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Dangerous #3
Dangerous Secrets
When a little brown wren of an Englishwoman bursts into Jamie Heyworth's private Hell and asks for help he mistakes her for the black crow of death. Why not? He fled to Rome and sits in despair with nothing left to sell and no reason to get up in the morning. Behind him lie disgrace, shame, and secrets he is desperate to keep. Nora Haley comes to Rome at the bidding of her dying brother who has an unexpected legacy. Never in her sunniest dreams did Nora expect Robert to leave her a treasure, a tiny black-eyed niece with curly hair and warm hugs. Nora will do anything to keep her, even hire a shabby, drunken major as an interpreter. Jamie can't let Nora know the secrets he has hidden from everyone, even his closest friends. Nora can't trust any man who drinks. She had enough of that in her marriage. Either one, however, will dare anything for the little imp that keeps them together, even enter a sham marriage to protect her. And don't miss Dangerous Works, where Jamie first appeared.
282 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2015
840 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Warfield
56 books346 followersCaroline Warfield is the pseudonym of a writer who wishes she had walked through fascinating times in the shoes of one of her characters—but which one?
Caro has at various times been an army brat, a librarian, a poet, a raiser of children, a nun, a bird watcher, an Internet and Web services manager, a conference speaker, an indexer, a tech writer, a genealogist, and, of course, a romantic. She has sailed through the English channel while it was still mined from WWII, stood on the walls of Troy, searched Scotland for the location of an entirely fictional castle (and found it), climbed the steps to the Parthenon, floated down the Thames from the tower to Greenwich, shopped in the Ginza, lost herself in the Louvre, gone on a night tour of the Singapore zoo, walked in the Black Forest, and explored the underground cistern of Istanbul.
By far the biggest adventure has been forty-five years of marriage to a prince among men.
She sits in front of a keyboard at a desk surrounded by windows, looks out at the trees and imagines. Her greatest joy is when one of those imaginings comes to life on the page and in the imagination of her readers.
Caro has at various times been an army brat, a librarian, a poet, a raiser of children, a nun, a bird watcher, an Internet and Web services manager, a conference speaker, an indexer, a tech writer, a genealogist, and, of course, a romantic. She has sailed through the English channel while it was still mined from WWII, stood on the walls of Troy, searched Scotland for the location of an entirely fictional castle (and found it), climbed the steps to the Parthenon, floated down the Thames from the tower to Greenwich, shopped in the Ginza, lost herself in the Louvre, gone on a night tour of the Singapore zoo, walked in the Black Forest, and explored the underground cistern of Istanbul.
By far the biggest adventure has been forty-five years of marriage to a prince among men.
She sits in front of a keyboard at a desk surrounded by windows, looks out at the trees and imagines. Her greatest joy is when one of those imaginings comes to life on the page and in the imagination of her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
March 29, 2015
Another unique creation from the author of Dangerous Works. The book is set in Italy in 1820. This was the time prior to unification where the country was a patchwork of independent governments, city-states, where the power struggle, instability, intrigues ruled the day. During these turbulent times our heroine, a childless widow Nora Haley, traveled from England to Rome per request of her dying brother. His dying wish was for Nora to take care of his little daughter Isabella. The wish pins Nora against Isabella's very powerful Italian great-uncle who wants to keep Isabella under his guardianship. How can the widow with no connections have even a slightest chance to win the battle when she can't even speak Italian? Here is where Jamie Heyworth (a minor character from Dangerous Works) enters the picture. Debt-ridden thanks to his father, Jamie is living in Italy, hiding from his friends, drinking himself to oblivious and trying to forget his dark secrets. He is also fluent in Italian and can't resist money that Nora offered him to be her interpreter. He is also charmed by Isabella and finds himself strongly attracted to Nora. And thus, a midst of a custody battle, intrigues and dangers, the reader is treated to a wonderful romance. The unique setting, very likable characters and interesting plot makes this a very good story.
May 11, 2017
This is the third Warfield book I have read, the first two were short. I really like Warfeild's writing style. I love the bit of history put in to her stories. They are so much more then a simple Regency romance and I enjoy how she writes about it. Jamie is a mess when the book first opens but it doesn't take long to begin to love how he loves and rescues Nora in the midst of all his troubles. Nora was a strong yet abused female and I liked her spunk. I loved the setting in Rome away from England. There was a bit of a problem with some of the flow of the book. I like a clean read and unfortunately this had some sex in it. SO for those who care there is an after marriage sex scene that is detailed but not ronchy. It is short and sweet and there is sex that is begun and fade to black a couple more times. I want to read other books buy her but now am unsure which ones, the first book I read had no sex scenes but this one did, so if anyone can let me know I'd appreciate it:}
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February 6, 2020This was a fun story, and the setting -- Rome -- added a lot to its appeal. There was a little twist at the end that I thought was a bit over-the-top and not quite believable, but on the whole it was good and true enough to the time period, with characters that were sympathetic but believable.
January 14, 2019
This story sounded mysterious right from the start and kept me engaged throughout the book. There are plenty of questionable characters and you don't know whom to trust. Which makes this story such a great read. I also liked the mix of history and story-telling. And I thoroughly enjoyed the author's explanation at the end of the book on what was history and what was story-telling. Well done, Ms. Warfield!
May 21, 2017
Mhm... I don't know... Somehow I just don't feel like finishing this one. Currently at about 25% and it's just boring...
The dialogues are... Well, yeah what dialogues? There are hardly any in there.
And the Kid? Pff, there aren't many scenes in which you actually get to know the little miss... She's in the scene but not really involved in a dialogue or anything.
And our hero? He is a drunk...
The dialogues are... Well, yeah what dialogues? There are hardly any in there.
And the Kid? Pff, there aren't many scenes in which you actually get to know the little miss... She's in the scene but not really involved in a dialogue or anything.
And our hero? He is a drunk...
April 1, 2019
Interesting storyline and I loved the history in the book. It was a bit slower paced so there were times I had a hard time getting into it. I couldn’t completely connect with the characters but they were intriguing. Overall a pretty good read though.
March 18, 2015
Set in Rome in 1820, during the English Regency era, Dangerous Secrets is a very different kind of Regency romance. You won’t find balls, or the ton, or husband-hunting young misses. And that’s what I like best about Ms. Warfield’s newest romance, a follow-on to her previous book, Dangerous Works.
The heroine is Nora Haley, who defies her family to travel to Rome at the request of her dying brother. Knowing death is imminent, he needs Nora to become the guardian of his little daughter, who he insists be raised both Italian and Catholic, as her deceased mother was. Nora is a brave, intrepid heroine who is willing to try, even though she doesn’t speak a word of Italian. The little girl melts her heart, and melted mine as well.
So Nora hires a very-much-down-on-his-luck Englishman, Jamie Heyworth, to act as her interpreter as she tries to figure out the pitfalls and potential traps of the convent where the little girl boards, Italian inheritance laws, and the powerful and potentially dangerous family of the child’s mother. There’s much more to Jamie than meets the eye. He’s willing to help because he’s at absolute rock-bottom. Concealing shameful secrets, he’s in hiding from friends and family, living in disgrace, until a determined woman and a darling little girl start pounding on the walls he’s set up around himself. I do love Jamie. He’s a gentleman in disguise, an angel with broken wings. He and Nora make such a good match!
It’s hard to say what I liked most about this book. The characters were so alive, and the plot was so intriguing. The setting is refreshingly different and unusual and Ms. Warfield perfectly captures the beauty and the danger and the politics of that time and place. I especially love how she skillfully weaves in real historical personages, facts, and intrigues without sounding like a history lesson. She’s simply, and beautifully, taken a very real time and place and layered in her unique characters with their own sigh-worthy romance.
I was very privileged to receive an advanced reading copy of Dangerous Secrets in exchange for a fair and honest review. I can honestly say I loved this book.
The heroine is Nora Haley, who defies her family to travel to Rome at the request of her dying brother. Knowing death is imminent, he needs Nora to become the guardian of his little daughter, who he insists be raised both Italian and Catholic, as her deceased mother was. Nora is a brave, intrepid heroine who is willing to try, even though she doesn’t speak a word of Italian. The little girl melts her heart, and melted mine as well.
So Nora hires a very-much-down-on-his-luck Englishman, Jamie Heyworth, to act as her interpreter as she tries to figure out the pitfalls and potential traps of the convent where the little girl boards, Italian inheritance laws, and the powerful and potentially dangerous family of the child’s mother. There’s much more to Jamie than meets the eye. He’s willing to help because he’s at absolute rock-bottom. Concealing shameful secrets, he’s in hiding from friends and family, living in disgrace, until a determined woman and a darling little girl start pounding on the walls he’s set up around himself. I do love Jamie. He’s a gentleman in disguise, an angel with broken wings. He and Nora make such a good match!
