Il visconte senza nome: I Grandi Romanzi Storici Special

The Rumor #1

by Delilah Marvelle

New York City/Londra, 1830 - Un naufrago su un'isola. Non deserta ma sconosciuta, popolata da personaggi loschi, monelli chiassosi e sirene dai capelli rossi. È così che si sente a New York City, dopo aver perso la memoria, Roderick Gideon Tremayne. Figlio del Duca di Wentworth, era venuto da Londra in cerca di qualcosa e ha perduto persino il ricordo del proprio nome. Si fa chiamare Robinson Crusoe dalla splendida irlandese che si prende cura di lui e gli insegna come sopravvivere tra le lusinghe e i pericoli della metropoli americana. Georgia Milton si ritiene responsabile per l'enigmatico inglese, che si è ferito per aiutarla e, sebbene non sappia nulla di lui, i modi cortesi e la parlata forbita lo dipingono per quello che è: un nobile, e dunque ben al di là delle possibilità di una semplice lavandaia. Tuttavia, fino a quando la bruma dell'incertezza li avvolge, abbandonarsi alla passione che serpeggia tra di loro sembra un sogno realizzabile.

"Ho voluto privare della memoria il protagonista. Per fargli ricordare ciò che è veramente importante nella vita."

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Fiction, New York

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2011

About the author

I spent my youth studying various languages, reading voraciously, and playing the pianoforte. I confess that here ends the extent of my gentle breeding. I was a naughty child who was forever torturing her parents with countless adventures that they did not deem respectable. Confined to my room on many occasions due to these misadventures, I soon discovered the quill and its amazing power. I scribed endless stories that almost invariably surrounded the topic of love, for I felt an inane need to be rescued from a family that did not understand my lust for life. In my mind, King Arthur became my true love and I waited for the day when he would come riding upon his steed and invite me to sit at his round table, not as his queen, but as his knight. To my distress, King Arthur was never to be found anywhere except for in the tip of my quill. And so I led an imaginary life for many, many years. When I finally came of age, my family was further horrified to discover that I had fallen in love with an American. An American King Arthur who became my knight, my husband, my all. I have been blessed beyond reason and am grateful for each day I have with him. What is equally amazing is that I now have the opportunity to share my passion for stories with the public. The reason why I write romance is because it allows me to touch upon the subject of love on a much deeper, more intimate level. Many of the stories I write, many of the stories I will continue to write, will always evolve around love. And yes, gentle readers, it will also evolve around sex as I have no intention of becoming my parents and restraining my characters from what it is they truly desire to do. I challenge you, my readers, to let loose of those corsets that have been strung too tightly due to convention and enjoy 1830 to its fullest."

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

New York City im Jahr 1830: Der jungen Georgia wird auf der Straße ihr Geldbeutel gestohlen. Ein Fremder kommt ihr zu Hilfe und wird dabei von einem Pferdewagen angefahren. Bei dem Unfall verliert er sein Gedächtnis. Georgia nimmt ihn mit zu sich nach Hause und kümmert sich um ihn, dabei kommen sich die beiden immer näher und verlieben sich ineinander. Doch dann kehrt langsam das Gedächtnis des Fremden zurück. Er ist ein Duke und in England zu Hause! Damit wird die Beziehung der beiden unmöglich, denn Georgia kommt aus sehr ärmlichen Verhältnissen. Hat ihre Liebe trotzdem eine Chance?
💚💚💚
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich habe von dieser Geschichte eine eher seichte Handlung erwartet, und die habe ich dann auch bekommen, ohne dies negativ zu meinen. Manche Szenen waren richtig gut und haben mir sehr gefallen und konnten mich auch überraschen, bei anderen Szenen hingegen habe ich gedanklich nur mit den Augen gerollt.
Insgesamt hat mich die Story gut unterhalten, zumal der Schreibstil der Autor wirklich gut war.

[Pepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me han gustado diferentes cosas, por ejemplo, la manera como trata el problema de la amnesia y los desconocimientos médicos de la época. La gran diferencia social entre ambos y la difícil solución, bastante fría, pero real, aunque al ser una novela romántica, eso se cambia, por supuesto
Me ha gustado él, es un amor y ella con esa fortaleza
El problema es que, después de una primera parte, divertida e interesante, a partir de la mitad todo va demasiado deprisa, sin olvidarnos de un final que ha sido un epílogo, tal cual. No sé, me ha dado la sensación de que le han metido las tijeras y han cortado tal cual toda la tercera parte.
En su conjunto, es una lectura entretenida, pero muy desaprovechada, una pena

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! It was original, delightfully funny and wickedly sexy. There was a wonderful array of richly drawn characters and just the right amount of drama and mystery to keep me intrigued.

What I loved most about the book:-

The Setting



It was refreshingly different to read a story set against the backdrop of 19th century New York and Ms Marvelle brought everything to life with her vivid images of the notorious Five Points.

He scanned the stretching width of the dank street. Cramped wooden buildings loomed in the surrounding darkness, murky-yellow lamps lighting broken windows stuffed with rags and heaven knows what else. Silhouettes of men and women lurked on the streets and hovered in doorways.

Story

Spoiler free - just a few teasers!

Silver buttons, Robinson Crusoe, a kiss, a vile little maggot, Forty Thieves, a faded brown leather patch, a coal bin, four and forty dollars, a water pail, a proposal, a newspaper, a waltz, a Duke, status and wealth, memories, duty, a crazy Five Points idea, a promise, a transformation, Miss Tormey, an elephant…

Georgia



In most romances, the hero takes centre stage but, in FOREVER AND A DAY, Georgia is definitely the star of the show in my opinion. I absolutely adore her.

I cheered when she gave one of the men helping to lift the injured Roderick some grief...

“You think it fun watchin’ a man bleed? Keep movin’ him, you lout. Lest I make you bleed.”

I giggled at the extreme measures she took to make the uncooperative Roderick look more disreputable...

“Damn you thrice into the pits of hell, woman.” He gestured rigidly toward himself, his face taut and his eyes ablaze. “Why did you think it necessary to ruin a perfectly fine linen shirt?” He was certainly prim for a man who thought he was a pirate. He couldn’t even swear right. “We’re improvisin’, is all. No one’s linen shirts look that snowy white where I live.”

I was touched by her vulnerability...

Tears rimmed her eyes, remembering those nights spent cradling her father’s clothes unable to breathe or think.

I liked how she was a force to be reckoned with...

I may be younger than you, Matthew, but I’m still legally your mother and I’m not afraid to take a crop to your head. So leave off. You hear?

I admired her sheer determination...

She was naught more than a scrap he took in after finding her asleep in his coal bin, looking like the dirty angel she still is. At the time, she didn’t even know what the hell a quill was for. Now look at her. She outreads me, outwrites me, outwits me and even finds the men around these parts to be so damn stupid, she’s heading out west.”

I loved her for taking the initiative and fighting for the man she loves...

Nothing was going to come between her and her man. Nothing.

Georgia will definitely find a place among my favourite heroines.

Roderick



“Because I have faith you’ll not disappoint me or yourself. I have faith you’ve already learned how to be a better man but have yet to see it yourself.”

I think Georgia’s words are perfect to describe Roderick’s journey in this story. After he loses his memory, he’s able to rediscover his true self without the baggage of his past mistakes and the expectations of others. A man who is:

caring...

“…the man is genuinely compassionate and protective of others. Throughout his entire stay, he’s done nothing but lecture us on our inability to tend to patients and is always getting out of bed to assist others in the hall, despite having orders that he rest.”

generous...

Turning toward her, he held out the grouped banknotes between bare fingers. “Four and forty dollars to oversee your journey and your land. Take it.”

kind...

Refusing to watch the woman suffer, he quickly strode past the long line of women, set his pail down beside the pump with a clang and rounded the old woman. “Allow me. Please.”

compassionate...

Robinson’s hands trailed up her back, curving around her shoulders, and found their way up and into her unbound hair. Cradling her moist cheeks with his palms, his thumbs brushed away the tears still rimming her eyes. He tilted her face upward toward him.

and

selfless...

