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The Regency Rags to Riches #4
The Dragon Earl
Driven by rage and revenge against those who had slaughtered his family in far-off China, Jacob Cato returns to England to reclaim his English heritage and the woman he left behind. Original.
292 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2008
40 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Jade Lee
100 books2,958 followersLibrarian Note: Also writes under the pen name Kathy Lyons.
A USA Today Bestseller, JADE LEE has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, her latest series is RAKES AND ROGUES. The first one, 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE, is an awesome tale of love and laughter.
And don’t forget Kathy Lyons.. She’s Jade’s paranormal half. Check out her new shifter series GRIZZLIES GONE WILD.
To find all the latest news on Jade or Kathy, visit them at www.jadeleeauthor.com or www.kathylyons.com! And find out where you can meet her at: http://jadeleeauthor.com/appearances
A USA Today Bestseller, JADE LEE has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 40 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, her latest series is RAKES AND ROGUES. The first one, 50 WAYS TO RUIN A RAKE, is an awesome tale of love and laughter.
And don’t forget Kathy Lyons.. She’s Jade’s paranormal half. Check out her new shifter series GRIZZLIES GONE WILD.
To find all the latest news on Jade or Kathy, visit them at www.jadeleeauthor.com or www.kathylyons.com! And find out where you can meet her at: http://jadeleeauthor.com/appearances
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 17, 2008
I’m not sure if Jade Lee meant the opening scene in her latest “The Dragon Earl” to be hysterically funny or if it’s just me. But as soon as I began picturing the scene in my head I couldn’t stop giggling. The lavish society wedding of a future Earl interrupted…by 3 Chinese monks in robes. The scandal! Can’t you just see the oh-so-proper upper class British nobility snobs? Too delicious.
Evelyn has been groomed from the cradle for her role as the future Countess. It’s a role that sometimes stifles her, but it is what it is. When her beautiful wedding is interrupted by 3 Chinese monks, she quickly takes control and tries to salvage the day as best she can. But really, even if one of the monks is white, how could he possibly think he’s the rightful Earl?
Jacob, or Jie Ke as he is now known, never wanted to make this trip to England in the first place. But his abbot has forbidden him to take his vows as a full-fledged monk until he reclaims he rightful place…and then decides to give it up. All his intentions are to do just that, until he catches sight of the beautiful woman who used to be the girl he remembers.
This story was in some ways moving and in some ways confusing. There was quite a bit of Asian philosophy embedded in the plot with Jacob not really knowing what the abbot’s intention were by making him return to England. I found that rather odd as I could see it right away, but I guess the book would have been much shorter then. The push and pull between the main characters was at times irritating, she’s pushing him away and then she’s kissing him, he’s ‘pleasuring’ her and then he says he’s leaving. This goes on until almost the last page and I sometimes found myself wanting to yell at them to just make a decision and stick with it!
There’s some pretty heavy petting which is beautifully written and the love scenes are definitely smoky, but I never really felt a strong emotional connection between these two. The words were there, but the underlying feelings just didn’t appear for me. I also got extremely irritated when the whole mystery portion of the book was never solved. I can only assume that the author intends to continue with it in another book, but I’m still ticked.
I’m not sure if it’s the whole ‘mysticism’ thing or the unsolved mystery or the lack of emotional impact that caused me to finish reading “The Dragon Earl” by Jade Lee and think, “Uh, huh…well alrighty.” It just didn’t resonate with me, but fans of Asian lore may react differently. Ah well, different strokes for different folks, right?
Evelyn has been groomed from the cradle for her role as the future Countess. It’s a role that sometimes stifles her, but it is what it is. When her beautiful wedding is interrupted by 3 Chinese monks, she quickly takes control and tries to salvage the day as best she can. But really, even if one of the monks is white, how could he possibly think he’s the rightful Earl?
Jacob, or Jie Ke as he is now known, never wanted to make this trip to England in the first place. But his abbot has forbidden him to take his vows as a full-fledged monk until he reclaims he rightful place…and then decides to give it up. All his intentions are to do just that, until he catches sight of the beautiful woman who used to be the girl he remembers.
This story was in some ways moving and in some ways confusing. There was quite a bit of Asian philosophy embedded in the plot with Jacob not really knowing what the abbot’s intention were by making him return to England. I found that rather odd as I could see it right away, but I guess the book would have been much shorter then. The push and pull between the main characters was at times irritating, she’s pushing him away and then she’s kissing him, he’s ‘pleasuring’ her and then he says he’s leaving. This goes on until almost the last page and I sometimes found myself wanting to yell at them to just make a decision and stick with it!
There’s some pretty heavy petting which is beautifully written and the love scenes are definitely smoky, but I never really felt a strong emotional connection between these two. The words were there, but the underlying feelings just didn’t appear for me. I also got extremely irritated when the whole mystery portion of the book was never solved. I can only assume that the author intends to continue with it in another book, but I’m still ticked.
I’m not sure if it’s the whole ‘mysticism’ thing or the unsolved mystery or the lack of emotional impact that caused me to finish reading “The Dragon Earl” by Jade Lee and think, “Uh, huh…well alrighty.” It just didn’t resonate with me, but fans of Asian lore may react differently. Ah well, different strokes for different folks, right?
February 22, 2021
Jacob, our male protag, was born heir to an Earldom. Then, when he was ten, his father and his mother took him and his sister to China--it is not clear why. There's some indication this was pure wanderlust. It clearly was not approved of by the Earl's family. It's also hard to say, though, because the only three living beings who can weigh in are the current Earl, Jacob's uncle, who may or may not have had Jacob's family murdered, his cousin Christopher, who is in line for the title, and Jacob, who was ten. Regardless, Jacob's entire family, sans him, was killed by bandits, who were paid to murder them, and the servant who escaped failed to mention that Jacob was still alive. As such, Jacob was raised in a Chinese monastary.
By the time we meet him, Jacob identifies as Jie Ke, and his main goal in life is to become a Buddhist monk. However, the order won't let him in until he goes and settles his affairs back in England, including claiming the woman he was betrothed to before his family's ill-fated trip.
Enter Evelyn Stanton, said betrothed, who is happily getting married to Christopher, Jacob's cousin, the current heir, and her friend. She would like to get on with the business of being a countess, since she's been trained to it her whole life, and also she would really like to have sex, and that requires getting married, since Chris is pretty invested in Evelyn being proper. Lee writes the hypocrisy of how forcibly constructed Evelyn has been by others pretty amazingly:
"[Evelyn] shrugged and lifted her face to his. Would he kiss her? He frowned instead. Chris didn't like her to be so easy with him, so familiar. A countess had to be wooed, he said."
There are two main emotional storylines/character journeys in this book. The first is Jacob's need to let go of his anger and fear and the burning need for vengeance on whomever killed his family. While reasonable, it's not helping him. He's already killed the bandits--something that did not bring him the relief he expected, instead, brought him more shame--but his intention is to find whomever is behind the murders and kill them. In large part, this appears to be Jacob's way of having some type of control in a world where he has had very little since he was ten. The Chinese do not see him as one of theirs--he discusses having been used for sex out of curiosity, and the way he is treated differently than the other monk apprentices--but the English certainly no longer have any interest in claiming him.
Evelyn, meanwhile, has been molded so firmly into a Future Countess, into whom she is Supposed to Be, it takes her a while to realize there's even a layer underneath that, let alone several. And it takes her much longer to start fighting against that training, to truly consider who she might be without the label, who she wants to be.
Both of these journeys have to do with self-conception and the choice to follow one's own path. Lee does an excellent job, however, of also making them about the mutual support and enthusiastic consent in a relationship, without overplaying her hand:
"Every interaction between [Evelyn and Jacob] had been without pressure for her to act in one way or another. Even when she had gone to his fight, he had acted to protected her, had forcefully pointed out her errors in judgment, but there had been no suggestion of punishment or desire to orchestrate her actions. In short, Jie Ke asked where Christopher told. He advised, Christopher decreed."
Their relationship is slow burn despite them being almost immediately physically attracted to each other. And when it comes together, it makes sense because the ways they build each other up and not just fulfill but actively better one another cannot be questioned.
Another thing I appreciated about this book is that Christopher isn't evil. He's a man of his time, but he's not a bad person. When Jacob asks of Christopher the one thing he really needs, Christopher tells him he will come through for him, and Jacob believes him. There are a lot of threads left hanging in some ways by this book, for example: we never find out the murderer. Jacob rescinds the title, and he can't be a monk, so it's unclear how the two of them will make their way forward. In a genre that as a general rule ties things up neatly, it does feel a little weird. The thing is, we, as the reader, don't need any of that information. The emotional arc of the book has been completed, and in some ways, telling us that would undermine that completion.
By the time we meet him, Jacob identifies as Jie Ke, and his main goal in life is to become a Buddhist monk. However, the order won't let him in until he goes and settles his affairs back in England, including claiming the woman he was betrothed to before his family's ill-fated trip.
Enter Evelyn Stanton, said betrothed, who is happily getting married to Christopher, Jacob's cousin, the current heir, and her friend. She would like to get on with the business of being a countess, since she's been trained to it her whole life, and also she would really like to have sex, and that requires getting married, since Chris is pretty invested in Evelyn being proper. Lee writes the hypocrisy of how forcibly constructed Evelyn has been by others pretty amazingly:
"[Evelyn] shrugged and lifted her face to his. Would he kiss her? He frowned instead. Chris didn't like her to be so easy with him, so familiar. A countess had to be wooed, he said."
There are two main emotional storylines/character journeys in this book. The first is Jacob's need to let go of his anger and fear and the burning need for vengeance on whomever killed his family. While reasonable, it's not helping him. He's already killed the bandits--something that did not bring him the relief he expected, instead, brought him more shame--but his intention is to find whomever is behind the murders and kill them. In large part, this appears to be Jacob's way of having some type of control in a world where he has had very little since he was ten. The Chinese do not see him as one of theirs--he discusses having been used for sex out of curiosity, and the way he is treated differently than the other monk apprentices--but the English certainly no longer have any interest in claiming him.
Evelyn, meanwhile, has been molded so firmly into a Future Countess, into whom she is Supposed to Be, it takes her a while to realize there's even a layer underneath that, let alone several. And it takes her much longer to start fighting against that training, to truly consider who she might be without the label, who she wants to be.
Both of these journeys have to do with self-conception and the choice to follow one's own path. Lee does an excellent job, however, of also making them about the mutual support and enthusiastic consent in a relationship, without overplaying her hand:
"Every interaction between [Evelyn and Jacob] had been without pressure for her to act in one way or another. Even when she had gone to his fight, he had acted to protected her, had forcefully pointed out her errors in judgment, but there had been no suggestion of punishment or desire to orchestrate her actions. In short, Jie Ke asked where Christopher told. He advised, Christopher decreed."
Their relationship is slow burn despite them being almost immediately physically attracted to each other. And when it comes together, it makes sense because the ways they build each other up and not just fulfill but actively better one another cannot be questioned.
Another thing I appreciated about this book is that Christopher isn't evil. He's a man of his time, but he's not a bad person. When Jacob asks of Christopher the one thing he really needs, Christopher tells him he will come through for him, and Jacob believes him. There are a lot of threads left hanging in some ways by this book, for example: we never find out the murderer. Jacob rescinds the title, and he can't be a monk, so it's unclear how the two of them will make their way forward. In a genre that as a general rule ties things up neatly, it does feel a little weird. The thing is, we, as the reader, don't need any of that information. The emotional arc of the book has been completed, and in some ways, telling us that would undermine that completion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
I’ve reread this book many times and enjoy it every time. The only problem I have is I expect a slightly different ending and am always disappointed when it doesn’t happen.