It’s hard to say what I liked most about this book. The characters were so alive, and the plot was so intriguing. The setting is refreshingly different and unusual and Ms. Warfield perfectly captures the beauty and the danger and the politics of that time and place. I especially love how she skillfully weaves in real historical personages, facts, and intrigues without sounding like a history lesson. She’s simply, and beautifully, taken a very real time and place and layered in her unique characters with their own sigh-worthy romance.
I was very privileged to receive an advanced reading copy of Dangerous Secrets in exchange for a fair and honest review. I can honestly say I loved this book.
June 2, 2015
I've been looking forward to reading Dangerous Secrets ever since I read Dangerous Works, and I was not disappointed. In the last week, I've fallen a little in love with Jamie, with his secret sorrow, his roguish twinkle, and the bone-deep sense of honour that would not let him forgive himself for the past but also would not let him abandon a woman in trouble.
And Nora, the woman he reluctantly came to adore: as a person who want strong determined heroines, I could not wish for a better one.
Caroline Warfield tells an exciting tale. With the well-being and even the safety of a little child at stake, our hero and heroine need to begin a deception that quickly becomes a reality. But Jamie is hiding more secrets than Nora knows, and those who seem friends may truly be enemies.
Compelling characterisations in secondary characters as well as protagonists, descriptions so real I could smell the paved courtyards in the hot sun, and one realistic crisis after another. Thank you, Caroline, for a great read. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've done with the third in the trilogy.
Note: Caroline Warfield and I belong to the same writers' co-operative, Bluestocking Belles. This review is, however, my honest and unvarnished opinion.
And Nora, the woman he reluctantly came to adore: as a person who want strong determined heroines, I could not wish for a better one.
Caroline Warfield tells an exciting tale. With the well-being and even the safety of a little child at stake, our hero and heroine need to begin a deception that quickly becomes a reality. But Jamie is hiding more secrets than Nora knows, and those who seem friends may truly be enemies.
Compelling characterisations in secondary characters as well as protagonists, descriptions so real I could smell the paved courtyards in the hot sun, and one realistic crisis after another. Thank you, Caroline, for a great read. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've done with the third in the trilogy.
Note: Caroline Warfield and I belong to the same writers' co-operative, Bluestocking Belles. This review is, however, my honest and unvarnished opinion.
May 14, 2017
The heroine fell flat for me and she went from strong to silly to just ok. I was surprised how weak she was as a woman since the previous book's heroine was drastically different. This book was really just Jaime's story of redemption and he happened to find a little romance along the way, but as far as romance novels go, it was dull. It read more like a mystery and partial-spy suspense drama, but I was a tad hard pressed to enjoy it. I think I would have liked it more if it were like the previous book where it incorporated the other characters more and the heroine had more depth. If the opportunity arises, I may read the last book, but I'm a bit hesitant on what to expect.
June 10, 2015
Jamie appears unlikeable at first, but the reader soon learns there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye.
Read full review in the 2015 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2015 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 9, 2015
Unusual setting (Rome) and plot.
February 28, 2019
I appreciate the writing style of the author but not into sensual bedroom scenes etc. I prefer cleaner reads. The story seemed strung out and I lost interest
May 21, 2017
This is a historical romance set mostly in Italy and a little in England in about 1820. Nora Haley, a widow, a little bitter as she was neglected by her deceased husband, has been summoned to Rome by her dying brother to raise his young child and manage his estate until the child is old enough to own it. Nora speaks no Italian, and the child, Isabella, is being cared for in a convent by the nuns. Isabella can speak both Italian and English, but Nora hires Jamie Heyworth, an Englishman and bilingual, to be her interpreter. Although Jamie often shows that he has been raised as a titled person, he spends most of his time being drunk, but takes the job because he needs money to drink. He is trying to drown his sense of guilt in the bottle He dresses like a bum, and thus begins their adventure and love story. In order for Isabella to be awarded to Nora, Nora has to be married, respectable, and able to handle the finances of Isabella’s wardship and Isabella must be raised a Catholic and remain in Italy until she is emancipated.
