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Inevitable Love #3
Igniting the Countess
With the shadow of scandal looming over her, the countess, Loraine Durant, had to stay away from Garth Evans.
Loraine Durant, widowed Countess of Crawford, lives her life for her toddler son, the heir of the late count. But the world seems to go out of its axis when she lays eyes on the new breath-taking footman. She fights arduously the flaming attraction she feels for him, deeming it inappropriate, failing notoriously. With the shadow of scandal looming over her, she had to stay away from him. When she discovers he is much more than a servant, it is too late and he already hates her.
Garth Evans is the bastard son of a Marquis, trying to make his unprivileged way in the world and holding back from trouble with women. Being constantly in the presence of the Countess proves to be a hellish temptation and he can hardly keep his hands off her. After they part, he thinks she is as whimsical and frivolous as any other lady of her rank. Now, he hates her for all she represents. Wrenching passion threatens to break his resolve to keep her at arm's length, his desire for her about to burst at any moment.
July 2016
Category
Word 54,965
Regency Historical Romance
Spicy/Erotic--Hot, Sizzling
Loraine Durant, widowed Countess of Crawford, lives her life for her toddler son, the heir of the late count. But the world seems to go out of its axis when she lays eyes on the new breath-taking footman. She fights arduously the flaming attraction she feels for him, deeming it inappropriate, failing notoriously. With the shadow of scandal looming over her, she had to stay away from him. When she discovers he is much more than a servant, it is too late and he already hates her.
Garth Evans is the bastard son of a Marquis, trying to make his unprivileged way in the world and holding back from trouble with women. Being constantly in the presence of the Countess proves to be a hellish temptation and he can hardly keep his hands off her. After they part, he thinks she is as whimsical and frivolous as any other lady of her rank. Now, he hates her for all she represents. Wrenching passion threatens to break his resolve to keep her at arm's length, his desire for her about to burst at any moment.
July 2016
Category
Word 54,965
Regency Historical Romance
Spicy/Erotic--Hot, Sizzling
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2016
30 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Torquay
32 books196 followersLisa Torquay comes from a multi-cultural family. She graduated in History and earned a Master’s Degree in British Empire. She has worked as an English and History teacher at high schools. She married a Norwegian and moved to Norway, where she has lived for three years. Writing has been her passion since she was thirteen. When she’s not writing, she’s messing up in the kitchen because she loves cooking as much as she’s clumsy.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 7, 2016
I received an ARC from the author for my HONEST REVIEW!
What a fabulous story that sucks you in from the very beginning of the book. There's a saying that "The eye's are the windows to one's Soul"! In this book you come to discover things in a unforbidden and unforgiving world, where those are looked down upon due to the status of their station.
This is a story about a widow and child of nobility and those who try to control their lives. It's funny how love finds away through difficult moments as Garth and Lorraine find each other along with love, compassion and a need of passion within them that no one can tear apart.
I found this to be a beautiful Historical Romance with a lot of HOT and Deliciously wicked steamy scenes. I would recommend this book for Adults only!
Happy reading!
J. Fisher
What a fabulous story that sucks you in from the very beginning of the book. There's a saying that "The eye's are the windows to one's Soul"! In this book you come to discover things in a unforbidden and unforgiving world, where those are looked down upon due to the status of their station.
This is a story about a widow and child of nobility and those who try to control their lives. It's funny how love finds away through difficult moments as Garth and Lorraine find each other along with love, compassion and a need of passion within them that no one can tear apart.
I found this to be a beautiful Historical Romance with a lot of HOT and Deliciously wicked steamy scenes. I would recommend this book for Adults only!
Happy reading!
J. Fisher
October 12, 2016
ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for my honest review:
Oh my goodness!
Loraine Durant, Countess of Crawford, widow to a self-absorbed cheating douchebag, leads an emotionally dissatisfying life in British high society. Only raising her young son brings her joy. Until the handsome new footman shows up, that is.
I mean come on, Tom Hiddleston was made for a role such as this.
Garth Evans is not the typical servant. He is the bastard son of a Marquis, well-educated, struggling to figure out where he fits in the world. He’s also drop dead gorgeous.
Fine, I just wanted to post another pic of Tom
(And pretend that Crimson Peak didn’t happen)
As one can imagine, being attracted to one of the servants is quite scandalous in British aristocracy. Loraine’s main concern is the well-being and social acceptance of her son, heir to her dead husband’s Earldom. With a powerful (and bitchy) mother-in-law watching closely, Loraine is under a lot of social pressure.
Nonetheless, Tom...I mean, Garth...is very persistent and pleads a good case for the Countess to cave in:
Risky though it may be, the pair can’t keep their hands to themselves. And these are some steamyyy love scenes!!!
"He did not spare her because she was a lady. He did not deny her because she was sheltered. He did not recoil because she stood above his rank. He treated her like a flesh-and-blood woman and that ignited her to explosion point."
This was a quick, easy read even with the era-appropriate lingo. An enjoyable combo of scandal, smut, just the right amount of mushiness, and a HEA that does not disappoint.
5 smoldering stars to this sexy bodice ripper!
Oh my goodness!
Loraine Durant, Countess of Crawford, widow to a self-absorbed cheating douchebag, leads an emotionally dissatisfying life in British high society. Only raising her young son brings her joy. Until the handsome new footman shows up, that is.
I mean come on, Tom Hiddleston was made for a role such as this.
Garth Evans is not the typical servant. He is the bastard son of a Marquis, well-educated, struggling to figure out where he fits in the world. He’s also drop dead gorgeous.
Fine, I just wanted to post another pic of Tom
(And pretend that Crimson Peak didn’t happen)
As one can imagine, being attracted to one of the servants is quite scandalous in British aristocracy. Loraine’s main concern is the well-being and social acceptance of her son, heir to her dead husband’s Earldom. With a powerful (and bitchy) mother-in-law watching closely, Loraine is under a lot of social pressure.
Nonetheless, Tom...I mean, Garth...is very persistent and pleads a good case for the Countess to cave in:
Risky though it may be, the pair can’t keep their hands to themselves. And these are some steamyyy love scenes!!!
"He did not spare her because she was a lady. He did not deny her because she was sheltered. He did not recoil because she stood above his rank. He treated her like a flesh-and-blood woman and that ignited her to explosion point."
This was a quick, easy read even with the era-appropriate lingo. An enjoyable combo of scandal, smut, just the right amount of mushiness, and a HEA that does not disappoint.
5 smoldering stars to this sexy bodice ripper!
September 6, 2016
Her newest book came as a pleasant surprise to me. Not one to be a ninny when trying new story lines, Torquay explores the relations between separate classes here. Loraine fears society's reaction, should it merely breath into her thoughts. And Garth will need to see she is not just a frivolous lady of the ton, after all. Garth and Loraine will have to shed their preconceived social beliefs if they want to be rewarded with love. The love scenes are beautiful and intense! I recommend it.
October 6, 2016
1822, London, England. Lady Loraine Durant (26, Countess of Crawford, widow) had spent another boring night at a social event.
Back at the House of Crawford she seemd to enjoy cooking.
The Earl of Crawford had died in a carriage accident. Lady Crawford really never cared for him anyway.
Ruth is the Lady’s maid.
Mr. Pierce & Mrs. Pierce did the approval of the servants & help with of course Lady Crawford’s consent.
Garth Evans (Welsh, bastard son of Marquis of Warwick, footman) introduced himself to Loraine.
Master William (son) was playing in the garden.
The Dowager Countess (mother-in-law) lived in the Mayfair house. Her husband had left her a long time ago.
Garth asked the Countess if she would enjoy playing chess again.
Mr. Boroughs (banker, Gentlemen, cotton mill, Birmingham) had proposed to Ms. Cecilia Jennings (debutante).
The Marquis had a stroke & died. Garth was now a wealthy young man.
His 1/2-brother Geroge (Marquis of Warwick), & 1/2-sister Henrietta, were also well taken care of.
Would Lady Crawford change her aristocratic ways?
What would become of Garth?
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written romantic book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Louis XVI era romance movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Back at the House of Crawford she seemd to enjoy cooking.
The Earl of Crawford had died in a carriage accident. Lady Crawford really never cared for him anyway.
Ruth is the Lady’s maid.
Mr. Pierce & Mrs. Pierce did the approval of the servants & help with of course Lady Crawford’s consent.
Garth Evans (Welsh, bastard son of Marquis of Warwick, footman) introduced himself to Loraine.
Master William (son) was playing in the garden.
The Dowager Countess (mother-in-law) lived in the Mayfair house. Her husband had left her a long time ago.
Garth asked the Countess if she would enjoy playing chess again.
Mr. Boroughs (banker, Gentlemen, cotton mill, Birmingham) had proposed to Ms. Cecilia Jennings (debutante).
The Marquis had a stroke & died. Garth was now a wealthy young man.
His 1/2-brother Geroge (Marquis of Warwick), & 1/2-sister Henrietta, were also well taken care of.
Would Lady Crawford change her aristocratic ways?
What would become of Garth?
Warning: This book contains sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written romantic book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Louis XVI era romance movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
October 11, 2016
I passed a couple of pleasant hours reading Igniting the Countess. The plot flowed smoothly and the characters were well developed. The sex scenes were explicit, but very well written. I love the time period it was set in, and the fact that the couple came from different stations--and that the man was on the lower rung of the social ladder. I recommend this to anyone who likes historical romance.
November 3, 2016
Ms Torquay kept me engrossed in her book for the first to the last page. Lorraine and Garth had depth and their story completely carried me away. Now that I discovered her, I will follow her releases closely from now on.
December 7, 2016
I have to, first and foremost, give a huge thumbs up where it’s due. The author not only has a wondrous romance story going on, but hit it on the nail with the historical aspect. A lot of new authors, dabbling in the historical romance, tend to write their characters as 21st century and completely miss the point. This was NOT the case here. I enjoyed everything from the description of the decors, to the details of the clothing worn, to the overall routines of each character.
Now, moving on to the story itself. As usual, I shan’t bother with a synopsis, since it’s right above this anyway. However, I will say I was pleasantly surprised that the story started from the beginning, walking us through how Lorraine and Garth meet, their budding romance, sizzling chemistry, and then moved on to the drama.
Be ready for a HOT, SIZZLING, read, a heroine desperately seeking to unleash from the burden of social norm, a hero ready to unleash passions and not afraid of … well, anything. Garth is everything you’d think of: strong, irresistible, sexy, appealing, domineering at times – but not to the point you want to strangle him! Lorraine is set as a great mother, and one thing I appreciated was the author kept this trait of her character going throughout the novel, even once the romance unfurled.
“Igniting the countess” is a wonderful read, a page-turner, melting your brain kind of book! A fair warning… Cold showers needed, so do not read in public places :)
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review*
Now, moving on to the story itself. As usual, I shan’t bother with a synopsis, since it’s right above this anyway. However, I will say I was pleasantly surprised that the story started from the beginning, walking us through how Lorraine and Garth meet, their budding romance, sizzling chemistry, and then moved on to the drama.
Be ready for a HOT, SIZZLING, read, a heroine desperately seeking to unleash from the burden of social norm, a hero ready to unleash passions and not afraid of … well, anything. Garth is everything you’d think of: strong, irresistible, sexy, appealing, domineering at times – but not to the point you want to strangle him! Lorraine is set as a great mother, and one thing I appreciated was the author kept this trait of her character going throughout the novel, even once the romance unfurled.
“Igniting the countess” is a wonderful read, a page-turner, melting your brain kind of book! A fair warning… Cold showers needed, so do not read in public places :)
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review*
September 22, 2021
The perfect read to escape into!
This was so cleverly written.
It encaptured the period beautifully and sucked me in from the first bone tired sigh from Loraine too the mutually electric, immobilising, clash of awareness between her first meeting with the newly appointed footman, Garth.
With nuances of the day to day life from the perception of both class divides, to add an air of believability and realism to the tale, it really hit home the impossibility in indulging in a romance across the social divide, highlighting the difficulties of giving into the forbidden and succumbing to temptation.
Resulting, in an emotionally entangling romance of pent up yearning, sensual intimacy, stolen moments and frustrated pining. Threaded in with a whole cocktail of soul deep longing, blazing desire and building tender connection which only delightfully intensified with each caressing heat fueled glance and brief encounter. Making this one enticing read, I didn't want to put down!
I just love Lisa's books for their depth of connection and thrumming chemistry that seeps from the page, between her lead characters, and I must say, Garth and Loraine had it by the bucket load in Igniting the Countess.
An entralling romance that really gets under your skin and makes you push for their happy ever after as the pair contend with being wrung through the proverbial emotional wringer, moulded by societies hypocritical rules!
This was so cleverly written.
It encaptured the period beautifully and sucked me in from the first bone tired sigh from Loraine too the mutually electric, immobilising, clash of awareness between her first meeting with the newly appointed footman, Garth.
With nuances of the day to day life from the perception of both class divides, to add an air of believability and realism to the tale, it really hit home the impossibility in indulging in a romance across the social divide, highlighting the difficulties of giving into the forbidden and succumbing to temptation.
Resulting, in an emotionally entangling romance of pent up yearning, sensual intimacy, stolen moments and frustrated pining. Threaded in with a whole cocktail of soul deep longing, blazing desire and building tender connection which only delightfully intensified with each caressing heat fueled glance and brief encounter. Making this one enticing read, I didn't want to put down!
I just love Lisa's books for their depth of connection and thrumming chemistry that seeps from the page, between her lead characters, and I must say, Garth and Loraine had it by the bucket load in Igniting the Countess.
An entralling romance that really gets under your skin and makes you push for their happy ever after as the pair contend with being wrung through the proverbial emotional wringer, moulded by societies hypocritical rules!
December 4, 2016
Author, Lisa Torquay will pull you into this story to the point that you will be as satisfied as The Countess herself. When I started this romance novel I thought, 'Here you have your basic historical romance'— but nothing is basic about Garth Evans. The Countess of Crawford has him serving her tea and taking out the dirty rugs, but even she can't disregard him or the way he ignites her. Their story is one of misjudgment and fate, dripping with sexual tension. Hot sexual tension!
With black Diamond eyes and a body fit for a Son of the Marquis, Garth has no issues behaving properly and remembering his place. A bastard he may be, but a gentleman he is from the inside out.
Lady Crawford is determined to live a life of the ton, for the most important thing to her is to maintain respect and by extension Master William, her son. This part of protective mothering will give any parent reading this story that extra connection I had.
Now the good parts... the part where lust and romance join. I'm just going to say there's plenty of good parts!!! I gave this book 5 stars. Well done Lisa!
With black Diamond eyes and a body fit for a Son of the Marquis, Garth has no issues behaving properly and remembering his place. A bastard he may be, but a gentleman he is from the inside out.
Lady Crawford is determined to live a life of the ton, for the most important thing to her is to maintain respect and by extension Master William, her son. This part of protective mothering will give any parent reading this story that extra connection I had.
Now the good parts... the part where lust and romance join. I'm just going to say there's plenty of good parts!!! I gave this book 5 stars. Well done Lisa!
September 6, 2016
Oh, my! I wish I had a footman...well...I wish I had THAT footman! Sinfully sexy and intelligent. And a tad domineering - in all the ways that matters! The romance moves in different strata of the strict regency society with elegance and flair. Ms Torquay seems to know quite a bit about that period and puts it to good use. H & h share steaming, ardent passion. The love scenes are hot and creative! (Don't miss the chair in the study scene!) I strongly recommend it!
November 10, 2016
Historical romances have always been a favorite of mine, it’s the first genre that made me fall in love with reading. This story is my first from the author and believe me, I will go and check out her backlist.
Loraine fights the attraction she feels for the new footman, in that time period it would be scandalous to engage in an affair with the help. But passions cannot be controlled, something she did not find with her deceased husband. Garth is the footman, making his way in society, being born on the wrong side, he pretty much has had to create his own fortune.
What a pair these two make, scorching love scenes, engaging characters made for a great story that I highly recommend.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Loraine fights the attraction she feels for the new footman, in that time period it would be scandalous to engage in an affair with the help. But passions cannot be controlled, something she did not find with her deceased husband. Garth is the footman, making his way in society, being born on the wrong side, he pretty much has had to create his own fortune.
What a pair these two make, scorching love scenes, engaging characters made for a great story that I highly recommend.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
December 2, 2016
I received an ARC for my honest review.
The main reason I read this book is because it's a historical novel.
I love history and reading about people and events that took place in the past. If it's set in a novel, all the better.
Having said that, the author is a fine writer with an eye for detail; she also has a way of creating intense emotions that portray the strong attraction between the Countess and the footman.
The way she does this, especially her use of words, might seem exaggerated at times but it's her own way of showing the great chemistry between the two.
It's an enjoyable book. If you want a historical novel with a great love story, believable characters and great setting, then this novel is it.
Looking forward to reading more of her works.
The main reason I read this book is because it's a historical novel.
I love history and reading about people and events that took place in the past. If it's set in a novel, all the better.
Having said that, the author is a fine writer with an eye for detail; she also has a way of creating intense emotions that portray the strong attraction between the Countess and the footman.
The way she does this, especially her use of words, might seem exaggerated at times but it's her own way of showing the great chemistry between the two.
It's an enjoyable book. If you want a historical novel with a great love story, believable characters and great setting, then this novel is it.
Looking forward to reading more of her works.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews