Amaryllis

by Joyce Proell

Lily Fitzhugh is desperate to get to America, where her father is imprisoned as a traitor against the Crown. To gain passage, she accepts a dangerous to sneak aboard a ship headed to New York and spy on suspected colonial patriot Griffin Faraday. Griffin Faraday doesn't trust the beautiful, tempting stowaway. He has a secret shipment of guns to deliver to General George Washington. Nothing can get in the way. But when Lily is ordered away with pirates, a sure death sentence, Griffin proposes marriage, the absolute last thing he wants. Now Lily and Griffin are spies hiding the truth while they try not to fall in love. Thrust into a world where deception and silence are the rule and political loyalties can mean prison or death, Lily and Griffin must face their greatest challenge—learning to trust each other.

Genres: Historical Romance

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 2019

About the author

After hearing countless extraordinary stories as a social worker and mental health therapist, Joyce Proell retired and writes her own made-up tales. The worlds of historical romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mysteries are her bailiwick. Her books feature lively, determined women who are unafraid to challenge the status quo or confront a perplexing mystery. She is a 2015 RWA Hearts through History winner.

In addition to writing, she loves to swim, walk and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa. When she isn’t traveling, she can be found with her husband and a sweet little dog at home in Minnesota, in her own little house on the prairie. To find out more about Joyce visit her website at www.joyceproell.com.

Reviews

[Jody Vitek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to escape to a historical time when our great nation was fighting for freedom, join Lily as she fights for her and her father’s freedom. Although, it doesn’t come at an easy price or without temptations. Some readers may say the see voyage goes on for too long. I believe the length is believable and needed for Lily and Griffin’s relationship. What a wonderful journey this book took me on.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

“Amaryllis” is a thrilling romance whose heroine has a head full of unrealistic ideals.

Read full review in the 2019 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Mi-ch-elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I am reading from Joyce Proell, and I have seen many enthusiastic reviews on her other books. I look forward to reading some of her other books as well.

"Amaryllis" was a fun historical romantic read, and is told from both main characters (Griffin and Lily's) point of view, which gives an overall completion with no loose ends. An enlightening story with well-developed characters and a good story-line.

From the very beginning, the two main characters knew each other. Although more so childhood acquaintances, they at least knew one another more so than the typical romance, in which the two main characters fall in love at first sight. However, I realise that someone (who has read the book) will probably point out that things definitely did not work out between Lily and her childhood friend, Lord Warwick, whom she thought she knew but was a pompous a**.

Lily is a determined young maiden. When she receives a disturbing letter, she insists that something is terribly wrong with her father and she must go to him at once. Lily has not see her father since her departure many years prior from America to London. When her uncle refuses her request, she seeks out another way to go to American. [Enter handsome male character stage right >>] Griffon reveals to her that he is leaving tomorrow on a ship bond to America. Lily begs him to take her with. However he denies her request as well.
She finds other means to get onboard the very same ship as a stowaway dressed in men’s clothing. When caught she claims to be Griffin’s boy servant.

Griffin is the perfect fictional male character - loyal, brave and charming. His dedication to the resistance motivates him to concentrate on his mission, and denied Lily as a passenger for her own safety. Through some misfortunate events, Griffin and Lily are married “in name only”. However it is apparent that there is a growing attraction between the two, making it very difficult to stick to their original plan.

A great book to afternoon read while drinking a nice cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate.
** I received a copy of Amaryllis by JoyceProell via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#Amaryllis #NetGalley

[diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review (and other bookish shenanigans) also appear at My Bookish Escapades.

I could count on one hand the number of historical romance novels I've read. My interests don't really lie on history (I know I suck) so I rarely read books that fall into this category. Fortunately, I made the right decision when I decided to give Amaryllis a shot.

Amaryllis follows Lily Fitzhugh and Griffin Faraday. Not exactly childhood friends but more of childhood acquaintances. They meet again under unfortunate circumstances, with Lily desperate to get to her father in New York that she will do absolutely anything and Griffin who, with his dangerous line of work, holds everyone at arm's length. They are thrust into each other's lives with a sham of a marriage neither expects nor wants (or do they?).

The book is told in both Griffin and Lily's POV. I really enjoyed being in their heads. Lily is a steadfast, stubborn character. She feels very strongly and never does anything halfway. She works towards her goals with an unwavering determination. In a time where women are seen inferior to men, Lily proved that underestimating what a woman can do is a grave mistake. Griffin Faraday is charming, sexy and will turn you into a puddle of lovesick goo. I expected a lot of spy stuff ala double oh-seven. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I guess that's my one complain about the book. We never actually got to see Griffin do his secret spy stuff. And I was looking forward to that.

Although Amaryllis leans more toward romance than history, I greatly enjoyed it. Being the romantic that I am, there's just no way I wouldn't love this. I fully expected this to be a standalone so reading the end was frustrating and felt like I got cheated somehow. Fortunately for me, I guess this just means more Lily and Griffin in the future. (There is a sequel, right? Pretty please tell me there's a sequel. There has to be.) I cannot wait to read what's next!

I received an e-copy of the book to read and review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping, romantic, dramatic, suspenseful and intriguing story. Griffin is loyal, brave, daring and chivalrous. Lily is bold, stubborn, impulsive, fierce and caring. When Lily learns that her father is in prison in the Colonies, where she used to live until her father sent her to England, she decides to go there and help him. After her uncle refuses to help her, she asks an old friend from home, Griffin, to get her on the ship he is sailing home on, but he also refuses. When she thinks that all is lost someone steps in and offers to get her on the ship, the condition for that help is to spy on Griffin, and find proof that he's a traitor. She agrees and spends the trip going through his things and asking questions. When her defiance necessitates a marriage between her and Griffin, they agreeable to a marriage in name only, to be annulled when the get to the colonies. but they didn't plan on falling in love, and not all is as it seems. Serious issues come up that threaten to tear them apart. It's an interesting and thrilling storyline.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

[Carole Burant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is what I call a riveting historical romance/spy novel! This is the first book I read by this author and I'm VERY impressed with her writing skills and being able to capture your attention from start to finish. I loved Griffin and Lily's story which is set amidst the American Revolutionary war. From having to share a cabin on a pirate ship to landing in New York where the British have taken over, there is adventure galore and you will have a hard time to put this book down! Griffin is a dashing spy and Lily is quite the spitfire....put the two of them together and you get fireworks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in the time of the American Revolution Amaryllis or Lily has not heard from her father now wants to return to New York her uncle is determined to keep her in England and to marry. Griffin Faraday an American is in England to complete a transaction for the 32nd colonial army and it must remain secret. Griffin and Lily know each other from when Lily father tutored Griffins. So set up their story that is full of misunderstandings, action, danger all enclosed in a well-written piece. This the first work of Ms. Proell I have read and I found it was an excellent piece and I would highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Irene Langston-Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story a lot, it held me till the end. This is the story of Lily and Griffin as they travel to New York. She wants to find her father and he is completing a mission. It is full of danger, action, adventure, intrigue and romance. Lily is a head strong woman who will do whatever it take to obtain her goal and Griffin is a strong , caring man who believes in his cause. Recommend this book and will look for more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jill Anna Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amaryllis
by Joyce Proell Is A Well Written Historical Revolutionary War Tale Of One Beautiful Spy Lily Fitzhugh & One Griffin Faraday ..A Man On A Mission To Run Guns To General Washington …Two Suspicious People Who Cannot Afford To Trust One Another & Yet Cannot Afford Not To. Can They Accomplish Their Missions & Still Find Love?!? Read and See. Much Enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I Voluntarily Reviewed An Advanced Copy Of This Book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily wantscto leave home and then her father is imprisoned for a traitor to the crown so to help him she goes on a secret mission to stowaway on a ship to New York. Then the captain wants to give her to pirates and Griffin says he wants to marry her and now they are locked in his room trying not to fall in love with each other. Loved it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that had me smiling throughout a well written story that held my interest until the last page. Amaryllis is headstrong and willing to do any to save her father she stows aboard a ship to New York. Griffin Faraday finds her and because of things that happen marries her. Then their adventure really begins. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Maidani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Regency romance with great characters, romance and intrigue. It was lo, but I couldn't put it down. She wanted to go to America to see her father she hadn't seen in seven years and he was in prison by the British. On the ship she married an old friend to protect her from being sold. It was supposed to be in name only, but became much more. There was lots of intrigue, but a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her father is in prison for treason and she is ordered to spy on a man. She does but she must be careful, in order to keep her safe he must marry her. He is smuggling guns. They each have their secrets and they must keep hidden without falling in love. Will they keep their secres? Will they fall in love? What if they do? See what will happen

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jude Wiesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful Regency historical novel. Not usually a historical romance reader I find Joyce Proell's book always the exception. This one brings vivacious characters out of the usual ballrooms of England to onboard ship and the shaky ground of America during the revolution. Shark tongued and witty I love the by play or words. A story well written.

[Nadea Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying the journey between the characters and their challenges kept me entertained. This story is attention grabber that will have you at the edge of you seat with characters that kept your interest as well as eager to read more.

[Brenda Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such fun reading this book. Spy vs spy and boy do the sparks fly. Lily Fitzhugh will do almost anything to get to America to save her father. It's a time period in which she's acting rashly for a woman. She sneaks aboard a ship bound for America and doesn't expect to fall for the man who she's supposed to be spying on...who is a spy. Ms Proell mixes history with fiction and that equals a very enticing read.

[Helena#bookdreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a sweet adventurous romance with humor and intrigue. Lily stows away in Griffin ship in the hopes of finding her missing father. Griffin makes her his cabin boy in an attempt to protect her gender. Their time together is filled with funny scenes and a blossoming romance. Griffin hides a secret of his own that if revealed would change the course of the war.
Well developed characters and a brave heroine. What more can you ask for!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This is a historical fiction that takes place during the American Revolution. Lily and Griffin, the main characters, know each other from childhood and end up getting married in a series of bizarre events on board a ship. The marriage is in name only but.....and here is where I stopped reading as the book was a direction I didn't like. The writing was great, the historical information intriguing, but I just didn't want to read a book filled with sexual references, tension,band innuendo.