Adore the character building of Jacob and Evelyn. From proper English woman to one that wants to embrace the world along with tragic childhood experienced monk coming back to the English way. They complimented each other very well in my opinion.
Adore the character building of Jacob and Evelyn. From proper English woman to one that wants to embrace the world along with tragic childhood experienced monk coming back to the English way. They complimented each other very well in my opinion.
August 20, 2020
A powerful opening, and the pace never lets up. The sexual tension is slow and strong, and the few steamy scenes are powerful. However, I did not find the resolution of the romance plot entirely satisfactory, and several subplots fizzled out. The emphasis on actions and imagery, as opposed to character thoughts, make this well-suited for a movie.
June 11, 2019
This book was a let down to me. There was little to no action or adventure. Everything happened so quietly and clam with Jacob not finding out who murdered his family etc...
November 3, 2012
Jade Lee is an author with a compelling point of view, and well worth a read. I don't always like her books. More properly, I suppose, I don't always like her characters, but they're always unique, complex, and interesting, and demonstrate intelligence and a way of thinking that's unusual for the setting or the type of book in which they reside.
I've read Jade Lee's "White Tigress" and attempted "Devil's Bargain." I found "White Tigress" compelling, a little off-putting at times, but very interesting.
"Devil's Bargain" was, for me, too overt in its sexuality, too gritty, perhaps, in that it distills marriage in the regency period to a transaction. The premise of the book is that some women aren't marriageable, for the time period, unless they bring overt sexuality to the table, a particular feminine mystique, that can only be taught by a reprobate noble who knows what a man wants. While the young lady trainee's virginity remains intact, none of her innocence remains. The book, while intelligent, disturbed the fit of my rose-colored glasses.
But this isn't about that book. It's about this book, which is equally brilliant, but less disturbing.
Evelyn has been contracted to marry an earl, and when the original, Jacob, is suspected dead, everyone, even Evelyn assumes she'll marry his replacement, Christopher. Evelyn has been constrained her whole life, and while the constraints of her life are severe-she is, after all, a countess-to-be, and must always act as one-the book feels a little like a lesson in feminist theory, or humanist theory if one wants to go wider, than a top-over-tails romance. Evelyn's life is tightly constrained, but so are all women's in that time period, and so we can extrapolate further. But so, also is Jacob's, and it's his desire for the freedom of being a Xu Lin monk that highlights how very constrained everyone is, especially compared as it is to Christopher's embrace of the constrictions required of an earl-to-be.
At the end, Evelyn and Jacob learn to break free of their constraints and forge a new life they construct for themselves, melding the freedom, or perhaps just serenity, Jacob learned to covet in the East with the requirements of living a "civilized" life in the West.
I wanted to fall in love with Evelyn and Jacob, but I didn't. I found the language of the book and the ideas it explored fascinating, but the ideas themselves seemed to get between me and the characters. They were engaging, interesting, but I couldn't completely immerse myself in them or their world.
I've read Jade Lee's "White Tigress" and attempted "Devil's Bargain." I found "White Tigress" compelling, a little off-putting at times, but very interesting.
"Devil's Bargain" was, for me, too overt in its sexuality, too gritty, perhaps, in that it distills marriage in the regency period to a transaction. The premise of the book is that some women aren't marriageable, for the time period, unless they bring overt sexuality to the table, a particular feminine mystique, that can only be taught by a reprobate noble who knows what a man wants. While the young lady trainee's virginity remains intact, none of her innocence remains. The book, while intelligent, disturbed the fit of my rose-colored glasses.
But this isn't about that book. It's about this book, which is equally brilliant, but less disturbing.
Evelyn has been contracted to marry an earl, and when the original, Jacob, is suspected dead, everyone, even Evelyn assumes she'll marry his replacement, Christopher. Evelyn has been constrained her whole life, and while the constraints of her life are severe-she is, after all, a countess-to-be, and must always act as one-the book feels a little like a lesson in feminist theory, or humanist theory if one wants to go wider, than a top-over-tails romance. Evelyn's life is tightly constrained, but so are all women's in that time period, and so we can extrapolate further. But so, also is Jacob's, and it's his desire for the freedom of being a Xu Lin monk that highlights how very constrained everyone is, especially compared as it is to Christopher's embrace of the constrictions required of an earl-to-be.
At the end, Evelyn and Jacob learn to break free of their constraints and forge a new life they construct for themselves, melding the freedom, or perhaps just serenity, Jacob learned to covet in the East with the requirements of living a "civilized" life in the West.
I wanted to fall in love with Evelyn and Jacob, but I didn't. I found the language of the book and the ideas it explored fascinating, but the ideas themselves seemed to get between me and the characters. They were engaging, interesting, but I couldn't completely immerse myself in them or their world.
April 11, 2016
Since I have been in a reading slum, I decided to once again hit my TBR pile and go back to my reading roots - romance. This is my second Jade Lee book, and I must say I really enjoyed it. Like her other book Tempted Tigress, this novel has ties to unusual settings and characters - China and monks. The novel itself is set in England. The book starts with a bang. During Evelyn Stanley's wedding ceremony to Christopher, future Earl of Warhaven, 3 monks in robes interrupt the service and halt the wedding. When the saffron robed monk throws off his robe, he isn't Chinese at all, but an Englishman monk claiming to be the true Earl of Warhaven and betrothed to Evie. Chaos reigns, and the wedding is halted while the lawyers try to figure out the truth. We find out that the true Earl's family was believed to be slaughtered on their trip to China, but Jacob (Jei Ke) survived and trained in a monastery for hand to hand combat and he wants to become a monk. Both Evie and Jacob are layered characters struggling with expectations and their pasts. Evie is tied to her boring expected life as a future countess, but wants so much more from life. Jacob is struggling to find peace with his traumatic witnessing of the slaughter of his family, but struggles with guilt, anger, and feelings of revenge which are very un-monk like. Both characters complement each other, emotionally and sexually. I really enjoyed Lee’s writing, she is very good at building sexual tension and creating layered characters the reader cares about. I also enjoyed the uniqueness of the ties to China. I thought this was a standalone title, but noticed it is part of the Regency Rags to Riches series. I couldn’t tell it was part of a series, which is great, and I am interested enough to check out other books in the series. Although some reviewers hated the end, the unresolved issues didn't bother me. I felt like Jacob's resolution fit his character and it was what he needed to do to move on with his life.
September 28, 2010
Ok, but not recommended.
STORY BRIEF:
Jacob and his family went to China when he was 10. Someone in England hired bandits to kill his family. He survived and was raised by monks. He wanted to become a monk, but they sent him to England to resolve issues from his past before doing so. Jacob was heir to the earldom of Warhaven. After his father’s death, the uncle became earl and the uncle’s son Christopher became heir. As a child, a marriage had been arranged for Jacob and Evelyn. Now, Evelyn is to marry Christopher. Jacob arrives in England during the wedding ceremony which is stopped due to the confusion of Jacob’s arrival. Jacob and Evelyn are drawn to each other, yet she still loves Christopher. Jacob is drawn to both being a monk and staying in England. Jacob is skilled in martial arts fighting, and there are some scenes showing his fighting skills.
REVIEWER’S OPINION (INCLUDES SOME SPOILERS):
At times I wanted the story to be over. I wasn’t drawn in enough. I wasn’t surprised or delighted or smiling. The issues and characters were similar to other romance novels. Another problem was the unresolved plot issue. The reader never learns who hired the killers, and no justice is done. I am wondering if the author: (1) couldn’t think of an interesting motive or killer, (2) just got tired of writing and ended the book early, or (3) plans a sequel. Having a sequel to resolve this particular plot issue does not appeal to me. I would prefer a sequel about other characters, not to finish this first story. In addition, the ending concerning the couple was odd, leaving questions in my mind. I would have liked an epilogue describing the couple’s life, locations and finances in the future.
DATA:
Story length: 292 pages. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Total number of sex scene pages: 18. Setting: unspecified time probably early 1800s England. Copyright: 2008. Genre: historical romance.
STORY BRIEF:
Jacob and his family went to China when he was 10. Someone in England hired bandits to kill his family. He survived and was raised by monks. He wanted to become a monk, but they sent him to England to resolve issues from his past before doing so. Jacob was heir to the earldom of Warhaven. After his father’s death, the uncle became earl and the uncle’s son Christopher became heir. As a child, a marriage had been arranged for Jacob and Evelyn. Now, Evelyn is to marry Christopher. Jacob arrives in England during the wedding ceremony which is stopped due to the confusion of Jacob’s arrival. Jacob and Evelyn are drawn to each other, yet she still loves Christopher. Jacob is drawn to both being a monk and staying in England. Jacob is skilled in martial arts fighting, and there are some scenes showing his fighting skills.
REVIEWER’S OPINION (INCLUDES SOME SPOILERS):
At times I wanted the story to be over. I wasn’t drawn in enough. I wasn’t surprised or delighted or smiling. The issues and characters were similar to other romance novels. Another problem was the unresolved plot issue. The reader never learns who hired the killers, and no justice is done. I am wondering if the author: (1) couldn’t think of an interesting motive or killer, (2) just got tired of writing and ended the book early, or (3) plans a sequel. Having a sequel to resolve this particular plot issue does not appeal to me. I would prefer a sequel about other characters, not to finish this first story. In addition, the ending concerning the couple was odd, leaving questions in my mind. I would have liked an epilogue describing the couple’s life, locations and finances in the future.
DATA:
Story length: 292 pages. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Total number of sex scene pages: 18. Setting: unspecified time probably early 1800s England. Copyright: 2008. Genre: historical romance.
December 18, 2008
The story of a lost heir to the earldom of a rich family, Jacob and his family traveled to China when he was a boy and they never returned. On the day of Evelyn's wedding to Christopher, her bethrothed after her bethrothed Jacob was assumed dead with his parents, Jacob interrupts the ceremony, calling himself Jie Kie, and claims his rights to the title and Evelyn. Wanting to only return to China and be a monk, Jacob must prove to Zhi Min that he has tasted his true english life and hate it. Falling in love with Evelyn, the two do return to China yet Jacob no longer desire to be a monk but rather a husband.
As a whole this novel was amazing to the point that my only critism came at the last few pages of the novel. In my opinion, I felt the end of the book seemed a bit rushed and hurried. Lee seemed to cram the book together at the end of the book and the booked seemed to just die. Despite this the characters were strong, there were very interesting plot points, and many comical moments in the novel. Over all, not a bad read.
As a whole this novel was amazing to the point that my only critism came at the last few pages of the novel. In my opinion, I felt the end of the book seemed a bit rushed and hurried. Lee seemed to cram the book together at the end of the book and the booked seemed to just die. Despite this the characters were strong, there were very interesting plot points, and many comical moments in the novel. Over all, not a bad read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2009
Interesting read, I really enjoyed it. Think Kung Fu meets Regency England. Lots of conflict - starting with Chinese monks interrupting a very proper Ton wedding [an arranged marriage between the heroine and future Earl of Warhaven:]. One of the monks steps up claiming to be the CORRECT groom, the Earl of Warhaven. [Fighting ensues which the monk wins handily:].
Jacob was raised in China in a monastery after his parents and sister were murdered by order of someone in England. Sent by the Abbot to confront his past before he can claim the future of becoming a monk, and driven by a desire to find the murderers of his family, ways of life clash. Cousins come to blows over the claim to the title and the bride. The heroine's expectations of what her life should be and must be collide. The hero's expectations of what his life should be and must be are in conflict.
A lot of philosophy in this one - I found it very appealing and very out of the ordinary.
Jacob was raised in China in a monastery after his parents and sister were murdered by order of someone in England. Sent by the Abbot to confront his past before he can claim the future of becoming a monk, and driven by a desire to find the murderers of his family, ways of life clash. Cousins come to blows over the claim to the title and the bride. The heroine's expectations of what her life should be and must be collide. The hero's expectations of what his life should be and must be are in conflict.
A lot of philosophy in this one - I found it very appealing and very out of the ordinary.
January 10, 2009
This tale begins with a supposed Chinese monk disrupting a wedding... his own. Jacob Cato was left for dead in China and has now returned on the day that was to be his wedding. The girl he was to marry is in the process of getting married to his cousin. He effectively stops the ceremony, but for what purpose. As events draw out, it becomes clear that Jacob is interested in what was to be his future bride, but not in being the earl. There is an obvious attraction between Jacob and Evelyn, but they have their differences. These differences almost cost them everything.
The premise of the story was interesting, but it just seemed to lack something. I really was not induced to read the characters and really didn't care for them much. I just finished the story to find out what happens at the end. The ending was almost too abrupt and many loose ties tied up. A pretty forgettable read.
The premise of the story was interesting, but it just seemed to lack something. I really was not induced to read the characters and really didn't care for them much. I just finished the story to find out what happens at the end. The ending was almost too abrupt and many loose ties tied up. A pretty forgettable read.
May 22, 2009
I loved Lee’s writing but disliked the characters. This will be the last Lee book I read. I found it implausible that the heroine had multiple men in love with her. You never do learn the identity of the “bad guy” who killed the hero’s parents and sister. The character “gave” the responsibility to his cousin. The heroine at the last minute just decided to wander the globe with her man after spending most of the book saying that she fought her feelings because she wanted to be responsible for the people on her land. I admit, I change my mind, but I think I considered moving a few states for around a month. Goodness knows what it would take for me to discuss moving to China… I believe that Lee's creativity and unusual constructs ensure that she will still continue to create new stories, but she won’t grace my bookshelf.
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January 1, 2013 It was okay but alittle bland with a good plotline but it was more about two people who knew each other as children but grew up in two different circumstances that changed them. Two different people with different ideas for their paths yets somehow fall in love. Two different paths yets what they thought they wanted might not be what they truly had in mind anymore, but maybe a future with each other....
*** I said it was bland because their was no heat, tension, or sense of anticipation, it was very quiet but at least the foreplay and sex were smokey. I think also all the asshole-ish behavior was a turnoff and so narrowminded. The ending was satesfying enough but it was like BAM, the end.sad. I was hoping for more throughout but nope. My favorite scenes were the Fighting clearing, and the rememberances of Jacob. But I did like Evies sister Maddie snarky and sassy.
*** I said it was bland because their was no heat, tension, or sense of anticipation, it was very quiet but at least the foreplay and sex were smokey. I think also all the asshole-ish behavior was a turnoff and so narrowminded. The ending was satesfying enough but it was like BAM, the end.sad. I was hoping for more throughout but nope. My favorite scenes were the Fighting clearing, and the rememberances of Jacob. But I did like Evies sister Maddie snarky and sassy.
October 23, 2008
I liked this book a Lot. The hero is an English Earl. But his family was killed on an expedition to China (this info is given early on), and he was raised in a Chinese monastery. He's come back to England, accompanied by two Chinese friends, one of whom is also a monk, to "reconnect" with his family. The first thing he does is interrupt a wedding, because the bride is engaged to marry the Earl of whatever, and HE is the Earl, not his cousin. Turmoil ensues. Is he Really the earl? What does he really want? What about this "fiancee" of his? Is she willing to marry him? I just loved the way Jade Lee worked this all out. It's a really good read.
March 26, 2011
an original, and not ordinary, regency romance. Interesting story. I really like the opening : A Chinese monk stride down the aisle at Evelyn's wedding. He dispatch three groomsmen, unarmed, and declare that he is Jacob, the long-lost heir to the earldom of Warhaven. His family was slaughtered in China, and he come back to claim his heritage and fiancee, Evelyn.
But Jade Lee forgot to tie the loose knot. Someone in England hired bandits to kill Jacob's family in China. Who and why? No answer provided in this book, and it is really annoying me.
Perhaps the mystery will solved in the sequel book *perhaps*
But Jade Lee forgot to tie the loose knot. Someone in England hired bandits to kill Jacob's family in China. Who and why? No answer provided in this book, and it is really annoying me.
Perhaps the mystery will solved in the sequel book *perhaps*
August 6, 2013
Though I love regency romance it's getting harder and harder to be surprised by the plot. I'm very happy to say that wasn't the case here. The hero is definitely a very unique one. He's an Englishman who was abandoned in China as a child. When he returns to England as an adult he considers himself a monk. The heroine is not as unique but still a great character. She's a product of her upbringing until she realizes that might not be what she wants.
Overall this is a really great read with a very interesting plot. Memorable characters and very hot sex scenes. My only complaint is the question of who may have had Jacob's parents killed is never answered.
Overall this is a really great read with a very interesting plot. Memorable characters and very hot sex scenes. My only complaint is the question of who may have had Jacob's parents killed is never answered.
February 17, 2012
I'm gonna be honest and say that it took me forever to actually get to a point where I was looking forward to reading the rest of the book, I was probably little more than half way done and still making myself read on. I'm glad I did keep reading, I ended up liking the story, but it just wasn't clicking with me in the beginning. I the premise for the book is interesting with the Earl actually wanting to be a monk and such. I'm with everyone else on wanting to know who hired the bandits to kill the earl's family. For me the book on a whole was luke warm.
February 26, 2011
It was ok. I found the hero to be almost child-like. Part of me wanted her to choose her fiance. The author seemed to forget to solve the mystery of who hired the bandits. The fiance makes a big production of going to talk to his mother, he comes back and they never say what he found out. I own another Jade Lee book and will probably at least try to read that one. If I don't like that one either then I don't see myself reading her again. Not when I have a huge TBR already.
January 21, 2016
I actually will give this book 3.5 stars.
I liked how Jacob and Evelyn relationship develop. They both start to depend on each other without realizing it.
There are some issues in this book that are not resolved. I hope that answers will be provide in a sequel.
I liked how Jacob and Evelyn relationship develop. They both start to depend on each other without realizing it.
There are some issues in this book that are not resolved. I hope that answers will be provide in a sequel.
January 11, 2013
I would have liked to have rated this book a bit higher, but the weak resolution of the hero's suspicions regarding his family left me a bit flat. However, the main characters have depth and uniqueness not often found in the historical romance genre.
November 20, 2014
Interesting story idea but poor execution. The writing was full of throw away supporting characters and overly dramatic dialogue. I never learned to like the damaged immature hero or the forgettable heroine.
Read
November 5, 2008The Dragon Earl (Leisure Historical Romance) by Jade Lee (2008)
April 23, 2009
Another vacation read - but not all that satisfying. Dialog was odd and stilted, and, well, there just wasn't that much 'romance' in this romance novel.
June 27, 2014
This book has it all. It is humorous as well as heart wrenching and erotic. She writes the symptoms of post traumatic stress like poetry. I highly recommend this book.
June 19, 2009
A Chinese monk who turns out to be a long-lost Earl in the 1800's. Read the first couple of chapters, skimmed thru the rest. Disappointing.
August 15, 2014
3.5 Stars. I like the story and the characters. Some of it seemed a little improbable and overly dramatic. I didn't think that the issues were well resolved at the end.
March 2, 2014
Really a 3.5. Had some good moments and a unique storyline, but the characters frustrated me.sometimes and the ending is a bit dissapointing.
December 2, 2018
I enjoyed reading.
Again.
Again.
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