Can Nora work with Jamie as he is and not lose her heart? As Nora’s quest to gain custody of her niece unfolds, who will actually be helping the other? The story is well written and formatted and it became a page turner for me, although it is not a long book.
Can Nora work with Jamie as he is and not lose her heart? As Nora’s quest to gain custody of her niece unfolds, who will actually be helping the other? The story is well written and formatted and it became a page turner for me, although it is not a long book.
May 31, 2017
Too political..contains explicit sex...good plot
First I liked the plot of an impoverished baron helping an Englishwoman gain custody of her niece in Italy. I would have liked more dialogue from Isabella and less politics. I liked Jamie's character and the way he tried to redeem himself for his former misdeed. His friends' loyalty was also a wonderful thing to see. With that said, I'll name my dislikes. Exploit sex scenes, which are nothing but pornography, shouldn't be in books. I'm a Christian & would like to read a clean historical romance. Next, the political history of Rome , England, & the House of Savoy, kept me confused. Especially after I read author's note and found that most of it wasn't even accurate. As far as I'm concerned, only Isabella's part could have been written. And last, I feel that Nora's character could have been less astringent. Very little of her soft side was shown. By the way, she never did get Jamie's letters! I was left wondering if Archie destroyed them or if something else happened. This wasn't a book that I felt I had to read in one night, like some books. I would call it a "fair weather book." Read a little while, then go do something else.
First I liked the plot of an impoverished baron helping an Englishwoman gain custody of her niece in Italy. I would have liked more dialogue from Isabella and less politics. I liked Jamie's character and the way he tried to redeem himself for his former misdeed. His friends' loyalty was also a wonderful thing to see. With that said, I'll name my dislikes. Exploit sex scenes, which are nothing but pornography, shouldn't be in books. I'm a Christian & would like to read a clean historical romance. Next, the political history of Rome , England, & the House of Savoy, kept me confused. Especially after I read author's note and found that most of it wasn't even accurate. As far as I'm concerned, only Isabella's part could have been written. And last, I feel that Nora's character could have been less astringent. Very little of her soft side was shown. By the way, she never did get Jamie's letters! I was left wondering if Archie destroyed them or if something else happened. This wasn't a book that I felt I had to read in one night, like some books. I would call it a "fair weather book." Read a little while, then go do something else.
July 4, 2022
British widow, Mrs. Eleanora Haley (Nora), is in Rome, and she is desperate. Her widowed brother is dying, and he has a seven-year-old daughter. The daughter is in a convent, but the brother wants his sister to take care of her. However, Nora does not know the language, and the bureaucracy of Italian laws confuses Nora. Moreover, because the child's mother was a Savoy (of the ruling class in Italy at the time), dangerous politics haunted her every step.
Major Jamie Bently is barely surviving in squalor in Rome. He agrees to help Nora interpret because he has no resources left -- to keep him drunk. He feels that he is a failure in life and wants to drink himself to death. However, Nora needs his interpretive skills. Also, the bureaucratic clerks listen to him more than Nora because he's a man.
I did not enjoy this book as much as Caroline Warfield's others because the author spent too much time telling us Jamie has a deep secret. By the time I heard it, I was almost past caring. Unfortunately, she waited too long to explain; the constant referrals to it were irritating.
Dangerous Series
0.5. A Dangerous Nativity (2016)
1. Dangerous Works (2014)
2. Dangerous Weakness (2015)
** 3. Dangerous Secrets (2015)
Major Jamie Bently is barely surviving in squalor in Rome. He agrees to help Nora interpret because he has no resources left -- to keep him drunk. He feels that he is a failure in life and wants to drink himself to death. However, Nora needs his interpretive skills. Also, the bureaucratic clerks listen to him more than Nora because he's a man.
I did not enjoy this book as much as Caroline Warfield's others because the author spent too much time telling us Jamie has a deep secret. By the time I heard it, I was almost past caring. Unfortunately, she waited too long to explain; the constant referrals to it were irritating.
Dangerous Series
0.5. A Dangerous Nativity (2016)
1. Dangerous Works (2014)
2. Dangerous Weakness (2015)
** 3. Dangerous Secrets (2015)
February 25, 2019
E-Reader. Mystery / Romance / Fiction
Nora Haley, a widow has to go Italy, because brother Ralph Beaumont is critically ill. She currently lives in England.
But Nora needs an interpreter who can speak Italian. She interviewed several people. She hired Major Bently (his name is Jamie Hayworth).
When her brother died he left a will he wanted Nora take care of daughter, Isabella. Who lives in convent with Catholic nuns.
She when to hire a lawyer. He told her the she needed live Italy, until Isabella older. She inherited her house & trust fund for Isabella.
But she need get married, so can get custody of Isabella. She starts have feeling for Major Bently. He really likes her Niece.
They got married by Parde Barnabas (is the Pope). And Major Bently wrote real name when they got married.
He had business take care of in England. And wrote him 13 letters. She received no letters from.
There to many characters in this book to list!
I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did!
Nora Haley, a widow has to go Italy, because brother Ralph Beaumont is critically ill. She currently lives in England.
But Nora needs an interpreter who can speak Italian. She interviewed several people. She hired Major Bently (his name is Jamie Hayworth).
When her brother died he left a will he wanted Nora take care of daughter, Isabella. Who lives in convent with Catholic nuns.
She when to hire a lawyer. He told her the she needed live Italy, until Isabella older. She inherited her house & trust fund for Isabella.
But she need get married, so can get custody of Isabella. She starts have feeling for Major Bently. He really likes her Niece.
They got married by Parde Barnabas (is the Pope). And Major Bently wrote real name when they got married.
He had business take care of in England. And wrote him 13 letters. She received no letters from.
There to many characters in this book to list!
I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did!
February 28, 2023
Share the secrets before it's too late...
Nora has come to Sardinia to nurse her dying brother and care for his young daughter, Isabella. The Major has come to escape his past, something he can't face. The Major has too many secrets, ones he can't bring himself to tell Nora, even after they are married. But his past has caught up with him, and he has to return to London on the morning tide with two of his friends to settle business. In the meantime, the "royal family" has Nora in court questioning the stability of her marriage and whether or not she's capable of caring for Isabella by herself. Things are very strict in the Papal State, and giving custody to unwed women is frowned upon.
Both main actors grow nicely in the course of the book. Each works through their own personal conundrums, and their secrets are finally revealed to the resolution of all their problems. They end up with their HEA. Recommended.
Nora has come to Sardinia to nurse her dying brother and care for his young daughter, Isabella. The Major has come to escape his past, something he can't face. The Major has too many secrets, ones he can't bring himself to tell Nora, even after they are married. But his past has caught up with him, and he has to return to London on the morning tide with two of his friends to settle business. In the meantime, the "royal family" has Nora in court questioning the stability of her marriage and whether or not she's capable of caring for Isabella by herself. Things are very strict in the Papal State, and giving custody to unwed women is frowned upon.
Both main actors grow nicely in the course of the book. Each works through their own personal conundrums, and their secrets are finally revealed to the resolution of all their problems. They end up with their HEA. Recommended.
December 14, 2018
Historical English romance set in Rome where an English woman is trying to gain custody of her niece while dealing with her very powerful in-laws with the help of a drunken Englishman.
Major Jamie Heyworth is down and out, broken and hiding from his loved ones. He gets lucky (although it doesn't seem that way to him in the beginning) to meet spinster Miss Nora Haley who is relentless in her mission to raise her orphaned niece. The language barrier is dealt with in a reasonable manner so it makes sense that Nora needs Jamie to translate and also ease her into the high Roman society.
There is a lot going on in Jamie's past as well as all the Roman politics so there is enough for a epic story, but the author kept the story to under 300 pages. Very sweet romance with a cute kid in the plot.
282 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
Major Jamie Heyworth is down and out, broken and hiding from his loved ones. He gets lucky (although it doesn't seem that way to him in the beginning) to meet spinster Miss Nora Haley who is relentless in her mission to raise her orphaned niece. The language barrier is dealt with in a reasonable manner so it makes sense that Nora needs Jamie to translate and also ease her into the high Roman society.
There is a lot going on in Jamie's past as well as all the Roman politics so there is enough for a epic story, but the author kept the story to under 300 pages. Very sweet romance with a cute kid in the plot.
282 pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
February 14, 2019
Twists and turns keep you interested.
Nora had come to Rome and the urgent request of her brother, Robert. Robert and her father were estranged. Nora and her father were estranged. Nora came to learn that her brother had married an Italian, but that his wife had died. She had left him a daughter, but now he was dying as well. He needed Nora to raise his daughter for him. Robert had thought he had arranged everything appropriately in his will for his sister and his daughter's legal guardian. Nora finds herself in need of an interpreter and she meets Major Jaime. Major Jaime reluctantly agrees to help her for one month. His need for her and hers for him continue to evolve until they find themselves married to one another. There lies between them untold secrets which stand to separate them entirely.
Nora had come to Rome and the urgent request of her brother, Robert. Robert and her father were estranged. Nora and her father were estranged. Nora came to learn that her brother had married an Italian, but that his wife had died. She had left him a daughter, but now he was dying as well. He needed Nora to raise his daughter for him. Robert had thought he had arranged everything appropriately in his will for his sister and his daughter's legal guardian. Nora finds herself in need of an interpreter and she meets Major Jaime. Major Jaime reluctantly agrees to help her for one month. His need for her and hers for him continue to evolve until they find themselves married to one another. There lies between them untold secrets which stand to separate them entirely.
May 13, 2017
Unusual Setting
Unlike most Regency Romances, this book is set in Rome at an interesting time in Italian history. Besides political intrigue, it has romance, scandal, and family loyalty. Although the story is basically sound, I did find it hard to believe Jamie would leave so abruptly with no explanation. He could have written a letter at least and left it for Nora. I also don't believe Nora would have not suspected that her letters were not reaching England. She knew that Jamie would not have allowed Isabella to be taken from Nora no matter what else was happening in his life. Still, it was a good story and I did love the twist as we discover exactly what powerful friends Nora, Isabella and Jamie have.
Unlike most Regency Romances, this book is set in Rome at an interesting time in Italian history. Besides political intrigue, it has romance, scandal, and family loyalty. Although the story is basically sound, I did find it hard to believe Jamie would leave so abruptly with no explanation. He could have written a letter at least and left it for Nora. I also don't believe Nora would have not suspected that her letters were not reaching England. She knew that Jamie would not have allowed Isabella to be taken from Nora no matter what else was happening in his life. Still, it was a good story and I did love the twist as we discover exactly what powerful friends Nora, Isabella and Jamie have.
May 12, 2017
A different sort of romance
This tale is not the ordinary love story. It is a tale of love not of a seasoned miss, but of a widow, a broken man and a child. It isn't set in London,or even England; not Paris or France; but Rome where everything is different. The language is different and that is how Nora and Jamie meet.
I really like the different style that Ms. Warfield uses for the narration of the book. You are inside both Nora and Jamie's thoughts as they shift through their complicated relationship to try to save the child. This was a very intriguing book and will stay with me.
This tale is not the ordinary love story. It is a tale of love not of a seasoned miss, but of a widow, a broken man and a child. It isn't set in London,or even England; not Paris or France; but Rome where everything is different. The language is different and that is how Nora and Jamie meet.
I really like the different style that Ms. Warfield uses for the narration of the book. You are inside both Nora and Jamie's thoughts as they shift through their complicated relationship to try to save the child. This was a very intriguing book and will stay with me.
December 8, 2018
Widowed and childless, Nora answers her brother's call to Rome. She hires destitute Englishman Jamie as interpreter to help her get to know her little half-Italian niece Isabella, who will soon be an orphan. Jamie becomes instrumental in aiding Nora to fight for her place in Isabella's future. Unwittingly, Nora, the money she pays him, and adorable Isabella are a life-line for him, bringing him away from his alcoholic indulgences and despair. There are adversaries in Isabella's mother's powerful family, who mean to thwart Nora. Very well told story.
June 5, 2020
Unusual and refreshing
It's unusual for a book like this to take place outside the British Isles, but the story's location in Rome adds an exotic nuance. The heroine begins the story as one more Englishwoman considering all "foreigners" inferior. I nearly quit reading. But I persevered and she evolved, losing her unjustified arrogance. In Rome, she began to do as the Romans. The hero has greater depth of character with a more painful growth and learning curve. All in all, this is an excellent story with few grammatical errors. It's well-written and complex.
It's unusual for a book like this to take place outside the British Isles, but the story's location in Rome adds an exotic nuance. The heroine begins the story as one more Englishwoman considering all "foreigners" inferior. I nearly quit reading. But I persevered and she evolved, losing her unjustified arrogance. In Rome, she began to do as the Romans. The hero has greater depth of character with a more painful growth and learning curve. All in all, this is an excellent story with few grammatical errors. It's well-written and complex.
June 9, 2020
The book started out good but I got tired of the bad luck of the H/h. Two kidnappings and 2 court battles seemed overkill. Plus, the tortured, honorable hero who lied by omission was appealing at the beginning but not at the end.
It was nice to see the updates of friends of the cohort. But the political diplomacy was boring to me especially with the repetitive dread of the hero who kept helping without revealing anything to the heroine. The hero was charming and kind but very insecure. These parts made the long book get 3.5 stars from me.
It was nice to see the updates of friends of the cohort. But the political diplomacy was boring to me especially with the repetitive dread of the hero who kept helping without revealing anything to the heroine. The hero was charming and kind but very insecure. These parts made the long book get 3.5 stars from me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2025
It was interesting to learn about a tumultuous period in Italy and the dramatic power shift following the fall of Napoleon and the period detail sounded accurate. However, as an earlier work from this author I found the characters to be poorly developed and not compelling for me. I readily admit I am reading for escape, and having the hero have so much trouble dealing with his mistakes and refusing to take responsibility for his family's situation made this quite a slog to finish. There was very little growth of the relationship of the principals and I didn't trust that the hero was actually capable of adulting since him finally stepping up to his responsibilities only occurred at the end of the book.
July 6, 2017
Great Story, Great Characters.. VERY ENJOYABLE READ.
I am very impressed with this book. I ENJOYED EVERYTHING. THE STORY LINE IS GREAT.. ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN IT WERE GOOD.... JAMES AND NORA AND THEIR STORY WAS A DELIGHTFUL READ. IT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN STORIES I HAVE READ IN THIS TIME PERIOD.. KEEPS YOU TURNING THE PAGES.. READ IT YOU WILL REALLY LIKE THIS AUTHORS WRITING... PLAN TO READ MORE BOOKS OF HERS.. ENJOY
I am very impressed with this book. I ENJOYED EVERYTHING. THE STORY LINE IS GREAT.. ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN IT WERE GOOD.... JAMES AND NORA AND THEIR STORY WAS A DELIGHTFUL READ. IT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN STORIES I HAVE READ IN THIS TIME PERIOD.. KEEPS YOU TURNING THE PAGES.. READ IT YOU WILL REALLY LIKE THIS AUTHORS WRITING... PLAN TO READ MORE BOOKS OF HERS.. ENJOY
October 4, 2020
Dangerous indeed
I enjoy Caroline's books and this one does not disappoint. Jamie and Nora's story takes place in Rome, where he is eeking out a miserable existence when Nora hires him as an interpreter. She needs help navigating the language of as she attempts to fulfill her brother's will regarding his daughter. Danger and misunderstandings abound in this story of love and redemption.
I enjoy Caroline's books and this one does not disappoint. Jamie and Nora's story takes place in Rome, where he is eeking out a miserable existence when Nora hires him as an interpreter. She needs help navigating the language of as she attempts to fulfill her brother's will regarding his daughter. Danger and misunderstandings abound in this story of love and redemption.
May 11, 2017
A significant achievement
This is a terrific book. Regency era, but nothing could be further from the shallow world of the ton. The romance itself is a story or redemption and healing, woven about a custody case that is integral to a marriage. Jamie is a wonderful character, with more depth than Nora I think. She is a bit too idealised. Highly recommended ..
This is a terrific book. Regency era, but nothing could be further from the shallow world of the ton. The romance itself is a story or redemption and healing, woven about a custody case that is integral to a marriage. Jamie is a wonderful character, with more depth than Nora I think. She is a bit too idealised. Highly recommended ..
May 12, 2017
Nora has come to Rome because her brother said he needed help. It turns out that he is dying and he has a daughter he wants Nora to look after. Nora hires Jamie to be her interpreter. However her niece has a powerful relative on her mothers side of the family who thinks he knows better than Nora on how the girl should be raised.
May 12, 2017
Great historical in a different setting.
A wonderful historical romance that takes place in Rome. Interesting tidbits of the time added to the story. Loved how Nora was taken with her shabby major and how Jamie found he didn't have to hide who he really was forever. Very satisfying.
A wonderful historical romance that takes place in Rome. Interesting tidbits of the time added to the story. Loved how Nora was taken with her shabby major and how Jamie found he didn't have to hide who he really was forever. Very satisfying.
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