of the series that Driscoll teases throughout. Colin and Ava's whirlwind love affair is adorable, and watching it parallel with Maude and Stemple (all the while each couple thinking how perfectly suited they are for each other while completely blind or trying to shy away from their own happily ever after) was a fun race to the alter. Can't wait to read the rest of the series and see the Kellingtons' make a reappearance!
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September 10, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/10/2022)! 🎁
January 30, 2015
original review at http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspo...
"Always Come Home” by Maureen Driscoll was a unique and refreshing read. I’ve read so many historical romances that it’s easy to see similarities between many of them. I can say “Always Come Home” stood out as unique and I have not read anything like it before.
This is my first time reading Maureen Driscoll so I was not sure what not sure what to expect. I’m happy to say it was a nice introduction and I will read more by her. Her characters were very unique and the story took off from the first page. The hero Colin Emerson, the Earl of Ridgeway, is impoverished. He is riding a mail coach with his friend Stemple Because of Stemple’s appearance they are kicked out of the coach and left to walk to Colin’s estate. Which, of course, is not nearby. Stemple “works” for Colin but Colin doesn’t have any means to pay him. I loved Stemple and my heart ached for him and all that he went through.
Colin stumbles on a school friend and there he meets Ava Conway. Ava is the governess for less than nice people. Ava was a great heroine. She was very endearing and fun. She was strong and confident and she made perfect sense with Colin. I loved their chemistry. I also loved that Colin is very humble although very popular and handsome. Colin is loyal to the people he loves and doesn’t hesitate to help those that need a hand.
The secondary characters were also great. I really loved Maude and Stemple. I instantly liked both of them as individuals and as a couple. Typically historical romance novels focus on the Lords and Ladies of the ton but this focused on an Early down on his luck. It also showed Colin as a self-made man. He inherited a title but worked for everything he later had.
Needless to say, Driscoll was not the least bit predictable and she had some surprises in store. I’m happy to see this as part of a series. I think Rose will be a great character to read about.
**Copy provided by Author**
"Always Come Home” by Maureen Driscoll was a unique and refreshing read. I’ve read so many historical romances that it’s easy to see similarities between many of them. I can say “Always Come Home” stood out as unique and I have not read anything like it before.
This is my first time reading Maureen Driscoll so I was not sure what not sure what to expect. I’m happy to say it was a nice introduction and I will read more by her. Her characters were very unique and the story took off from the first page. The hero Colin Emerson, the Earl of Ridgeway, is impoverished. He is riding a mail coach with his friend Stemple Because of Stemple’s appearance they are kicked out of the coach and left to walk to Colin’s estate. Which, of course, is not nearby. Stemple “works” for Colin but Colin doesn’t have any means to pay him. I loved Stemple and my heart ached for him and all that he went through.
Colin stumbles on a school friend and there he meets Ava Conway. Ava is the governess for less than nice people. Ava was a great heroine. She was very endearing and fun. She was strong and confident and she made perfect sense with Colin. I loved their chemistry. I also loved that Colin is very humble although very popular and handsome. Colin is loyal to the people he loves and doesn’t hesitate to help those that need a hand.
The secondary characters were also great. I really loved Maude and Stemple. I instantly liked both of them as individuals and as a couple. Typically historical romance novels focus on the Lords and Ladies of the ton but this focused on an Early down on his luck. It also showed Colin as a self-made man. He inherited a title but worked for everything he later had.
Needless to say, Driscoll was not the least bit predictable and she had some surprises in store. I’m happy to see this as part of a series. I think Rose will be a great character to read about.
**Copy provided by Author**
March 31, 2015
I was very surprised with how much I liked this story. This story follows the impoverished Earl of Ridgeway as he tries to come back from the debt his late father created. I loved the relationship that developed between the smart governess Ava and Ridgeway. But this story also gives you a second sweet romance between the scarred soldier Stemple and the cook, Maude. The family was strong, funny, and loyal. What I really appreciated was it has a realistic HEA, not some fake magical Hollywood ending.
September 11, 2021
A read that's equal parts sweet and spicy, this book gives us a look at something not too popular in Regency literature: a nobleman who's struggling with money through no fault of his own. That adds a real poignancy to the story, especially when we meet his lovely sisters. I loved all the good characters in the book, and thought the story was well done. The conflict arises naturally out of the story and the nastiness of the bad characters. I highly recommend this book and the rest of Driscoll's books, of which the Emerson series is my favorite.
