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The Eton Boys Trilogy #2
What a Lady Demands
Readers of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Sabrina Jeffries will love Ashlyn Macnamara’s novel about a smoldering new love that is threatened by past betrayals.
Viscount Lindenhurst cannot seem to find a governess who meets his impossible standards—until Cecelia Sanford becomes the first woman to interrupt the widower’s brooding in years. Lind had returned home from the Napoleonic wars, broken in body and soul and longing for his wife’s embrace, only to find her changed. Before they could reconcile, an accident struck their son and claimed her life. Now enter Cecelia, with her soft curves and sharp tongue—a tempting distraction, it is true, but not a welcome one.
Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.
Viscount Lindenhurst cannot seem to find a governess who meets his impossible standards—until Cecelia Sanford becomes the first woman to interrupt the widower’s brooding in years. Lind had returned home from the Napoleonic wars, broken in body and soul and longing for his wife’s embrace, only to find her changed. Before they could reconcile, an accident struck their son and claimed her life. Now enter Cecelia, with her soft curves and sharp tongue—a tempting distraction, it is true, but not a welcome one.
Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2014
25 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Ashlyn Macnamara
15 books207 followersAshlyn lives in the wilds of suburbia outside Montreal with her husband and two teenaged daughters. When not writing, she looks for other excuses to neglect the housework, among them knitting, reading and wasting time on the internet in the guise of doing research.
Visit http://ashlynmacnamara.net/book-table/ for more information.
Visit http://ashlynmacnamara.net/book-table/ for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 3, 2015
I couldn't resist another governess story once I was hooked on the first one. I really think it's a bit more refreshing change in this genre from the usual, since I have not ready many books with this theme nor have I come across them.
The characters themselves were refreshing. Viscount Lindenhurst is looking for a governess for his son and has a hard time finding one that will meet his unusually impossible demands.
Cecelia Sanford is the younger sister of Lindenhurst's once best friend. When she shows up on his doorsteps looking for a job, Lind is a bit taken back but agrees to offer her the chance. Too bad he did not know then that this woman would be just as impossible once she borrows her way into their lives. Witty, with a sharp tongue and an attitude that won't back down, Lind has a hard time dealing with the vixen who is adamant on not following his orders nor listening to him.
I loved Cecelia, I thought she was awesome and she had to be headstrong with a persistent attitude especially when it came to Lind, who was a temperamental brooding widow. I wanted to understand just as much as Cecelia about why Lind refused to deal with his son and pawned him off on others instead. What a Lady Demands had scenes that both melted and broke my heart as the same time. I couldn't help but feel bad for the boy who seemed so starved for his father's attention. What happened to the mother was terrible, but I did not think it was a reason to completely alienate the child in his life. It wasn't until almost halfway into the book did things start to click into place and I finally started to figure out why Lind was so distant from the boy. The twist was a bit shocking and predictable but at the same time made better sense.
It was hard to love Lind at first, which I thought Macnamara did a wonderful job doing with her writing. It took a while to warm up to him, but that was what Cecelia was there for. Their bickering was fun, I loved how she can stand up to him despite the risk of losing her job. I did enjoy the chemistry, it took a while to build up and I loved that. I thought the plot was really well done with the twist thrown in making it oh so much better!
I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
The characters themselves were refreshing. Viscount Lindenhurst is looking for a governess for his son and has a hard time finding one that will meet his unusually impossible demands.
Cecelia Sanford is the younger sister of Lindenhurst's once best friend. When she shows up on his doorsteps looking for a job, Lind is a bit taken back but agrees to offer her the chance. Too bad he did not know then that this woman would be just as impossible once she borrows her way into their lives. Witty, with a sharp tongue and an attitude that won't back down, Lind has a hard time dealing with the vixen who is adamant on not following his orders nor listening to him.
I loved Cecelia, I thought she was awesome and she had to be headstrong with a persistent attitude especially when it came to Lind, who was a temperamental brooding widow. I wanted to understand just as much as Cecelia about why Lind refused to deal with his son and pawned him off on others instead. What a Lady Demands had scenes that both melted and broke my heart as the same time. I couldn't help but feel bad for the boy who seemed so starved for his father's attention. What happened to the mother was terrible, but I did not think it was a reason to completely alienate the child in his life. It wasn't until almost halfway into the book did things start to click into place and I finally started to figure out why Lind was so distant from the boy. The twist was a bit shocking and predictable but at the same time made better sense.
It was hard to love Lind at first, which I thought Macnamara did a wonderful job doing with her writing. It took a while to warm up to him, but that was what Cecelia was there for. Their bickering was fun, I loved how she can stand up to him despite the risk of losing her job. I did enjoy the chemistry, it took a while to build up and I loved that. I thought the plot was really well done with the twist thrown in making it oh so much better!
I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
June 2, 2015
Thank you to LOVESWEPT and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
What a Lady Demands is the story of Cecelia and Lind who are both desperate to escape their pasts. Their worlds collide when Cecilia arrives on Lind’s doorstep seeking the position of his son’s governess. After reading and enjoying the first book in this series, What a Lady Craves, I was excited to read this installment of The Eton Boys Trilogy. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the same magic with this story that I did with the previous. Look, I enjoy a good governess story as much as the next historical romance fan. I love the idea of a simple Miss capturing the heart of a Lord and him bucking common tradition to win her hand, but I just wasn’t sold on the capturing part in this one.
Separately, I liked these characters. Cecelia, once upon a time taken advantage of because of her naiveté, learned from her mistakes. Unfortunately, her past was catching up with her, and she did the only thing she could do to get away from it—she ran. It may sound cowardly, but in this time period, her options were limited and her reputation depended upon discretion. But that doesn’t mean she was willing to let anyone walk all over her, and she proved this with Viscount Lindenhurst. She was the only one in his household who stood up to him and advocated for his son. Lind was a complex character. It was often hard to tell where he was coming from. He was a conflicted man suffering from misplaced guilt and anger, and on top of all that, he was awkward. He didn’t seem to know his place in society after returning from war, and he was having a hard time accepting the limitations from his injuries.
These characters and their histories are a fantastic foundation for a love story, but something about it just didn’t work for me. The pacing was a bit slow, and I couldn’t feel the chemistry between Lind and Cecelia. It was disappointing, because I really felt like the story ended without establishing a connection outside of governess/employer/sexual partners. There was a lot of bitterness on Lind’s part, and it was so deep I’m not convinced he was able to move on by the end of the book.
I also felt like Lind’s relationship with his son ended with nothing resolved. He had never been a huge part of Jeremy’s life; he just seemed to go through the motions because he was prompted by Cecelia to do so. Again, I felt no emotional connection established or repaired here, and it would have been nice to read more about this.
I am undecided on whether or not I’ll be reading the last book in the trilogy. The hero appeared in this one, and it was not set up to make you like his character. However, I do love a good redemption story, and I did enjoy the first one in this series, so who knows? I may give it a go.
This story overall didn’t impress me, but I am giving it two and a half stars for the heroine and Lind’s son. I liked how headstrong Cecelia was and the butting of heads between her and the hero, and I loved Cecelia’s relationship and tenacity with Jeremy. I just wish there had been more depth to the story.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
2.5 stars
What a Lady Demands is the story of Cecelia and Lind who are both desperate to escape their pasts. Their worlds collide when Cecilia arrives on Lind’s doorstep seeking the position of his son’s governess. After reading and enjoying the first book in this series, What a Lady Craves, I was excited to read this installment of The Eton Boys Trilogy. Unfortunately, I didn’t find the same magic with this story that I did with the previous. Look, I enjoy a good governess story as much as the next historical romance fan. I love the idea of a simple Miss capturing the heart of a Lord and him bucking common tradition to win her hand, but I just wasn’t sold on the capturing part in this one.
Separately, I liked these characters. Cecelia, once upon a time taken advantage of because of her naiveté, learned from her mistakes. Unfortunately, her past was catching up with her, and she did the only thing she could do to get away from it—she ran. It may sound cowardly, but in this time period, her options were limited and her reputation depended upon discretion. But that doesn’t mean she was willing to let anyone walk all over her, and she proved this with Viscount Lindenhurst. She was the only one in his household who stood up to him and advocated for his son. Lind was a complex character. It was often hard to tell where he was coming from. He was a conflicted man suffering from misplaced guilt and anger, and on top of all that, he was awkward. He didn’t seem to know his place in society after returning from war, and he was having a hard time accepting the limitations from his injuries.
These characters and their histories are a fantastic foundation for a love story, but something about it just didn’t work for me. The pacing was a bit slow, and I couldn’t feel the chemistry between Lind and Cecelia. It was disappointing, because I really felt like the story ended without establishing a connection outside of governess/employer/sexual partners. There was a lot of bitterness on Lind’s part, and it was so deep I’m not convinced he was able to move on by the end of the book.
I also felt like Lind’s relationship with his son ended with nothing resolved. He had never been a huge part of Jeremy’s life; he just seemed to go through the motions because he was prompted by Cecelia to do so. Again, I felt no emotional connection established or repaired here, and it would have been nice to read more about this.
I am undecided on whether or not I’ll be reading the last book in the trilogy. The hero appeared in this one, and it was not set up to make you like his character. However, I do love a good redemption story, and I did enjoy the first one in this series, so who knows? I may give it a go.
This story overall didn’t impress me, but I am giving it two and a half stars for the heroine and Lind’s son. I liked how headstrong Cecelia was and the butting of heads between her and the hero, and I loved Cecelia’s relationship and tenacity with Jeremy. I just wish there had been more depth to the story.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
December 2, 2014
It’s always a refreshing surprise to stumble across an historical romance heroine who knows her own mind and is sexually empowered. Add a wounded hero and it’s double bonus points for me. This story is book two in the Eton Boys Trilogy, but I didn’t read book one and I thought this held up just fine as a standalone.
Cecelia is trying to build a new life for herself, free of her brother’s censure and away from the looming scandal that could drop on her head at any moment. So she seeks refuge with a position as governess to the son of her brother’s childhood best friend. She knows Lindhurst is a widower and badly damaged by the war, and she figures she can trade on his history with her family to get her foot in the door. It has absolutely nothing to do with the girlhood crush on him she nursed for years. No, really.
She finds out quickly that Lindhurst carries more than just physical scars. He was irrevocably damaged by the death of his wife. He’s demanding and abrupt. And he doesn’t seem to care even remotely for his young son. Cecelia, however, takes to the boy right away, determined to help him overcome his disabilities. She challenges Lind like no one else does. But can the promise of her affection help him put away his quest for vengeance against the man he blames for ruining his life?
It’s a pretty good tale as the secrets of both Cecelia and Lind are slowly uncovered. I like that there was more to each of them than what we saw at face value. Cecelia’s backstory surprised me more than Lind’s. I won’t spoil the details, but I really appreciated how she rose above it and set a path for herself to retake control of her life. I also really liked her as a character; how she spoke her mind and refused to be cowed; how she was willing to put herself out there and own her own desires.
Lind, I had a little bit tougher of a time with. It’s hard to get 100% on board with a hero who was so unwilling to let go of his late wife’s ghost. I sort of understand why, but when you add that to how he treated little Jeremy for much of the book, well, I didn’t love him. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching him get together with Cecelia, but there were times I felt like he didn’t deserve her. It kept me from totally connecting with the romance.
Overall, though, I thought it was well done. I am interested to see how the author will redeem Battencliffe in book 3, because I really didn’t like him here.
Rating: B
*ARC Provided by publisher for review
Cecelia is trying to build a new life for herself, free of her brother’s censure and away from the looming scandal that could drop on her head at any moment. So she seeks refuge with a position as governess to the son of her brother’s childhood best friend. She knows Lindhurst is a widower and badly damaged by the war, and she figures she can trade on his history with her family to get her foot in the door. It has absolutely nothing to do with the girlhood crush on him she nursed for years. No, really.
She finds out quickly that Lindhurst carries more than just physical scars. He was irrevocably damaged by the death of his wife. He’s demanding and abrupt. And he doesn’t seem to care even remotely for his young son. Cecelia, however, takes to the boy right away, determined to help him overcome his disabilities. She challenges Lind like no one else does. But can the promise of her affection help him put away his quest for vengeance against the man he blames for ruining his life?
It’s a pretty good tale as the secrets of both Cecelia and Lind are slowly uncovered. I like that there was more to each of them than what we saw at face value. Cecelia’s backstory surprised me more than Lind’s. I won’t spoil the details, but I really appreciated how she rose above it and set a path for herself to retake control of her life. I also really liked her as a character; how she spoke her mind and refused to be cowed; how she was willing to put herself out there and own her own desires.
Lind, I had a little bit tougher of a time with. It’s hard to get 100% on board with a hero who was so unwilling to let go of his late wife’s ghost. I sort of understand why, but when you add that to how he treated little Jeremy for much of the book, well, I didn’t love him. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed watching him get together with Cecelia, but there were times I felt like he didn’t deserve her. It kept me from totally connecting with the romance.
Overall, though, I thought it was well done. I am interested to see how the author will redeem Battencliffe in book 3, because I really didn’t like him here.
Rating: B
*ARC Provided by publisher for review
March 18, 2021
I would've given it 4🌟 had it not been so rushed at the end.
The peace of a good part of the book was really great, got the chance to warm up with the characters but then we run a marathon at the end to close all the loose ends. That really let me down.
It was a nice story, a little different concept and at least we see the reality of the times in terms of having to raise a child that's not yours and make him your heir nonetheless.
But it all felt like a cold shower when it ended, like Lind was asking his dead wife if she loved him 30 pages before the end and then suddenly he was in love with Cecilia. It felt too sudden. And it still made me feel like it lacked in depth.
All in all was a nice read 📚👌
The peace of a good part of the book was really great, got the chance to warm up with the characters but then we run a marathon at the end to close all the loose ends. That really let me down.
It was a nice story, a little different concept and at least we see the reality of the times in terms of having to raise a child that's not yours and make him your heir nonetheless.
But it all felt like a cold shower when it ended, like Lind was asking his dead wife if she loved him 30 pages before the end and then suddenly he was in love with Cecilia. It felt too sudden. And it still made me feel like it lacked in depth.
All in all was a nice read 📚👌
November 6, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this moving story of triumph over adversity. I always enjoy a story with a tortured hero and a misunderstood heroine. Both Cecelia and Lind had dark secrets in the past. Cecelia lost her innocence as a young girl of sixteen to a scoundrel who continued to plague her for years. Lind returned after almost losing his life at the Battle of Quatre Bras, a broken and wounded man, betrayed by the only woman he had ever loved.
This wonderful story has plenty of romance, some mystery and lots of deep passion. As the story unfolds, several moments brought tears to my eyes, especially the tender way Cecelia works with Lind’s troubled and confused child. My heart ached for Cecelia’s lost innocence at such a young age and in such a cruel way. Even though Lind has a disability, he does not let it pull him down. He soldiers on, dealing with his pain, refusing to allow others to do for him what most men would accept in his situation. Ms. MacNamara knows how to wring emotions out of the reader. She has a smooth and flowing writing style that helped keep the pacing steady and even, keeping the reader engaged from the first page to the last.
Overall, an enjoyable read and I will be looking for more books by this talented author. If you enjoy a story that pulls at the heart strings, with well-developed character and an engaging storyline, then this is a book you will not want to miss.
This wonderful story has plenty of romance, some mystery and lots of deep passion. As the story unfolds, several moments brought tears to my eyes, especially the tender way Cecelia works with Lind’s troubled and confused child. My heart ached for Cecelia’s lost innocence at such a young age and in such a cruel way. Even though Lind has a disability, he does not let it pull him down. He soldiers on, dealing with his pain, refusing to allow others to do for him what most men would accept in his situation. Ms. MacNamara knows how to wring emotions out of the reader. She has a smooth and flowing writing style that helped keep the pacing steady and even, keeping the reader engaged from the first page to the last.
Overall, an enjoyable read and I will be looking for more books by this talented author. If you enjoy a story that pulls at the heart strings, with well-developed character and an engaging storyline, then this is a book you will not want to miss.
October 31, 2014
My Rating: 3.5/5
What a Lady Demands was a lovely historical romance that I enjoyed. It was sweet read and I quite liked it.
Cecilia was a good heroine. Strong enough to know her own mind and very determined when she set her mind to something. My only issue with her that, after finding out about her past, I thought it was strange that it didn't have a bigger effect on her. She seemed oddly casual about it. Other than than, though, I thought she was great.
Lind was likable as well. He was preoccupied with revenge after what happened with his wife but, beneath that, he was a kinder man than he thought himself to be. I just wish I had gotten more about his relationship to his son, seen him become closer to the little boy. It just would have been nice to see.
The romance was sweet. Cecilia was a good influence on Lind, encouraging him to be better and Lind would do anything for Cecilia, even give up on his plans for revenge. And they definitely had chemistry.
The plot moved quickly and kept me interested all the way through. I liked the story and the ending was great.
What a Lady Demands was an enjoyable historical romance. I thought it was a lovely read. Romance lovers, you might want to check this book out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
What a Lady Demands was a lovely historical romance that I enjoyed. It was sweet read and I quite liked it.
Cecilia was a good heroine. Strong enough to know her own mind and very determined when she set her mind to something. My only issue with her that, after finding out about her past, I thought it was strange that it didn't have a bigger effect on her. She seemed oddly casual about it. Other than than, though, I thought she was great.
Lind was likable as well. He was preoccupied with revenge after what happened with his wife but, beneath that, he was a kinder man than he thought himself to be. I just wish I had gotten more about his relationship to his son, seen him become closer to the little boy. It just would have been nice to see.
The romance was sweet. Cecilia was a good influence on Lind, encouraging him to be better and Lind would do anything for Cecilia, even give up on his plans for revenge. And they definitely had chemistry.
The plot moved quickly and kept me interested all the way through. I liked the story and the ending was great.
What a Lady Demands was an enjoyable historical romance. I thought it was a lovely read. Romance lovers, you might want to check this book out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
November 6, 2014
This romance is all about revenge & how it rots your soul as you try to get PAYBACK, but as the wise Indian Satya says, "KARMA IS A BEOTCH!"
Richard Blackwell, Viscount Lindenhurst, is a deeply scarred man, inside & out, from the brutal war & from the not so loving hands of his wife, Lydia. When he was wounded & almost lost his leg, it took forever get home, but Lydia believed he was dead & completely betrayed him. After the birth of Jeremy, Lind tried to put it behind him, but always kept his heart sealed in concrete. During a frozen winter day, Lydia & Jeremy were in an accident were only Jeremy survived. Now Lind lives on his estate as a bitter hermit, holding his home as a Lydia's shrine, drowns his pain with alcohol, ignores Jeremy, hires & fires governesses & is craving a path of cold hard REVENGE against the only betrayer still alive, his old Eton pal, Rowe Battencliffe.
Cecilia Sanford is the sister of Lind's other Eton pal, Alexander, & she has always had a huge CRUSH on him, plus at 15 she saw him & all his wet, firm & tantalizing NEKKID glory. Now as an adult, she is a "scandal walking" with an evil nemesis wanting REVENGE, a betroth she walk away from, the aunt who allowed her nieces to be kidnapped & fleeing her pissed off brother's home, but where to go except to the governess job at Lind's estate. Cecilia hopes she is hired because she has no where else to hide from her scandal & her stalking nemesis.
Cecilia take believe this anger, bitter & cold man is the same yummy Lind, but she listens as he grills her about her life & why she wants to be a governess & lies thru her teeth. Lind is reluctant to hire tempting Cecilia, but he needs help keeping Jeremy away from him & he hires her, but demands 4 things, obedience, loyalty, sparklingly mortals & NEVER going anywhere near the pond. Cecilia doesn't do obedience, lost her mortals long ago & the path to the pond is overgrown, but she can be loyal to her charge Jeremy & try like HADES to stay out of Lind's bed or against his large desk or even a wall. Jeremy is a quiet lonely boy, who never connects to anyone because of his revolving governesses, but Cecilia does notice his love of things military & rolls with it, but during the servants weekly reports, while Lind dines on yummy looking food, & he forbids it!
Cecilia begins to learn all about Jeremy's physical limits, uses military teases & soon Jeremy strives to learn & does struggle, but with her loving encouragement he blossoms, as does Lind's relationship with "the child" with Cecilia DEMANDING an adorable pony & soon the boys shared common ground! Lind can't take this sassy seductress delectable bum wiggling this way & that, she pushes his enticing buttons, he gorges himself on her mouth, the wall & large desk are put to pleasurable usage & soon it's open flame MEET a puddle of kerosene, IGNITION! But a dark nemesis is stalking Cecilia, a brother DEMANDS marriage, Lydia's pedestal & shrine are C4ed, an armored heart cracks wide open, REVENGE on 2 fronts backfires, a life threatening kidnapping & soon KARMA COMES KKNOCKING! Will Lind realized that Jeremy is the child of his heart? Can Cecilia except 1/2 of Lind's heart? When will Lind realize all he needs is Cecilia & REVANGE be damned? How will Cecilia show Lind that he deserves her love? Does KARMA BEOCTH SLAP BACK?
This is the 2nd book of Ms. Macnamara Eton Boys Trilogy & so far this series is all about mysterious pasts, evil nemesis stalking, REVENGE, unexpected Fairy Godfolks & super pot holed ridden paths of true love, but I have LOVED IT! I love strong heroines & Cecilia is a complete LEAP than LOOK kinda girl, but love rules her many good & bombed ideas & she always EXCEPTS the end result! Lind had scars over scars & allowed REVENGE to eat away his soul, had a level 10 forcefield around his heart & turns his away from any love. I personal don't think he hated his son, but was punishing himself by out embracing Jeremy. Ms. Macnamara added a 3rd scarred character in this tale, Jeremy & it would of been less of a tale without him. Jeremy wormed his way into my heart & I can totally relate to his whole tripping, falling over & having absolutely no balance with my disabling Meniere's Disease. Jeremy may of be challenged, but he was my Fairy Goddude-in-training sprinkling his PIXIE DUST & spinning & spreading love in his wake. Now my peeps let's chat about the sparks, Ms. Macnamara teases, tantalized & built all the tension up & when these 2 did get to making happy vajayjay moves & screaming happy endings, she gave me the full body quivers & the delicious shivers from my head to my curling toes! She also showed that open pleasure can healing when it's enriched with true love! Also just a quick note of the YUMMY HOTNESS of this (my recently named inner Cover HO) LOLA HAPPY DANCE WORTHY cover, completely ensnared my eyes & other girlie parts! There was an evil villain, a reluctant & UNEXPECTED hero, a wound Fairy Goddude, a hero with nothing to live for except REVENGE until in walks a wanton seductress extraordinaire, a woman who was the forgiving glue between a dad & his son & I can't forget the PULL THE FIRE ALARM sexiness! So it gives me my own shivers & quivers pleasure to give Ms. Macnamara my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes once again, but I have to WARN her that you have a lot of work cut out for her to make me LOVE Rowe Battencliffe!
NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.
Richard Blackwell, Viscount Lindenhurst, is a deeply scarred man, inside & out, from the brutal war & from the not so loving hands of his wife, Lydia. When he was wounded & almost lost his leg, it took forever get home, but Lydia believed he was dead & completely betrayed him. After the birth of Jeremy, Lind tried to put it behind him, but always kept his heart sealed in concrete. During a frozen winter day, Lydia & Jeremy were in an accident were only Jeremy survived. Now Lind lives on his estate as a bitter hermit, holding his home as a Lydia's shrine, drowns his pain with alcohol, ignores Jeremy, hires & fires governesses & is craving a path of cold hard REVENGE against the only betrayer still alive, his old Eton pal, Rowe Battencliffe.
Cecilia Sanford is the sister of Lind's other Eton pal, Alexander, & she has always had a huge CRUSH on him, plus at 15 she saw him & all his wet, firm & tantalizing NEKKID glory. Now as an adult, she is a "scandal walking" with an evil nemesis wanting REVENGE, a betroth she walk away from, the aunt who allowed her nieces to be kidnapped & fleeing her pissed off brother's home, but where to go except to the governess job at Lind's estate. Cecilia hopes she is hired because she has no where else to hide from her scandal & her stalking nemesis.
Cecilia take believe this anger, bitter & cold man is the same yummy Lind, but she listens as he grills her about her life & why she wants to be a governess & lies thru her teeth. Lind is reluctant to hire tempting Cecilia, but he needs help keeping Jeremy away from him & he hires her, but demands 4 things, obedience, loyalty, sparklingly mortals & NEVER going anywhere near the pond. Cecilia doesn't do obedience, lost her mortals long ago & the path to the pond is overgrown, but she can be loyal to her charge Jeremy & try like HADES to stay out of Lind's bed or against his large desk or even a wall. Jeremy is a quiet lonely boy, who never connects to anyone because of his revolving governesses, but Cecilia does notice his love of things military & rolls with it, but during the servants weekly reports, while Lind dines on yummy looking food, & he forbids it!
Cecilia begins to learn all about Jeremy's physical limits, uses military teases & soon Jeremy strives to learn & does struggle, but with her loving encouragement he blossoms, as does Lind's relationship with "the child" with Cecilia DEMANDING an adorable pony & soon the boys shared common ground! Lind can't take this sassy seductress delectable bum wiggling this way & that, she pushes his enticing buttons, he gorges himself on her mouth, the wall & large desk are put to pleasurable usage & soon it's open flame MEET a puddle of kerosene, IGNITION! But a dark nemesis is stalking Cecilia, a brother DEMANDS marriage, Lydia's pedestal & shrine are C4ed, an armored heart cracks wide open, REVENGE on 2 fronts backfires, a life threatening kidnapping & soon KARMA COMES KKNOCKING! Will Lind realized that Jeremy is the child of his heart? Can Cecilia except 1/2 of Lind's heart? When will Lind realize all he needs is Cecilia & REVANGE be damned? How will Cecilia show Lind that he deserves her love? Does KARMA BEOCTH SLAP BACK?
This is the 2nd book of Ms. Macnamara Eton Boys Trilogy & so far this series is all about mysterious pasts, evil nemesis stalking, REVENGE, unexpected Fairy Godfolks & super pot holed ridden paths of true love, but I have LOVED IT! I love strong heroines & Cecilia is a complete LEAP than LOOK kinda girl, but love rules her many good & bombed ideas & she always EXCEPTS the end result! Lind had scars over scars & allowed REVENGE to eat away his soul, had a level 10 forcefield around his heart & turns his away from any love. I personal don't think he hated his son, but was punishing himself by out embracing Jeremy. Ms. Macnamara added a 3rd scarred character in this tale, Jeremy & it would of been less of a tale without him. Jeremy wormed his way into my heart & I can totally relate to his whole tripping, falling over & having absolutely no balance with my disabling Meniere's Disease. Jeremy may of be challenged, but he was my Fairy Goddude-in-training sprinkling his PIXIE DUST & spinning & spreading love in his wake. Now my peeps let's chat about the sparks, Ms. Macnamara teases, tantalized & built all the tension up & when these 2 did get to making happy vajayjay moves & screaming happy endings, she gave me the full body quivers & the delicious shivers from my head to my curling toes! She also showed that open pleasure can healing when it's enriched with true love! Also just a quick note of the YUMMY HOTNESS of this (my recently named inner Cover HO) LOLA HAPPY DANCE WORTHY cover, completely ensnared my eyes & other girlie parts! There was an evil villain, a reluctant & UNEXPECTED hero, a wound Fairy Goddude, a hero with nothing to live for except REVENGE until in walks a wanton seductress extraordinaire, a woman who was the forgiving glue between a dad & his son & I can't forget the PULL THE FIRE ALARM sexiness! So it gives me my own shivers & quivers pleasure to give Ms. Macnamara my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes once again, but I have to WARN her that you have a lot of work cut out for her to make me LOVE Rowe Battencliffe!
NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.
November 28, 2014
I have a weakness for a wounded, broody, military/ex-military man and it doesn't matter if he's a Regency era lord who is now determined toward revenge, but gets sidetracked by the entrancing sister of his former friend come to be his son's governess. I found this story engaging from cover to cover. The author knows how to delight with humor, heartache and passion during the course of the story.
This is the second book in a trio of stories about three men who were once close friends after having met at school. The tie between each book is loose enough to read them out of order with the earlier couple and the next hero appearing in a few scenes though there will be a few moments when things are a bit confusing because they reference back to something from before.
The story opens with Cecilia Sanford appearing on Viscount Lindenhurst's doorstep asking to be considered for the position of his son's governess. Lind is a hardened bitter man with a thing for regiment and order in his home that has made him a bit demanding on his staff making it so that he has gone through a long string of governesses. He's got a revenge plot in the works against the man, his former friend no less, whom he found with his wife when he returned from war. Lydia died and Lind bares the guilt of that so he won't hold her accountable for the betrayal, but the man she was with is fair game. He wonders if Cecilia is there to spy out details on that or if her secrets are something else. Either way, he knows that something about her story of why she isn't married yet or still living under the protection of her brother is a lie. Against his better judgment, he gives her a chance assuming she'll fail with the boy like all the others. He has no idea how she will sort things and turn his world upside down.
Cecilia has her reasons for desperately needing to find employment under Lind's roof. He is so austere now that she doesn't dare tell him the truth that she allowed herself to be seduced by a wicked man or that when in charge of her brother's daughters that they were kidnapped by foreigners though that worked out fine. She must also never let this new and colder, Lind suspect that she's had a crush on him, her older brother's friend, since she was a girl. She must be all business and prove to him and her brother that she can do just fine. An introduction to her new charge shows her that she may have a more difficult time than she thought. Jeremy survived the accident that killed his mother and left him permanently injured, but he also is slow to learn in ways. He is a lonely child who yearns for his father's attention and Lind hides him away like he hates the very sight of him. Well she would just see about that. Jeremy needed his father and Cecilia wouldn't succeed with Jeremy with all those rigid rules set up. Lind would just have to heed her demands.
This story had one of my favorite plots. I love those ones where the father is a bit of a martinet and the child/children are in need of help so in swoops a strong, crusading woman to the rescue of both. Now naturally, this story has its own quirks so I wasn't reading a rehash. Cecilia is far from the usual retiring, virginal governess-type as one can get. She got into trouble because she's a lusty girl with strong appetites. She takes all the responsibility for that and sets out on her own so that her brother isn't stuck with her because no man will take a woman like her for a wife when the truth comes out. And Lind's issues that keep him from engaging in life are a bit convoluted to explain, but they are very real. He went through the trauma of war both on his mind and his body, he returns to difficulties with his marriage and then he loses his wife in an accident leaving him an injured son knowing he failed all around. He's got a bit of the Edmund Dantes thing going with his living for revenge attitude. He was ripe for a rescue by a very special sort of lady just as he finds that he can be her gallant knight too.
These two are pretty passionate types even though they both try to keep things strictly to the physical. Neither are shy and I found that an interesting thing since its a bit different for the Lord of the manor and the governess trope. Normally, I struggle to get into HR stories where the connection is forged through the physical relationship first, but this one was different. I think it was necessary in this case. Lind had to be jolted back to life and Cecilia had to see that her past hadn't destroyed her for being with another man. Those who like things on the scorchy side will be well pleased with these two.
In the end, it was an enjoyable story. I want to go back for Cecilia's brother's story, but I'm curious to see if the author can make me see the final Eton friend as a hero type. He was a bit of a ne'er do well in this one even if he wasn't quite as bad as Lind thought him.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is the second book in a trio of stories about three men who were once close friends after having met at school. The tie between each book is loose enough to read them out of order with the earlier couple and the next hero appearing in a few scenes though there will be a few moments when things are a bit confusing because they reference back to something from before.
The story opens with Cecilia Sanford appearing on Viscount Lindenhurst's doorstep asking to be considered for the position of his son's governess. Lind is a hardened bitter man with a thing for regiment and order in his home that has made him a bit demanding on his staff making it so that he has gone through a long string of governesses. He's got a revenge plot in the works against the man, his former friend no less, whom he found with his wife when he returned from war. Lydia died and Lind bares the guilt of that so he won't hold her accountable for the betrayal, but the man she was with is fair game. He wonders if Cecilia is there to spy out details on that or if her secrets are something else. Either way, he knows that something about her story of why she isn't married yet or still living under the protection of her brother is a lie. Against his better judgment, he gives her a chance assuming she'll fail with the boy like all the others. He has no idea how she will sort things and turn his world upside down.
Cecilia has her reasons for desperately needing to find employment under Lind's roof. He is so austere now that she doesn't dare tell him the truth that she allowed herself to be seduced by a wicked man or that when in charge of her brother's daughters that they were kidnapped by foreigners though that worked out fine. She must also never let this new and colder, Lind suspect that she's had a crush on him, her older brother's friend, since she was a girl. She must be all business and prove to him and her brother that she can do just fine. An introduction to her new charge shows her that she may have a more difficult time than she thought. Jeremy survived the accident that killed his mother and left him permanently injured, but he also is slow to learn in ways. He is a lonely child who yearns for his father's attention and Lind hides him away like he hates the very sight of him. Well she would just see about that. Jeremy needed his father and Cecilia wouldn't succeed with Jeremy with all those rigid rules set up. Lind would just have to heed her demands.
This story had one of my favorite plots. I love those ones where the father is a bit of a martinet and the child/children are in need of help so in swoops a strong, crusading woman to the rescue of both. Now naturally, this story has its own quirks so I wasn't reading a rehash. Cecilia is far from the usual retiring, virginal governess-type as one can get. She got into trouble because she's a lusty girl with strong appetites. She takes all the responsibility for that and sets out on her own so that her brother isn't stuck with her because no man will take a woman like her for a wife when the truth comes out. And Lind's issues that keep him from engaging in life are a bit convoluted to explain, but they are very real. He went through the trauma of war both on his mind and his body, he returns to difficulties with his marriage and then he loses his wife in an accident leaving him an injured son knowing he failed all around. He's got a bit of the Edmund Dantes thing going with his living for revenge attitude. He was ripe for a rescue by a very special sort of lady just as he finds that he can be her gallant knight too.
These two are pretty passionate types even though they both try to keep things strictly to the physical. Neither are shy and I found that an interesting thing since its a bit different for the Lord of the manor and the governess trope. Normally, I struggle to get into HR stories where the connection is forged through the physical relationship first, but this one was different. I think it was necessary in this case. Lind had to be jolted back to life and Cecilia had to see that her past hadn't destroyed her for being with another man. Those who like things on the scorchy side will be well pleased with these two.
In the end, it was an enjoyable story. I want to go back for Cecilia's brother's story, but I'm curious to see if the author can make me see the final Eton friend as a hero type. He was a bit of a ne'er do well in this one even if he wasn't quite as bad as Lind thought him.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 9, 2014
What a Lady Demands by Ashlyn Macnamara
This is the second book in the Eton boys trilogy. I recently read What a Lady Craves, so it was easy to pick up with the characters and the story line, although this book can be read as a standalone. The story centres on Cecelia and Linenhurst, linked by Cecelia’s brother Alexander. Lindenhurst, Sandford and Battencliffe were best friends years ago at school, only to have the friendships strained and broken years later.
Cecelia arrives at Lindenhurst’s estate to take on the position of governess to his young son Jeremy. At first I really disliked Lindenhurst. He seemed like the typical, arrogant British Lord. He doesn’t treat his staff very well, is demanding and curt. He lacks common courtesy. It made me wonder how on earth the author was going to transform him into a believable love interest.
We learn that he is a bitter man, living in regret for the loss of his wife, the war, his wounded leg and the disabilities of his son. But somehow, even after learning all of this, I still didn’t forgive him for his highhanded behaviour and self-righteousness. I only began to soften to him when he showed signs of changing. When he began to listen to Cecelia and take an interest in his son.
Cecelia has taken the position and clings to it for a variety of reasons. She is not interested in staying with her brother and his family nearby, as he is newly married and she had a falling out with him (detailed in the previous book). She is also hiding from a villainous man who robbed her of her youth and abused her sexually. Eversham is tracking her, believing that she has an article of stolen jewellery he took from another man to hide his true sexual nature. It’s all very sordid and the fact that Lindenhurst involves himself as her protector made me start to admire him.
Cecelia and Lindenhurst are both broken people. They have deep wounds that start to heal when they develop a relationship outside of employer and employee. They have great sexual chemistry. Things are very graphic and since Cecelia is an experienced woman, there are no maidenly senses to soothe. Their sexual relationship helps them to begin one of the heart. Cecelia’s trust and calming presence gives Lindenhurst the strength to let go of the past and truly begin a future.
The story is complex as each character has a tragedy or past that they must overcome. From little Jeremy, who suffered brain damage, to the Eton men who can’t let go of past behaviour to Cecelia who has a victim’s mentality about the role she played in evil Eversham’s games.
I enjoyed this book. I was really worried at first that I wouldn’t be able to get past stuffy, rigid and mean Lindenhurst. But once he lets his guard down and embraces Cecelia, the pages got smoking hot. This is a story of new beginnings, but it takes the length of the novel for this to come to fruition.
The next story will be about Battencliffe. He has disgraced himself, is near bankrupt and his morals are hanging by a thread. I really look forward to seeing how he redeems himself and the lady that will steal his heart and his bed.
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This is the second book in the Eton boys trilogy. I recently read What a Lady Craves, so it was easy to pick up with the characters and the story line, although this book can be read as a standalone. The story centres on Cecelia and Linenhurst, linked by Cecelia’s brother Alexander. Lindenhurst, Sandford and Battencliffe were best friends years ago at school, only to have the friendships strained and broken years later.
Cecelia arrives at Lindenhurst’s estate to take on the position of governess to his young son Jeremy. At first I really disliked Lindenhurst. He seemed like the typical, arrogant British Lord. He doesn’t treat his staff very well, is demanding and curt. He lacks common courtesy. It made me wonder how on earth the author was going to transform him into a believable love interest.
We learn that he is a bitter man, living in regret for the loss of his wife, the war, his wounded leg and the disabilities of his son. But somehow, even after learning all of this, I still didn’t forgive him for his highhanded behaviour and self-righteousness. I only began to soften to him when he showed signs of changing. When he began to listen to Cecelia and take an interest in his son.
Cecelia has taken the position and clings to it for a variety of reasons. She is not interested in staying with her brother and his family nearby, as he is newly married and she had a falling out with him (detailed in the previous book). She is also hiding from a villainous man who robbed her of her youth and abused her sexually. Eversham is tracking her, believing that she has an article of stolen jewellery he took from another man to hide his true sexual nature. It’s all very sordid and the fact that Lindenhurst involves himself as her protector made me start to admire him.
Cecelia and Lindenhurst are both broken people. They have deep wounds that start to heal when they develop a relationship outside of employer and employee. They have great sexual chemistry. Things are very graphic and since Cecelia is an experienced woman, there are no maidenly senses to soothe. Their sexual relationship helps them to begin one of the heart. Cecelia’s trust and calming presence gives Lindenhurst the strength to let go of the past and truly begin a future.
The story is complex as each character has a tragedy or past that they must overcome. From little Jeremy, who suffered brain damage, to the Eton men who can’t let go of past behaviour to Cecelia who has a victim’s mentality about the role she played in evil Eversham’s games.
I enjoyed this book. I was really worried at first that I wouldn’t be able to get past stuffy, rigid and mean Lindenhurst. But once he lets his guard down and embraces Cecelia, the pages got smoking hot. This is a story of new beginnings, but it takes the length of the novel for this to come to fruition.
The next story will be about Battencliffe. He has disgraced himself, is near bankrupt and his morals are hanging by a thread. I really look forward to seeing how he redeems himself and the lady that will steal his heart and his bed.
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
November 13, 2014
WOW! This book is hot, hot! A steamy, love story about a man broken in body and soul, and a lady from his past who is running from her own troubles and ruination. Lind is a commanding man who runs his household like he did his troops. Everything in its place and only anyone of the highest morals shall work in his household. Feisty Cecelia turns up on his doorstep intending to be the next governess for his young son. She has her own way of doing things, and they always clash with his strict rules. There are many secrets being kept by everyone, and mysterious characters showing up on the scene that make this an adventurous, sometimes thrilling story. Through it all a slow burn takes over Lind, he tries to fight it, so does Cecelia, at first. There are some wonderful secondary characters in this story, but the depth of the two main characters is like no other I've read before. Lind and Cecelia are each one of a kind and their story is powerful indeed. This is the first book in the series I've read, and I'm glad I read this one first. I didn't know what to expect when I began reading, but what a wonderful surprise. No way will I miss reading What A Lady Craves, bk 1, or What A Lady Requires, bk 3 out early 2015. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a little steam and slow burn in their romance reads.
August 30, 2014
Review for What a Lady Demands (The Eton Boys Trilogy #2) by Ashlyn Macnamara:
I'll start off by saying that I have never read this author before which, of course, means I have not read the first book in the series either. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this endearing little historical romance.
On a bizarre and unusual note for me, I enjoyed the first half of the story more than the second half. I fully enjoyed the actual romance and family building while the confrontation with the antagonists toward the end left me a little wanting. I guess it wasn't meant to be an all out boss battle, due to several interactions with the antagonists that let up to the final confrontation, but it was like a blip then it was gone. *sigh* I'm a sucker for action though so I guess I am a little biased here. The beginning of the novel had me completely falling in love with our Heroine as well as our Hero's son, Jeremy. What a duo they made throughout the book!
Our Heroine, Cecelia Sanford, is a force to be reckoned with. Strong, independent, and not in the slightest bit a shrinking violet, she makes for quite the entertaining love story. Confrontational and defiant to her very core she is the last thing that our Hero would every dream of wanting for himself and his family. And doesn't it just always turn out that what you never thought you'd want is exactly what you need? *swoon* As I have said before, I love strong Heroines. Cecelia knows exactly when to push and when to back down while keeping her ward's best interest at heart at all times. As with about 70% of historical romances, our heroine is hiding a past that she would rather not confront but that she will need to in order to move forward in her life....enter our Hero.
Viscount Lindenherst. What can I say? A haunted and injured hero who is bearing the weight of a past that no one can clear him of guilt for...except, of course, our heroine. After fighting for his country in the Napoleonic Wars, and returning with an injury that almost killed him, he runs every single inch of his life with military precision. Unforgiving of even the smallest slight and burdened with constant guilt, anger, and loneliness, our hero could use a little help. Luckily, our heroine applies as a governess for his son and, after a plethora of arguments and steamy meetings in darkened corners, irrevocable cracks are made in his armor and it's all down hill from there.
A simple, sweet love story involving an entire family with substantial barriers to overcome, this is more of an emotional read than anything else. If you need to curl up on the couch with your ice cream and/or popcorn and have a good cry, this is the way to do it. Even with some drags toward the end, the surprises and shocking revelations will keep you on your toes while you fall head over heals for this wholly adorable family.
Hero: ★★★
Heroine: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★
Steam: ★★★★
OVERALL RATING: ★★★ 1/2
Favorite Scene: First time Cecelia meets Jeremy!
Favorite Quote: "Who are you to me?"
I'll start off by saying that I have never read this author before which, of course, means I have not read the first book in the series either. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this endearing little historical romance.
On a bizarre and unusual note for me, I enjoyed the first half of the story more than the second half. I fully enjoyed the actual romance and family building while the confrontation with the antagonists toward the end left me a little wanting. I guess it wasn't meant to be an all out boss battle, due to several interactions with the antagonists that let up to the final confrontation, but it was like a blip then it was gone. *sigh* I'm a sucker for action though so I guess I am a little biased here. The beginning of the novel had me completely falling in love with our Heroine as well as our Hero's son, Jeremy. What a duo they made throughout the book!
Our Heroine, Cecelia Sanford, is a force to be reckoned with. Strong, independent, and not in the slightest bit a shrinking violet, she makes for quite the entertaining love story. Confrontational and defiant to her very core she is the last thing that our Hero would every dream of wanting for himself and his family. And doesn't it just always turn out that what you never thought you'd want is exactly what you need? *swoon* As I have said before, I love strong Heroines. Cecelia knows exactly when to push and when to back down while keeping her ward's best interest at heart at all times. As with about 70% of historical romances, our heroine is hiding a past that she would rather not confront but that she will need to in order to move forward in her life....enter our Hero.
Viscount Lindenherst. What can I say? A haunted and injured hero who is bearing the weight of a past that no one can clear him of guilt for...except, of course, our heroine. After fighting for his country in the Napoleonic Wars, and returning with an injury that almost killed him, he runs every single inch of his life with military precision. Unforgiving of even the smallest slight and burdened with constant guilt, anger, and loneliness, our hero could use a little help. Luckily, our heroine applies as a governess for his son and, after a plethora of arguments and steamy meetings in darkened corners, irrevocable cracks are made in his armor and it's all down hill from there.
A simple, sweet love story involving an entire family with substantial barriers to overcome, this is more of an emotional read than anything else. If you need to curl up on the couch with your ice cream and/or popcorn and have a good cry, this is the way to do it. Even with some drags toward the end, the surprises and shocking revelations will keep you on your toes while you fall head over heals for this wholly adorable family.
Hero: ★★★
Heroine: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★
Steam: ★★★★
OVERALL RATING: ★★★ 1/2
Favorite Scene: First time Cecelia meets Jeremy!
Favorite Quote: "Who are you to me?"
November 3, 2014
Viscount Lindenhurst cannot seem to find a governess who meets his impossible standards—until Cecelia Sanford becomes the first woman to interrupt the widower’s brooding in years. Lind had returned home from the Napoleonic wars, broken in body and soul and longing for his wife’s embrace, only to find her changed. Before they could reconcile, an accident struck their son and claimed her life. Now enter Cecelia, with her soft curves and sharp tongue—a tempting distraction, it is true, but not a welcome one.
Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.
Well written and moving, this story captured me at the very beginning. The story focuses on the sister and former best friend of the hero in “What a Lady Craves”, although it is not necessary to read this first book to read this one. A scandal that caused Cecelia to run to the country was hinted at in the first book but not divulged. That she has to find a position as a governess is not good but it turns out she is not only running from scandal but trying to hide. She sees Lind as her salvation since he is her brother’s former school friend and one she has had a secret crush on since was younger.
There is so much baggage that the two main characters are hiding from others it’s amazing they can function at all. But function and survive they do and soon Lind is not able to keep his hands off of Cecelia. He gradually starts to thaw from his self-induced emotional freeze and it is adorable at times when Cecelia forces him to admit to his neediness. It is unusual and shocking to discover what Cecelia is hiding as it is the stuff of more erotic historicals. She seems surprisingly intact considering what she has been through. She could have been more jaded and wary and it would have been understandable.
The boy in the story is a little sad. He lost his mother and then multiple governesses and it is obvious that Lind blames the boy for his wife’s death. Clearly everyone is feeling rather abandoned. The attachment that Cecelia takes to him is almost her atonement for what happened in the first book with her brother’s children. I liked that the boy had a champion in Cecelia and I could stop feeling so sorry for him.
This is a great series so far with each book better than the last. Battencliffe’s role in this story set the stage for the third book in the series which should be good. It was disheartening to read what he had been reduced to so I hope to read about his redemption in the next book.
My thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
Past the usual marrying age and haunted by a scandal of her own, Cecelia soon finds herself caring for both the child and the man. The viscount is brittle and even abrupt at times, yet she cannot deny the attraction that stirs her body in his presence. Moved by the deep sense of abandonment that tortures his soul, Cecelia aches to fully awaken Lind’s heart from its rancorous slumber—if she can just keep their pasts from destroying a second chance at love.
Well written and moving, this story captured me at the very beginning. The story focuses on the sister and former best friend of the hero in “What a Lady Craves”, although it is not necessary to read this first book to read this one. A scandal that caused Cecelia to run to the country was hinted at in the first book but not divulged. That she has to find a position as a governess is not good but it turns out she is not only running from scandal but trying to hide. She sees Lind as her salvation since he is her brother’s former school friend and one she has had a secret crush on since was younger.
There is so much baggage that the two main characters are hiding from others it’s amazing they can function at all. But function and survive they do and soon Lind is not able to keep his hands off of Cecelia. He gradually starts to thaw from his self-induced emotional freeze and it is adorable at times when Cecelia forces him to admit to his neediness. It is unusual and shocking to discover what Cecelia is hiding as it is the stuff of more erotic historicals. She seems surprisingly intact considering what she has been through. She could have been more jaded and wary and it would have been understandable.
The boy in the story is a little sad. He lost his mother and then multiple governesses and it is obvious that Lind blames the boy for his wife’s death. Clearly everyone is feeling rather abandoned. The attachment that Cecelia takes to him is almost her atonement for what happened in the first book with her brother’s children. I liked that the boy had a champion in Cecelia and I could stop feeling so sorry for him.
This is a great series so far with each book better than the last. Battencliffe’s role in this story set the stage for the third book in the series which should be good. It was disheartening to read what he had been reduced to so I hope to read about his redemption in the next book.
My thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
October 13, 2014
Cecelia Sanford has a mission. Actually, many missions - from helping to educate a young boy, to surviving more than a few days or hours in a post that ought to come with revolving doors, to resisting the temptation embodied in the boy's father, Lind, her brother's longtime friend and those are only the opening issues.
I adored Cecelia's can-do attitude to nearly everything: a gentlewoman by birth but impoverished due to her family's reverses (see book #1 of the Eton trilogy, although you don't have to have read that to enjoy the book). She sets out to establish herself as governess in Viscount Lindenhurst's dour household, even if that involves a lot more work than she could have imagined. Gravely injured at Waterloo, Lind has recovered almost fully on a physical level but he still carries scars, not only from war but from what he found back home.
There are dark secrets in the dark halls of his home. If you don't like conflict and touches of emotional darkness, even tragedy, this book isn't for you, but you'll miss so much romance and revelation if you pass it by. Sometimes the book has an almost Gothic air as Cecelia uncovers the deeply hidden past that so troubles her employer who, did I forget to mention, has been the object of her fantasies since she was fifteen? But Cecelia has dark secrets of her own that are more than a match for Lind's. Seeing her stalwart and brave confrontation of those in this book was beautifully refreshing. Ashlyn Macnamara writes no wilting flowers of frail womanhood. Her heroines are strong where it counts: in matters of the spirit and matters of the heart. (I loved that we also saw Henrietta and Alexander, the leads from the first in the trilogy, at least briefly.)
Excitement, adventure and romance: you'll find all of these and more in Ashlyn Macnamara's latest outing. If you like your historical romances with a bit of spice, with characters who go past the timeworn tropes of the genre to show us real people confronting challenges and learning to love, not fear or hate? This is the book for you and you'd better make sure to clear your plates for the rest of her writing: it's all good!
(Disclaimer: I received and reviewed an advance copy in return for an honest review.)
I adored Cecelia's can-do attitude to nearly everything: a gentlewoman by birth but impoverished due to her family's reverses (see book #1 of the Eton trilogy, although you don't have to have read that to enjoy the book). She sets out to establish herself as governess in Viscount Lindenhurst's dour household, even if that involves a lot more work than she could have imagined. Gravely injured at Waterloo, Lind has recovered almost fully on a physical level but he still carries scars, not only from war but from what he found back home.
There are dark secrets in the dark halls of his home. If you don't like conflict and touches of emotional darkness, even tragedy, this book isn't for you, but you'll miss so much romance and revelation if you pass it by. Sometimes the book has an almost Gothic air as Cecelia uncovers the deeply hidden past that so troubles her employer who, did I forget to mention, has been the object of her fantasies since she was fifteen? But Cecelia has dark secrets of her own that are more than a match for Lind's. Seeing her stalwart and brave confrontation of those in this book was beautifully refreshing. Ashlyn Macnamara writes no wilting flowers of frail womanhood. Her heroines are strong where it counts: in matters of the spirit and matters of the heart. (I loved that we also saw Henrietta and Alexander, the leads from the first in the trilogy, at least briefly.)
Excitement, adventure and romance: you'll find all of these and more in Ashlyn Macnamara's latest outing. If you like your historical romances with a bit of spice, with characters who go past the timeworn tropes of the genre to show us real people confronting challenges and learning to love, not fear or hate? This is the book for you and you'd better make sure to clear your plates for the rest of her writing: it's all good!
(Disclaimer: I received and reviewed an advance copy in return for an honest review.)
August 28, 2014
Yeah so Lind he can be a boob at times and it seems he's always spurting out the wrong things:
"No," he protested. "It's not as though I planned...That...That just happened. If anything, it was the port spurring me on." A bloody wretched excuse if there ever was one.
She raised her chin. "I see."
God, could he possibly make it any worse? "I don't mean to imply you're not desirable. That gown certainly isn't helping matters."
Cecelia that girl doesn't sugar coat and personally I think it stuns Lind, "me? You want to marry me?" Her heart slammed into her ribs, hampering her breathing. Odd how she felt that when she couldn't even feel the tips of her fingers. "When I'm not even suitable to act as your governess, because I'm so scandalous and impure, but you're willing to marry me?" Sometimes a girl has to stick up for herself, it's hard competing with the past but Cecelia is a damn soldier, "who are you to me?" she repeated. "How much does this marriage mean to you? I've been trying to drive the notion through your head all blasted morning, and you still don't understand. And perhaps that's my answer." She moved toward the door. "I'll pack my things. If I forget anything, you can send it along, care of my brother." Sometimes I got upset for Cecelia Lind that man just doesn't know how to move on until something drastic happens and then finally does the boy get his head out of his a**. I actually enjoyed this book.
"No," he protested. "It's not as though I planned...That...That just happened. If anything, it was the port spurring me on." A bloody wretched excuse if there ever was one.
She raised her chin. "I see."
God, could he possibly make it any worse? "I don't mean to imply you're not desirable. That gown certainly isn't helping matters."
Cecelia that girl doesn't sugar coat and personally I think it stuns Lind, "me? You want to marry me?" Her heart slammed into her ribs, hampering her breathing. Odd how she felt that when she couldn't even feel the tips of her fingers. "When I'm not even suitable to act as your governess, because I'm so scandalous and impure, but you're willing to marry me?" Sometimes a girl has to stick up for herself, it's hard competing with the past but Cecelia is a damn soldier, "who are you to me?" she repeated. "How much does this marriage mean to you? I've been trying to drive the notion through your head all blasted morning, and you still don't understand. And perhaps that's my answer." She moved toward the door. "I'll pack my things. If I forget anything, you can send it along, care of my brother." Sometimes I got upset for Cecelia Lind that man just doesn't know how to move on until something drastic happens and then finally does the boy get his head out of his a**. I actually enjoyed this book.
November 4, 2014
First off this book was very entertaining and beautifully written. I have read this author's previous books because she is wonderful storyteller. I think the "hero" so to speak has a bit of high handiness in his demeanor. That's not saying that I didn't like him, but sometimes men can be so stubborn in their attitudes. You have a wounded man from the Napoleonic wars by the name of Lindenhurst. He is a viscount, a widower who likes being demanding. There is so much anguish that has happened to Lind in his life, he forgets to live a little.
Then comes a spunky and no nonsense woman who becomes his son's governess. She sees more than the average woman who isn't afraid to give as good as she gets. Cecelia Sanford has confronted Lind about his son's need to his father and tries to get them together. Also, Cecelia has come love the sad little boy who constantly falls when walking because of an injury sustained at an earlier age. Though Lind has been lonely for a woman's touch, he finds himself enjoying the battle of wits with Cecelia. He breaks his cold shell around his heart for this woman who touches his soul. When Lind kisses Cecelia she gets overwhelmed with passion and can't wait until he does it again.
You will find out how one man can change for the better when one woman trusts him with all her secrets and lots of romance to make this a fantastic read.
I received this ARC title from Net Galley for an honest review.
Then comes a spunky and no nonsense woman who becomes his son's governess. She sees more than the average woman who isn't afraid to give as good as she gets. Cecelia Sanford has confronted Lind about his son's need to his father and tries to get them together. Also, Cecelia has come love the sad little boy who constantly falls when walking because of an injury sustained at an earlier age. Though Lind has been lonely for a woman's touch, he finds himself enjoying the battle of wits with Cecelia. He breaks his cold shell around his heart for this woman who touches his soul. When Lind kisses Cecelia she gets overwhelmed with passion and can't wait until he does it again.
You will find out how one man can change for the better when one woman trusts him with all her secrets and lots of romance to make this a fantastic read.
I received this ARC title from Net Galley for an honest review.
November 9, 2014
This is book 2 in the Eton Boys Trilogy.
Fleeing the disappointment of her brother, Cecelia Sanford has applied to Viscount Lindenhurst to allow her to be governess to his son. Since he's had to fire all the other governesses for one reason or another, he decided he might as well try his best friend's sister in the position.
Having not been raised in the serving class, Cecelia is not the obedient governess that she ought to be. She starts questioning Lind about why he won't call his son by his given name and other impertinant things that he doesn't want to answer.
Having not had a woman since his wife passed away four years ago, Lind finds it hard to resist his attraction for Cecelia. But she is hiding secrets of her own. Can they get over their past to find a new love?
I've been looking forward to Cecelia and Lind's story since I read What a Lady Craves. Cecelia and Lind were perfect for each other. I loved seeing Cecelia push Lind from his comfort zone and make him analyze his actions that were dubious. Lind made Cecelia realize that her past wasn't her fault and that she could move forward.
The next book in the series is What a Lady Requires, which stars Rowan Battencliffe. Can he redeem himself? We have to wait until February to find out!
Thanks go out to Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
Fleeing the disappointment of her brother, Cecelia Sanford has applied to Viscount Lindenhurst to allow her to be governess to his son. Since he's had to fire all the other governesses for one reason or another, he decided he might as well try his best friend's sister in the position.
Having not been raised in the serving class, Cecelia is not the obedient governess that she ought to be. She starts questioning Lind about why he won't call his son by his given name and other impertinant things that he doesn't want to answer.
Having not had a woman since his wife passed away four years ago, Lind finds it hard to resist his attraction for Cecelia. But she is hiding secrets of her own. Can they get over their past to find a new love?
I've been looking forward to Cecelia and Lind's story since I read What a Lady Craves. Cecelia and Lind were perfect for each other. I loved seeing Cecelia push Lind from his comfort zone and make him analyze his actions that were dubious. Lind made Cecelia realize that her past wasn't her fault and that she could move forward.
The next book in the series is What a Lady Requires, which stars Rowan Battencliffe. Can he redeem himself? We have to wait until February to find out!
Thanks go out to Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
September 26, 2014
This was a great book. Once I started to read it I had a hard time to put it down. Cecelia Sanford is looking for employment to prove something to her brother and to hide from her past. Like everyone knows that eventually your past can catch up to you. Anyways she is employed to Viscount Lindenhurst as a governess. Soon she is wanting to change certain things when it comes to a kid. Well her past catches up and then the Viscount finds out. I thought the plot was wonderful. I really enjoyed the characters, Watching them grow into their situations made you feel a part of them. Apart of what they are wanting and how they will get there. The way the author describes things help you to picture them and you feel the laughter and the feelings that she is trying to express in her story. I defiantly recommend this romance novel to anyone that loves romance and loves historical.
February 16, 2015
Cecelia Sanford is the headstrong sister of Alexander, the hero from What a Lady Craves. In that story, she is memorable for her headstrong and determined nature. At the beginning of What a Lady Demands, she is interviewing as a governess in the home of her teenage crush, Viscount Lindenhurst (Lind), and also to provide an independent living for herself so she will not be a burden to her brother and his new wife. But she also is running from a very scandalous secret that could ruin her and her family.
Lind is an injured war veteran, a widow, and a very angry man, out for revenge against his former childhood friend, Rowan Battencliffe. Battencliffe wronged him in the worst possible way and Lind’s plan is to bankrupt and ruin him.
For my full review on my historical romance & history blog: http://bit.ly/1zYWVmN
Lind is an injured war veteran, a widow, and a very angry man, out for revenge against his former childhood friend, Rowan Battencliffe. Battencliffe wronged him in the worst possible way and Lind’s plan is to bankrupt and ruin him.
For my full review on my historical romance & history blog: http://bit.ly/1zYWVmN
October 3, 2014
I enjoyed this book it was so great that I read it straight though could not put it down. This the most entertaining story, the characters are just what mays this book so excellent. I can honestly say I have not read a historical romance like this one. I recommend this to fans that love historical romance because you will certainly get all you could want from this book. The sex scenes were great this book hooked you from the beginning to the end. I give this a five star it is certainly entertaining and not what you would aspect from a historical so that in itself makes for great reading.
November 2, 2014
This is the second book in The Eton Boys Trilogy and is as wonderful as the first one. I love a tortured hero and a fiesty herioine who knows what she wants. Ashlyn's writing is charming, witty and a fun read. I really enjoyed the plot in this book, it moved at a great pace and had all the elements of a great historical romance. Suspense, passion, great love scenes and you get to catch up with the characters from the first book in the series. This one is a keeper, don't miss it.
September 1, 2014
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really loved it. The story was awesome. I loved the character development. I also liked how it was steamy but did not take away from the storyline. I would definitely recommend this I did not read book 1 but I do not think you really need it to follow the story. Enjoy!
November 9, 2014
Cecelia Sanford has always had a crush on Richard Blakewell, Viscount Lindenhurst.
Lind need a governess for his son, Jeremy.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
Lind need a governess for his son, Jeremy.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
January 27, 2019
Not bad. I liked that the heroin was bold.
Read
June 22, 2023good
February 12, 2015
"You can do side bends or sit-ups, but please don't lose that butt."
- SirMixaLot
Yes, yes I confess! I was surfing the Barnes and Noble website when the cover of What a Lady Demands caught my eye. It's really quite a cheesy cover but, hey, my eyes just couldn't look away from the firm butt packed in those tight white pants. So, what could a girl do? I bought the book. See, sometimes book covers do sell - you just never know.
What a Lady Demands is the second in The Eton Boys trilogy and it probably would have helped a bit if I had read the first in the series. There are parts of this story that are not meant for a standalone novel. There seems to be a large back story for our heroine, Cecelia Sanford, and that back story wasn't fully explored, so at times I had hard time understanding Cecelia's motivation. Because of this missing part I didn't have a clear understanding of Cecelia's need to hide from her brother, and that was irritating. It should not have been necessary for me to read the first story in the series to catch on to what made Cecelia click.
Nonetheless, I did like the Cecelia we are presented with in this book. She is an endearing character who has some dark secrets. (By the way, those dark secrets were more titillating than anything else and didn't really add much to the story.)
I found the first half of the book enjoyable; however, the last part of the story lost its sparkle when all the doom-and-gloom secrets are revealed. Between Cecelia and our hero, Lindenherst, there is plenty of guilt, angst, and lies hanging over their heads - maybe too much. Spoiler alert.
I believe I would have liked the second half of the tale better if Lindenherst hadn't been so stubborn and persistent with his revenge. I also had a problem with his treatment of his son. His demeanor toward Jeremy was not hero-like. He was cold, disproving, and unloving to the boy. At first, I didn't know if he was cold to the child because Jeremy had some kind of disability or, as I suspected, because Jeremy wasn't his son. For me it didn't matter what his reason; his treatment of a very endearing child was atrocious.
What saved the story for me was the relationship between Cecelia and Jeremy. Cecelia is able to break through Jeremy's wall of pain to the child beneath who is desperately seeking his father's love. I just wish Lindenherst had been more deserving of Jeremy's idolization. However, this story is a romance and the strongest chemistry should be between Cecelia and Lindenherst, not Cecelia and Jeremy.
Villains: Let's talk about the two men in this book who were villains - two villains - one for the hero and one for the heroine. The heroine's villain, Eversham, is a handsome, sensual sleaze ball and is truly a villain. The hero's villain, Battencliffe, happens to be his ex-friend and one of the Eton boys. Battencliffe is handsome, selfish and has a long way to go to become a redeemable honorable hero. He is also the one who Lindenherst is seeking revenge against. I also have to say that at one point in this book our true villain, Eversham, is leaning against a fence. Now, I admit I have a thing for guys in romance books leaning against things. I don't care if it's a wall, fence, fireplace, horse, chair, there is just something about that action that is very sensual. And, in this book when the author propped up the villain against a fence, my little heart went pitter-pat. Be careful, authors, when using a stance mostly reserved for heroes; it may make the villainy harder to grasp. As far as Battencliffe, I have to say the author has created a pretty intense bad boy for her next hero. He is hardly honorable, incredibly selfish, so it should be interesting to see how Ms. Macnamara does it.
Overall, What a Lady Demands was a story that could have been so much more. The first part of the story was lovely with a strong heroine and an angst-filled hero. What started as a strong beginning was lost in the revenge plot and an over-the-top villain in the second half. I was disappointed the second part didn't live up to the promise of the first. This could have been an outstanding romance if not for the revenge/blackmail distraction of the second part.
KaysBlog
Yes, yes I confess! I was surfing the Barnes and Noble website when the cover of What a Lady Demands caught my eye. It's really quite a cheesy cover but, hey, my eyes just couldn't look away from the firm butt packed in those tight white pants. So, what could a girl do? I bought the book. See, sometimes book covers do sell - you just never know.
What a Lady Demands is the second in The Eton Boys trilogy and it probably would have helped a bit if I had read the first in the series. There are parts of this story that are not meant for a standalone novel. There seems to be a large back story for our heroine, Cecelia Sanford, and that back story wasn't fully explored, so at times I had hard time understanding Cecelia's motivation. Because of this missing part I didn't have a clear understanding of Cecelia's need to hide from her brother, and that was irritating. It should not have been necessary for me to read the first story in the series to catch on to what made Cecelia click.
Nonetheless, I did like the Cecelia we are presented with in this book. She is an endearing character who has some dark secrets. (By the way, those dark secrets were more titillating than anything else and didn't really add much to the story.)
I found the first half of the book enjoyable; however, the last part of the story lost its sparkle when all the doom-and-gloom secrets are revealed. Between Cecelia and our hero, Lindenherst, there is plenty of guilt, angst, and lies hanging over their heads - maybe too much. Spoiler alert.
I believe I would have liked the second half of the tale better if Lindenherst hadn't been so stubborn and persistent with his revenge. I also had a problem with his treatment of his son. His demeanor toward Jeremy was not hero-like. He was cold, disproving, and unloving to the boy. At first, I didn't know if he was cold to the child because Jeremy had some kind of disability or, as I suspected, because Jeremy wasn't his son. For me it didn't matter what his reason; his treatment of a very endearing child was atrocious.
What saved the story for me was the relationship between Cecelia and Jeremy. Cecelia is able to break through Jeremy's wall of pain to the child beneath who is desperately seeking his father's love. I just wish Lindenherst had been more deserving of Jeremy's idolization. However, this story is a romance and the strongest chemistry should be between Cecelia and Lindenherst, not Cecelia and Jeremy.
Villains: Let's talk about the two men in this book who were villains - two villains - one for the hero and one for the heroine. The heroine's villain, Eversham, is a handsome, sensual sleaze ball and is truly a villain. The hero's villain, Battencliffe, happens to be his ex-friend and one of the Eton boys. Battencliffe is handsome, selfish and has a long way to go to become a redeemable honorable hero. He is also the one who Lindenherst is seeking revenge against. I also have to say that at one point in this book our true villain, Eversham, is leaning against a fence. Now, I admit I have a thing for guys in romance books leaning against things. I don't care if it's a wall, fence, fireplace, horse, chair, there is just something about that action that is very sensual. And, in this book when the author propped up the villain against a fence, my little heart went pitter-pat. Be careful, authors, when using a stance mostly reserved for heroes; it may make the villainy harder to grasp. As far as Battencliffe, I have to say the author has created a pretty intense bad boy for her next hero. He is hardly honorable, incredibly selfish, so it should be interesting to see how Ms. Macnamara does it.
Overall, What a Lady Demands was a story that could have been so much more. The first part of the story was lovely with a strong heroine and an angst-filled hero. What started as a strong beginning was lost in the revenge plot and an over-the-top villain in the second half. I was disappointed the second part didn't live up to the promise of the first. This could have been an outstanding romance if not for the revenge/blackmail distraction of the second part.
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2014
I got the book for a honest review and here I am.
First of all, it is my first Ashlyn Macnamera book so I was very open minded to her writing.
About the cover of the book. I wasn’t really thrilled. I mean why do you show a male back with drawers on when the male main character is handicapped because of war wounds? It doesn’t fit together.
The book is the story of a very lovely young Lady; Cecelia Sanford, who comes from a good family and one day stands in front of Viscount Lindenhurst door to become the governess of his little boy. Lindenhurst is a widower and doesn’t give a damn about his boy, he only want him kept away and the reader really wonders for quite some time why this may be this way.
Cecelia and Lindenhurst know each other from many years ago because her brother and Lindenhurst attended Eton together and were very close friends. He doesn’t understand why a young lady in nubile age want to become a governess and she tells him a story about her brother’s financial problems, his return from India and the new marriage.
But as the book develops things get more and more complicated. There is lots of luggage Cecelia carries around with her, things she doesn’t want to talk about. But on the other hand Lindenhurst has his problems to not allow her do things he doesn’t want her to do.
Her only job is to keep “the boy”, he doesn’t call his son Jeremy, only “the boy” out of sight and she doesn’t understand why. He has troubles walking and at 5 years he doesn’t know how to write his name or read anything, nor Latin. (I know it is hard do understand that children should have been able to do all that at the age of 5 but this way society back then). She makes him write his name within a couple of days, tricks him. And slowly she is allowed to do more and more within and not only spend time within locked in the nursery. The boy has one big love – he is fascinated by tin soldiers.
+#+
I kind of liked the backstories to the characters but it also took like forever till I figured out, why Lindenhurst doesn’t want see or have anything to do with Jeremy. Or doesn’t want to talk about his former wife. I mean okay, she died tragically but in the beginning it just didn’t fit together. And what all of it had to do with the man he wants to destroy …
Cecelia’s background on the contrary was confusing. In the beginning I thought she lies about mostly everything because she simply is in love with him and has always been. Than we learn about the involvement with her brother’s kids which were snatched. (But why snatched? I mean was that important to the book? The story?)
The young woman is haunted by her past. Afraid to bring more scandal over her family. But she already adored Lind when she was a teenager and now she falls in love with him, is very open to him about her reputation quite soon. On the one hand she cares for him and his pain, on the other it is all about helping Jeremy – in my personal opinion – and to save herself, to hide.
I read the book within two days because I really liked the plot. The romantic scenes were steamy and I got the impression very soon they kind of fell in love with each other, even when Lindenhurst still had to fight his relationship with his dead wife Lydia.
I liked Cecelia. Lindenhurst grew on me but I never really felt connected to him. Especially not because of the way he deals with Jeremy for quite some time. But maybe that’s what Macnamara wanted.
The idea was good, something new to me. I read through about 50 Regency Romance books since February and developed quite taste for new plots. But some pages were unnecessary. And part of the very complex story about Lind’s two friends and Lydia respectively the real background of Cecelia should have been shares earlier with the reader because it came all together in a bundle.
The book gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.
First of all, it is my first Ashlyn Macnamera book so I was very open minded to her writing.
About the cover of the book. I wasn’t really thrilled. I mean why do you show a male back with drawers on when the male main character is handicapped because of war wounds? It doesn’t fit together.
The book is the story of a very lovely young Lady; Cecelia Sanford, who comes from a good family and one day stands in front of Viscount Lindenhurst door to become the governess of his little boy. Lindenhurst is a widower and doesn’t give a damn about his boy, he only want him kept away and the reader really wonders for quite some time why this may be this way.
Cecelia and Lindenhurst know each other from many years ago because her brother and Lindenhurst attended Eton together and were very close friends. He doesn’t understand why a young lady in nubile age want to become a governess and she tells him a story about her brother’s financial problems, his return from India and the new marriage.
But as the book develops things get more and more complicated. There is lots of luggage Cecelia carries around with her, things she doesn’t want to talk about. But on the other hand Lindenhurst has his problems to not allow her do things he doesn’t want her to do.
Her only job is to keep “the boy”, he doesn’t call his son Jeremy, only “the boy” out of sight and she doesn’t understand why. He has troubles walking and at 5 years he doesn’t know how to write his name or read anything, nor Latin. (I know it is hard do understand that children should have been able to do all that at the age of 5 but this way society back then). She makes him write his name within a couple of days, tricks him. And slowly she is allowed to do more and more within and not only spend time within locked in the nursery. The boy has one big love – he is fascinated by tin soldiers.
+#+
I kind of liked the backstories to the characters but it also took like forever till I figured out, why Lindenhurst doesn’t want see or have anything to do with Jeremy. Or doesn’t want to talk about his former wife. I mean okay, she died tragically but in the beginning it just didn’t fit together. And what all of it had to do with the man he wants to destroy …
Cecelia’s background on the contrary was confusing. In the beginning I thought she lies about mostly everything because she simply is in love with him and has always been. Than we learn about the involvement with her brother’s kids which were snatched. (But why snatched? I mean was that important to the book? The story?)
The young woman is haunted by her past. Afraid to bring more scandal over her family. But she already adored Lind when she was a teenager and now she falls in love with him, is very open to him about her reputation quite soon. On the one hand she cares for him and his pain, on the other it is all about helping Jeremy – in my personal opinion – and to save herself, to hide.
I read the book within two days because I really liked the plot. The romantic scenes were steamy and I got the impression very soon they kind of fell in love with each other, even when Lindenhurst still had to fight his relationship with his dead wife Lydia.
I liked Cecelia. Lindenhurst grew on me but I never really felt connected to him. Especially not because of the way he deals with Jeremy for quite some time. But maybe that’s what Macnamara wanted.
The idea was good, something new to me. I read through about 50 Regency Romance books since February and developed quite taste for new plots. But some pages were unnecessary. And part of the very complex story about Lind’s two friends and Lydia respectively the real background of Cecelia should have been shares earlier with the reader because it came all together in a bundle.
The book gets 3 out of 5 stars from me.
January 20, 2017
I didn’t catch reading the other two books of this series, however, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed book two, a standalone, since the absence of book one before this read, had no effect on the pleasure of its experience.
The story is well-balanced with its emotional complications and richly conflicted characters. Well-paced with facts of the tale, dropped felicitously on its path, only increased my eagerness to discover more. Passionate scenes between Cecelia and Lind were in good taste and lent balance to the totality of a love story where two wounded souls find each other and are made whole.
When Cecelia Sanford, age three and twenty, applied to be governess to Viscount Lindenhurst she hopes her past family relations with him will land her the job. Forget about not knowing anything about schooling children – she couldn’t even seem to school her own mind. She needs the placement sorely, for her own self-esteem and to show her brother, a past friend of Lind’s, she could apply herself and succeed. She’s another secret she must keep to herself, and dares not speak it aloud.
Cecelia’s past, she determines, must remain past. She wants a new life. When she receives a note from Adrian Eversham, she’s a bit afraid, annoyed, and with her new determination in life, ignores it. Cecelia, additionally, has this attraction to Lind. She can’t seem to stop her brazen approaches to him, her tart-tongue responses, and her wish Lind would touch her. She’s in a bit of a pickle. She’s a governess, not a mistress!
Lind lost his wife some four years past in a terrible water accident and almost lost his son. Unable to save them through his own physical challenges, he blames himself – and can hardly look at his son, for his abnormalities from the accident stare him in the face daily.
Lind abhors lying, that is, people lying to him, and runs his household like the military, where there is no place for emotion. Cecelia is thrust into this environment, seeing beyond the obvious. Lind is full of hurt, guilt, and revenge and seeks revenge from one of his oldest friends, Battencliffe. He’s unable to see beyond striking back. Can Cecelia help him out of this quagmire which is only making him more miserable?
Blakewell, Lind’s son, is protecting himself from his outside world by creating his own little world of toy soldiers, war maneuvers, etc. All others have left him, his mother, his father in that he’s totally ignored, and all the parade of governesses that come and go. Cecelia is determined to make a difference, for him, for Lind and for herself.
Lind wakes up to the virtues and bedevilment of Cecelia’s personality wedged into his life. Forced to protect her from her own rash actions and his, he begins feeling more than the need to protect her reputation.
Excerpt:
He ought to be relieved, but the trouble was he felt more than relief. At her acceptance, a tingle had taken up residence in the general region of this heart, the sensation very much akin to prickling after one’s leg has fallen asleep. A piece of him he’d buried deep was awakening, stretching, breathing fresh air, and rejoicing in a new day.
*******
I appreciate Ms. MacNamara’s talent with words. She told a tale of humor, secrets, fear, change, and above all, passionate love.
The story is well-balanced with its emotional complications and richly conflicted characters. Well-paced with facts of the tale, dropped felicitously on its path, only increased my eagerness to discover more. Passionate scenes between Cecelia and Lind were in good taste and lent balance to the totality of a love story where two wounded souls find each other and are made whole.
When Cecelia Sanford, age three and twenty, applied to be governess to Viscount Lindenhurst she hopes her past family relations with him will land her the job. Forget about not knowing anything about schooling children – she couldn’t even seem to school her own mind. She needs the placement sorely, for her own self-esteem and to show her brother, a past friend of Lind’s, she could apply herself and succeed. She’s another secret she must keep to herself, and dares not speak it aloud.
Cecelia’s past, she determines, must remain past. She wants a new life. When she receives a note from Adrian Eversham, she’s a bit afraid, annoyed, and with her new determination in life, ignores it. Cecelia, additionally, has this attraction to Lind. She can’t seem to stop her brazen approaches to him, her tart-tongue responses, and her wish Lind would touch her. She’s in a bit of a pickle. She’s a governess, not a mistress!
Lind lost his wife some four years past in a terrible water accident and almost lost his son. Unable to save them through his own physical challenges, he blames himself – and can hardly look at his son, for his abnormalities from the accident stare him in the face daily.
Lind abhors lying, that is, people lying to him, and runs his household like the military, where there is no place for emotion. Cecelia is thrust into this environment, seeing beyond the obvious. Lind is full of hurt, guilt, and revenge and seeks revenge from one of his oldest friends, Battencliffe. He’s unable to see beyond striking back. Can Cecelia help him out of this quagmire which is only making him more miserable?
Blakewell, Lind’s son, is protecting himself from his outside world by creating his own little world of toy soldiers, war maneuvers, etc. All others have left him, his mother, his father in that he’s totally ignored, and all the parade of governesses that come and go. Cecelia is determined to make a difference, for him, for Lind and for herself.
Lind wakes up to the virtues and bedevilment of Cecelia’s personality wedged into his life. Forced to protect her from her own rash actions and his, he begins feeling more than the need to protect her reputation.
Excerpt:
He ought to be relieved, but the trouble was he felt more than relief. At her acceptance, a tingle had taken up residence in the general region of this heart, the sensation very much akin to prickling after one’s leg has fallen asleep. A piece of him he’d buried deep was awakening, stretching, breathing fresh air, and rejoicing in a new day.
*******
I appreciate Ms. MacNamara’s talent with words. She told a tale of humor, secrets, fear, change, and above all, passionate love.
December 7, 2014
Originally posted on Ramblings from this Chick
What a Lady Demands is the second book in the Eton Boys trilogy. Old friends Sandford, Lindenhurst and Battencliff have had a severe rift in their friendships. This story centers on Lindenhurst and Sandford’s younger sister, Cecilia.
In What a Lady Demands we find two considerably damaged characters. The way they have dealt with their disastrous pasts are on two completely different ends of the spectrum. Ashyln Macnamara has presented quite a few uncommon twists that I haven’t seen in a Historical Romance.
At first Cecilia Sandford seems like a spoiled ‘on the shelf’ debutante when she applies to Viscount Lindenhurst for the governess positon for his son, Jeremy. We gradually learn that she has had a dreadful past. One in which I’d never have thought she’d have survived as well as did. She is a very resilient, independent, courageous woman. She has tried to overcome her past and not dwell on the bad.
Richard Blakewell, Viscount Lindenhurst, is an angry, revengeful, uncompassionate, and strict military man. He requires his servants to have very high morals. I can honestly say I couldn’t stand him and he was very hard to warm up to. Even after we learn how and why his wife betrayed him, I did not see him as a victim. I felt more sorrowful for poor Battencliff than I did for Lind.
Jeremy, is a tragically sad little boy. He’s lost his mother and then lost multiple governesses’ because his father has sent them packing due to a lack of progress on teaching him to read and write. (he’s only FIVE!) Cecilia becomes his best advocate and stands toe to toe with Richard several times to Jeremy’s benefit.
The fireworks between Lind and Cecilia start almost from the first. They both try to resist as they’ve both been burned in past relationships. Sensual and steamy, when they connect their passion leaps off the page. When Lin finally gives in to the attraction for Cecelia, we see an emotional thawing alter his character. “You haven’t had a champion for years. Your father died when you were still in the schoolroom and your brother was gone. Who is going to protect you from … if I do not?” My heart melted for Lind right then!
I loved how Cecilia stood up to Richard and didn’t back down on anything she felt so strongly about. The title, What a Lady Demands, certainly fits this novel. When Lind suggests marriage she replies with “When I’m not even suitable to act as your governess, because I’m so scandalous and impure, but you’re still willing to marry me?” I cheered her on! It really shows how much he really cares for her despite his attempt otherwise.
Ashlyn Macnamara has given us a message through this story of revenge, redemption and recovery. Love only flourishes when you can compromise. Revenge is never the answer. It will only come back on you. I truly enjoyed this novel.
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
What a Lady Demands is the second book in the Eton Boys trilogy. Old friends Sandford, Lindenhurst and Battencliff have had a severe rift in their friendships. This story centers on Lindenhurst and Sandford’s younger sister, Cecilia.
In What a Lady Demands we find two considerably damaged characters. The way they have dealt with their disastrous pasts are on two completely different ends of the spectrum. Ashyln Macnamara has presented quite a few uncommon twists that I haven’t seen in a Historical Romance.
At first Cecilia Sandford seems like a spoiled ‘on the shelf’ debutante when she applies to Viscount Lindenhurst for the governess positon for his son, Jeremy. We gradually learn that she has had a dreadful past. One in which I’d never have thought she’d have survived as well as did. She is a very resilient, independent, courageous woman. She has tried to overcome her past and not dwell on the bad.
Richard Blakewell, Viscount Lindenhurst, is an angry, revengeful, uncompassionate, and strict military man. He requires his servants to have very high morals. I can honestly say I couldn’t stand him and he was very hard to warm up to. Even after we learn how and why his wife betrayed him, I did not see him as a victim. I felt more sorrowful for poor Battencliff than I did for Lind.
Jeremy, is a tragically sad little boy. He’s lost his mother and then lost multiple governesses’ because his father has sent them packing due to a lack of progress on teaching him to read and write. (he’s only FIVE!) Cecilia becomes his best advocate and stands toe to toe with Richard several times to Jeremy’s benefit.
The fireworks between Lind and Cecilia start almost from the first. They both try to resist as they’ve both been burned in past relationships. Sensual and steamy, when they connect their passion leaps off the page. When Lin finally gives in to the attraction for Cecelia, we see an emotional thawing alter his character. “You haven’t had a champion for years. Your father died when you were still in the schoolroom and your brother was gone. Who is going to protect you from … if I do not?” My heart melted for Lind right then!
I loved how Cecilia stood up to Richard and didn’t back down on anything she felt so strongly about. The title, What a Lady Demands, certainly fits this novel. When Lind suggests marriage she replies with “When I’m not even suitable to act as your governess, because I’m so scandalous and impure, but you’re still willing to marry me?” I cheered her on! It really shows how much he really cares for her despite his attempt otherwise.
Ashlyn Macnamara has given us a message through this story of revenge, redemption and recovery. Love only flourishes when you can compromise. Revenge is never the answer. It will only come back on you. I truly enjoyed this novel.
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
November 12, 2014
Five historically bright stars for " What a Lady Demands" , this is the second book in The Eton boys Trilogy.
I thought the first book , "What a Lady Craves" was wonderful but this book was even better. Why , because of the heroine of this story.
Cecelia Sanford, on the shelf, under her brother Alexander's protection she has left his home after an incident and found herself at Viscount Lindhust estate seeking a position as a governess to his son and assuming getting the postion would be easy since he has known her for years through his connection with her brother, they were school freinds.
Lind, however is not the same young man she remembers he is harder, sterner, but Lind does agree to give her a trial, he has nothing to loose since evry governess he has hired has not met his eating standards. Lind is a changed man from the young man she spied on as a young girl from the young man she has had a tendre for years ago and will stil admit to herself a bit of one even now.
The Napoleonic war was not good to Lind he was severely wounded , scarred and lucky to return alive, but he was so grateful to come home. But the dreams of the wome. He married and hoped to come home to was not whom he cam home to ; before he could try and bring his marriage back around his wife and son fall victim to an accident that leaves his son with some handicaps and his wife does not survive. For Lind his whole life has become about seeking revenge on the person he holds resposible for he and his wife estrangement when he came home from war .
Cecelia however does not hesitate to push Lind,push him into paying more attention to his son, push him into considering giving up his revenge and with each push she is pushing at his frozen heart awakening thoughts and feelings he has not few in four long years and all too soon Lind is looking at Cecelia as more than just a governess, which that change in events leads to some ver passionate moments, that he knows he should resist .
Cecelia, has secrets though she is not only escaping her brothers dissapointment but she is trying to escape a scandal of her past and the man who threatens to reveal it.
As Lind and Cecelia find themselves I each others arms and bed they reveal to one another their darkest secrets, allowing Lind to begin to heal and through Lind Cecelia 's threat of scandal to be neutralized.
The book has a layered plot line,along with characters from the previos book, but t can still be read a s a stand alone!
Book graciously provided by Loveswept via Netgalley for an honest review.
I thought the first book , "What a Lady Craves" was wonderful but this book was even better. Why , because of the heroine of this story.
Cecelia Sanford, on the shelf, under her brother Alexander's protection she has left his home after an incident and found herself at Viscount Lindhust estate seeking a position as a governess to his son and assuming getting the postion would be easy since he has known her for years through his connection with her brother, they were school freinds.
Lind, however is not the same young man she remembers he is harder, sterner, but Lind does agree to give her a trial, he has nothing to loose since evry governess he has hired has not met his eating standards. Lind is a changed man from the young man she spied on as a young girl from the young man she has had a tendre for years ago and will stil admit to herself a bit of one even now.
The Napoleonic war was not good to Lind he was severely wounded , scarred and lucky to return alive, but he was so grateful to come home. But the dreams of the wome. He married and hoped to come home to was not whom he cam home to ; before he could try and bring his marriage back around his wife and son fall victim to an accident that leaves his son with some handicaps and his wife does not survive. For Lind his whole life has become about seeking revenge on the person he holds resposible for he and his wife estrangement when he came home from war .
Cecelia however does not hesitate to push Lind,push him into paying more attention to his son, push him into considering giving up his revenge and with each push she is pushing at his frozen heart awakening thoughts and feelings he has not few in four long years and all too soon Lind is looking at Cecelia as more than just a governess, which that change in events leads to some ver passionate moments, that he knows he should resist .
Cecelia, has secrets though she is not only escaping her brothers dissapointment but she is trying to escape a scandal of her past and the man who threatens to reveal it.
As Lind and Cecelia find themselves I each others arms and bed they reveal to one another their darkest secrets, allowing Lind to begin to heal and through Lind Cecelia 's threat of scandal to be neutralized.
The book has a layered plot line,along with characters from the previos book, but t can still be read a s a stand alone!
Book graciously provided by Loveswept via Netgalley for an honest review.
November 19, 2014
The second in her Eton Boys Trilogy, Ashlynn Macnamara again brings heart and heat to a story of redemption and reconnection all involving three estranged friends from Eton and their assorted connections of friends and family that bring them together.
Cecilia is the sister of Alexander, from the first book, and is in a bit of her own crisis. She and her brother had a falling out, and she isn’t comfortable staying with him. She also is dealing with a bit of a crisis of her own: a man took her virtue and is now hunting her down fearing she has information that will ruin him. When she takes a position as a governess at Lindenhurst’s estate, she thinks it will keep her safe.
Lindenhurst has returned wounded from the Napoleonic wars: gruff, brash and wholly ‘upper crust’ his mannerisms and behaviors are cold and calculated, hiding deep wounds and a bitterness that consumes him: the loss of his wife is spurring him to dark and dangerous places. He also is alternately frustrated and guilty about his son Jeremy’s disabilities: yet another element that brings his ‘stiff upper lip’ into play.
These two have a TON of obstacles to overcome, and Macnamara uses her skill in nuanced characterization to slowly develop a connection between them, allowing them to grow. From their own softening toward one another, first just recognizing the chemistry that pulses between them, to unguarded moments where both Lind and Cecilia find themselves longing for more, the deliberate and quiet forward motion as the two start to deal with their own issues alone and with the support and encouragement of the other is a lovely trajectory for this story.
Macnamara has a wonderful way of pairing the most unlikely and initially unlikable characters together: I had little hope for Lind early on, and Cecilia seemed a bit too laissez faire about the threats. I think there were times I was more worried for her: this is 19th century England where women were little more than chattel and judged entirely on behavior and reputation, and hers was mud. But her strength became the overriding factor: the unwillingness to cower to threats, admirable if somewhat foolhardy. Fortunately, Lind’s own honor and sense of right and wrong gave her a champion for that moment, and for evermore.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Cecilia is the sister of Alexander, from the first book, and is in a bit of her own crisis. She and her brother had a falling out, and she isn’t comfortable staying with him. She also is dealing with a bit of a crisis of her own: a man took her virtue and is now hunting her down fearing she has information that will ruin him. When she takes a position as a governess at Lindenhurst’s estate, she thinks it will keep her safe.
Lindenhurst has returned wounded from the Napoleonic wars: gruff, brash and wholly ‘upper crust’ his mannerisms and behaviors are cold and calculated, hiding deep wounds and a bitterness that consumes him: the loss of his wife is spurring him to dark and dangerous places. He also is alternately frustrated and guilty about his son Jeremy’s disabilities: yet another element that brings his ‘stiff upper lip’ into play.
These two have a TON of obstacles to overcome, and Macnamara uses her skill in nuanced characterization to slowly develop a connection between them, allowing them to grow. From their own softening toward one another, first just recognizing the chemistry that pulses between them, to unguarded moments where both Lind and Cecilia find themselves longing for more, the deliberate and quiet forward motion as the two start to deal with their own issues alone and with the support and encouragement of the other is a lovely trajectory for this story.
Macnamara has a wonderful way of pairing the most unlikely and initially unlikable characters together: I had little hope for Lind early on, and Cecilia seemed a bit too laissez faire about the threats. I think there were times I was more worried for her: this is 19th century England where women were little more than chattel and judged entirely on behavior and reputation, and hers was mud. But her strength became the overriding factor: the unwillingness to cower to threats, admirable if somewhat foolhardy. Fortunately, Lind’s own honor and sense of right and wrong gave her a champion for that moment, and for evermore.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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