…he would give her everything… by letting her go.

Roderick really is a hero worthy of Georgia.

Those Sexy Moments

Ms Marvelle delivers some pretty hot sex scenes and enough sexual chemistry to singe the pages of the book...

His eyes darkened. “Let me tell you what I want and what I need, and I can assure you, it doesn’t involve water.” He grabbed her hard by the waist and forcefully spun them around so fast, her heart popped.
He shoved her back against the wall, making her gasp.

Secondary Characters

The secondary characters certainly add depth the story; what with Georgia’s neighbour from hell, the piratical looking Matthew with his penetrating coal-black eyes and the dark, mysterious Coleman. The Duke of Wentworth, Roderick’s father seemed very different to the hero of FOREVER MINE. There’s a hardness to him now but, finding out just how much he had lost, how much he truly loves Roderick and would do anything to see him happy, made me adore him all over again.

The Epilogue

I have to mention how much I loved the Epilogue. So delightful and so amusing as well!

My one niggle about the book:-

I did find the ending rather abrupt and the situation between Georgia and Roderick seemed to be left unresolved. But then I read these comments from Ms Marvelle on Goodreads:

"If you felt like the book ended abruptly, I am ever so pleased to hear it! That means you wanted more and believe me, there is lots more".

"Call it evil on my part, lol, but I promise, whatever questions were unanswered in FOREVER AND A DAY will be answered in FOREVER A LADY and FOREVER A LORD".

Yes very naughty indeed Ms Marvelle! But it worked because I’m reading FOREVER A LADY at the moment!

Filled with fascinating characters, bags of humour, sizzling love scenes, plot twists and romance, FOREVER AND A DAY is another winner from the talented Ms Marvelle!

RATING: 4.5/5

This review is also posted on my blog:

http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...

The Rumor series:

[Rachel (BAVR) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea what happened to this book during the second half, but whatever it was needs to die in a fire. I know I'm being all President Grump-Ass right now, but you'd be disappointed too if the first half of a book was compelling and entertaining, only to devolve into a hurried-up plot mess with more loose ends than those ladies in the Bachelor house. Forever and a Day concluded with such a non-ending that I'm not even sure it meets narrative standards. I want to punch the second half of the book in the face SO BAD right now because my cold, nearly dead heart was actually enjoying itself until the bottom fell out from under the story. Blah. Blech. Belch. Brrr. Let's get to this, shall we?

SUMMARY:
Lord Roderick Gideon Tremayne meets cute with Georgia Milton on Broadway Street, and then disaster strikes. Roderick chases after a kid who lifts Georgia's purse and ends up getting pummeled by an omnibus. When he wakes up, he has no idea who he is. All he remembers are the numerous books he's read, and of course, how to be a gentleman. Roderick's mind is so totally freaked that he thinks his name is Robinson Crusoe, which he goes by ... until his memory sadly comes back. Hilariously, no one in the book seems to understand what "memory loss" means, leading to several awkward conversations of Georgia saying, "He's actin' funny in the head 'cause he can't remember anything." Guilty about the circumstances of his injury, Georgia takes "Robinson" back with her to the Five Points to live in squalor with her until he regains his memory. Georgia was born and raised in New York, but Marvelle makes a point of talking about how Irish she is. So when you think of Georgia, you get the image of this:

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GIFSoup
Viva Ireland!

instead of this:

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As American as apple pie.

In absolutely no time, they're licking each other's tonsils and for-real humping in a public hallway. That's how true love works. But the age-old question eventually rears its ugly head. Can an aristocrat love a filthy poor commoner from AMERICA? As Roderick's memories slowly come back to him, he's torn between duty and his love for Georgia. Will they cross that great ocean together, or will Georgia end up alone and desperate, just one more victim of Robinson Crusoe?

I really enjoyed Georgia's character. She's practical, kind, and doesn't pout about her circumstances. Georgia is the straight-man in her relationship with Robinson. He keeps pledging his undying love and vowing to run away with her (all within the confines of his memory loss), and she keeps saying, "Oy, boy-o, you'll be forgettin' me the moment your memories come back. Now don't be pinin' after a dream!" (And that concludes the single-worst dialect-to-dialogue you will ever see.) Robinson's cool, too, in the beginning. He has a child-like innocence and a strong sense of honor. It was fun reading about him seeing the world through wide new eyes instead of the jaded perspective of a London gentleman.

But then Roderick's memories come crashing back, and the book stutters and dies. In less than 100 pages of text (SPOILERS COMING!):

1. We're gifted with 2 whole chapters dedicated to the story of Roderick's life before he meets Georgia. It's boring and tedious, and his emotional hang-ups aren't given any credibility. He did sleep with his late brother's fiance ONCE and then ran away to Paris when she wouldn't marry him. And his mom died at some point.
2. Roderick decides that the heir to a dukedom can't take a scrawny girl from the streets of NYC back to London with him, so he decides to break it off. However, he whines and pisses and moans about how much it hurts and how much he loves Georgia until I seriously wanted to reach into the book and smack the angst out of him.
3. Roderick's dad, the Duke, starts to play a prominent role in the book. He's in NYC with Roderick to track down his late wife's brother who was somehow disappeared by Roderick's grampy. None of this is given much context. Anyways, the duke tells Roderick that he can't take Georgia to England with him because he'll ruin the girl's life. Because people in London are really damn mean. And stuff.
4. Georgia hatches a plan to stay with Roderick in England. He comes to her to break things off, and she's like, "Shut your mouth right now, boy-o! You just sit on your arse and let me be explainin' things. I'm goin' to hatch a Master Plan to turn me into lady, and then we'll meet again. You just wait and see!" Then she runs out the door, and they don't see each other again for nearly a year.
5. Meanwhile, Georgia and the duke (who's totally in on the "My Fair Lady" scheme) team up with Mr. Astor to enlist people to teach Georgia how to stop being such a filthy commoner. You see, Georgia's just perfect the way she is, but she has to change. Let this be a lesson to all the ladies out there. You must expose yourselves to societal wrath and months of hard work learning to suppress everything that makes you YOU to get a man-child with amnesia to marry you.
6. Lady Something-or-Other is assigned to Georgia to basically taunt the poor out of her. She teaches Georgia to finish her words properly and ... Well, we don't get to see anything else because that part of the book abruptly stops.
7. Fast forward several months, and Georgia's in London being all lady-like and the talk of the Season. Yes. She is now the toast of the Ton.
8. Roderick finally encounters her at a ball, and they reunite in a bedroom. He apologizes a couple of times, and Georgia tells him he has to beg for her. But no sex is had. No sex at all. The only physical encounter these two share in the book is about 100 pages in when they have ravaging sex in a public hallway up against the wall. I don't read these books for the sex (well, not JUST the sex), but it struck me as odd that Marvelle didn't put in a tender, lovers reunited love scene. But nope. There was still another thing ...
9. Roderick's long-lost Uncle Atwood shows up at the ball intending to kill the father that did him wrong (never explained) long ago. So the duke asks Roderick to talk to his uncle, and they do. Roderick convinces the guy not to kill his grampy. Atwood acts very strange and proposes having a threesome with Georgia even though he doesn't know her. Then Atwood rejoins the party, and Roderick heads back to Georgia for ... NOTHING because it cuts right to the epilogue.
10. The epilogue takes place seven years later, and Roderick and Georgia have a daughter with a stupid name I've already forgotten who wants an elephant. With the help of Georgia, the little scamp convinces Roderick to take them to India in place of the elephant, and Georgia's all happy because ... uh ... I'm really not sure what the big deal was with India. They never even discussed it in the book. No scenes of them staring at the stars in the Five Points talking about how they've always wanted to see an elephant in India. Georgia used to dream about settling her own land in Ohio and growing apple trees, but that's never mentioned again when she abandons her entire life for her man.

And that was it. THE END. Oh, and Georgia's stepson who's older than her (from her short-lived marriage at 18 to an older guy) shows up in London, too. Georgia sees him in a park and wonders what he's doing there, but we never get an explanation. I think he may have been with Uncle Atwood, but once again, it's left a mystery. Is this book actually a magic trick? If I tap a magic wand on my Nook three times, will the real ending reveal itself? I'm going to assume that Marvelle's setting up for more books in a series, but that isn't an excuse. The ending was the strangest, most rushed thing I've read in a long time. Even worse, it's implied that Georgia can't stand London society. But then they just stay there. Just 'cause, apparently.

This book could have rated three stars or more if any attention and care had been given to the ending. Like Roderick, Forever and a Day must have been pummeled by an omnibus, hit its head, and forgot the entire first half of the book. Can a book get amnesia? I'm deciding it can.

[Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me so long to write this review that I forgot about it. However, I really need to be a good girl so I’m going back and doing my reviewing duties!!!!

The characters

At the beginning of this book, we have Georgia and “Robinson”. Robinson is not really Robinson, he is in fact Roderick Gideon Tremayne, heir to the Duke of Wentworth. However, at the beginning of the book, Robinson is suffering amnesia due to a head injury so he does not remember his name, his identity or much of anything except characters from books he‘s enjoyed and loved (I‘m guessing if I got bonked in the head, I‘d probably end up living out some of my favorite books as well). Georgia, a widower from the rough streets of New York, takes in Robinson/Roderick, feeling guilt for the way he acquired his injury.

I loved Georgia and Robinson. I am going to call Roderick his amnesia given name because when he was Robinson, he was such a likeable character. He was so innocent-like but also protective and such a gentleman to not only Georgia but to all the women in the neighborhood. Georgia was sassy, strong, and had a heart of gold. She was very protective and would not let anyone take advantage of the people she cared about.

The story

The story involved the interactions between Georgia and Robinson, and once Robinson became Roderick, between Georgia and Roderick. It involved how the differences in class, country and culture can cause misunderstandings, bitterness, and anger.

Once Roderick was Roderick, I didn’t think the book was as good. It became just another historical I-don’t-belong-to-your-class type of story. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t as good. I still enjoyed the characters but felt let down overall. I didn’t know how the author could have made it better, I just wanted it different. It does have your happy ending, I just wanted a different happy ending.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Insh · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Pain is ever so beautiful and divine. Why?
Because it means you’re still breathing."

[rameau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Edit: Since I actually took the time to write a review for this one, I think it's earned its stars. Still a DNF, though.

***

At 50% of the ebook copy I have, I'm giving up. This is going to be a DNF review. If that's not your thing, you really should stop reading now-ish. Also, this is going to be spoilerish up until the point when I decided to jump ship.

Forever and a Day is not a bad book. It actually starts out really well with a cute-meet on the street with two people of two different classes practically bumping into each other and sharing a moment. Of course there needs to be a twist to extend that moment into a novel length story, and this time it comes in the form of an amnesia inducing blow to the head.

The hero gets run over.

This is where the cute moment ends. There are few lines with entertaining period and class appropriate dialogue that kept me interested for a while, but as the story progresses the plot disappears and the sex steps in. The romance is rushed and soon they've moved on from unexpected kisses and inappropriate erections to fecking against the hall wall.

I do not lie. Well, I do sometimes, but not about this.

The hurried romance left me cold. I didn't buy his feelings for nor did I believe she felt anything towards him other than mild guilt for her part in his accident. This however wasn't the worst, the thing that made me quit so early.

What I absolutely hated was the hero's characterisation. The Brit, I could have loved, the Robinson I actively despised. No, it wasn't just about the names, it was about the man flip-flopping from one end of character spectrum to the other in a heartbeat. I simply don't believe his amnesia and general confusion about his past and place in life can explain it. When a person is stripped of his experiences, it should show what he's truly like underneath all that baggage. It should be the golden opportunity for the author to define a clear characterisation that only gets muddled after he regains his memory and is weighed down by his personal history.

When I flounced, Roderick had just regained his memory partially, and to me it's clear that this is the problem with this book. The author tries to tell two love stories in one: The first with the man who can't remember, and the second with the man who can. I just don't think there's enough time to undertake such a huge feat believably especially when the plot elements that were introduced in the beginning remained unused.

There are couple of things I should mention. The author includes social commentary in the form of housing and water pumps, but as enjoyable as I found these elements they end up undermining the main story, especially when a person who is trying to learn something but isn't very good at it uses big words like asunder. (Of course this could have been fixed in the final copy since I received mine, which was an ARC.)

The author also likes quotes. Each chapter starts with a quote of some old and probably well known pieces of literature, and I can only assume they're supposed to demonstrate the hero's education. I don't like quotes. I don't mind a few essential to the plot that are buried within the text or one in the beginning I can skip, but inundating the chapter titles with them distracts from the story itself. I might be saying something different and feel inspired to read those quoted texts had this text spoken to me.

Had I actually finished reading the book, I'd be giving it two stars, but seeing as I didn't and I didn't think it bad enough to deserve a protest one star, I'm going to leave this one unrated.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Diana~ (Kiss Me Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all have come to know and love the classic story, The Prince and the Pauper. But in Delilah Marvelle's version of it, she writes it out as a love story between a poor American woman and a rich aristocrat who eventually loses his memory due to an accident. Forever and a Day is a story about passion, hope, revenge, and eventually happiness. It's not exactly original, but the love story does play out quite well. They both end up falling in love with each other but of course, as all love stories like this play out, the poor versus rich gap is between them. But interestingly, what's different about this book is the fact that the hero ends up giving her up for her own good. What? No, just no. I guess this is the part when things started going downhill for me because you don't give up on a woman who is willing to sacrifice everything for you.

I'm not exactly sure that you can call Georgia's "plan" for Roderick should even be called revenge. It was more of a showing up. And that's exactly what she did. She became the woman that he never expected her to accomplish. Hey, you deserved that Roderick. He was so great in the beginning because I could actually feel the pain that he was experiencing for Georgia. He loves her. Deeply. You just can't ignore that-- which is why I wanted to punch him when he broke it off with her. There's actually a background story that explains the reason why his love life was a complete disaster. For someone who loves so deeply, he would be willing to give up his happiness for the woman that he loves... so I guess I can't really blame him.

Anyway! You'll just have to find how how the story between the Lord and the Pauper turned out to be. I liked this one a lot better than her previous book, The Perfect Scandal . Of course Once Upon a Scandal will always be my favorite! Thank you NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to review this book!

[Delilah Marvelle]

Notes on FOREVER AND A DAY (because I thought it'd be fun!). To those reviewers that read this version via NetGalley and ARCs -- ack! -- the final edition (print and kindle, nook, ect.) is vastly different due to tight scheduling. But you did get the spirit of the book. Various different scenes were added, various dialogue changed, especially pertaining to the hero's father himself.

If you felt like the book ended abruptly, I am ever so pleased to hear it! That means you wanted more and believe me, there is lots more. For those that have ever read my Gallantry series, I like to play with what I call parallel storylines from flip point of views. In each following book of the Rumor series you will see more of the story you didn't get to see in book 1 (pertaining to Georgia and Robinson, Matthew and Lady Burton and yes, Atwood himself). Until you get the whole story with the last book.

Robinson never regains parts of his memory in book 1 for a reason. 1.) Amnesia victims usually don't remember things leading up to the accident itself if they are fortunate enough to regain their memory. 2.) I wanted the reader to see Robinson from a flip point of view without rehashing what readers already read.

Call it evil on my part, lol, but I promise, whatever questions were unanswered in FOREVER AND A DAY will be answered in FOREVER A LADY and FOREVER A LORD. This whole series combines two historical cities I’m madly in love with. New York City and London, set back in 1830. It’s Annie meets Newsies meets Cinderella Man in late Regency. And it’s all connected by the disappearance of a ten year old boy, Lord and heir to the British Sumner estate. Sounds ominous?

Elements of it are, but don’t think it’s dark because that’s not what this series is about. It’s about hope, redemption and above all finding laughter in your world when you thought there was nothing left to laugh about. It brings together all of my own personal angst (like my own brother disappearing from my life) and bringing it together within the confines of a gritty historical world that will give each couple in all three books the happily ever after my brother never got. Despite this series having elements of darkness to it, it swings back toward the happiness and humor I love to write. People will find this series to be very different from my Scandal series. While the Scandal series was all about scandal, the Rumor Series is all based on…you guessed it…rumors. Everyone loves to gossip and everyone has their own opinion of things, but does that make it real? And who does it affect? Each book will take us steadily closer to the truth behind the disappearance of Lord Atwood. It’s all about rising above what everyone THINKS and facing what IS.

[Wicked ♥ (Wickedly Bookish Reviews) aka Bat-Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Wickedly Bookish Reviews
http://wickedlybookish.blogspot.com/

This book was well written, well played out, and I believe will be well loved by romance fans of all kinds. I'm sure there are many amnesia themed romances out there, but this was my first one and I really enjoyed it. I felt like this book really stood out from the masses of historical romance out there in that the characters were wonderfully developed and the circumstances keeping our heroine and hero apart were more realistically observed. There was no magic solution. Society doesn't just look the other way like they do in most historical romances. Georgia actually has to work and make sacrifices in order to be with the man she loves.

I loved the incorporation of classic literature. It completely endeared the hero to me that he woke up from his accident thinking he was Robinson Crusoe. I respected the hero. Once he got his memories back, he didn't have a miraculous change of character. He was the same basic person who happened to learn some lessons about life and love. He didn't delude himself that he could make the ton accept lower class Georgia. He didn't say "Oh, what the hell!" in the name of love. He unselfishly considers the ramifications it would have on Georgia's happiness and well being. This wonderful fact gave Georgia the opportunity to be one of the strongest heroines I have ever read. I was so proud of her by the end. She never swooned and got her way. Everything she got, she had to bust her butt for.

Aside from the main characters, the supporting characters were also well written and well loved. From the hilariously creepy neighbor suffering from a bought of unrequited love, to Georiga's rough and tumble son-in-law, I found myself loving every character in this book.

My only complaint is that the ending was rushed. The majority of the book was fleshed out perfectly, engaging readers in the lives and circumstances of the characters. Georgia's plan to inflitrate the ton was such a fun idea. I really thought it could have been its own book, but wouldn't have minded Marvale making her book a bit longer to incorporate more of how Georgia and Roderick deceive the ton together. I felt cheated out of that part of the book.

Recommendation: Get cozy, make your favorite beverage, and get ready for a romance read that will take you across the emotional spectrum and leave you cheering for a strong heroine. No wilting violets here!

[Fae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was alright.

I did think it could have been better though. Their chemistry and bantering was okay but I didn’t see how they fell for each other. How Georgia fell for Roderick who didn’t know a thing about his past, and how Roderick fell for Georgia who helped him like a decent human would.

While Georgia did share her back story with Roderick, he did not share much of his with her, even after regaining his memories in the second half of the book—which brings me to my point of not being able to understand how she fell for him when she knew nothing about him, except that he is helpful and a nice guy. My issue is that it was unbelievable to me how they fell in love without knowing each other that well & within such a short time frame of spending time with each other.

The book wasn’t bad, it had the structure and plot, but the author did not focus on the things that mattered—which is the relationship building between Roderick & Georgia. Both of their back stories were lacking in depth and could have been elaborated. The author should have made Roderick share more of himself with Georgia.

At times, it felt to me that Rod and Geor were talking too much about nothing at all, things that didn’t matter. Those conversations could have been changed into more meaningful topics that allowed them to understand each other better.

It didn’t help that my feelings towards them were lukewarm at best, as I could not find myself loving them or sympathizing with them. They were only alright.

The part with Atwood bored me so I skimmed most of it.

This book had the potential to be a great book but unfortunately the author did not utilize it to the fullest potential. So many plot holes were not solved/done properly. The romance between Rod & Geor, what happened to John and Matthew, whether Georgia got her apple trees, what Rod did in the time he did not see Georgina etc.

The last chapter and epilogue also did not cover the actual courting, proposal, marriage and the ton’s reaction to their marriage. It was rushed straightaway to them with their children.

I will read the next 2 books in this series and see if it’s better.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good! I wasn't sure about this book in the beginning, but both characters grew on me. The plot kept me reading, and of course, I was waiting for the happily ever after.

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: December 27, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN Books
Author’s Website: http://www.delilahmarvelle.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, The Rumor
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read. I don’t often read historicals involving a Duke yet set in the Americas, so this was a refreshing change from the same old same old in historicals of the time period. Georgia’s honorable nature and Robinson’s somewhat sketchy past, as well as his amnesia, made for all sorts of interesting plot twists, and some lovely sexual tension.

The story got wonderfully angsty once Robinson began to recover his memory, and it looked as though their relationship was truly doomed, but Georgia’s quick thinking makes even the impossible possible.

The only thing that kept this one from being a 4.5 or even 5-star read was the ending. While their relationship was fairly settled, it still seemed incredibly abrupt, as it seemed to have set things up for her to make him beg and crawl, as well as expound on what happened during the rest of the Season. I quite literally turned the last page then had to double check to make sure my Kindle file wasn’t missing part of the book.

Overall, however, this was a quite enjoyable read. I loved both Robinson and Georgia, and everything they went through to be together, and I can’t wait to read more of the series to find out what actually happened with his uncle.

A solid 4/5 Stars.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

uuuuugh!!!! I can't wait for the next book. (Funny coming from me right?) Well, I mean if you KNOW about me. Anyway. This book was incredible. Not at all predictable, not at all on a timetable, not at all what you'd expect. It's amazing, all the maundering was missing. It was incredible. And the hotness! HAWT! Seriously, we made her read the first smexxy time scene for Denver Lady Jane's and the room was blushing. BLUSHING!!

It was beyond fabulous and it ended and I was so sad. I can't WAIT for the the next book. ATWOOD!! Yes I have internet tourettes. I just love this author.

There was no WTFckry, I did not want to throw my iPad across the room, no eye rolling and just about got launched form the elliptical trainer at the gym.

Therefore, get thee to the store, and read this book. I'm about to read it again.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

***original review posted at Romancing Rakes***

Oh sweet Jesu, where do I even begin with this review. So many thoughts are running through my head and what are or are not spoilers. I spent 5 hours starting in the dead of night reading this book and let me tell you, it was worth having an addled brain in the morning. Ah-mazingly Marvelleous. I thought my fan girl crush on Delilah Marvelle couldn't grow anymore but holy feck! It has. A lot.

Reasons to read this book:
1. Sassy, sassy, sassy: Georgia Milton has got quite the mouth on her. From the moment she meets The Brit, she's got quite the quip/repartee repertoire. He asks her for coffee, she tells him to get lost. He asks her again, she tells him she's not looking for a one night toss. Even when the poor Brit gets run over and loses his memory, she's still witty and quick.

2. The Brit: Also known as Robinson Crusoe (after he loses his memory chasing down the ruffian who stole Georgia's reticule) and later known as Roderick Gideon Tremayne, a total Hottie McHottiepantsbreeches. He's ever so persistent when trying to get Georgia to have coffee with him. Poor sap, he'll never see what's coming.

3. The Prince and the Pauper(ette): As Delilah (why yes, we're on a first name basis) dubbed her book. The Brit goes from being a well to do lord with all the luxuries money can buy to a man who pumps water for googly-eyed women, eating yams from a street vendor, falls in love with a woman below his station, dances awkwardly, believes he's Robinson Crusoe, remembers stories from books but doesn't remember his own name, who his family is and if he has a wife or not.

4. My Fair Lady(ish): Okay, so no 'Enry 'Iggins 'ere. After find out who he really is, Roderick wants to marry Georgia (all or nothing) but wants her to be accepted by the snooty London ton. He tells her she must act a lady. Oh, basically loose who she really is and be someone else. But then realizes he must give her up and do what duty requires (duty can go hang for all I care). Enter the volumptuous Lady Burton. She teaches Georgia a thing or two about being a lady, especially how to talk; it's hanging not hangin'. [flashback: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain]

5. There's a mystery afoot. If you haven't read FOREVER MINE, you're missing out. Roderick's uncle was taken from his hotel room in New York City as a young child. He's been missing for a long time but Roderick is looking for him thanks to the pieces of the map his mother had hidden in books. That's the reason why he's in New York in the first place.

6. Holy feck: Feck, feck, feck! Everyone in the book likes to use that word and you'll be using it instead.

7. Because Delilah Marvelle Wrote It! Is there any other reason? The woman has a way with getting the reader invested into the story, flipping page after page without wanting to put the book down. The emotions flow freely, the touches are sizzling off the pages and good lord almighty! dark and dangerous come out to play.

FAVORITE QUOTES(what? I couldn't pick just one):

"He tightened his jaw and glanced toward the young woman sitting beside him on the bench. Georgia. Like the state. Who the hell named their daughter after a state? It would be like naming one's daughter Paris. It be-spoke of too much grandeur with very little to show."

"Unlike you, sir, I'm lookin' to marry. Not dance. A woman of little means, such as myself, need a dependable relationship that will forever and a day. Not your version of a day and a night." (***quotes subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: Seriously, Delilah Marvelle's got a hit on her hands. In typical Delilah fashion, she's got me laughing, sighing, crying, gasping, shouting (very quietly since I finished this in the early morning: 5 hours of nonstop reading and spastic tweeting) at the heroine to shut up and give the hero a chance already and wanting more, so much more after finishing. My love for Delilah Marvelle's stories have grown a zillion-fold *sigh* 1 part The Prince and the Pauper(ette) plus 1 part My Fair Lady(ish) equals Me, Lost in Marvelle™ for 5 hours.

***review copy from Netgalley***

[Mary Gramlich · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOREVER and a DAY by Delilah Marvelle
Book #1 in the The Rumor Series
12/11 - Harlequin - Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Will I be the same person inside, if I change how I appear on the outside?

When you come from poverty and live with it every day of your life, it becomes not only who you are but how you survive. For Georgia Milton a young widow makes her life thrive by doing tasks for others in the rugged streets of early 1800’s New York. Survival is an existence but dreams are never forgotten and Georgia is determined to pursue hers. When she meets what she knows is a British aristocrat she tries to lose him knowing nothing good will come of this relationship. The circumstances that take this man from an unknown annoyance to living in her house still baffles Georgia but she is nothing if not responsible.

The man no longer knows his true name and thinks himself to be “Robinson Crusoe” which is even remotely possible. All this memory loss is due to an unfortunate accident, which Georgia feels was her fault since it occurred while he was defending her honor. There are many things she does not know but this man but Georgia believes there is a family looking for him. He is too refined and cultured to not have people that care for his existence, and want him back despite her not wanting to let him go. Georgia shows him how to survive on the streets where staying alive when the sun goes down is not as easy as it should be. “Robinson” adapts to his life with Georgia and each day finds them more than emotionally bound, as it is almost magical when they kiss.

Both Georgia and “Robinson” have dark secrets and hidden pain they keep tucked away so no one can see. They have the ability to heal and soothe the ache they both long for in a relationship but will that be allowed to happen. When the knock on the door comes with men who know, who “Robinson” really is and where he truly belongs, will he be able to keep the life he quickly created with Georgia or does his real life completely collide with hers? Both are up for a challenge but each wonders what decision is right – stay together or separate.

When a reader seeks historically accurate, romantically inclined, and dramatic excitement, always pick up a Delilah Marvelle book. This new series starts off with a jolt, taking the reader on a fast paced ride with so much going on you think you might get lost but Ms. Marvelle writes a tale so deep with description and detail you never miss a beat except maybe a few of your own heart beats as you prepare for the next adventure.

[Jennifer (Moonlight_Rendezvous) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Milton has seen her share of hardships, living in poverty after losing her husband, she struggles to make ends meet. One day while walking down Broadway she notices a handsome wealthy man who is definitely out place among the people of New York City. This dark-haired stranger struggles to get her attention and is injured trying to save Georgia’s belongings from a young thief. Roderick Tremayne wakes up after the accident with no recollection of who he is and Georgia takes him into her home until his true family can be located. The two never imagined that they would find a love like no other and Roderick doesn’t care if he ever returns home. He wants to stay with his beautiful savior forever until one day his memory returns and his true relatives have come to retrieve him. Georgia and Roderick are from completely different worlds and their love may not be enough for her to be accepted among his peers. But Georgia has a plan that may help them both achieve their happy ending, bringing her back to Roderick’s side for good.

I absolutely adore this author! Every book that I have read from her just keeps getting better and better. I liked the story where they met and he lost his memory so he was able to jump into her world without reservations and helped her with everything that she needed to do to live. Georgia was so used to having a hard life and being associated with unsavory characters but that is what made her who she was. I loved that she had this great giving nature where she took Roderick into her home when she didn’t have to. The passion and chemistry between these two characters was amazing and you could see that they weren’t going to separate from one another without a fight. One of the best parts of this book is the ending where Georgia was finally able to enter Roderick’s social circle after spending time apart with hilarious results. Great book by a great author. Can’t wait to read the next installment in this series.

[Kelly at · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my sweet, sweet Delilah, you had me perplexed in this book, but in a good way. From the get go I was trying too hard to figure out who everyone was from Forever mine. And when I finally found out, I bawled like a baby. Oh course I can’t say what or who, but OH MAN!!!!

Forever & A day is book one in Delilah Marvelle’s Rumor series released on Dec 20, 2011. In Forever & a Day we find Georgia suddenly in charge of a man with no past, well he has a past he just can’t remember it.

The struggle that Georgia and Robinson go through to understand, cope and ultimately love each other was great. Georgia is a strong and feisty woman who knows what and who she wants out of life. Unlike Robinson who doesn’t remember anything of his past life. But he does know that he doesn’t care who he was, all he know is that he wants Georgia. That is until he learns who is really is…..

If you loved Delilah’s Scandal series you will love the Rumor series. So go grab this book and learn how Rumors get started.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read any of Delilah Marvelle's books, so I thought I would try one out. This book was odd. The first half of the book was ok.....not horrible, but kind of dragging along. I was waiting for something to happen. Well midpoint thru the book, she started throwing everything in there at once. Yardleys history, a missing uncle, his memory came back...and then this crazy idea of him leaving her behind. And then she comes to England and all is well. It was entirly too rushed the last half. The book wasnt bad, but not really that good either.

[D.G.]

DNF at 50%

I really like the narrator but the book is ALL over the place. If he has ready money, why did she take him to a tenement? The first love scene was crass instead of sexy and I couldn't believe how fast they are confessing their undying love!

Not liking it enough to continue.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ally - per RFS
.
Se non credete nel destino, dopo questo libro cambierete idea.

La scrittura di questa bellissima storia, ambientata fra Londra e New York nel 1830, dona al romanticismo un’importanza centrale.

Due mondi distanti possono veramente incontrarsi e convivere grazie all’amore?

Il libro ci insegna che se l’amore è vero nulla diventa impossibile, e il sacrificio viene ripagato sempre.

Georgia Emily Milton non ha mai avuto una vita facile. Ha perso la madre da piccolissima e il padre quando non era ancora adolescente; suo marito è morto giovane, d’infarto, dopo sette settimane di matrimonio. Conosce la fame e il freddo più di quanto sia accettabile, ma tutta la sofferenza l’ha trasformata in una donna forte e di carattere.

Nulla la spaventa, e il suo più grande sogno è trasferirsi a Ovest e comprare un acro di terreno per coltivare e vivere di ciò che produce. Per questo motivo risparmia da anni ogni penny.

Tuttavia un incontro sulla bella strada di Broadway, nella trafficata New York, le cambierà la vita.

Un gentiluomo le rivolge la parola. Lui è così bello e colto, ma lei è una donna forgiata dalla strada e ci vuole ben altro che un bel faccino.

Il caso vuole che le rubino la borsa mentre discutono e il gentiluomo, rincorrendo il ladro, finisce per essere investito da un omnibus.

La povera Georgia si trova così a dover dare asilo all’uomo che, a causa della botta alla testa presa durante l’incidente, è affetto da amnesia e non ricorda più nulla, nemmeno il suo nome, tanto che dice di chiamarsi Robinson Crusoe e di essere un pirata.

Cosa improbabile, visto il suo abbigliamento e i beni che ha con sé.

Il giovane infatti presenta dei modi estremamente raffinati, che solo una persona cresciuta in un ambiente aristocratico può possedere. Ma anche il suo buon cuore si rivela subito, nel suo essere gentile e altruista, nonostante la confusione e la frustrazione per la sua situazione. Non ricordare la propria identità deve essere una delle cose più spaventose che si possono provare.

I due scopriranno che li lega un’attrazione intensa e difficile da gestire. Come potrà Georgia credere alle promesse d’amore di un uomo che non ricorda nulla della propria vita prima del risveglio in ospedale?

Due persone così diverse possono cambiare per amore?

Questo libro è una vera e propria avventura, ci condurrà in due mondi opposti, facendoci vivere un’esperienza diversa dai soliti romanzi storici ambientati nelle splendenti sale dell’alta società.

Il valore delle persone infatti non viene decretato dai beni che possiedono, ma dal loro animo. È questa la lezione che mi porterò nel cuore quando ripenserò a questa storia d’amore, un amore che attraversa gli oceani.

Perché per realizzare un sogno devi continuare a lottare affinché si realizzi.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure how to describe this book. It was different, in a wonderful way. It begins with an introduction to Georgia. She lives and works in a less than prosperous area of New York. She takes in laundry to make ends meet with a dream to save up enough to head west. Fate puts her in the path of Roderick, a London aristocrat, who finds her beguiling. Trying to attract her, he ends up being hit by a carriage and suffers complete memory loss. Georgia feels responsible and takes him in. Naturally, they fall in love. She calls him Robinson because that's the only name he remembers.

Once he is found by his family, it is clear that she won't fit into his world. He is devastated by reality. His father intervenes and arranges for Georgia's remake into someone the Ton will accept. Months later, she reappears in London where they eventually have their HEA.

Throughout the book is the secondary thread of Robinson's uncle. He had been lost as a child in New York and his mother never gave up looking for him. He reappears at the end, but we don't know his story. I wonder if that is a future book in this series. I hope so. Loved these characters.

[WLL413 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good! The couple was sweet. There could’ve been more sex scenes though. Looking forward to the next one!

[Amanda Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Always be the woman I know you to be. Be the one who wishes to go west when everyone else is going south. For that is the only woman I could ever allow myself to love. Because I need a woman to do more than love me. I need a woman willing to fight for me even when I am unable to fight for myself."

Redonk Nutshell: Man and woman from two different worlds struggle to work out their class differences to be together

I'm such a sucker for regency romances set in New York City. For the win, baby! I was hooked from page one in Ms. Marvelle's latest, Forever and a Day. Georgia Milton is a fiercely independent Irish American making the best of her lower class life in NYC's Five Point district. When a handsome British man tries to tackle the thief of her reticule and gets a nasty knock on the head, she feels guilty. Her guilt increases when Brit awakens having no memory of who he is. She reluctantly agrees to take him in, and over the next several days they get to know each other, and of course, a forbidden attraction ensues.

When Brit finally remembers who he is, it's plainly obvious that he and Georgia wouldn't be permitted to stay together. He would have to give up his life (which he considers) or have her pretend to be someone she's not (which she considers). What we get is a tug-of-war between two stubborn headed, love sick crazy people who are desperate to stay together and prove everyone around them wrong.I



It feels natural to think of this book in three parts. Part 1: Robinson meets Georgia

There are so many ways an amnesia story could go wrong, but Ms. Marvelle handles it with ease. What makes it work are her characters. There's no deception involved - Georgia makes it plain to her Brit from the first moment that she has no desire to get involved with him or make things complicated. He's inclined to agree, but he can't help the pull she has over him. Georgia is blunt with her words and thoughts, having no desire or need to sugar coat things. She grew up in the toughest neighborhood around, after all, where sugar coating gets you dirked. Our Brit, who briefly believed himself to be named Robinson Crusoe, is reluctant to allow her to "dirty him up" so she can safely sneak him into her neighborhood unnoticed:

"I'm not at all comfortable with you touching me or undressing me. You are, after all, a very attractive woman and I would hate for this to progress beyond anything either of us would be able to control once passion is fully unleashed."

She set her hands on her hips. What a cad.

"If I were lookin' to progress things, Robinson, I'd be going straight for the trousers. Rest assured, a man's throat never once made me moan and I highly doubt yours will either."

He stared at her, his expression strained. "Refrain from talking to me in such crass tones."

"I wouldn't have to talk at all if you were cooperatin'. Now cease bein' so damn stupid. I'm here to help."

The banter between these two is wonderful. Despite Georgia's coarse upbringing, she is a compassionate and heartfelt person who truly wants to help Robinson. Robinson, meanwhile, finds himself truly struggling with his memory loss and his complete inability to know what kind of man he is. Which brings us to Part 2: Robinson meets Yardley

So now we know who Robinson is. By the way, I'm not telling. See if you can convince yourself to go into this book without reading too much about it. That's what I did, and I'm glad for it. I had NO idea who Robinson was, and I think it really added perspective to it. Once our boy remembers who he is, he struggles with the realities of his relationship with Georgia. The problem is that he truly loves her, and his station in life wouldn't accept her as who she is. While Robinson isn't against leaving behind his life of privilege, he realizes there are many who look to him to shoulder the responsibility of his title. In other words - expectations; he haz them. He considers taking Georgia with him, but then changes his mind, knowing that Georgia would never truly find happiness in the shell of an aristocrat.

Which brings Part 3: Georgia Transforms herself to meet Yardley

With the help of eccentric friends in high places, Georgia manages to transform herself from a gutter rat to a refined lady in order to enter into Yardley's circle of friends. He doesn't see her coming, and when he realizes what she's done, he's floored. And awed. And humbled.

The story has its flaws - there were times I wanted to smack Robinson because of his back-and-forth notions, as well as Georgia for being so quick to crawl when she realizes her pauper is a "prince." There are some subplots that deterred my attention from the main story, minor arcs that didn't really pan out for me. Regardless, I really enjoyed Robinson and Georgia's story. It's an uphill battle in the name of passion, a war raged with witty strategy and poignant reality.

[Shirlene]

Georgia Milton was walking home when she noticed a man watching her. He approached her and asked her if she wanted to go somewhere for a cup of coffee. Georgia noticed that he was an attractive British man. She assumed that he wanted to a have her sleep with him for one night. She told him that the didn't look like a forever and a day man so she would not have coffee with him at his hotel ask he had requested. A child ran by her and cut her purse off her arm and ran off. The gentleman pursued the boy and was hit by an omnibus. This put him in the hospital with amnesia.
Georgia felt guilty and came by to check on him. She had been married before but her husband no longer lived. His name had been Raymond. The doctor gave Georgia the money he had in his wallet and suggested she take him home and care for him until his memory returned. The man called himself Robinson Crusoe. The doctor had to explain to Georgia that it was the name of a fictional character from a book.
Georgia took him home from the hospital after telling him that Raymond had died and she had a son named Matthew who was older than she was. She was 22 while Raymond had been 53. Matthew wasn't actually her son but Raymond's. Georgia removed the silver buttons from his jacket and threw coffee on him to stain his white linen shirt. She also removed his tie, telling him that where she lived the men were poor. She was dressing him down to the manner of those where she lived. He didn't understand anything but the fact that he found her attractive.
They took the bus to her tenement home. While on the way, he asked to kiss Georgia and she let him. After they arrived, they heard a neighbor having sex with a prostitute while using her name. Robinson yelled at him through the wall to shut up and the neighbor came to the room to complain. He was not happy to see Robinson there with Georgia and left after attempting to strike Robinson who was 6 ft. 2 and a head and 1/2 taller than he was. John went to find Matthew and tell him. Matthew arrived in the morning to wake them up. Matthew soon changed his challenging attitude when Robinson gave him $40. Georgia then explained to Robinson how she was left in charge of a group of men called the Forty Thieves. They were a group of thieves that were trying to change things around them. The men were taught to read and write by Matthew and his partner, Coleman, taught them to fight and live on the streets. They looked out for each other and it was thought to be a privilege to be a part of this group. They were Irish and Negro. Raymond had started the group and when he died, Georgia was treated as if she were the queen of the group. They protected her too.
Georgia's plans were to save up enough money to head west and buy some property and support herself. She intended to marry again someday but on her own terms. Raymond had found her after her father had gone missing from the docks and her landlord wanted her body to pay the rent. Raymond had found her sleeping in his coal bin and taken her in. She had fallen in love with him even though he was much older. She was safe and had a place to live where she was happy.
Matthew left with the money Robinson had given him and promised to return with some clothes. They kissed again but Georgia put a stop to it and explained that she didn't want to get too involved with him until they found out who he was. She didn't want either one of them to get hurt while suspecting that it was mostly herself that she was trying to protect.
The next morning they woke up and Georgia began to work on the laundry that she took in to earn a living. Robinson asked to help and she sent him for water. He got to the pump and saw the poor condition of the women there and pumped water for them until his hands were raw. Georgia came looking for him and took him home. She insisted that he not return and they argued. They ended up making love in the hallway outside her apartment.
She decided to go dancing a few days later and they ran into John on their way to the dance. The three of them went together and John ended up drunk. Robinson remembered that he knew how to dance the waltz and wanted to leave when his head started to ache. John picked a fight with him.
John came by in the morning to apologize and to bring the police with him. It turned out that Robinson was the son of a duke. He met his father who he didn't remember and found out that he was from London and single. Robinson remembered that he was Viscount Roderick Gideon Tremayne. He and his father started to leave when he had the carriage stopped and ran back to get Georgia. His father refused to allow him to marry but he asked Georgia if she would go to London with him. It took some persuading but she agreed.
Tremayne returned to his hotel room and looked around. He didn't remember a thing. I changed clothes and a mourning band fell out of clothing. He didn't know who it was for. He then noticed some books sitting by his bed. He went to look through the books and his memory returned. He remembered they were a gift from his mother.
His childhood had been spent with his fighting to learn through reading. His brother spent his time pestering Tremayne to play with him. He was always aggressive and carrying a sword to hit Tremayne with. His mother allowed him to pursue his learning while his father wanted him to play and be more like other boys. His brother was called Yardley for the title he would inherit as the oldest son. He was allowed to get away with more mischief and was spoiled due to his being the heir. Tremayne was very intelligent though his pursuit of reading and knowledge. His mother gave him a gift of 10 books when he was 12 and she was pregnant. Tremayne hoped for a girl due to the behavior of his brother.
His mother was 16 years younger than his father and Tremayne did his best to read all 10 books before the baby was born. The baby girl and his mother both died and Tremayne was left with a strip of paper his mother had put in each of the 10 books and it held a map of NY City. He asked his father the meaning of the map and his father tried to destroy it so Tremayne hid it.
His mother wanted him to be a great scholar and he was allowed to attend Oxford at 14 and got his first degree at 16. By the time he was 19, he had seven degrees. He had become known for his intelligence but his father was disappointed because he had no interest in girls and was yet a virgin. Tremayne wanted to please his father so he started searching for a wife. He thought he had found her in Margaret. He had talked to his brother and told him of his interest in her and finally worked up the nerve to send a note asking for permission to see her. He went to visit and found out that his brother had asked for her hand in marriage and Margaret's mother had agreed to it two days prior. Margaret didn't know and was extremely disappointed while Tremayne left angry. He told Margaret's mother that his brother had no interest in Margaret had only asked to marry Margaret because he knew that Tremayne was interested in her. The mother kicked Tremayne out of her house.
It was a week before the wedding when Margaret snuck over to see Tremayne late one night. She began kissing Tremayne and they both lost their virginity that night. Tremayne was convinced they could sneak away and be married and things would fall into place for them. Margaret refused to go with him because of what she would inherit by marrying his brother. She also wasn't willing to go against her own mother. Tremayne left London and went to Paris. He didn't stay for the wedding.
He was in Paris for almost 6 months and missed home. He had decided to come home and retrieve the maps and see what he could find out about the maps of NY. He was surprised to see mourning wreaths at his father's house. He learned that his brother had died of typhus.
His father informed him that he was now the heir and that he needed to go see his brother's wife and comfort her. He knew that she would try to carry on where they had left off and Tremayne was not willing to do that. He refused to see her so she came to see him. She did indeed try to pick up where they left off but he told her he would have nothing to do with her because his wealth meant more to her than he did.
Tremayne found out that his father had sold his books to a dealer in NY and his father told him that his wife, Tremayne's mother, had a brother in NY. He had been taken from his family while they were visiting there. The map was made of where her brother had last been seen. She had wanted Tremayne to see if he could find out what happened to him. She suspected her own father had something to do with his disappearance.
Tremayne talked his father into going to NY with him to find his uncle. They had been in NY for 7 months and they had found the uncle. He was not yet willing to return to London but had told them that he would in time. They were planning on returning to London when Tremayne had not returned to the hotel.
Tremayne was now convinced that Georgia would never be accepted by the ton in London and he was set to break things off with her for good. His father got himself drunk and went to see Georgia. He told her what Tremayne was going to do and they came up with a scheme to get people in the states to see her as a wealthy widow and she would come to London with the beginning of the Season. She would meet Tremayne there and would be accepted as into London's society enough to allow them to marry.
Tremayne went to break things off with Georgia and was surprised to hear her send him on his way telling him that she would see him in the spring. It would 10 months before they would see each other again and she had things to do to make her place as a wealthy widow in the States so that she would be acceptable to London society. It was Tremayne's father's money that would allow this farce to be fabricated.
Georgia was taken to the home of Mr. Astor, a friend of Roderick's father. She was instructed on how to be a lady and accepted into London Society. It was 10 months later, in April, that she arrived in London. She was invited to a ball given by Lord Wentworth, Roderick Tremayne's father, and was introduced once again to him. He almost didn't recognize her due to the changes in her attitude and he weight gain encouraged to enlarge the size of her breasts. She nearly fainted and he took her upstairs to rest. It was there that Lord Wentworth found them and told Roderick that their uncle had also arrived in London and was in the library downstairs. Roderick went downstairs to talk Atwood out of killing his father for what he had arranged in the States. Atwood agreed to not yet kill his parents.
It was seven years later that Ballad Jane, Roderick and Georgia's daughter, came into their room and told them that she wanted an elephant. They agreed to take her on a trip to India to see one. Georgia was now Lady Yardley.

[Nita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the old amnesia trope. I was a bit worried going in. This story could have turned out really bad. I can only think of one other story where the plot device of amnesia worked for me (Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris). And this one did too, for the most part.

At the beginning of the book we meet Georgia Milton as she makes her way down a street in New York City. She accidentally bumps into another lady, and the ribbon holding her bonnet is rescued by a British gentleman. Georgia can tell right away that he is obviously very wealthy. So when he asks her to coffee at his hotel, she says no. She assumes he is really asking for something else, and she knows nothing good could come out of such a dalliance between a man of his wealth and poor New York woman. As she keeps walking her bag is snatched by a boy, and the gentleman chases after him. By the time she catches up to them, the man has been hit by an omni. He is rushed to the hospital and after 10 days of care, the doctor declares he has "memory loss".

Feeling guilty, she ends up taking him in, while the doctor tries to discover who he actually is. The two days they are together before he is finally discovered by his father are fun. Georgia can be quite crude. She says it how she sees it. And even though Robinson (what they have decided to call him while he has the memory loss) can remember his manners and repeatedly asks Georgia to please control her language, he falls for her from the start. There attraction for each other is quite heated, and between their banter and heated looks they decide they like each other very much. Of course this is when Robinson's father shows up, and he finds out who he really is. His memory finally resurfaces.

At this point you want to shake Robinson until he gets some sense. He begs Georgia to go with him back to England and after she agrees, he changes his mind. He won't see reason, even after Georgia comes up with a plan that will accept her into society. Even though I was frustrated with Robinson, I really liked the fact that it was the woman who ends up taking action so they can be together. Robinson decides not to see past their class differences, but Georgia saw a way for them to be together. And she gets a little revenge for his stupidity.

The side-plot involved the reason for his being in New York City with his father in the first place. It involves the wishes of his dead mother and a map she gave him when he was a child. It was interesting, but almost all of it was told to us, and not really shown in any way. It seemed almost overly complicated to create just to get him in New York City, but was very simply concluded.

Also a couple things were presented and then never explained. Robinson gets all of his memory back, except for his time in New York before the amnesia. Why? This doesn't make any sense to me. Second, Georgia ends up running into a couple guys from her poor neighborhood in London. She is able to hide who she is from them, so as not to ruin her plans. It is the most random, unbelievable and unnecessary coincidence, mostly because it is never ever explained.

But overall, I enjoyed. Georgia and her mouth made up for everything.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

[Dabney · Rating 1 out of 5]

The hero of Ms. Marvelle's latest is in the very first chapter in the book, crashed into by an omnibus on a busy New York street. When he wakes, he's an amnesiac, unable to remember anything about himself or his life. He can remember bits and pieces from what turns out to be his favorite book as a child, Robinson Crusoe, and takes the name of Defoe's protagonist as his own. Ms. Marvelle's Robinson's fate is joined, not to a man named for a day of the week, but with a woman named for a state: a Mrs. Georgia Wilder. I recall struggling to finish — at age 15 - Mr. Defoe's novel.  Forever and a Day  wasn't quite as taxing, but it, too, was a trial to read.

The book is divided into three sections and ends with an epilogue; all three core components were wearisome in different ways. The first part of the tale is downright baffling. As the novel begins, Georgia is hurrying home to her tenement in Five Points when she spots a fine looking gent walking her way. He's tall, dark-haired, handsome, and clearly very wealthy. She inadvertently stumbles into him and he immediately, politely, propositions her. Georgia, despite finding him quite the dish, declines. Their initial encounter is somewhat incomprehensible. He's quite insistent that she join him at his hotel for coffee and I hadn't any idea why. Ms. Marvelle doesn't describe Georgia in any detail other than to point out she's Irish, red-headed, and poor. I wondered what it was about her that so entranced this unnamed British toff. Then, suddenly and melodramatically, Georgia's purse is nicked by a pickpocket; her Brit - as she thinks of him - takes off after the thief, and while in pursuit, is run over by a bus. Georgia has him taken to a hospital - she feels responsible for his injury - where for nine days, he lies in a coma. When he wakes, he recalls nothing of his life before that moment. No one has claimed him and, unable to think of a better alternative, Georgia takes him home with her.

Within a day and a half of living with Georgia - and after having crude sex with her in the public hallway of her apartment building - Robinson, as he and Georgia have come to call him, is in love. He's not just in love, he's sure that nothing in life has ever been or could ever be as important to him as being with this woman he's just met while he’s suffering from a traumatic brain injury . Georgia, for her part, falls in love as well, but she's convinced such a dazzling, well-heeled, kindhearted, upper-class gentleman will, once he regains his memory and his life, leave the likes of her behind. Their few days together, supplemented with heaps of history about 1830s New York, comprises the first part of this book. At its end, Robinson has indeed reclaimed his memory, his father has come to claim him, and in a hurried and awkward ending, all parties involved must make painful choices.

click here to read the rest of the review at All About Romance.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgia Emily Milton is one awesome heroine! I just loved her enthusiasm and straight forward manner. She was one strong and formidable female.

The life she led in Five Points, one of the slums of New York in 1830 America, was not easy for our heroine. But then, nothing ever came easy for this young and beautiful, but poor widow.

She was picked out of a coal bin as a teenager by her beloved Raymond who already was a father of two boys. After his death, she gets a hold of a dream of owning her own property out west, in Ohio and she’s determined to save every penny, nickel and dime to do what her Raymond taught her she had a right to want: the universe.

A dream she never dreamt, and is no dream at all but a reality was the one in which she meets an attractive and wealthy man who she thinks can only see her as a “one night commodity”.

This man approaches her and she finds him attractive, but the voice inside is telling her, he’s not for her and he never could or would be. However, our hero would not be deterred, and slowly he gets her to smile and they both start flirting with each other and out of the blue a kid steps in and nabs Georgia’s reticule. As both give chaise after the thief, our hero is waylaid and knocked unconscious by an omnibus.
Georgia is filled with guilt as she later finds out that the man is now suffering from memory loss and the only name he remembers and wants to be called is-Robinson Crusoe.

As she and the doctor that’s treating him are trying to find who he is, she has no choice but to take him home to her tenement apartment.

She’s aware that even with his memory loss, this man will be like a fish out of water in her world at Five Points,

I loved the scene in the hospital, in which she ‘prepares’ his clothes and ‘repairs’ his appearance for ‘her neighborhood’.

‘Robinson’ felt very protective of this young woman who selflessly gave him protection and security, when he felt most vulnerable and lost. His attraction to her was instantaneous, but he tried very hard to act a gentleman and he might have made it, if our heroine hadn’t been one force of nature! One more thing I loved from the first scene to the last was the dialogue between the two! It made me laugh out loud and cry!

Ms. Marvelle gave me a romance that was scorching hot, yet tender. The attraction and the chemistry between the two sizzled and the love scenes were very sensual and steamy. She also took me on a journey from the slums of America to the high society of London and I enjoyed every minute of it!

I am thrilled to give this book my five quills and I’ll never forget this story that takes two people who can’t be more different in every way, yet their love and passion for each other was limitless and able to bridge every obstacle thrown their way.

Are you ready for a heart wrenching, nail-biting, funny and unbelievably passionate love story? If you are, grab yourself a copy and enjoy ‘Forever and a Day’.

Melanie for Romantic Crush Junkies Reviews eZine

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read two of Marvelle's previous romances and enjoyed them even though they're a bit darker with heavier subject matter and language than the fluffy Regency romances I usually peruse. This one looked to be in a similar vein to Marvelle's other works so I boldly took the plunge.

It ended up being sort of a mishmash with lots of great individual parts that didn't completely cohere for me. First there's Mrs. Georgia Milton, an Irish-American widow, meeting a posh aristo on the streets of New York City; minutes later, he's unconscious and in hospital. This was a very short part and it didn't really endear the male to me as he seemed extremely forward but I suppose it speaks of their instantaneous connection, which will be referenced later.

Then the male wakes up with near-complete memory loss; he calls himself Robinson Crusoe and can remember parts of that book as well as others but not his own name or life story. Georgia agrees to room him while a search is conducted for his identity. Here we learn Georgia's story, how she's fought for everything she has. We see how she was married and widowed and she and Robinson forge a passionate relationship. This only lasts about a day before "Robinson"'s father shows up and announces him as an heir to a dukedom who needs to return to England. This part had its moments but was fairly boring as they're just living an ordinary life in a rough part of New York City. I confess a weakness for society balls in Regency romances rather than "ordinary" historical life.

Robinson or Roderick as he is actually named is willing to return but, after confirming his bachelor status, wants to bring Georgia as his bride, an idea his father rejects. What would the ton think of this rough American woman? They would rip her to shreds. Roderick hesitatingly gives Georgia up. But she's not through with him yet as the final part demonstrates. We also learn Roderick's backstory-in fact there's a lot of flashbacks throughout to sketch out the main characters. I didn't hate that but it's not my preferred idea of how a romance story should be told. I also didn't really click with either main character, which is bad for a romance.

Hands down, my favorite part was the ending when Georgia shows up after about nine months, thoroughly transformed into an American heiress and boy does she make Roderick crawl and pay for the pain he had put her through! It was a very short section but also the most enjoyable in my opinion. While I wasn't super invested in their love story, I still like to cheer when two people fall and fight for each other.