February 1, 2015
Decent story
A bit depressing and not your normal story, but the writing is pretty good. Nothing to rave about except for originality. I don't know that I'd recommend it to most readers unless you have no expectations of a perfect happy ending...you won't find that here. More of a reality check.
A bit depressing and not your normal story, but the writing is pretty good. Nothing to rave about except for originality. I don't know that I'd recommend it to most readers unless you have no expectations of a perfect happy ending...you won't find that here. More of a reality check.
February 2, 2017
I enjoyed this book!!! It was one of the most difficult books to drop. It was funny and captivating and engaging. I liked the person of Colin and more so the governess. It goes to show that fighting for what you believe in, turns out for the best.
I like stories of this nature and this did not fail me.
I like stories of this nature and this did not fail me.
March 14, 2014
Maureen's Kellington series is one of the best series I've ever read. Some characters, like Colin stand on their own and need their own series.
Colin's story was as intriguing, compelling and steamy as any Kellington; maybe better. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!
Colin's story was as intriguing, compelling and steamy as any Kellington; maybe better. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment!
March 23, 2014
Great Read!
Review to come soon.
Review to come soon.
January 22, 2015
I am excited to read more in this series when they come out.
July 22, 2014
I really liked the entire family. I cannot wait for Rose's story. A bit stilted in dialog in a few sections but a very enjoyable read with well written characters.
July 31, 2014
how long do we have to wait for book 2 of this series??!!
So glad I found this author....love the way she writes...
So glad I found this author....love the way she writes...
November 13, 2014
3.5* Really enjoyed this first book in the spin-off series. A comfort read filled with heart and humor. Looking forward to reading more about the Emerson family.
January 22, 2015
I enjoyed meeting Colin in the 6th Kellington book. I totally enjoyed his story and his care-taking way in this book. Good start to the story of the Emerson's.
February 16, 2015
Very good.
Great characters. Great chemistry between lead characters. The next book is affordable, another great. I am buying the next one now. (Some sex)
Great characters. Great chemistry between lead characters. The next book is affordable, another great. I am buying the next one now. (Some sex)
February 23, 2015
Really funny
May 3, 2015
I give this 2.5 stars actually. It's an easy read. A little too easy. Of course, it's to be expected for a free book. Full review on my blog!
September 15, 2016
Enjoyable romantic escape!
September 6, 2017
Always Come Home
Another lovely story by Maureen Driscoll. Ms Driscoll combines historical romance with little spicy bedroom (or any other room) scenes. My only complaint with this book is that there wasn't a solution to the money problems for the Earl of Ridgeway. It almost didn't feel finished but it was still a good book. I had a hard time putting it down. The Earl, Colin, is faced with a great deal of debt thanks to his father and grandfather. He is an honorable man with a good heart and seems to take in "strays" so to speak even though he hasn't the means. His valet, Stempel, is a war vet with horrible burn scars on his face and shoulder and is treated badly by the general public because of his appearance. Colin has told him he is going home to the country and doesn't have the blunt to take him too. Stempel begs him to take him as Colin is the only person to treat him fairly and he has no where to go. He can't get employment due to his disfigurement, he doesn't know what he would do. Colin tells him he can't pay him but Stempel tells him he doesn't care. So off they go on the mail coach which they get thrown off from because some yahoo can't stand to look at him. Good grief! Anyway they go to the home of a person he went to school with hoping to get a little help to get home but is treated in a humiliating manner. The person is a viscount who has always had a mean streak and was a bully in school , so you can imagine the scenario. Additionally his staff treat Stempel just as badly except for one of the maids, Maude, who turns out to be a very nice person. Colin meets the governess in a comical situation and she turns out to be just as nice as Maude. The viscount tells Colin he has to perform the role of Juliet dressed in the governess' dress. Really? Here are adults?? Well I don't want to spoil it for you because it only gets worse. Truly a funny and yet warm story.
Another lovely story by Maureen Driscoll. Ms Driscoll combines historical romance with little spicy bedroom (or any other room) scenes. My only complaint with this book is that there wasn't a solution to the money problems for the Earl of Ridgeway. It almost didn't feel finished but it was still a good book. I had a hard time putting it down. The Earl, Colin, is faced with a great deal of debt thanks to his father and grandfather. He is an honorable man with a good heart and seems to take in "strays" so to speak even though he hasn't the means. His valet, Stempel, is a war vet with horrible burn scars on his face and shoulder and is treated badly by the general public because of his appearance. Colin has told him he is going home to the country and doesn't have the blunt to take him too. Stempel begs him to take him as Colin is the only person to treat him fairly and he has no where to go. He can't get employment due to his disfigurement, he doesn't know what he would do. Colin tells him he can't pay him but Stempel tells him he doesn't care. So off they go on the mail coach which they get thrown off from because some yahoo can't stand to look at him. Good grief! Anyway they go to the home of a person he went to school with hoping to get a little help to get home but is treated in a humiliating manner. The person is a viscount who has always had a mean streak and was a bully in school , so you can imagine the scenario. Additionally his staff treat Stempel just as badly except for one of the maids, Maude, who turns out to be a very nice person. Colin meets the governess in a comical situation and she turns out to be just as nice as Maude. The viscount tells Colin he has to perform the role of Juliet dressed in the governess' dress. Really? Here are adults?? Well I don't want to spoil it for you because it only gets worse. Truly a funny and yet warm story.
May 2, 2024
Colin, the earl of Ridgeway is flat broke, stranded and has to get home and marry well to save himself, his younger sisters and his land.
When a chance meeting with an old school bully ends up with him staying at the man's house out of necessity, he meets Ava, governess of the Lord's two spoiled sisters. When Ava is threatened and things come to a head Colin, Ava, the cook's assistant, and his valet have to return home. Unexpectedly the main house has been leased to an uncouth American family and when Colin finds his sisters living in the dower house, he knows he needs to redouble his efforts to marry rich - even if he can't stop thinking about Ava.
THOUGHTS: I liked this story but it was a little depressing, things are constantly going from bad to worse, but the characters, story building and writing is great and keeps you engaged. As always, when a book mentions explicit spice ... I have expectations. As usual, the sexy times are mid at best and not really any more "shocking" than your old school romance novel.
When a chance meeting with an old school bully ends up with him staying at the man's house out of necessity, he meets Ava, governess of the Lord's two spoiled sisters. When Ava is threatened and things come to a head Colin, Ava, the cook's assistant, and his valet have to return home. Unexpectedly the main house has been leased to an uncouth American family and when Colin finds his sisters living in the dower house, he knows he needs to redouble his efforts to marry rich - even if he can't stop thinking about Ava.
THOUGHTS: I liked this story but it was a little depressing, things are constantly going from bad to worse, but the characters, story building and writing is great and keeps you engaged. As always, when a book mentions explicit spice ... I have expectations. As usual, the sexy times are mid at best and not really any more "shocking" than your old school romance novel.
May 13, 2025
Colin Emerson, Earl of Ridgeway, opened this story attempting to travel home for the Christmas holidays as cheaply as possible. Although His Lordship had inherited an enormous amount of debt and was seriously lacking funds, it didn't take long to learn that his humor and sense of decency were present and intact. I found myself rooting for Colin's recovery and success from the very beginning. However, that is not how this story progressed. Our wonderfully likable Earl of Ridgeway, had to swallow his pride and accept whatever this loathsome society forced upon him. Learning about Colin, his family, and the few individuals he truly cared for was a great pleasure. Since the sacrifices and decisions made by Colin would ultimately affect the lives of all of the people he dearly loved, there was nothing but emotional upheaval and great anxiety throughout this entire narrative. This wonderful Read is not to be missed!!!!!Very Entertaining!!!!!
May 19, 2025
3.5 Stars
We meet the Earl of Ridgeway, whose father died leaving him unbearable debt. He arrives home to discover his sister had let the family mansion to rich Americans and he realizes this is a good opportunity to marry well and insure his sisters' futures. However, he's picked up a governess, Ava, at the home of his school bully and rescued her from certain sexual assault, then finding himself irrevocably in love with her. But his sisters. Who are plotting against him be throwing he and Ava together. Ava convinces him to write a book and he gets a decent offer, enough to perhaps be comfortable in reduced circumstances.
It ends when his brother comes home from America with a half Indian daughter, hoping to settle a deed. Book 2 will delve into this.
We meet the Earl of Ridgeway, whose father died leaving him unbearable debt. He arrives home to discover his sister had let the family mansion to rich Americans and he realizes this is a good opportunity to marry well and insure his sisters' futures. However, he's picked up a governess, Ava, at the home of his school bully and rescued her from certain sexual assault, then finding himself irrevocably in love with her. But his sisters. Who are plotting against him be throwing he and Ava together. Ava convinces him to write a book and he gets a decent offer, enough to perhaps be comfortable in reduced circumstances.
It ends when his brother comes home from America with a half Indian daughter, hoping to settle a deed. Book 2 will delve into this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews