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Ash
Baird Wells’ series explores the Hundred Days from the battlefield and the drawing room, the political salons of Napoleon’s Paris, and the shadowed world of Whitehall's intelligence machine. Laden with grit, intrigue, and romance, it introduces us to the men and women on both sides of a battle that changed the course of history. Lady Sofie Haddon keeps a dangerous secret. Using a male pseudonym, she paints masterpieces for a song, struggling to keep her family’s estate from bankruptcy. When the Duke of Kendal commissions one of her works and then cheats her out of a small fortune, ruin seems inescapable. Fear of being discovered, shamed, prevents her from taking Kendal head-on. Sofie’s struggles worsen when she collides, physically, with Ethan Grayfield. A Crown spy, Ethan is suspicious of Lady Sofie being the traitor he’s stalked for months. When she wounds him with an insult about his status as a bastard, he’s determined to make her answer for both offenses. Sofie can’t take Ethan’s threats seriously; she knows him only as her brother’s prying, condescending acquaintance. But Ethan has secrets of his own, infinitely darker than anything Sofie has Espionage, theft, murder. When Sofie’s skill as a painter makes her invaluable to Whitehall’s war efforts, she and Ethan are forced to work together. One assignment, and they part ways for good. But Sofie has discovered a man capable of getting her satisfaction against Kendal, a man so deep in the shadow world she can trust him with everything she hides - but can she trust him with her heart?
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2018
22 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Baird Wells
9 books37 followersBaird Wells is author of the romance-historical Hundred Days series, as well as stand-alone novels Glass Apple and Last Woman in Weary Creek. Her award-likely books have sold tens of copies in several places.
Her Hundred Days novel Vermillion was a second-round finalist for the 2016 Writer's Digest E-book Awards. Argent received a 2016 honorable mention for published fiction. She is a proud RWA author and PAN member.
You can find her other novels under the Cait Hutton, Ava K Arden, and Wren McCammack pen names on Amazon.
Her Hundred Days novel Vermillion was a second-round finalist for the 2016 Writer's Digest E-book Awards. Argent received a 2016 honorable mention for published fiction. She is a proud RWA author and PAN member.
You can find her other novels under the Cait Hutton, Ava K Arden, and Wren McCammack pen names on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 3, 2018
2.5 stars.
I'm a bit conflicted about this book. The first half or so, where the MCs are figuring out that they really love one another, was pretty wonderful. It was funny and adorable. The angst didn't drag on forever (a pet peeve of mine) and the H didn't come across as a rake at all, which I appreciated. However, once the romantic relationship was pretty much settled and the focus shifted more to the espionage aspect of this story, I started losing interest. I enjoyed the historical element of this story, but the H's role in it bored me. I find that stories that feature spies inevitably fall into two categories. They're either quite OTT dramatic, full of coincidences and dragged out mysteries, or they're too convoluted to understand. I think that this story might just fall into the second category.
I'm by no means the smartest person you'll ever meet, nor am I the dumbest, so I've come to the conclusion that I simply wasn't in the right head space for this story. I found that there were quite a few names that started with the same letter. That's fun when you're reading Dr. Seuss, but it can be a little unsettling when reading something that contains character's given names, surnames, titles, etc. The appearance of several of the MCs from the previous installments of this series confused me as well, since I'm not quite sure where in the timeline of their respective stories this one was taking place. Were all the stories concurrent? Did they overlap somewhat but not completely? Or are they one after another? Were they written out of order, with this one occurring before the stories that came before? It has been a while since I read books two and three, but I have a feeling this book isn't chronologically the last book. I also think I might be missing some clues since I didn't read the first book, but my confusion regarding the other books' MCs made me a bite unhappy. It was like I was missing a joke that everyone else in the room understood. And normally, when the MCs from other books of the series make a cameo appearance, the reader gets to have a mini epilogue of that book. We get an update on that couple's HEA further down the road and it's always so nice. That's not what we get here.
Overall, I enjoyed the first half of this book, but not the second. I wish I had read this at a time when I would've understood it better.
ETA safety information. This story is safe. There's really no OP drama at all. However
I'm a bit conflicted about this book. The first half or so, where the MCs are figuring out that they really love one another, was pretty wonderful. It was funny and adorable. The angst didn't drag on forever (a pet peeve of mine) and the H didn't come across as a rake at all, which I appreciated. However, once the romantic relationship was pretty much settled and the focus shifted more to the espionage aspect of this story, I started losing interest. I enjoyed the historical element of this story, but the H's role in it bored me. I find that stories that feature spies inevitably fall into two categories. They're either quite OTT dramatic, full of coincidences and dragged out mysteries, or they're too convoluted to understand. I think that this story might just fall into the second category.
I'm by no means the smartest person you'll ever meet, nor am I the dumbest, so I've come to the conclusion that I simply wasn't in the right head space for this story. I found that there were quite a few names that started with the same letter. That's fun when you're reading Dr. Seuss, but it can be a little unsettling when reading something that contains character's given names, surnames, titles, etc. The appearance of several of the MCs from the previous installments of this series confused me as well, since I'm not quite sure where in the timeline of their respective stories this one was taking place. Were all the stories concurrent? Did they overlap somewhat but not completely? Or are they one after another? Were they written out of order, with this one occurring before the stories that came before? It has been a while since I read books two and three, but I have a feeling this book isn't chronologically the last book. I also think I might be missing some clues since I didn't read the first book, but my confusion regarding the other books' MCs made me a bite unhappy. It was like I was missing a joke that everyone else in the room understood. And normally, when the MCs from other books of the series make a cameo appearance, the reader gets to have a mini epilogue of that book. We get an update on that couple's HEA further down the road and it's always so nice. That's not what we get here.
Overall, I enjoyed the first half of this book, but not the second. I wish I had read this at a time when I would've understood it better.
ETA safety information. This story is safe. There's really no OP drama at all. However
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March 19, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (3/19/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Lady Sofie Haddon keeps a dangerous secret.
Using a male pseudonym, she paints masterpieces for a song, struggling to keep her family’s estate from bankruptcy. When the Duke of Kendal commissions one of her works and then cheats her out of a small fortune, ruin seems inescapable. Fear of being discovered, shamed, prevents her from taking Kendal head-on.
Sofie’s struggles worsen when she collides, physically, with Ethan Grayfield. A Crown spy, Ethan is suspicious of Lady Sofie being the traitor he’s stalked for months. When she wounds him with an insult about his status as a bastard, he’s determined to make her answer for both offenses. Sofie can’t take Ethan’s threats seriously; she knows him only as her brother’s prying, condescending acquaintance. But Ethan has secrets of his own, infinitely darker than anything Sofie has imagined: Espionage, theft, murder.
When Sofie’s skill as a painter makes her invaluable to Whitehall’s war efforts, she and Ethan are forced to work together. One assignment, and they part ways for good. But Sofie has discovered a man capable of getting her satisfaction against Kendal, a man so deep in the shadow world she can trust him with everything she hides - but can she trust him with her heart?
Blurb:
Lady Sofie Haddon keeps a dangerous secret.
Using a male pseudonym, she paints masterpieces for a song, struggling to keep her family’s estate from bankruptcy. When the Duke of Kendal commissions one of her works and then cheats her out of a small fortune, ruin seems inescapable. Fear of being discovered, shamed, prevents her from taking Kendal head-on.
Sofie’s struggles worsen when she collides, physically, with Ethan Grayfield. A Crown spy, Ethan is suspicious of Lady Sofie being the traitor he’s stalked for months. When she wounds him with an insult about his status as a bastard, he’s determined to make her answer for both offenses. Sofie can’t take Ethan’s threats seriously; she knows him only as her brother’s prying, condescending acquaintance. But Ethan has secrets of his own, infinitely darker than anything Sofie has imagined: Espionage, theft, murder.
When Sofie’s skill as a painter makes her invaluable to Whitehall’s war efforts, she and Ethan are forced to work together. One assignment, and they part ways for good. But Sofie has discovered a man capable of getting her satisfaction against Kendal, a man so deep in the shadow world she can trust him with everything she hides - but can she trust him with her heart?
March 15, 2018
Truly great reading!
I have to say, Baird Wells is a truly fine writer. The Hundred Days series is superb. Incorporating historical fact as background for this late 18th century/early 19th century setting, the lives of Sophie and Ethan are intertwined as both carry secrets. The acquaintance of these two very secretive people becomes more interlaced as a suspicious Ethan, spy for Whitehall, investigates a very independent Lady Sophie's surreptitious activities. In spite of her irritation with this meddling commoner, friend to her brother, and Ethan's suspicions, the attraction and sexual tension between the two crackles. Neither knows what the other is really about.
The suspense and adventure here kept me reading almost non-stop from start to finish. The dialogue is very well done and at times witty and quite humorous. The sparking of romance becomes increasingly sensual as the couple are involved in a mystery threatening them individually with blackmail.
The book has it all! Adventure, suspense, romance, humor and history all rolled up in another great novel in the series. And I've read each one hoping for, yet, another. A must read book and series for lovers of historical fiction. Congrats to Baird. (I received an ARC prior to this review, but would have purchased the book despite it.)
I have to say, Baird Wells is a truly fine writer. The Hundred Days series is superb. Incorporating historical fact as background for this late 18th century/early 19th century setting, the lives of Sophie and Ethan are intertwined as both carry secrets. The acquaintance of these two very secretive people becomes more interlaced as a suspicious Ethan, spy for Whitehall, investigates a very independent Lady Sophie's surreptitious activities. In spite of her irritation with this meddling commoner, friend to her brother, and Ethan's suspicions, the attraction and sexual tension between the two crackles. Neither knows what the other is really about.
The suspense and adventure here kept me reading almost non-stop from start to finish. The dialogue is very well done and at times witty and quite humorous. The sparking of romance becomes increasingly sensual as the couple are involved in a mystery threatening them individually with blackmail.
The book has it all! Adventure, suspense, romance, humor and history all rolled up in another great novel in the series. And I've read each one hoping for, yet, another. A must read book and series for lovers of historical fiction. Congrats to Baird. (I received an ARC prior to this review, but would have purchased the book despite it.)
March 24, 2018
A Vivid Historic Fiction
Baird Wells is an amazing writer. I've always enjoyed a good historical fiction/romance, but her Hundred Days series has made me fall back in love with the genre. She artfully weaves complex and dynamic characters and plots into carefully researched historical events and details, creating a seamless and vivid tale that is hard to stop reading. Ethan and Sophie's story was a fantastic adventure and addition to an already amazing series and I eagerly wait for the next book.
Baird Wells is an amazing writer. I've always enjoyed a good historical fiction/romance, but her Hundred Days series has made me fall back in love with the genre. She artfully weaves complex and dynamic characters and plots into carefully researched historical events and details, creating a seamless and vivid tale that is hard to stop reading. Ethan and Sophie's story was a fantastic adventure and addition to an already amazing series and I eagerly wait for the next book.
January 18, 2019
Good
I am trying to figure out why the first half of the book was unsatisfying for me. Baird Wells books usually draw me right into her river of writing. Her stories are never streams. They run deep. The best I can describe is as being disjointed -- at least for me. It wasn't until she wrote about the battle on the ship that I truly found what I expected and from that scene on I didn't want to put down the book. I was hooked.
Sophie proved to everyone but mostly herself that she was strong and intelligent. She wasn't going to let anyone stand in her way. Ethan was a wonderful hero - brave and a man who could be relied upon. Any misunderstandings between them were quickly cleared, which is something I appreciated. Too often writers let the misunderstandings go on and on. We readers wonder why the heck no one tries to clear the air.
Thank you Baird Wells for another wonderful story.
I am trying to figure out why the first half of the book was unsatisfying for me. Baird Wells books usually draw me right into her river of writing. Her stories are never streams. They run deep. The best I can describe is as being disjointed -- at least for me. It wasn't until she wrote about the battle on the ship that I truly found what I expected and from that scene on I didn't want to put down the book. I was hooked.
Sophie proved to everyone but mostly herself that she was strong and intelligent. She wasn't going to let anyone stand in her way. Ethan was a wonderful hero - brave and a man who could be relied upon. Any misunderstandings between them were quickly cleared, which is something I appreciated. Too often writers let the misunderstandings go on and on. We readers wonder why the heck no one tries to clear the air.
Thank you Baird Wells for another wonderful story.
July 5, 2018
Enjoyable as I’ve come to expect.
I’ve decided I can’t go wrong with a book written by Baird Wells. Ash was a great addition to the Hundred Day’s series. I have been hoping for Greyfield’s story. The first book in the series, Vermillion, is still my favorite and I highly recommend reading it.
I’ve decided I can’t go wrong with a book written by Baird Wells. Ash was a great addition to the Hundred Day’s series. I have been hoping for Greyfield’s story. The first book in the series, Vermillion, is still my favorite and I highly recommend reading it.
April 23, 2018
Excellent Book! Baird Wells is an excellent writer, a perfect blend of romance and history. While this series is my favorite, all of her books are awesome. I only hope she continues to write more on any subject under this genre.
May 2, 2018
Lots going on in this book.
Romance, intrigue, espionage, treason, theft and adultery.
Sometimes a little difficult to follow because of whole list of characters, some of which were one minute obscure, the next necessary to the plot.
A good read, but keep your wits about you.
Romance, intrigue, espionage, treason, theft and adultery.
Sometimes a little difficult to follow because of whole list of characters, some of which were one minute obscure, the next necessary to the plot.
A good read, but keep your wits about you.
July 1, 2018
Another keeper
This author had me hooked when I discovered Vermilion and read the other books in the series. Well researched with vivid period detail that covers the full spectrum of love, loss, war, betrayal, honor and hope. Read it.
This author had me hooked when I discovered Vermilion and read the other books in the series. Well researched with vivid period detail that covers the full spectrum of love, loss, war, betrayal, honor and hope. Read it.
April 11, 2018
My favorite of the series!
I have loved all of the Hundred Days series! I was waiting for Ethan's story and it exceeded all of my expectations. Definitely my favorite now!
I have loved all of the Hundred Days series! I was waiting for Ethan's story and it exceeded all of my expectations. Definitely my favorite now!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews