Brander Hansen lost his hearing at age seven, his inheritance at twenty-three. Furious at his father's betrayal, Brander leaves home to make his way as Lord Olsen, a 'discreet gentleman of discovery' in 1721 Christiania, Norway. He intends to gain his own estate and begins buying the debt markers on Kildahlshus.
Baroness Regin Kildahl's husband has gambled away her estate and sunk to more dangerous habits. She writes to Lord Olsen soliciting his help saving both her husband and her home. When her husband dies, Regin offers herself and her title to anyone who will redeem his gambling debts, unaware of Brander's plan and circumventing his efforts.
The Hansen heir accepts her offer and hires Lord Olsen to deliver his bride. Brander's choices are clear: give the widow and her estate to his younger brother, or claim them both as his own. But who would accept a deaf husband?
Kris Tualla is pursuing her dream of becoming a multi-published author of historical fiction. She started in 2006 with nothing but a nugget of a character in mind and absolutely no idea where to go from there. She has created a dynasty - The Hansen Series - with six novels currently in line for publication."
An excellent book set in Norway, with a big blond Norseman as a hero. This one also happens to be deaf. The story is intriguing from the outset, the characters interesting, and the heroine in need of rescue. The hero is a "a discreet gentleman" meaning a detective who can be discreet. He has something to prove and he is deliciously effective. And this is just the first of five!
Historical murder mystery set in Norway with deaf/mute H. The h married to an awful man, leaving her with debt. This is a long book in need of beta reader to reduce the Telling. Pages of tedious detail about snow, travelling a coach and more snow. But there is good potential. The plot was great, as were both characters. The h is the hero in this story. He's full of self doubt, not a strong person. I'll try more books by this author, as I liked the plot very much.
DNF was struggling to get into it. Struggled to even understand who was speaking when.
Update did in fact finish reading it. Ummmm what to say. Midway through the book I had a lot of thoughts. Yes it is a nice HEA but by God did it take a year and a day.
I deffo think the book could have been at least a third shorter. Never in my life have I heard the eye’s of a person described so many times. Like the guy has technicolour eyes we get it.
I think the FMC was portrayed quite well given the circumstances but line guy we could have told the babe the secret sometime in the journey yah know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A Discreet Gentleman of Discovery is book 1 of the Discreet Gentlemen series. I've read both books 1 and 2 so far of the series and am eagerly looking forward to reading more. The first few books feature Brander Hansen of Norway, in the early 1700's. I enjoy historical fiction because past events become alive when seen through the eyes of a character we learn to care about. This author is talented at creating living, breathing characters that are just like that. Kris Tualla has also mastered creating intriguing circumstances to throw at her protagonists. She has woven in a good feel for the era, some authentic voice to her heroes and heroines, baffling mysteries, fast-paced action, a romance and much more. The sum total equals a compelling read.
For the previous nine years, Brander Hansen has only been known as Lord Olaf Olsen, a discreet gentleman of discovery--someone we would call a private eye or detective today. He loved to solve puzzles, but how he accomplished this is a puzzle in itself because Lord Olsen is completely deaf. By the age of seven, he lost the final vestiges of his hearing. His wealthy family employed a young cousin a little older than Brander to be his ears and voice. The two have been inseparable since then. Growing up together, the boys invented their own language using gestures (similar to modern sign language) to communicate. In social situations, Niels would interpret for Brander. But under the perceptions and prejudices of the day, Brander was viewed as stupid, helpless, and useless. It became a matter of pride to him to live independently and thrive successfully as his alter ego, Lord Olsen.
It was in this capacity that Brander met one of his clients, the Baroness of Hamar, Lady Regin Kildahl Skogan. She hired Lord Olsen to investigate her husband's debts which were bankrupting the family estate. At the same time Lord Olsen had been hired by her husband's debtors to collect on his unpaid gambling debts. As a man with a solid reputation, he pondered how to solves these problems to everyone's satisfaction.
In the meantime, Lady Regin worked tirelessly to keep her estate functional, take care of her tenants, work the fields and prepare for the harsh northern winter. Through all her difficulties, the reader comes to know Regin's character and relates to the struggles she must endure. After her errant husband of 7 years died of opium mixed with poison, she was forced to deal repeatedly with Lord Olsen to save her people. Finally in desperation, she announced she was in search of a creditor who would pay all her debts in exchange for the title of Baron, and take her to wife as well. The complication: she had fallen in love with Lord Olsen.
I find so many reasons to love this book and storyline. First, there is an underlying attraction between Brander and Regin when they are together. But they are trapped by the social conventions of the day. How they overcome this obstacle makes this book worth reading over and over. Second, there is the unique circumstances that Brander has had to face all his 31 years--his deafness and the prejudice even within his own family. His bright intelligence helped him overcome all this, even superceding his disadvantage to the point of becoming a superb detective, because he often noticed details most other men did not. I became entranced with how the author developed this particular hero.
Third, there is an intriguing mystery that Brander and Niels must solve that keeps this storyline moving along quickly, throws the reader's expectations to the wind from time to time, and adds suspense and danger to the mix. Brander's resourcefulness is often astounding. All this combined together kept my eyes glued to the pages in suspense.
One cautionary comment: There are some scenes with explicit sexual content. It is written within the context of the starkness of the times, reflecting the social inequality of people of different standing. The author skillfully avoided the crudeness often found in modern so-called romance books. It was tastefully written and does not distract from the character development and the major and secondary plots.
Overall, I recommend this book, especially if you enjoy historical romances which involves suspense and mystery.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author, Kris Tualla. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 19s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
A Discreet Gentleman of Discovery is book 1 of the Discreet Gentlemen series. I've read both books 1 and 2 so far of the series and am eagerly looking forward to reading more. The first few books feature Brander Hansen of Norway, in the early 1700's. I enjoy historical fiction because past events become alive when seen through the eyes of a character we learn to care about. This author is talented at creating living, breathing characters that are just like that. Kris Tualla has also mastered creating intriguing circumstances to throw at her protagonists. She has woven in a good feel for the era, some authentic voice to her heroes and heroines, baffling mysteries, fast-paced action, a romance and much more. The sum total equals a compelling read.
For the previous nine years, Brander Hansen has only been known as Lord Olaf Olsen, a discreet gentleman of discovery--someone we would call a private eye or detective today. He loved to solve puzzles, but how he accomplished this is a puzzle in itself because Lord Olsen is completely deaf. By the age of seven, he lost the final vestiges of his hearing. His wealthy family employed a young cousin a little older than Brander to be his ears and voice. The two have been inseparable since then. Growing up together, the boys invented their own language using gestures (similar to modern sign language) to communicate. In social situations, Niels would interpret for Brander. But under the perceptions and prejudices of the day, Brander was viewed as stupid, helpless, and useless. It became a matter of pride to him to live independently and thrive successfully as his alter ego, Lord Olsen.
It was in this capacity that Brander met one of his clients, the Baroness of Hamar, Lady Regin Kildahl Skogan. She hired Lord Olsen to investigate her husband's debts which were bankrupting the family estate. At the same time Lord Olsen had been hired by her husband's debtors to collect on his unpaid gambling debts. As a man with a solid reputation, he pondered how to solves these problems to everyone's satisfaction.
In the meantime, Lady Regin worked tirelessly to keep her estate functional, take care of her tenants, work the fields and prepare for the harsh northern winter. Through all her difficulties, the reader comes to know Regin's character and relates to the struggles she must endure. After her errant husband of 7 years died of opium mixed with poison, she was forced to deal repeatedly with Lord Olsen to save her people. Finally in desperation, she announced she was in search of a creditor who would pay all her debts in exchange for the title of Baron, and take her to wife as well. The complication: she had fallen in love with Lord Olsen.
I find so many reasons to love this book and storyline. First, there is an underlying attraction between Brander and Regin when they are together. But they are trapped by the social conventions of the day. How they overcome this obstacle makes this book worth reading over and over. Second, there is the unique circumstances that Brander has had to face all his 31 years--his deafness and the prejudice even within his own family. His bright intelligence helped him overcome all this, even superceding his disadvantage to the point of becoming a superb detective, because he often noticed details most other men did not. I became entranced with how the author developed this particular hero.
Third, there is an intriguing mystery that Brander and Niels must solve that keeps this storyline moving along quickly, throws the reader's expectations to the wind from time to time, and adds suspense and danger to the mix. Brander's resourcefulness is often astounding. All this combined together kept my eyes glued to the pages in suspense.
One cautionary comment: There are some scenes with explicit sexual content. It is written within the context of the starkness of the times, reflecting the social inequality of people of different standing. The author skillfully avoided the crudeness often found in modern so-called romance books. It was tastefully written and does not distract from the character development and the major and secondary plots.
Overall, I recommend this book, especially if you enjoy historical romances which involves suspense and mystery.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author, Kris Tualla. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
A very interesting main character - it's rare to find deaf characters in historical novels, and even harder to find where the hero is deaf. I quite enjoyed this unusual perspective and Tualla does a good job of describing (realistically) how such a man would interact with the world. The ending was a bit over-the-top, but I see that the adventures continue in another novel and I plan on picking it up.
I liked this book because of it's unusual setting in 18th century Norway, and its unusual protagonist Brander, who is deaf and who has learned to cope and even triumph in spite of his handicap. There is a murder mystery to solve and a relationship to be pursued. However, the writing is stiff--at first I thought it was a translation--the language is awkward, and doesn't flow easily.
A Discreet Gentleman of Discovery (Discreet Gentleman, #1) by Kris Tualla A Discreet Gentleman of Discovery (Discreet Gentleman, #1) by Kris Tualla Brander Hansen lost his hearing at age seven, his inheritance at twenty-three. Furious at his father's betrayal, Brander leaves home to make his way as Lord Olsen, a 'discreet gentleman of discovery' in 1721 Christiania, Norway. He intends to gain his own estate and begins buying the debt markers on Kildahlshus.Baroness Regin Kildahl's husband has gambled away her estate and sunk to more dangerous habits. She writes to Lord Olsen soliciting his help saving both her husband and her home. When her husband dies, Regin offers herself and her title to anyone who will redeem his gambling debts, unaware of Brander's plan and circumventing his efforts.The Hansen heir accepts her offer and hires Lord Olsen to deliver his bride. Brander's choices are clear: give the widow and her estate to his younger brother, or claim them both as his own. But who would accept a deaf husband?My Review: I had to rate this book five stars, I absolutely love the deaf hero because it makes him so endearing. Oddly its not the main focus of Branders existence its just a part of who he is. I love that the author didn't spend the entire book obsessing over his fault and making it a part of the whole book. Its interesting to see how he investigates both sides of the debt case and has to find where his loyalties lie. I wasn't sure I liked Regin at first and I am still left with a few mixed feelings toward her but I liked the way she finally felt for Brand and the sex was written in a way I didn't expect. There is a lot of social/political/emotional upheaval for Brand because of his position, job, and family but I felt Tualla has written a truly beautiful story with equally beautiful characters. My Rating:5 StarsReviewed By: Krissy's Bookshelf Reviewshttp://kkmalott.booklikes.com/Note: I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from the Author
This was my first ever historical romance that I have read and I totally deserve a slap on the hand for waiting so long to read this genre! This was a wonderfully delightful read about a deaf man who makes his living as a "Discreet Gentleman of Discovery" under a false name as a means to get money to one day buy his own estate to prove his family wrong. I loved this book and the chemistry between Brander and Regin was so wonderful you could feel it. I am so excited to continue reading about Brander and Regin they are amazing characters that I can't get enough of and I really love the facts and details of that era that went into the story.
The first of a new series for Tualla, this adventure revolves around Brander Hansen, a deaf detective, who is out to gain the respect he has fought for his entire adult life. On the way to his goal, he encounters murderers, wayward husbands and a beautiful widow. Set in 18th century Norway, Tualla effectively takes us back to another era that soon gets forgotten as we become involved in the lives of these intriguing characters. With plenty of plot twists to keep the pages turning, this book is highly recommended.
This was a great read! The story takes place in Norway, 1700's. The main protagonist is a Deaf man, Brander, who works as a private investigator. The author expertly weaves Deaf culture and the concerns that many Deaf people experience into the storyline. She also doesn't make his deafness the character's whole life. She gives readers strong, multi-dimensional characters that readers can connect with. The heroine in the story is strong-willed and capable of looking beyond the obvious. The book has romance, mystery and suspense. A definite "Must Read."
An ARC was given to me for an honest review. Even with his inconvenience, he has taken care of himself and amassed enough to pay off over five thousand dollars in debt to buy a title and holdings. But people still think he is incapable. This is well written with an interesting storyline that will entertain you from the first page to the last. This book shows that with determination all obstacles can be overcome. This author is new to me and she knows how to tell a story. Sit back and enjoy an excellent romantic murder mystery. I did.
this was recommended to me as a Regency Romance set in Norway, which it is not. Once I got over that disappointment, I really enjoyed it. Very nicely paced and character development was exceptional - I loved the development of the relationship, but also the insights in to daily life in the early 18th century, as well as social challenges of having a disability in this historical era. The intimate scenes were a bit much for my taste, but I truly enjoyed getting inside the characters heads, got attached to them, and would be interested in reading more about what develops next for them
I like the ideas in this story but found it a bit too rambling. It could have been quicker paced and that would have made me a lot happier as the reader. Besides this, the story had some clever ideas in it with a rather hunky hero and a sharp, bright heroine. There was a bit of mystery, a bit of romancing, some tension and of course family disagreements and issues to be resolved, so if you enjoy this kind of thing in a book, please read it. I'm a bit puzzled about the Title - Perhaps it will come to me later..... I received this book in exchange for an honest review
I must admit; Kris Tualla is a dear friend of mine, but her friendship didn't sway my love for Brandr Hansen. I've been anticipating this novel for months and finished at 3:00 this morning. It is well written and Brandr and Regin will melt your heart. More than once I choked up and tears actually fell.
If you love historical romance, you will fall in love with A Discreet Gentleman of Discovery!
I loved this story. The characters are so well defined and sharp, I felt like I was there they whole time. Brander Hansen is my all time favorite hero from Ms. Tualla, and I'm delighted with Regin Kildahl Hansen as well. The mystery backing the characters flowed easily and kept me waiting to see how it would all unfold as the ending drew near. A well told tale and strong, fiery characters makes A Discreet Gentleman of Discovery a must-read for any historical romance reader! :)
This held my attention the whole way through. A bit light on romance, but with a murder mystery thrown in on the side that I found interesting. I liked the two main characters. The H is a sweetheart. I thought that the ease in communication between the h/H was HIGHLY implausible considering he was deaf and used his own style of sign language. I can't imagine the h being able to pick that up in such a short period of time.
Loved this book. Brander is a great hero and Regin is a wonderful heroine. It is a great introductory story for the beginning of a great series. On a side note, I love when stories are made up of wonderful secondary characters, whom you want to hear their stories too. Niels and Marthe are just those kind of characters. I am looking forward to reading more about these wonderful characters.
This was a really good story with depth. I was expecting a typical historical romance but the setting was not the usual. It is centered around a "Sherlock Holmes" type of man. The romance plays out slowly at first but once certain events take place it moves along much more quickly. I really enjoyed this story and will be looking forward to the next one.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. Just the setting in Norway makes it somewhat unusual, but throw in a strong heroine and a deaf hero and it just works. The mystery part of the book is more prominent than the romance portion, but the two are beautifully blended. I've also read the second book in this series and am starting on the third. This is a terrific series so far!
This is a great romance. When reading it, I felt like I knew the characters. You will love the smooth hero, Brander, the “blond giant”, a deaf and very skilled detective in 18th century Norway, and the feisty heroine, Regin.
Such a wonderful story. I particularly enjoyed the historical setting and the female lead's strength and conviction. Looking forward to the next in this series.