My best friend may be the Cinderella type, but I'm ... not.
While she swans around English castles, I work overtime. I plan to be her maid of honor when she marries Alex, Duke of Fernborough and to hot foot it home again in time to punch the clock Monday morning. Fairy tale endings are for other girls. The last thing on my mind was falling into the powerful arms of the gorgeous best man.
I'd glimpsed Sebastian Belgrave, Alex's brother, once on Skype. He runs the family estate with an iron fist, and in the past year alone, doubled the Belgrave's worth. One look and it's clear he's a man not used to hearing the word 'no'. Tall, muscular and commanding, I fall hard for him even before my friend says 'I do'. Still, a weekend is a weekend, right? And fantasy is fantasy.
Nothing prepares me for the way I feel myself awakening to his presence, and to his touch. I submit to his sexy games but when he demands I change my plans to stay with him, I tell him I'm no one's plaything. Guarding my fragile heart, I steal away without a backwards glance.
I return home, but Sebastian comes for me, storming into my life like a dark, avenging knight. I can't escape him. With a single touch, he makes it clear. He owns me. And he's all done playing games. ♦♦♦
Earl Power is a full-length standalone romance novel with a HEA.
Oh I love these two! Seb and Mara have that broody I hate to like you kind of chemistry. But they're also like magnets getting pulled together. Like moths to a flame. You saw a brief glimpse of this possibility in the first book and I'm so happy to read their story. Can't wait for the last brother now! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
"Earl Power" is the second book in the "Endowed" series. It is about another unlikely couple brought together by fate. Fascinating plot; compelling, exciting characters; unexpected situations... all of that plus wonderful writing style make this book a definite must-read. 5 shining stars indeed, Ms.Forbes!
This is the second book in this series and it is just as good as the first. This story is about a girl (Mara) from the States who is the maid of honor for her friend in the UK. While she is there, she meets the Earl (Sebastian) who is the groom's illegitimate older brother and he is truly an alpha male. Sebastian is the kind of male who likes to be in charge of everything and to protect the ones close to him. Being an Earl, he is supposed to court the heiress that lives next door but he finds himself extremely attracted to Mara. Will their attraction to each other be enough to have a relationship? If so, can they survive the issues they will face? There are so many reasons and they are all good to read this story. You will not be disappointed in the writing, storyline and the characters are fabulous. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did.
In the first book, we know that these two saw each other on Skype and were dumbstruck. Seb has more going on underneath and I don't think that he was "explained" completely. I found this book to be less enjoyable than the first book. I like the sass, snarkiness when it's done right, which it was, but that's missing in this book. I know two different characters. So I'm not sure if I will read the last book. Seb and Alex had interested me, Ken not so much and definitely not Liv. So I will see if an interest in what happened pops up to make me check out the last book.
Seb was every single broody moody hero dream I have ever had, come true. There were moments between Mara and Seb, that sent a pang to my heart. There was angst and hopefulness rolled together to create such a yearning, I had my fingers crossed tight toward the end.
I wanted them both to get their HEA. Seb, he did anything and everything he could to make his families happy. It was all for them, and I honestly couldn't wait for him to finally go after his hopes and dreams. Which, of course, was Mara.
I really enjoyed this book! Seb is the illegitimate son of a duke. However even tho he can't have the title he is the leading force behind the family. Mara is the best friend from the heroine in book 1(another great story). This is the second story in a series but can be read as a standalone. This book has steam and conflict. Two people who are stubborn and driven who have some growing pains of they want their happily ever after. I loved it and can't wait to read the next book!
I am voluntarily leaving an honest review of this book Earl Power by Sara Forbes based on an advanced readers copy I received. It's been a while since I read a book written about royalty that was able to capture my attention. I fell in love with Seb and Mara's story and think you will to. I highly recommend this book!
I am totally enjoying this series. I was hooked with the first book and I am binge read the rest of the series. I can't put them down. I need to know what happens next.
Embracing his true past is harder than it should be. Protecting those he loves has pushed him to his breaking point. Mara, his brothers fiancé’s best friend is there, and she helps him see a light in the darkness.
I am totally enjoying this series. I was hooked with the first book and I am binge read the rest of the series. I can't put them down. I need to know what happens next.
I received this book for a voluntary, completely honest and non incentivized review. This is my first read by this author. While I wasn't blown away by the characters or the plot, it had enough to keep my interest to complete the book. My interest was mainly based on questions that formed throughout the book but sadly not answered. I enjoy the alternate POV's, even though they were heavy on the heroine. It's a nice peak into the world of the noble and royalty.
review of ARC copy. More fun & games in Belgrave castle! I preferred this brother to the first one as he is darker/moodier and grows on you. Looking forward to Ken and Liv's story.
I loved this book. I loved Seb and Mara, how drawn they are to each other and yet they think they need to stay away. I was completely hooked from the first page. Can't wait to learn more about Ken and Letty!
I received an Advance Reader Copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was kind of a fun story, taking place with earls and viscounts, etc. All starting with a quick wedding and what could only amount to a weekend fling. Mara has a life back at home and is a little stubborn but can't help what her heart wants. And he always takes care of everyone and does what is right, but he wants her more than the girl he is supposed to court, and wants to take care of family members that others don't approve of. I didn't read the first one but wasn't lost so I'd say it's a stand alone. I received an arc of this.
A fun, sexy read, with an instant chemistry between Seb and Mara that'll pull you in to read it in one sitting. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This is my first book by this author. I received this book in return for an honest voluntary review. I did not read book one in this series and do not believe that it is necessary. Seb is the illegitimate son of the Duke but his is also the eldest so he has taken on the responsibility to keep the family's farm profitable. Mara is the best friend of Hayley, Seb's younger brother Alex, and she is coming to Fernborough for the upcoming nuptials. She saw Sex on a Skype call with Hayley over a year ago and while she has had a crush she doesn't feel it is anything bug. When these two finally meet face to face they both realize that the connection they felt on the brief Skype meeting is even more explosive in person. As Mara and Seb keep fighting their attraction to each other, they also are fighting their demons. Mara is used to fading in the background and having no one see her and Seb is dealing with the fact that his family doesn't want to have anything to do with his "real" family. As Seb tries to come to grip with his years of being what his family needs but not enough Mara deals with the same feelings from her family. This is a lovely love story that you will find yourself rooting for the two main characters but also questioning why everyone in Seb"s family doesn't want to acknowledge his other family. I enjoyed the book but it left me wondering what happened with Seb's family. How did Alex, Letty, Hayley, Ken and his mother deal with what happened with his birth mother and step-sister? There were some questions I wished were answered even in the epilogue. It was wrapped up a little to quickly.
Thanks to her upbringing, Mara knows there is no such thing as fairy tale endings. At the age of 18, Sebastian Belgrave learned a secret that destroyed his faith in women. Upon meeting, both are instantly attracted to each other, but Seb has plans to marry for title and Mara has decided that she only needs work. Will Seb and Mara work out a relationship before its to late? Will Mara and Seb prove to each other that a little sacrifice from each other, will work out in the long haul?
Great book! I have to say that I felt bad for both Seb and Mara when it cames to their family lives. I really did want to smack some since into Seb's family because of everything he was doing for them, but yet when it came down to it, they were to afraid to support him because of the hierarchy. I was proud of Mara biting the bullet and taking the chance to chase him down! Hot read and a great book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.5 Stars This is the second book and only book I have read in the "Endowed" series. I liked Seb and Mara's story but ended up with several plot line questions by the book's end. This sometimes happens for me when I have not read all the books in a series with a continuing story about interrelated characters. I sure most my questions will probably be answered in the next book in the series and reading the first book would have given me a better understanding of this book. This book is listed as a standalone but I think I would have rated it higher if I had previously read the first book
The book was a sweet romance with a little steam, not much drama and a HEA. Mara's best friend Hayley and Seb's brother Alex were the main characters in the first book and their romance continues in this book.
I really enjoyed this story. It was entertaining. Seb is the illegitimate son but he didn't know that until he turned 18 and reporters outed the story. He can't inherit but he still runs the estate for his younger brother. Mara is best friend's with Seb's brother's fiance and that is how they meet. At the wedding. They are both drawn to each other but don't know what to make of it either. Mara is determined to not really get involved since she is headed back to America and Seb is staying in England. But something just keeps drawing them together. I enjoyed the story. It flowed really well and kept my attention the whole time. I enjoyed the characters and some of the antics that they got up to. The sex is explicit but isn't a super big part of the book. Mara and Seb do a lot of dancing around each other before they actually get together. There is a lot of sexual chemistry and tension but circumstances keep getting in the way. I thought this was an entertaining read and I liked it. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I'm on the fence with this one...it just never did really grab and hold my attention. The whole setup struck me as pretty cheesy, and I simply never really became committed to the story.
Don't get me wrong--technically, the book met all the requirements for a good romance; the storyline was pretty good, the characters hit their marks, and we did see the HEA. I just never was really into the story. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.)
** I am voluntarily reviewing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book** Second book in the Endowed series, but definitely can be read as standalone. Seb and Mara's story is well paced, has interesting characters, and quirky supporting characters. Overall, a fun, fast read with a HEA
Earl Power by Sara Forbes is Book 2 of the Endowed series and an Aristocracy Romance
Mara is an American architecture student who flies to England to be the maid of honour for her best friend Hayley's marriage to Alex, a duke. When Hayley's father Dave comes down with pneumonia after the married couple leave for their honeymoon, Mara postpones her return home to look after Dave. This is the perfect chance for Mara and Sebastian, Alex's illegitimate brother, to get to know each other. Mara and Sebastian start dating long distance after Mara returns home but the relationship comes to a sudden end when Sebastian visits and asks Mara to go back with him. Mara lets her insecurities get in the way and comes up with excuses why she can't go with Sebastian. Mara tells herself it's better this way but it's really not. When Hayley tells Mara that Sebastian and Liv, the aristocratic heiress his adopted mother set him up with, have disappeared, she flies back to England to find out if Sebastian wants her, but is it too late?
Earl Power is an interesting story that's suspenseful, steamy and full of twists and turns. I can't wait to read Picky Viscount, the story of Sebastian's youngest brother.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. This is my first book of Sara's and I certainly will buy the first book in this series even though this book is a standalone. I thoroughly enjoyed this story between Seb and Mara, combining the erotic and family, love and romance, with doubt and vulnerabilities, endearing characters and strong writing.nA British castle, talk about romantic, I fell in love with Sara's words I was captivated to the last page and for that reason I recommend this book.
This is the second book I have read by this author and, while not as good as The Cocky Duke, it was a good read. The characters were well developed but the storyline seemed a little rambling and slow. There were quite a few errors that should have been caught in proofreading.
I loved reading what happened to Sebastian. I can't wait to see what happens with the other brother now, Ken. I was sad to see his part in this book, but absolutely loved the rest of the story. Mara and Sebastian are made for each other, they just don't know it yet. He figures it out very fast, but at the expense of her feelings. It takes several weeks and a heartbreaking incident for her to figure out her love for him, and that they are meant to be together. A wonderfully written book that shows that no matter the distance true love is the answer to everything. I voluntarily read an Advanced Review Copy of this book.
Sebastian is the oldest son of the former Duke of Fernborough but because he was illegitimate he is not the Duke. Seb has been in charge of the family businesses for years and made the major decisions. He was given the nickname of the Earl. Now his younger brother Alex has decided to get married in two months and Seb is organized a quickie wedding. His mother has arranged a wedding date for him of a local noblewoman. He meets the maid of honor and has immediate attraction. On top of wedding planning, normal family business and his mom's( not biological) matchmaking, he gets an e-mail from the mom who gave him up and learns about the half sister he never knew. Seb is very busy. Mara's best friend is getting married to an English duke and Mara is to be the maid of honor. Mara is excited but nervous about meeting the older brother Seb. She saw him in the background of one of her friend's Skype calls and she has had a crush ever since. Mara is super attracted to Seb but she holds back since she will only be near him for the three days of wedding stuff. However after the wedding, the bride's father becomes very ill and Mara decides to stay with him. She has time to explore her feelings for Seb however she is worried about the woman Seb's mom arranged to be his date. This is a good book. Seb and Mara have strong feelings for each other but their relationships have lots of obstacles like cultural differences, long distances between them, and family drama. I really enjoyed reading this story, also better than the first. I voluntarily received a copy of this story and this is my honest review.
You have a woman who doesn't expect much from others after many disappointments with her family. She is not looking for a prince or an earl to rescue her. When she meets her friend's new brother-in-law, sparks fly. He has family issues too. They both feel the chemistry but she is not sure there is a future for them.
This book is very well-written and has a sweet side and a steamy side to it. Both of the characters need to heal. He has to take a hard look at his life and what her really wants. I enjoyed the story and the characters and found myself reading it all rather quickly so I could see how it ends for them. The author did a good job with character development. You don't have to read the first book to fully enjoy the story.