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The Exception of an Earl
Lady Camilla James has a terrible condition—writer’s block.
As one of London’s most celebrated writers, she’s worried about losing the affection of her admirers.
Especially her father.
But her last few books have been rejected by publishers.
What to do?
She’s willing to try anything to gain inspiration.
Including spend time with a man she knows her family will never approve of.
Sir William Husher has wanted many things in his life.
Becoming an earl was never one of them.
But with his military career as a spy slowly coming to an end, he’s feeling more lost than ever before.
Then Camilla comes into his life and everything seems brighter.
But William is not what he seems.
A darkness clings to him, and if they’re ever to find happiness, the darkness must be faced.
Can Camilla find success in both her books and love?
Or has Will’s past ruined everything for both of them?
As one of London’s most celebrated writers, she’s worried about losing the affection of her admirers.
Especially her father.
But her last few books have been rejected by publishers.
What to do?
She’s willing to try anything to gain inspiration.
Including spend time with a man she knows her family will never approve of.
Sir William Husher has wanted many things in his life.
Becoming an earl was never one of them.
But with his military career as a spy slowly coming to an end, he’s feeling more lost than ever before.
Then Camilla comes into his life and everything seems brighter.
But William is not what he seems.
A darkness clings to him, and if they’re ever to find happiness, the darkness must be faced.
Can Camilla find success in both her books and love?
Or has Will’s past ruined everything for both of them?
- GenresHistorical Romance
689 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2020
82 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Wilson
29 books56 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 6, 2020
This one seems personal. I don't know this author personally, although I've read and loved many of her books, but somehow, this one seems like it means more to her, like these characters reflect a truth in her own life. And I really like these characters and the message of the story.
Deborah Wilson creates complicated characters, and for this reason, they perfectly represent real people because real people are complicated. There are no one-dimensional roles. Everyone has good and bad within them, and most of her stories deal with seeing beyond the bad to the goodness hidden below the surface. The themes of forgiveness and love run strongly through this one, but not just romantic love. Yes, it's a love story, but it's clear the more important love is the one you give yourself. And often, that requires forgiveness—for yourself and for others.
There are some great quotes about love, like this one: "It's not so simple to give and receive love. One must become love. They must wake up and go to bed with love on their minds and in their hearts. They must breathe it in and exhale it away. Love must be eaten and drank(sic). It must be everything or it will be nothing." When Camilla hears this, she determines to take these words to heart and make them her reality.
As with all books set in this time period, there are frequent references to the power men have over women. This is most apparent when both her brother and her father threaten to not allow her to publish her next book, both knowing how important this is to her but using her desire as leverage to force her compliance with their wishes. Camilla's mother is first presented as weak, but her strength is revealed as Camilla matures. Camilla, like the neglected child she is, both adores and craves her father's affection while yet allowing his rejection of her to cause her to close her heart to love from anyone for fear of more pain. As Camilla matures, she removes the rose-tinted glasses that encouraged her to idealize the men in her life. She recognizes them as fallible. Clear-eyed now, she can offer real forgiveness to her brother and open her heart to Will (and others).
Of course, Will has his own issues and is haunted by a mistake from his past. He believes he must continue to do penance for his error and he does not deserve happiness. Once he is presented with the opportunity for happiness, however, he wisely heeds the advice of friends and enthusiastically embraces it, determined to convince Camilla of his devotion.
This is not a simple love story. It's about the transformative power of love, and the vital role forgiveness plays in our ability to truly offer and accept it. We've seen this before in Ms. Wilson's novels, but this one gathers together the threads of previous books, the forgiveness that was necessary for each couple to find their happiness, and weaves this message into a universal understanding that forms the supporting structure for every relationship. Forgiveness and self-love are intrinsically tied to (and essential to) the realization of the kind of happiness that can only come from loving others and allowing them to love you in return. I loved this book!
Deborah Wilson creates complicated characters, and for this reason, they perfectly represent real people because real people are complicated. There are no one-dimensional roles. Everyone has good and bad within them, and most of her stories deal with seeing beyond the bad to the goodness hidden below the surface. The themes of forgiveness and love run strongly through this one, but not just romantic love. Yes, it's a love story, but it's clear the more important love is the one you give yourself. And often, that requires forgiveness—for yourself and for others.
There are some great quotes about love, like this one: "It's not so simple to give and receive love. One must become love. They must wake up and go to bed with love on their minds and in their hearts. They must breathe it in and exhale it away. Love must be eaten and drank(sic). It must be everything or it will be nothing." When Camilla hears this, she determines to take these words to heart and make them her reality.
As with all books set in this time period, there are frequent references to the power men have over women. This is most apparent when both her brother and her father threaten to not allow her to publish her next book, both knowing how important this is to her but using her desire as leverage to force her compliance with their wishes. Camilla's mother is first presented as weak, but her strength is revealed as Camilla matures. Camilla, like the neglected child she is, both adores and craves her father's affection while yet allowing his rejection of her to cause her to close her heart to love from anyone for fear of more pain. As Camilla matures, she removes the rose-tinted glasses that encouraged her to idealize the men in her life. She recognizes them as fallible. Clear-eyed now, she can offer real forgiveness to her brother and open her heart to Will (and others).
Of course, Will has his own issues and is haunted by a mistake from his past. He believes he must continue to do penance for his error and he does not deserve happiness. Once he is presented with the opportunity for happiness, however, he wisely heeds the advice of friends and enthusiastically embraces it, determined to convince Camilla of his devotion.
This is not a simple love story. It's about the transformative power of love, and the vital role forgiveness plays in our ability to truly offer and accept it. We've seen this before in Ms. Wilson's novels, but this one gathers together the threads of previous books, the forgiveness that was necessary for each couple to find their happiness, and weaves this message into a universal understanding that forms the supporting structure for every relationship. Forgiveness and self-love are intrinsically tied to (and essential to) the realization of the kind of happiness that can only come from loving others and allowing them to love you in return. I loved this book!
January 18, 2020
The Exception of an Earl
The Valiant Love Regency Romance
Deborah Wilson
Kindle, Jan 2020
689 pages
Historical Romance
KU for Kindle app
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙 4.5
The cover is a complete disaster! All that pink, including the dress the young woman is unfortunately wearing. And the awful hairstyle. She’s not even a terribly attractive woman. What were they thinking when they put this one together? Well, I guess when there are over a dozen or so in a series, you start to run out of young women to use.
Good thing Ms. Wilson hasn’t run out of good stories to write! This one is really quite good, too.
Camilla wants nothing so much as for her father to love her and want to spend time with her. Her father lives with his mistress and their daughter. Camilla lives with her mother and older brother. To get her father’s attention, she wrote a book called The Good Father. Her father was quite pleased as it was a best seller and she became a famous best selling author, while people thought she had patterned the wonderful man in the book after her own father. However, the man was actually patterned on her brother, who is now responsible for her and is usually very kind to her. But it’s been some time since that book came out and she hasn’t been able to come up with a manuscript that the publishers will accept for print. She seems to have writer’s block. She needs inspiration, a muse.
Sir William Husher is a former soldier and a spy currently working for Duke de Vero. He is soon to become an Earl, but that is not commonly known, yet. Will is a deadly man and one often feared by men in society. How does such a man cross the path of an innocent such as Camilla?
In a dark shadow at a society party when she was stealing kisses from a young man for references for her writing. He scared her. He thrilled her. He caught her attention as no other man had ever done, all the way to her core. And she couldn’t forget him. The smell of him. The feel of him. The look of him. She had to have him for her muse. She had to learn all his secrets.
I highly recommend this book, close your eyes on the cover. I have gotten the first book in the series and intend to read more of them to see if they are like this one. I’m very hopeful as I really liked this one. If I could figure out how to put a cover on an ebook, I would.
The Valiant Love Regency Romance
Deborah Wilson
Kindle, Jan 2020
689 pages
Historical Romance
KU for Kindle app
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙 4.5
The cover is a complete disaster! All that pink, including the dress the young woman is unfortunately wearing. And the awful hairstyle. She’s not even a terribly attractive woman. What were they thinking when they put this one together? Well, I guess when there are over a dozen or so in a series, you start to run out of young women to use.
Good thing Ms. Wilson hasn’t run out of good stories to write! This one is really quite good, too.
Camilla wants nothing so much as for her father to love her and want to spend time with her. Her father lives with his mistress and their daughter. Camilla lives with her mother and older brother. To get her father’s attention, she wrote a book called The Good Father. Her father was quite pleased as it was a best seller and she became a famous best selling author, while people thought she had patterned the wonderful man in the book after her own father. However, the man was actually patterned on her brother, who is now responsible for her and is usually very kind to her. But it’s been some time since that book came out and she hasn’t been able to come up with a manuscript that the publishers will accept for print. She seems to have writer’s block. She needs inspiration, a muse.
Sir William Husher is a former soldier and a spy currently working for Duke de Vero. He is soon to become an Earl, but that is not commonly known, yet. Will is a deadly man and one often feared by men in society. How does such a man cross the path of an innocent such as Camilla?
In a dark shadow at a society party when she was stealing kisses from a young man for references for her writing. He scared her. He thrilled her. He caught her attention as no other man had ever done, all the way to her core. And she couldn’t forget him. The smell of him. The feel of him. The look of him. She had to have him for her muse. She had to learn all his secrets.
I highly recommend this book, close your eyes on the cover. I have gotten the first book in the series and intend to read more of them to see if they are like this one. I’m very hopeful as I really liked this one. If I could figure out how to put a cover on an ebook, I would.
January 9, 2020
I have read all 16 books in this series. Deborah Wilson is an exceptional writer. She has created characters,Lords of the realm who are dark and dysfunctional made so by having the vilest things you can imagine done to them. They are all connected by an event that forever changed their lives. And brought them all together on a quest to find the man who did this to them. And then, if that wasn’t enough the author created very strong woman who not only stand up to these dark lords but lead them on a merry chase and then they end up in amazing relationships finding love and happiness. It is difficult to explain these books, you have to experience them, you will laugh,cry be angered at some of the cruelties, but you won’t be able to put them down. They are not your typical romance novels. They have mystery, drama all of this while weaving in a beautiful love story. The way the author introduces you to all of the characters and beings the characters along from book to book is what will keep you going onto the next book in the series. She is an amazing story teller and I can’t say when I’ve enjoyed a series so much! This is a must read. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
January 9, 2020
Lady Camilla James, her brother the Earl of Tolkin and their mother were abandoned by their father who went to live with his mistress. The effect this had on Camilla was to provide her the impetus to write a successful book, “The Good Father”. Now, Camilla is working hard to produce another book that has the power to connect with the reader as did her first book.
Woven around Camilla’s struggle to produce a new book are themes of: her father’s ongoing negligence of Camilla and her feelings; Camilla’s coming to maturity and longing for love; a sick friend who is held back from life and love by her ill health; and a newly knighted man who has worked for Lord Van Dero as well as a spy for the government. The meeting between Sir Will and Camilla sets the stage for an interesting story of comparisons and contrasts, of unsuccessful marriages and, apparently, successful ones.
I like our Hero and heroine, and worried as they seemed to have difficulty drawing close to, and trusting, each other—the writing was very believable in describing the rocks that stumbled each on the road to their HEA. Once again Lord and Lady Van Dero take up the role of supporting the weak and downtrodden, and a few familiar characters appear, but they are on the periphery in this story which concentrates on a new set of characters. A clean book that will entrance Regency Romance readers.
Woven around Camilla’s struggle to produce a new book are themes of: her father’s ongoing negligence of Camilla and her feelings; Camilla’s coming to maturity and longing for love; a sick friend who is held back from life and love by her ill health; and a newly knighted man who has worked for Lord Van Dero as well as a spy for the government. The meeting between Sir Will and Camilla sets the stage for an interesting story of comparisons and contrasts, of unsuccessful marriages and, apparently, successful ones.
I like our Hero and heroine, and worried as they seemed to have difficulty drawing close to, and trusting, each other—the writing was very believable in describing the rocks that stumbled each on the road to their HEA. Once again Lord and Lady Van Dero take up the role of supporting the weak and downtrodden, and a few familiar characters appear, but they are on the periphery in this story which concentrates on a new set of characters. A clean book that will entrance Regency Romance readers.
January 7, 2020
Husher has divided loyalties but they eventually lead him to Lady Camilla, who desperately needs the affirmation that comes from writing. Her first book was a resounding success as she had written from the heart, but repeated failures have taken their toll on her resilient spirit. Deciding to take a new direction, her need for inspiration leads her into a dark ally, where she comes face to face with Husher, a man who says, “I make people shut up.” He quickly becomes Camilla's inspiration for her new book but in doing so exposes emotions and feelings that she is ill-equipped to deal with. Sent on one last mission for the Duke of Van Dero, Camilla unknowingly becomes a pawn in Husher's investigation, one that exposes family secrets and the true nature of their relationships. Whilst there is a case to be solved, this novel is also one that draws Camilla and Will Husher together, nurturing their romance and building trust where it has been all but demolished by the actions of those closest to Camilla. A number of loose ends from previous books in this series are tied up and the story comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
January 6, 2020
Camilla James published her first book two years ago which brought her the much-desired attention of her usually absent father who lives with his mistress and his young 'blowby' Morgana. However, she has not been able to get her latest book published and is pining for renewed recognition from her father. At a party, the 'spy,' Sir William Husher catches her first kissing a young man, then cutting him off, and threatens her with serious trouble that happens to women who meet men in the dark. Of course, she was only working to get inspiration for a romance from Anthony, but got more than she bargained for from the unknown spy!
Ms. Wilson brings us still another Valiant Love Regency Romance populated by Duke Van Duro's family and trusted employees, this time the common soldier, Husher, who has been knighted for his service to the crown and about to be elevated to landed and titled Earl Sencio. This was her usual really good romance with the usual danger, intrigue, and captivating plot detail. Her books are easily three times the length of other authors; I am so glad she does not break them up and lists them on Kindle Unlimited or buy for $.99! Recommended Read.
Ms. Wilson brings us still another Valiant Love Regency Romance populated by Duke Van Duro's family and trusted employees, this time the common soldier, Husher, who has been knighted for his service to the crown and about to be elevated to landed and titled Earl Sencio. This was her usual really good romance with the usual danger, intrigue, and captivating plot detail. Her books are easily three times the length of other authors; I am so glad she does not break them up and lists them on Kindle Unlimited or buy for $.99! Recommended Read.
January 7, 2020
I LOVED IT!!!! This is a must read for the Valiant Love Series fanatic. Deborah Wilson has again gone above and beyond in the telling of her new book "The Exception of An Earl". This is an action adventure romance. Spies, dysfunctional families, people in crisis, an innocent child born out of wedlock, a published author looking for inspiration for her next book, the search for a poisoner/healer, a man living in the shadows and did not know he needed the light to live and an unexpected honor bestowed upon a man who did not want it. The plot is amazing and the subplots were absolutely unexpected. All the characters played their part well. They were well written and well developed. This is a fast moving never boring, can't put it down type of book. I read it straight through the night. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.
January 9, 2020
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by Deborah Wilson that I didn’t like. And this one was no exception. William Husher finally gets his staring role in this book! It’s amazing how these characters come to find love while in the roles they have had to play as tough guys; but ultimately they are ones who find the bad guys and bring them to justice. Will is an exceptional character. And his love interest happens to be a writer in an age when women are expected to play a limited role in the family and in the world. He is very loving and supportive of Camille. He has become her muse and she has to learn everything about him for her inspiration. But this plot takes many twists and turns that will have your neck cracking. It kept my interest peaked and turning pages to find out what happens next. Of course it all gets to the final HEA and I was loving it! Highly recommended.
January 7, 2020
Book 16 of The Valiant Series.
This is the story of William Husher & Camilla. He worked for Van Dero, but now he works for the Crown. He meets Camilla in the darkness in a most compromising way. Camilla has extremely deep emotional negative feelings about love. Will feels he cannot love anyone because of a past mistake her made. They try to fight against their feelings for one another, but the attraction is too great. The trials and tribulations they face are great, especially for Camilla. William realizes he can't fight love anymore, before Camilla realizes it. All the things that happen in between them meeting and their love are very well written. This is a page turner, for sure. I am looking forward to the next book. This is a great series.
This is the story of William Husher & Camilla. He worked for Van Dero, but now he works for the Crown. He meets Camilla in the darkness in a most compromising way. Camilla has extremely deep emotional negative feelings about love. Will feels he cannot love anyone because of a past mistake her made. They try to fight against their feelings for one another, but the attraction is too great. The trials and tribulations they face are great, especially for Camilla. William realizes he can't fight love anymore, before Camilla realizes it. All the things that happen in between them meeting and their love are very well written. This is a page turner, for sure. I am looking forward to the next book. This is a great series.
January 11, 2020
Yet another good read in the Valiant Series.
Though this is Book 16 in a series it can be read as a standalone. I have to say this was one of my favourites, it flowed well and the romantic elements felt believable. It was far less dark than some of the books have been. As in previous books there are threads that will carry forward into the next book.
I loved the sweet and gentle nature of Camilla and how she looked for the good in everyone. Her doubts over men and love were understandable after her brother knocked the blinkers from her eyes and I loved the patience and steadfastness that William showed her whilst he waited for her to admit her feelings.
There are a fair number of typos but less than in previous books in this series.
Though this is Book 16 in a series it can be read as a standalone. I have to say this was one of my favourites, it flowed well and the romantic elements felt believable. It was far less dark than some of the books have been. As in previous books there are threads that will carry forward into the next book.
I loved the sweet and gentle nature of Camilla and how she looked for the good in everyone. Her doubts over men and love were understandable after her brother knocked the blinkers from her eyes and I loved the patience and steadfastness that William showed her whilst he waited for her to admit her feelings.
There are a fair number of typos but less than in previous books in this series.
January 10, 2020
I love this series, and I think this may have been my favorite book yet! I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but there are typos and wrong words used at times, but most don’t truly hamper the story, and I enjoy the stories so much that I’m willing to overlook them. It’s sad, but I don’t think I’ve read a single book over the past year that didn’t have any editing issues. As I’ve said before, I love the characters and watching their growth, and watching their love and understanding, both of themselves, and the one they love, grow.
I do recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical romance with a little intrigue and mystery thrown in.
I do recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical romance with a little intrigue and mystery thrown in.
January 8, 2020
Great story in a wonderful series
This story was very intricate in it's characters and setting. While not being a direct line with the Duke de Vero's characters, it is closely related. It is good to see that Hush finds himself in this story about him and Cammie. They have a sweet yet passionate story, with Husher being the hero for Cammie. Who would have thought? at some of the turns this book had. I enjoyed reading it very much.
This story was very intricate in it's characters and setting. While not being a direct line with the Duke de Vero's characters, it is closely related. It is good to see that Hush finds himself in this story about him and Cammie. They have a sweet yet passionate story, with Husher being the hero for Cammie. Who would have thought? at some of the turns this book had. I enjoyed reading it very much.
March 12, 2020
This story has a lighter tone than the last couple before it. I love Camilla and Husher together. Although Husher feels he missed out on the love of his life, he finds Camilla intriguing and Camilla is using him to write her books. Together, they seem to grow, but Husher has secrets he's trying to hide from Camilla. This story is great in the fact that Camilla is a very open person and Husher can't control his mouth around her. This story has a much brighter theme.
January 8, 2020
I’ve been waiting for Husher’s story and it was worth the wait. This story has all the strong characters and interesting story line of the previous books in the series. I love the heart of both Husher and Camilla. Deborah Wilson has once again kept me reading instead of sleeping. I look forward to the next book even knowing it too will cost me sleep.
January 10, 2020
Man o man I thought this series was ending with the previous book and I am so glad it didn't.
It was great getting to know Husher on such a personal level and finding his greatest pain and joy. He is much more than lead to believe.
Getting a glimpse of Raven was icing on the cake too.
Thanks for Camilla who is a mixture of innocent and sultry but is unaware of her power.
It was great getting to know Husher on such a personal level and finding his greatest pain and joy. He is much more than lead to believe.
Getting a glimpse of Raven was icing on the cake too.
Thanks for Camilla who is a mixture of innocent and sultry but is unaware of her power.
January 16, 2020
Brilliant!
Do yourself a favour and read any and all of Deborah Wilson's books! I have read all 16 of The Valiant Love" series and all have been so satisfying to read or more correctly devoured...couldn't put one down once I started it!
Well done, Deborah...I believe you are inspired. Bless you!
Do yourself a favour and read any and all of Deborah Wilson's books! I have read all 16 of The Valiant Love" series and all have been so satisfying to read or more correctly devoured...couldn't put one down once I started it!
Well done, Deborah...I believe you are inspired. Bless you!
January 16, 2020
Camilla has writers block in a sense. When she meets Husher all bets are off. He intrigues her to a point that she wants more contact. Husher doesn't want any. What is a writer to do but employ help that will make him talk with her. This is a riveting story of love, hate, wanting and compromise. Debora's stories have a way of sucking you in and making you a part of their world. WELL DONE.
January 8, 2020
Can't get enough
Love her characters and stories. This is one of my favorites. They no sooner come out and within a day or two I'll be devoured the latest offering. Can't wait for the next in the series!
Love her characters and stories. This is one of my favorites. They no sooner come out and within a day or two I'll be devoured the latest offering. Can't wait for the next in the series!
January 10, 2020
A wonderful story that will kept reading until the end...
A young lady in search of a hero for her new book...
A man in a mission... in search of his place and a new aim...
Mystery... strange past... and love...
A story for all that love Regency and strong characters....
A young lady in search of a hero for her new book...
A man in a mission... in search of his place and a new aim...
Mystery... strange past... and love...
A story for all that love Regency and strong characters....
Read
January 14, 2020Lady Camilla needs a muse and she chooses Will Husher things take off and he is intrigued with her and then begins to fall in love with her. Camilla wants the love of her father but he has a mistress and a love child with her and that is where he lives. Lots of surprises and of course a hea.
January 16, 2020
Loved it, lots of action and loved the way they met. I wanted to ring her fathers neck as well. Some men don’t deserve to be loved by a woman. Wanted more about what happens to Azalea, but maybe we will learn more in the next book. Did have me in tears through out the book, sad and happy ones.
February 12, 2020
Wonderful book!
I have so enjoyed reading this series and this book did not disappoint. It was a real page turner. I could not put it down, but all of Deborah Wilson's books are that way. She is a wonderful author. I recommend this book and the series.
I have so enjoyed reading this series and this book did not disappoint. It was a real page turner. I could not put it down, but all of Deborah Wilson's books are that way. She is a wonderful author. I recommend this book and the series.
February 19, 2021
An excellent series
I have read all of the valiant love series and enjoyed every book, all so very different and each carried on from the last, with past characters in each book. Feeling very lost now and can't wait for more books by Deborah Wilson
I have read all of the valiant love series and enjoyed every book, all so very different and each carried on from the last, with past characters in each book. Feeling very lost now and can't wait for more books by Deborah Wilson
January 8, 2020
Another delightful story from this author. Another page turner.
January 9, 2020
Must read
Loved it. She is a writer without a muse. He doesn’t have anything to live for. Can this lady and this new lord find love
Loved it. She is a writer without a muse. He doesn’t have anything to live for. Can this lady and this new lord find love
January 10, 2020
Kept me rivited
She's a famous author who meets a spy at a ball and decided to use him as her muse. Lots of adventures along the way.
She's a famous author who meets a spy at a ball and decided to use him as her muse. Lots of adventures along the way.
January 18, 2020
This book is the latest by Deborah Wilson and it is the best one she's written. She always has a way of writing that makes you just keep reading until the very last page.
January 22, 2020
Bets yet
Will finds love I. The right women. Camilla figures out the love is not something that needs to be earned but freely given and accepted. By far this is one of my favorite stories.
Will finds love I. The right women. Camilla figures out the love is not something that needs to be earned but freely given and accepted. By far this is one of my favorite stories.
May 12, 2020
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT,
LOVE IT! But sorry it's over!
I dislike very much that I have 14 more words to write to be able to submit this! This is why I never write reviews!!!
LOVE IT! But sorry it's over!
I dislike very much that I have 14 more words to write to be able to submit this! This is why I never write reviews!!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews