A Lady Unrivaled

Ladies of the Manor #3

by Roseanna M. White

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile—even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.
Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could tell her that he loved her. Now he's determined to be a better person. But that proves difficult when old rakehell friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into committing a crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her—and his infant daughter—from people ready to destroy them all?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

408 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2016

About the author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
see also Roseanna White

Reviews

[lydia ‧ ia · Rating 4 out of 5]

❝ Life is more interesting if you allow yourself to get lost every now and then. How else do you discover things? ❞

this was a wonderful conclusion! it has just as much swoony romance as the other two in the series, and lots more danger and action regarding the Fire Eyes. They were more of a subplot in the first two, but in this book they were the main focus of the characters.

my favorite thing about this entire series is just how realistic the characters are. They aren't just young, perfect, untested young people falling in love with no strings attached. They're broken. They have messy pasts. Their sins are glaringly obvious. But they learn to love each other and the Lord despite it all, and it's beautiful.

I especially loved the romance in this one. Ella was one of my favorite characters in the first two books and I loved how her sunny personality compared with Cayton's grumpy one. They made for an adorable couple and definitely one of my favorites of Roseanna's so far!

╰› if you love Christian fiction, historical fiction, regency, romance, or all four, I highly recommend this series! it's well worth your time <3

❝ The rest of the world is filled to bursting with ill-tempered people. It is my solemn duty not to be one of them. ❞

—content and trigger warnings (minor spoilers!):
this series dealt with a lot of heavy topics. In the second installment, the main character was a victim of sexual assault. there's nothing quite as drastic in this one, though it does mention sexual assault a few times, but everything else is kept to a minimum. one of the characters with a mini pov was a mistress, but it never shows or directly mentions anything remotely explicit. a woman suffers from losing an infant to a crib death. a woman dies in childbirth. One of the men is revealed to be a bloodthirsty psychopath who has an obsession with injuring people. The main character is kidnapped by a man who believes himself to be in love with her (he never inappropriately touches her). Basically, if you've had any past experiences with sexual assault or losing a child or mother in childbirth, I'd say tread carefully with this series. stay safe and ily all!! 🫂💐

⊱ pre-review ⊰

i should not have read the climax right before bed because i was lying there afraid that i would be kidnapped by a man who was weirdly in love with me and holding me hostage to get what he wants.... rtc 😭

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many things to love about A Lady Unrivaled. Not the least of which, the way that these ladies of the manor are not bound by society’s restrictions or expectations but carry concealed weapons on their persons and charge in to save the day despite being barely pregnant and nearly due (two different people there, in case you were wondering).

But we had all these marvelously strong yet feminine characters in the previous two books as well, and while I love them there is just something about A Lady Unrivaled that shines the tiniest bit brighter.

That light is Lady Ella Myerston, front and center stage. With her delightful quirks and her charming wit and her sincere heart, she not only spreads sunshine everywhere she walks within the pages of the book but to the reader as well. She truly is a lady unrivaled, and I was thrilled to “meet” her again and see her story come to life. Combined with Lord James Cayton (whom we’ve also met before), their chemistry is fantastic and I’m not sure I’ve yet stopped smiling at their banter.

Underlying the awesome characters and the witty humor and the delicious romance (that first kiss – WOW!) is a gentle theme of trust. Trusting who we are in Jesus… not living in the regret of who we were without Him. Trusting what we know is right… even when we can’t see the outcome. Another theme is more sobering, specifically of how deep a pit that greed can lead us into – far deeper than anyone ever dreamed we would fall. And while it is true that, as Corrie Ten Boom said so wisely, there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still, the story woven so beautifully, and also so tragically, throughout the Ladies of the Manor series reminds us that we all have a choice when given the opportunity for Divine Rescue.

A Lady Unrivaled takes you from laughter to tears to holding your breath in suspense to fond smiles of kinship to fanning yourself over that doozy of a kiss. And always always – no matter your current emotional state – it keeps you totally immersed in the story and in these characters. Reuniting with beloved characters from the previous books – as well as some rather dastardly ones that we can’t quite seem to get rid of – is quite simply the icing on the cake for what is an absolutely fantastic conclusion to an absolutely fantastic series!

(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)

see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

I loved every moment of this delightful story from 1910s England and the conclusion of the Fire Eyes diamond mystery. Whew, are there ever some feisty ladies in this book! I mean, how many books have you read that have not one but two pregnant mamas squaring off with the bad guys and carrying weapons under their skirts to keep their families safe? And that isn't to say the men were wimps--they weren't. Ella was a strong heroine, but she wasn't the only heroine in the book; there were so many strong side characters as well as Brook and Rowena from the first two books that I had plenty of fun rooting for all the nice ladies.

The twists and turns in this book are enough to make you question everything that happened in the previous two books as well. Who really has the Fire Eyes? Who really is the one killing folks to get them? If A is the one ready to kill to get them, then why is he mad that B got murdered first, and who actually killed B? Is there a C out to get them as well?

I do love a good atmospheric historic mystery, and this one checked all the boxes for me.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lady Unrivaled is the final book in the Ladies of the Manor trilogy, set in the years immediately preceding the First World War, and which sees a group of young aristocrats involved in the search for some extremely valuable red diamonds. The romantic storylines are concluded in each book so there is no cliffhanging will-they, won’t-they?; but the mystery plot is overarching and because I haven’t read the previous books, I have to confess to feeling rather adrift for quite a large portion of the first few chapters of this one.

I gleaned that someone was out to acquire the “Fire Eyes”, as the diamonds are known, by whatever means necessary; that the hero of this book had been associated with some Rather Bad Men in the past and that the heroine is a determined to eliminate the threat to her family and friends by finding the diamonds and then – well, she’s not quite sure what to do with them, but whatever it is will be better than letting them fall into the undeserving hands of whoever is looking for them.

The author is thoughtful enough to have included a list of dramatis personae at the beginning, so I was at least able to work out who was who and was related to whom without too much trouble.

Lady Ella Myerston is the sister of the Duke of Nottingham (hero of book two, The Reluctant Duchess) and is currently staying with her friend Brook, Duchess of Stafford (The Lost Heiress) at the Staffords’ country seat in the Cotswolds. Brook is not best pleased when she discovers Ella reading up about the red diamonds and the curse that surrounds them; being around them put Brook into serious danger in the past and she doesn’t want the same fate to befall her friend. But Ella won’t be put off so easily and continues with her reading in secret.

James Azerly, the Earl of Cayton, earned Brook’s enmity when he unceremoniously jilted her cousin in order to marry an heiress. She still dislikes him intensely, but he’s her husband’s cousin, so it is impossible to cut ties completely, and besides, Stafford and Cayton have begun to reconcile since the death of the latter’s young wife in childbed just nine months earlier. Cayton carries a bucket-load of guilt over having broken the hearts of two women – one of them his wife – neither of whom he loved, over his mercenary motives for marriage, and over the fact that he failed to alert anyone to the plot to kidnap Brook in order to obtain the diamonds that was perpetrated by his friend Rushworth. But he is devoted to his little girl, and is determined to become a better man, even though he is continually plagued by doubt.

While it took a while for things to get going in the story – and for me to get into it – once I understood the background I started to enjoy it, and in the end found it a quite compelling read. Ella and Cayton are glass half-full/glass half-empty types; she is perpetually cheerful and optimistic, where he’s rather endearingly grumpy, and their interactions are definitely the highlight of the story. Ella refuses to accept James’ moodiness and sees the man he is trying to become rather than the man he was, showing him that she has faith in him and in his transformation in a way that humbles him. Their romance progresses steadily as Cayton gradually comes to believe that redemption and forgiveness are possible and their eventual HEA is easy to believe in. The one issue I have with them as a couple is that Cayton is so often weighed down by doubt that he is almost paralysed by it. Ella is the driving force for the events of the book until near the very end, and I would have liked James to have taken a more proactive role. Apart from that, however, he’s a well-developed character with an artistic soul and an attractive vulnerability that makes him all the more human.

The story surrounding the mysterious diamonds is nicely wrapped up, but not before Cayton is blackmailed into betraying his friends and the woman he is coming to love. Ella is firmly in the sights of the unstable Lord Rushworth, a dangerous man who will go to any lengths to secure the diamonds – but her belief in Cayton spurs him on and together, they work to keep each other and their loved ones safe while foiling Rushworth’s plans.

There are a number of secondary plotlines interweaving with the hunt for the diamonds and the developing romance between Ella and Cayton, but they don’t get in the way of the main storylines and add further background interest. The secondary characters are generally well-drawn, although Rushworth is rather a two-dimensional villain, as is his valet-cum-henchman. The dénoument is suitably tense, although I would suggest that it’s probably not the best idea to take a heavily pregnant woman with you on a rescue mission.

As this is an Inspirational Romance, there are a number of references to faith and spirituality, most of which feel suitably in keeping with the characters and the setting. I have to admit though, that there were a couple of times I found it just a tad heavy-handed, but that is probably just a matter of personal preference. It was certainly nothing that took me out of the story or detracted from it.

Ms. White writes extremely well and I enjoyed the way in which she developed all her different plotlines and brought them to satisfying conclusions. A Lady Unrivaled is an entertaining story featuring engaging, well-rounded characters that strikes a good balance between romance and plot. I’d certainly recommend it to others, but if you like the sound of it, you might want to consider reading the other books in the series first.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooh, I'm so sad this series is over! But I LOVED Ella's story! Happy sigh. :)

Lord James Cayton was a unlikable/unlovable character in the first two books but life and God have a way of changing people. With the death of his wife and the birth of his daughter, Cayton's heart and eyes have been opened to the desire to be a completely different man than he has been. His is the story that we all love to read - repentance, redemption, grace, and the second chance that allows him to strive to be a Godly man and the protector of his family. When that "family" expands to include the incorrigible Lady Ella, Lord Cayton has his work cut out for him!

I love Lady Ella!! She is so delightfully cheerful with just the right touch of mischievousness that makes her character so much fun. And it's not a fake cheeriness either. She has her moments of being down and she can be serious when she needs to be but for the most part she just makes the choice to be happy where she's at and in the moment. She's much more aware of the danger that has been following her family and friends than they know and is determined to do her part to put an end to it! And in the process, if she happens to fall in love with the man no one is quite sure deserves her, Lady Ella might just be the one thing that emboldens him to accept the love and grace of a Savior who does give second (and third, and forth) chances.

The give and take of Lord Cayton's grouchiness and Lady Ella's flirtatious cheerfulness was so much fun to read. I loved the way she sees the truth of who he's trying to become behind his grouchy exterior and the way he balances out her sometimes impulsive nature. And oh the sparks that fly between these two! They have the best first kiss scene I've read in awhile! Totally swoon worthy and so sweet yet at the same time humorous. It was great! :)

The mystery, danger, and suspense of the Fire Eyes continues in this book with the return of Lady Catherine Pratt and her brother Lord Rushworth. Lord Rushworth is so despicable and his character just sends boogeyman shivers up your spine! Lady Catherine, however, is so broken, and suffering the consequences of her choices in life, that you can't help but feel sorry for her. Will she finally see the error of her ways and choose a different path?

If you like Edwardian romances with a touch of suspense and danger, this epic series will satisfy! This series will go down in history as one of my all time favorites!! :)

*Thanks to the author and Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes! All opinions stated are my own.*

[Melanie Kilsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roseanna delivered a three course meal with this book. Serving up a mystery, great arcs for main and side characters, along with epic plot twists. Overall, leaving the taste of awesome writing lingering on your finger tips!

This book was SO good. I even cried twice in the end... that will be tough to beat for any other book.

I loved the portrayal of two paths. It was almost like watching two parallel movies about how our choices and where we put our values or trust can lead us. I related with the characters so much. They were 3D and as if I knew them personal, each one, which was so wonderful. I love our main characters spunk and bubbly personality. Such a fresh vision for a character!

I truly adored the knowledge of rubies, libraries, museums, Russian ballet and all the vast places, homes, and things we learned.

Highly recommended as a Christian Historical Fiction novel, but with higher age restrictions due to some of the realistic content seen throughout. Extremely integral to the plot and by contrast, highlights the Christ entered life and choices of other characters in the novel.

[Jayna Baas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often have a difficult time deciphering how I feel about Roseanna M. White books. Great mystery, great interplay, some great protagonists, some creepy bad guys. I'm always reminded that grace sees beyond what people do to what they need. At the same time, stories like these don't always seem to call sin sin. There has to be a balance between grace and truth, mercy and justice. The faith in White's books often seems to err on the side of Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. I also wasn't fond of having such a major storyline be about someone's mistress. Pardon the lack of a more detailed review. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed the book except for the parts I didn't. But Cayton and Ella were great.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the conclusion of the Ladies of the Manor series we have Lady Ella's story. She is portrayed as an avid reader and researcher that is prone to get lost. The main male character is Cayton and he has an unpleasant track record with women. I enjoyed the comedic moments between them and Cayton's hobby. The story line had some strong points such as the addition of a Russian character.

A nice part of this series was that there was a common thread about red diamonds. In A Lady Unrivaled we get a conclusion to the traveling and notorious jewels. While this third novel was not my favorite of the series, it was a solid novel. I recommend the entire series for fans of Regency novels.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The problem of the Fire Eyes, rare red diamonds, has not gone away despite repeated attempts to conceal them from greedy Lady Pratt and Lord Rushworth. Lady Ella is determined to work with her friends to thwart the manipulative treasure-seekers once and for all. Ella’s family is determined to keep her from helping, until she discovers that she has unknowingly had the diamonds all along. Everything only becomes more complicated when the creepy Lord Rushworth decides to court her and Lord Cayton begins working as a double agent and fake-courting Ella.

A Lady Unrivaled was a beautiful end to the Ladies of the Manor trilogy by Roseanna M. White. Both of the main characters were introduced in the previous novels, and watching them fall in love was fun, even though they were unwilling at first. Lady Ella had already been one of my favorite characters and, perhaps, the character most like me in the series. Lord Cayton was not a character I particularly cared for in the previous books, since he broke the heart of one of Brook’s cousins and married for money, but the growth that began in him in The Reluctant Duchess continued, making him a wonderful main character. Both Cayton and Ella struggled with some insecurity issues due to some of their previous mistakes. It was wonderful to see them change and mature in the light of God’s, and each other’s, love.

The situation with the Fire Eyes was the other major conflict in A Lady Unrivaled. Lord Rushworth was as determined as ever to get the diamonds, though he claimed the only reason was to save his sister from the “Russian mobster” who already gave them a down-payment. He was dark and creepy as usual, but seeing him with a shard of humanity through his attraction to Ella somehow made him even worse. He is not an enemy I would want—much less a suitor! The conclusion of this tale was immensely satisfying and tied up a few loose ends with the other characters, including Lady Pratt’s grief over her son’s death.

I enjoyed this novel and trilogy very much and would recommend it to those who like sweet, historical romances.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Ella Mysterson always finds a reason to smile. When she overhears her brother and his wife discussing the Fire Eyes, Ella is determined to ensure that her family is safe. Danger follows those in possession of the Fire Eyes, and Ella won't let her family be threatened again. She heads to the Cotswolds for an extended visit. James Cayton, an earl and cousin to the Duke of Stafford, is a man grieving. He's lost his wife before he could convince himself to love her. He's also broken the heart of another young lady. Now, he's determined to change his ways, and not get involved with anyone. Yet, he soon finds himself drawn into the danger surrounding the Fire Eyes. With a determination to keep his young daughter from danger, and Lady Ella, Cayton has to risk his heart. Can he open himself up to love?

This is the conclusion of the Ladies of the Manor series. It really is best to read them in order to follow the Fire Eyes on their journey.

I liked Lady Ella from the time that I first met her. I thought that she was very bubbly and a sweet. I wasn't wrong. But in this, her story, I learned that she's so much more than what she had first seemed. She's got a depth to her that I didn't expect. I loved how she and Cayton kept insisting that they didn't like each other, but you could tell that they did.

I loved watching how Cayton changed from the first book to this one. He redeemed himself from his actions in the first book in this one. I loved how he finally recognized what he was supposed to do and did it.

I really enjoyed this entire series. Book 2 was my favorite though.

I received this book for free from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Jody Hedlund, Kristi Ann Hunter, Tamera Alexander, historical fiction

Rating - 4 stars

[Angela Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "A Lady Unrivaled," Roseanna M. White combines the glamorous aesthetic of Downton Abbey, cursed diamonds, and a Grumpy / Sunshine romance with fake dating subterfuge into a truly riveting read.

This story is a thrilling conclusion to the Ladies of the Manor Series! With raised stakes, enthralling characters, and twists at every turn, White keeps her readers guessing and the pages turning.

If you love period dramas that contrast romance and suspense, allow me to introduce A Lady Unrivaled!

📚 Ladies of the Manor Series
📖 Book 1 - The Lost Heiress
📖 Book 2 - The Reluctant Duchess
📖 Book 3 - A Lady Unrivaled

[Jacquelyn &#x1f490; {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed that Cayton was an artist. I also enjoyed him being a father and his darling little girl, Addie. I really like the name Andrei so I didn’t like seeing that was the name of one of the bad guys. 😕 There was a lot of about a mistress and yeah. So overall, it wasn’t my taste. 🤷‍♀️

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Ella is a feisty, yet sweet star of the final book in the Ladies of the Manor series. Lord Cayton is dark and mysterious but a man in desperate need of love and faith. Add in a Russian ballerina turned mistress turned undercover maid, a man that will stop at nothing for the Red Diamonds and you have yourself a suspenseful Edwardian Romance. Not only would a Downton Abbey fan swoon at reading this book but I dare to say even some mystery fans would enjoy it.
Roseanna White gives life to her characters. I was waiting for the moment that they would pop up out of the book. The charm and wit carry on through out the book. I throughly enjoyed the banter between Ella and Cayton, and reading to see where their relationship would go.

One aspect that touched my heart and stuck with me was the meeting between Ella and Addie. Addie is Cayton's daughter from his deceased wife. She is the child that made me think of my own daughter- so sure of herself and curious, with love to share. Ella and her meet in the gardens and it was love at first read for this reader. The connection was so beautiful and moving, that it felt like real life.

The level of style and penmanship brought to this book is unparalleled Roseanna White brings a high level of the craft to her writing that many will appreciate.

[Tricia Mingerink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book just as much as the others! I think The Reluctant Duchess was still my favorite by a hair, but they are all excellent. The characters are so well done, and I love Ella's chipper attitude and Cayton's struggle with guilt.

Things I especially love about this series is that each book is woven together tighter than a lot of Christian fiction series tend to be. Yes, each book could stand alone, though the part with the Fire Eyes might be a bit confusing to someone who hasn't read all the books. Yet, each book is also part of one mystery, and the characters from each book show up frequently in each other's books.

This book is simply adorable.

Re-read review - I listened to the audiobook for my re-read. I had to skip to this one since book 2 isn't on audiobook yet (though, the author posted earlier this year that they are making an audiobook of book 2. Yay!!!!). Loved this one just as much as the first time. Maybe even more than the first time. :)

Re-Re-Read: Ella & Cayton. 'nuff said.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how this series was going to conclude -- although I knew it would be good because it's written by one of the most gifted writers of our day -- but I could not have imagined a better finale!

James Cayton was not one a character to swoon over in the first two books. But in this one, he is walking a road of redemption and it is beautiful! The things he feels are so real. I could relate easily to many of his thoughts about himself and his role in others lives. And he is the sweetest daddy!!! Be still my heart!

Ella...oh, Ella. I wasn't sure about you either but you captured me from the beginning! Your personality so completely matches your facial expression on the cover. I could just imagine that it really is you! You are brave and loving and compassionate with just the right touch of mischievousness.

I completely and utterly enjoyed the interaction between these two characters. The ensemble cast is spectacular too! I stretched out reading this book for over a week because I didn’t want it to end. It’s supposed to be a 'fix' for us Downton Abbey fans, right?! The least Roseanna could do is make it a six book series. Okay, I know that’s unreasonable so how about five? ;-)

Seriously, if you haven’t read Ladies of the Manor series, you are missing out on some exciting intrigue and romance and faith-filled moments. I know at one point I gasped when a certain characters' deed was hinted at and then I exclaimed out loud No, no, no! Then there is the heart-melting moment when ‘fiction becomes reality’ and Cayton and Ella discover they really do love one another. *Sigh worthy*

I highly recommend this book! It’s definitely on my favorite list for 2016.

I received a copy from the author and Bethany House for review purposes only. No compensation has been received.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lady Unrivaled is the third and final book in the Ladies of the Manor series. I have absolutely loved this series and recommend it. The characters are real and the stories have held my attention to where I didn't want to put the books down. I started this one pretty much right after finishing the second one, The Reluctant Duchess, and it was just as captivating as the other two.

The story was entertaining and I liked how the book continued the "Fire Eyes" diamonds storyline. I also loved the romance. It was fun to see Ella and Cayton interact and his hidden love for painting was cute.

Because the books are all related, I recommend you read the series in order to best enjoy it. If you like historical romances, I'm sure you will be glad you picked this one up. I can't recommend it enough and look forward to reading more of Roseanna M. White's novels.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Ladies of the Manor series. As I read this, I was anxious to find out what happens to the mysterious red diamonds called the Fire Eyes. I wasn’t sure that Lady Ella and Lord Cayton would end up together, there were a lot of obstacles, mostly of Cayton’s making, but he comes around remarkably quickly in the end. The couples from the first two books are back: Justin and Brook, and Brice and Rowena. It was nice to see everyone together again, even if everyone unbelievably is a Duke, Duchess or Earl. They finally foil the bad guys and dispose of the diamonds in an ethical way which seems like they could have done at the end of the first book.

[Amanda Tero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have waited over a year to finish out the “Ladies of the Manor” series, and I was not disappointed with the conclusion.

Lady Ella is probably one of my favorite women characters in this series. She is so bubbly yet also with a good head on her shoulders. Lord Cayton wasn’t much to think of until this book and then… wow. He definitely had my compassion. He was so down on himself and the negativity of others’ didn’t help any. Of course, this also really made me like Stafford all the more. He was great. Actually, all of the men in this story were pretty great.

Except the bad ones. They were downright cruel and awful. *Shudder* Roseanna knows how to portray the evil of humanity. In some ways, this story was very dark. It was lightened by Ella’s and Cayton’s personal stories, but everything that touched the Fire Eyes plot got worse, not better (until the end, where a satisfactory conclusion happened).

Things tied together very nicely in book three. In some ways, they were horrifyingly tied together. All I can say is Catherine’s baby boy…ugh. Big frown there. Like I said, the evil of humanity was very clearly depicted in this book.

But onto lighter things.
Romance…as always, Roseanna puts a little more romance in her books than I prefer. One of the main characters was a mistress, but absolutely nothing was put into detail. It was just mentioned, as well as her desire to get out of it. There were kisses and feelings and desires.

Spiritual content…there were a few elements brought up (particularly Kira’s beliefs) that were more lore than Scriptural. It was presented in a way of how this character believed, not necessarily that it was Biblical. There were mentions of steady Bible study, of characters taking good, Biblical steps. All in all, it was more of the Bible lived out than the Bible quoted, which was a good angle for me.

Because of the cruelty and romance, I’d definitely put this as over-20 for conservative readers.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several things I adored about the final book in the Ladies of the Manor series. The humor between Cayton and his valet caught my attention and made me laugh aloud. I enjoyed Kira Belova and the dash of Russian culture that came along with her. The pregnancy and babies were wonderful! It was interesting to see the illness that came up, because it isn’t one I see featured a lot in fiction. It was handled well and was not so detailed as to make me woozy or anything. I liked that the leading lady had a tendency to wander off and get a bit lost. This was a fun aspect of the story. I loved that the Fire Eyes diamonds were woven throughout the entire trilogy. That was a really neat thing, and it’s got my own writer’s mind spinning with ideas.

I feel like I didn’t comprehend as many details as I wanted to, due to the physical pain I was in while reading. Perhaps a second read at some point will improve my rating from three stars.

Favorite quotes:

“Life is more interesting with a bit of fancy thrown in—don’t you think?”

“Death was an inescapable part of life.”

“Everyone needs bread for a journey.”

Content: one profane word, mentions of Pegasus (Greek mythology) and Hindu tiger gods

[Noella Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a great ending to the series. Lots of a little bit of everything to keep you guessing how it will end. I love Ella and kept rooting for James. There is laughter and lots of tears but overall perfect together.

[Evelyn Lilyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from Roseanna White and let me start off by saying that I have found my new favorite Christian historical fiction author! I picked this book from my blogger review program thinking that it was a stand alone novel. When I received it, I was a bit disappointed to find out that it is the last installment in a trilogy. I don't like reading books out of order because I feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. However, the author did an amazing job with the plot and piecing the story together that I was able to pick up the story without feeling lost.

The heroine, Lady Ella, is a friendly, down to earth, spunky young woman with an easy smile. She is determined to keep her brother, the Duke of Nottingham and her sister-in-law away from the danger the fire eyes diamonds carry with them and bring upon whoever possess them. James Azerley, the Earl of Cayton, has already broken the hearts of two women, including his late wife. He is determined to prove himself a changed man. However, when he meets the beautiful redhead, sister of the Duke of Nottingham, he is easily attracted. Feeling incapable of loving another woman without breaking her heart, Lord Cayton tries to distance himself from Lady Ella. But when his childhood "friend",the greedy and dangerous Lord Rushworth arrives uninvited seeking the diamonds, Cayton must keep Lady Ella away from danger at all costs.

Lady Ella is the type of character I would love to meet in real life and could easily be friends with. She is head-strong, funny, caring and always smiling no matter the situation. I am a big fan of historical fiction, my favorite eras being 1700s-early 1900s. I especially enjoy plots taking place in Europe (the English and Scottish cultures being my favorites!) Roseanna, masterfully brought the WW1 period back to life, reminiscent of Downton Abbey (I'm also a huge fan of theirs). I noticed other reviews assimilating Downton Abbey to A Lady Unrivaled- while both have the time period and location in common, I personally think each story has unique elements worthy of being noticed. I enjoyed every page of the novel. I especially loved that Roseanna incorporated a powerful and encouraging message throughout the book: the hope we have in our LORD Jesus Christ through His precious love and sacrifice. Throughout the novel, we see Lady Ella and Lord Cayton struggling at times but holding unto that hope and faith we have in God. Yes, the novel is entertaining and enjoyable but with a message that transcends everything else. 5/5 and 10/10.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, BH!

[Mackenzie Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lady Unrivaled is the third book in Roseanna M. White’s Ladies of the Manor series, coming after The Lost Heiress and The Reluctant Duchess. I am a HUGE fan of Roseanna’s, and this series to be honest, so I’ve been super excited for this book for quite some time. I absolutely LOVED The Lost Heiress, and even though I hardly believed it possible, I loved The Reluctant Duchess even more, so I just knew I would love this novel as well. And I must confess, I most definitely wasn’t disappointed. I already loved both Lord Cayton and Lady Ella, so I knew it wouldn’t be hard to fall for their story, and I was right. If only this book had lasted longer!
Lady Ella Myerston is such a sweet, innocent, spitfire of a character, and I absolutely love everything about her. She is so set on keeping her brother and his wife safe that she completely disregards her own safety, and that is definitely something to admire. But my absolute favorite thing about her is actually not entirely just about her. My favorite thing is her relationship with Cayton. They are literally the cutest thing, and I couldn’t get enough of the two of them.
Lord James Cayton is completely and utterly wonderful. That’s all I can think to say. Even though I know he doesn’t have the best past, and is actually very hard on himself because of it, I can definitely see that he is redeeming himself, and I couldn’t help but love him and feel so much compassion for him as he struggled to finally forgive himself for all he had done. Plus, as I watched him fall in love with Ella, my heart was completely taken over, and if I wasn’t already sure of his perfection, I certainly was after that.
All in all, I absolutely loved every single aspect of this story, and I’m so sad that the series had to come to an end, but I know Roseanna is already working on a new series, so I’m super excited to see what that one will hold! Anyway, I cannot imagine giving this book anything other than all five bookshelves, because it already has a permanent place on my all-time favorites list. The themes that focus on God’s love and redemptive grace made this a story that touched my heart, and the drama and romance made it one I’ll never forget. And all that combined makes it a book I highly recommend.
I received a copy of this book from Roseanna and the publisher in exchange for only my honest review.
(This review is from my blog, spreadinghisgrace.blogspot.com)

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Roseanna White has a remarkable ability to share Christian adventures that will satisfy any historical romance reader.

This story had suspense, danger, romance, and humor.

It can stand on its own, it is clean, and it contains a wonderful H.E.A.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot find the right mixture of words to express how much I’ve enjoyed reading Roseanna M. White’s Ladies Of The Manor series. It has been one of the most adventurous, emotional, and hilarious set of novels I’ve ever read. Which is why I had some bittersweet feelings when it came time to read the third and last novel in the series, A Lady Unrivaled.

From start to finish, this novel had me completely engrossed. Which isn’t surprising, especially when a book has something like the “Fire Eyes” and undercover agents involved. I could feel the work – the love – the author put into A Lady Unrivaled through the energy of the storyline and the complexity of its characters. My favorite thing about this novel is how often and smoothly the story would change from heartwarming to skin crawling. That may sound weird, but I think those who’ve read it would understand. And of course, the main characters were a delight. Reading about their journey of discovery and faith was a special experience that I think readers of this genre would enjoy.

In short, I’m sad to see the conclusion to this amazing series. But I know that Roseanna M. White has more adventures in store and I can’t wait to read them all!

THANKS TO BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS FOR PROVIDING A FREE COPY FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.

[Shantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spectacular ending to the LADIES OF THE MANOR series by Roseanna M. White! A Lady Unrivaled was both exciting and dangerous, as well as tender and thoughtful. It was deeply emotional, exploring some tough situations. And a very unlikely, very sweet romance. All the characters were amazing and I loved them! (Besides the creepy villains, that is!) Though the middle part got a little slow, I overall adored this book. I wholly recommend to adults who enjoy a good suspenseful, Edwardian tale!

Can't wait to read more novels from this talented author!

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 2 out of 5]

About this book:

“Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.
Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?”


Series: Book #3 in the “Ladies of the Manor” series. (Review of #1 Here! Review of #2 Here!)


Spiritual Content- Romans 5:5 at the beginning; Many Prayers; Witnessing; Scriptures are read, mentioned, quoted & remembered; Talks about God, Jesus, believing, hope, forgiveness, trusting, prayers & what He wants us to be; Talks about religions, faiths, what more is out there, & being ruled; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God (‘himself’ is not); Kira grew up with a faith; Many mentions of God, His guidance, hope & forgiveness; Many mentions of prayers; Mentions of Bible reading, studying & books of the Bible; Mentions of churches, preachers & worshiping; Mentions of sharing about one’s faith with another; Mentions of Heaven & angels; Mentions of Easter & eternal life; A couple mentions of praises; A couple mentions of hymns; A couple mentions of being blessed; A couple mentions of crossing; A couple mentions of sins; A mention of being godly;
*Note: All about diamonds that are said to have a curse & the original idol they belong it; Mentions of religious artifacts & a tiger god statue/idol (and its story); Mentions of Hinduism, their gods/deities & curses; Mentions of spirits & putting bread on their graves on Easter to represent their souls flying to Heaven; Mentions of the Russian belief/legend that heaven is somewhere on earth; A few mentions of a man who was excommunicated from a church; A few mentions of a sermon about going to Hades because of sins; A mention of a godforsaken world.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blamed’, a ‘dashed’, a ‘drat it all’, a ‘shut up’, a ‘what in blazes’, a ‘why in blazes’, three forms of ‘why/what in thunder’, eight ‘blasted’s, eight forms of ‘blast it’, eight ‘idiot’s, twelve ‘drat’s, twelve ‘stupid’s; A few mentions of curses (said, not written); A couple mentions of strong language; Sarcasm, Sass & Eye rolling; Kidnappings, gags and ropes & guns aimed; Shooting someone, blood & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Threats of killing & harming (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of murders, killings, deaths, bodies, illnesses & injuries (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of those who almost died, got killed or got shot at (Book #1 & #2); Mentions of Book #1’s kidnapping; Mentions of murders, bodies, how it happened & not much being left over (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of guns aimed & bullets shot (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a seizure, broken glass, being hit/shot, blood & wounds (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of killing & killing kin; Mentions of threats of killing; Mentions of infants dying & drugs; Mentions of pain; Mentions of a war & fighting; Mentions of abuse, clubbing someone & bruises; Mentions of boxing & hitting; Mentions of gambling, gaming hells, clubs, bets & debts; Mentions of thieves & criminals; Mentions of prison/jail; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of a sanitarium & a mad woman; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of lying & lies; Mentions of gossip; A few mentions of blood & broken bones; A few mentions of hunting; A few mentions of thugs; A couple mentions of being slapped & slapping; A couple mentions of cigarettes; A mention of a pub; A mention of a hanging.


Sexual Content- hand kisses, three cheek kisses, two forehead kisses, a not-detailed kiss, six barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a boarder-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss, and a detailed kiss; Kira is a mistress & her job is to make him happy (but she won’t be involved with a married man & so their “affair of the heart” is bound to end soon due to her decision, so he says; she says she’s one of his possessions); Touches, Heat/Warmth, Tingles/Shivers, Embraces, Dances & Nearness (up to semi-detailed); Noticing, Smelling & Butterflies (up to semi-detailed); a ‘rake’, two ‘hoyden’s; Talks about kissing & kisses; Many mentions of kisses, kissing & lips touching; Many mentions of flirting, jesting, blushes, suitors & courting; Many mentions of midwives, labor, screams, a baby’s position in the womb, & sickness; Many mentions of wives who died in childbirth, and the blood & the bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of losing children (deaths); Mentions of a doctor taking a pregnant woman’s baby out early, the surgery & eclampsia; Mentions of a man who married a girl, got her pregnant & then left (most believe he ran away, she believes he’ll be back); Mentions of illegitimate children; Mentions of finding romance; Mentions of teasing friends about relationships; Mentions of chaperones, reputations & having to get married due to being alone; Mentions of slapping due to taken liberties; Mentions of touches & suggestive ones (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of forgetting someone & putting her of a man’s mind because he’s married to another; Mentions of flirting & getting a man’s attention; Mentions of jealousy & a man flaunting his mistress around; Mentions of mistresses, such arrangements & affairs; Mentions of an employer’s advances & betraying her lover; Mentions of a woman having to play her late husband’s debt to the men he owned (money, death or otherwise, it’s hinted); Mentions of Book #2 when a maid was attacked (also related: mentions of a maid ending up dead after a man she fancied dallied with her); Mentions of a man (called a monster) wanting to & being allowed to touch a woman (a couple mentions of suffering at his hands); A few mentions of fancying someone; A few mentions of a man’s harem, a woman who was too old for it & an illegitimate child; A couple mentions of swooning; A couple mentions of a wife who was a bit more than a convenience to her husband; A couple mentions of the occasional coarse comments a husband would say about his wife’s willingness to go into his arms; A couple mentions of miscarriages; A couple mentions of wet nurses; A mention of a stolen kiss & a slap; A mention of fumbling a stolen kiss; A mention of a woman being accosted; A mention of a rumor of a husband leaving for another woman; Love, attraction, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A few mentions of a very provocative ballet (Kira would hate to see her father’s reaction to her being in it); A couple hints of ballerinas who embraced a certain life (becoming mistresses) and how Kira wanted to avoid it; A couple mentions of figures.

-(Lady) Ella Myerston
-(Lord) James Cayton
P.O.V. switches between them & Kira (Sophie)
Set in 1913
408 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
When I first entered this novel, I was slightly nervous. The previous book let me down highly, and I wasn’t sure how this final conclusion would do. The author is talented and does a lot of research, I will give her that, but there are parts I found that weren’t needed at all. She wove a very interesting mystery, but I was honestly disappointed—yet again—in the content.
I really liked Ella, she honestly reminded me of myself at many parts. Cayton was a sweet father and I liked the two of them together. Had it been more about them, I think it would have been better, but, again, there were so many parts that weren’t needed or could have been changed. Must there be a lusting jerk in every historical book?! Y’all, I’ve read more historical books with one than without, it’s beyond irritating.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Bethany House) for this honest review.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 stars***

I received this review book a long time ago, and then lost it. Fortunately, I found it. I wish I would have read it sooner when the characters and story were fresh on my mind. Roseanna M. White did a good job at catching me up quickly.

A Lady Unrivaled is the third book in a series. It also concludes the story. Basically, there is a mystery around red diamonds, and some will stop at nothing to possess them. The main characters of all of the books converge and see the trilogy to it's conclusion.

I loved Lady Ella, she is the female main character in this one. She is full of life, love, and compassion. She tries to see the good in everyone and everything. She is always smiling, this ability attracts others to her. She is good with animals and children. Something that comes in handy when she meets Lord Clayton's baby daughter.

Lord Clayton in surly and doesn't feel like he is worthy of love and compassion. He made mistakes in his past, but is doing his best to find forgiveness and redemption. They are the perfect compliment to the other. I loved reading about them fighting their feelings and attraction for the other.

This book is much more than a romance. There is the mystery of the Tiger Eyes. The threat of evil hangs over the characters of the book from the beginning. It is a matter of time until the evil behind them plays his cards and tries once again to obtain them. There are spies everywhere, one that we know from the beginning and many that are hidden.

If you love a great romance with mystery, give this series a try. The best part, all of the books are out and you don't have to wait for the next installment. I have only read the last two, but have purchased the first to read sometime soon.

The book contains kissing, non-graphic violence, and Christian themes.

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White
Year: 1913
Location: Cotswolds, England
Main Characters:
Lady Ella Myerston: Friend of Brook's (female lead in book 1)
Lord James Cayton: Not a good guy in book 1, but his faith is changing him
Lord Rushworth: AKA Crispin, Greedy, evil "friend" of Cayton's, intent on stealing and selling "Fire Eyes"
Dorsey: Evil valet (hitman) to Rushworth
Catherine Pratt: Beloved baby boy died in book 2 when she plotted with brother Rushworth.
Kira: Ballerina, AKA: Sophie, mistress to the Russian man trying to buy the diamonds
Felicity: A maid, friend of Cayton's late wife, pregnant
Brook: Duchess of Stafford, Catherine's cousin
Duke of Stafford : Cayton's cousin, married to Brook

This was quite an adventure, complicated with personalities and stories that added such depth to the book. A veritable cornucopia of characters, many returning from the other books, several new characters, and, as in the other books, a couple highlighted for the sake of the story. Returning and highlighted were Ella, Brice's sister from book two, a fun young lady who isn't at all bothered by Cayton's surly ways, in fact laughs it off, flirtatiously joking that they were supposed to be married. Cayton is also highlighted. He's the Duke of Stafford's cousin, loathed by Stafford's wife (Brook) because he dropped her cousin to marry a rich, sickly woman, gaining her estate and wealth before her death. Also, brother and sister, Lord Rushworth and Lady Catherine Pratt, returned and were right in the fray; bad guys in books one and two, but roles changed a bit in this one.

New to this book are Kira Belova, AKA Sophie Lareau, a Russian ballet dancer hired by Rushworth as lady's maid to Catherine. She was virtually placed there in order to spy on the brother and sister, and gain information for Andrei Varennikov about the diamonds many people consider cursed. Having assisted her mother with midwife duties years ago, Kira helps another lady's maid in the home who is pregnant with a life threatening issue, and in whom Catherine takes a particular interest.

Whew! Confused? I was too, a bit, but stuck with it because it was such an intriguing story. Good guys and bad guys. Good guys wanting to protect everyone they love, and bad guys wanting to hurt or take. At the center are the diamonds that Rushworth needs for two reasons. A vast amount of money is offered by a wealthy Russian, but also because his sister's life is at stake if he doesn't get them. Rushworth is so close, he even knows they are locked up in the next door estate. He just has to plot, woo and threaten the right people and his end result will finally be seen. What he isn't counting on is how changed his sister is since her beloved son died. Broken and hollow and suffering for months, with little will to even live, she sees others no longer as a means to an end, but as real people, with real personalities and worth. Both Ella and Kira don't particularly trust her, but they feel deeply sorry for the loss and pain that has changed her so much.

Cayton owns the estate at which Catherine and Rushworth are "guests" as the Fire Eyes are being pursued. Cayton is aware he sees Ella differently than he wants to. He is attracted to her, but he needs to be gruff and prickly in order to push Ella away… for her sake. He believes he'd be bad for anyone, that they'd end up dead or broken-hearted. Because of past choices he's made that he can neither justify nor forgive, he believes he is unworthy. He came to the Lord and has been discipled by Stafford since the last book, so several people see changes in him which he can't see himself. His baby Addie loves Ella, and Ella can't stay away from either of them. She makes it her goal to expose his façade and make fun of his sulky ways to lighten him up. She sees his worth, and does all she can to get him to see it too.

This was a very good ending to the Fire Eyes saga. So glad I read all three books. Long, but worth it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of 'The Reluctant Duchess' it was pretty clear that Ella would be our next & final heroine, in the 'Ladies of the Manor' series. Set in Edwardian England, we have been taken on a trail of danger, death, mystery, greed, kidnapping & high society as the characters are drawn into the adventure surrounding the 'Fire Eyes' - rare red diamonds, sought after by many for generations, with the myth they carry a curse. Would Lord Rushworth reform and become Ella's beau? I really wasn't sure in which direction Roseanna would take us next. In this book, we find out much, much more about the Rushworth siblings, and many surprises too. Lord James Cayton, is the unlikely and unexpected love interest for Ella, younger sister of Brice - Duke of Nottingham (The Reluctant Duchess). She is visiting the Stafford's in their Ducal home of Ralin Castle, set in the Cotswolds. The property borders Lord Cayton's 'Anlic Manor', which he inherited through marriage to the late Lady Adelaide Cayton. A beautiful part of England to set this story, though I also enjoyed the rugged setting of North Yorkshire. As always, as we have seen in this series, Roseanna expertly writes into her stories, not only the adventures of the upper class, but weaves through the life below stairs. The servants who serve the Lord, Ladies, Dukes & Duchesses. This is what I love about this series. The scope for a plot that is analyzed and viewed from every angle, giving us a glimpse of elements not usually seen in historical writing. Telling the story of James, who is so far removed in character from the happy positive personality that is Ella, was so fun to read. How they were able to overcome the huge obstacles that mostly he, puts in their place. How Ella, in her determination - was able to pull those down. Every aspect of their world shines through. How they think, feel and see themselves and others, how they often second guess and need a gentle, constant reminder of forgiveness & redemption and as in Ella's case, the ability to trust in your own instincts without fear. I really enjoyed the way Brice, Justin & James came together in the closing chapters of the book, I have loved the heroes of these 3 books - despite the emphasis being on the 'ladies'. We only get the heroines on the book covers, but I personally think it'd be really fun to get a picture of Stafford, Nottingham & Cayton! Swoon!

Although maybe not historically accurate in every way, the special relationship that James has with his daughter was sweet and a necessary addition in the development of Ella's opinion of him. His hobby as an artist was so well written into the story, and brought a beautiful imaginative element, as we were given descriptions of his artwork to conjure up in our minds also. This is used in a fantastic unique way in the final pages. I especially enjoyed the addition of the Russian characters, Kira in particular, was an intriguing woman, who invites the reader into the history & culture of her people. We also get to complete the journey with Lord Rushworth & his sister Catherine (Kitty), who begins the book in a destitute state of mental health, as she continues to mourn the loss of her baby son. They've carried this series as the unlikeable 'bad guys', and they give us plenty to love and hate in this one too. The way this story all came together in the end, was very much a surprise to me -how they were able to bring a conclusion to this dangerous journey of the jewels, to make a clean break from the drama, and end on such a positive note.

I did't want to let these characters go, reading that final page was bitter sweet! Roseanna has written 3 beautiful, rich stories that deserve to sit on your personal library shelf (or eBook library). The depth of her research is evident, please keep writing historical fiction set in England!

I received this ARC from Netgalley & Bethany House in return for my honest review.

[Fiction Aficionado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I have enjoyed this series! Roseanna White has captured the elegance of the Edwardian era beautifully in both her characters and the setting, and added a wonderful flavour of romance and suspense besides. I’m not sure what more a reader could ask for!

After reading the previous book in this series, the Duke of Nottingham became one of my favourite literary heroes ever (yes, right up there with Gilbert Blythe and Mr. Darcy!) but I now find myself thinking it must run in the family. Lady Ella Myerston positively sparkles in this novel – in a refined, English way, of course! – and I can’t help borrowing Jane Austen’s words about her own heroine, Elizabeth Bennet: “I must confess that I think her as delightful a character as ever appeared in print, and how I shall tolerate those who do not like her at least, I do not know.”

Lord Cayton, on the other hand, tries very hard not to sparkle - something that only encourages Lady Ella in her light-hearted banter! Now a widower and a single father, he has genuinely turned his back on the man he used to be, but his new faith is untested, and there is no way he is going to be responsible for Lady Ella being hurt, either physically or emotionally. In the hands of some authors, Lord Cayton’s attempts to be surly and disagreeable in Lady Ella's company could have been overdone and grating, but here they provided some of the most enjoyable scenes in the novel, not to mention one of my favourite ‘first kiss’ and ‘declaration of love’ scenes ever! The latter stopped my heart at one point, it was so beautiful!

As for the Fire Eyes, the intrigue in this novel is two-fold. Firstly we have the introduction of a third point of view character: Kira Belova, a Russian ballet dancer with the Ballet Russe in Paris who is recovering from an injury. She is the mistress of Andrei Varennikov – a wealthy Russian mogul living in Paris who paid Lord Pratt a deposit for the Fire Eyes almost two years ago, but has yet to lay eyes on them. He wants what he paid for and has contrived to have Kira hired as a lady’s maid to Lady Pratt in order to learn their whereabouts. In fact, he gives her little choice. And so she becomes Sophie Lareau, a mere servant...

On the other side of the coin are Lady Pratt and her brother, Lord Rushworth. If they cannot follow through on Lord Pratt’s sale of the Fire Eyes, they have no doubt a different kind of payment will be extracted from them and Lord Rushworth wants Lord Cayton to use his friendship with the Duke of Stafford, and his charm on Lady Ella, in order to learn the whereabouts of the Fire Eyes...

This is a well-layered story with a delicious mixture of intrigue, danger, betrayal, love, grace, and second chances. Lady Catherine Pratt is also a recipient of Lady Ella’s determined friendship during the course of the novel, and of all the characters in this series, it is perhaps Lady Pratt whose character tugs most at my heartstrings. You need to have read from the beginning of the series to understand what a twisted journey she has been on, but just between you and me, I would love to see her get her own story – her own new beginning.

I feel like I could talk about this book all day, but then I would be stopping you from reading it. And you really should read it! The whole series! I can’t wait to see what’s next from Roseanna White.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.