A Countess in Her Own Right

by Fanny Finch

An accident brought her into his life. He will do everything in his power to keep her.

After a terrible fire leaves her an orphan – and the only peeress in her own right in all of England - Mary Hillington will suddenly have to learn how to be a countess. Even if she still bears deep wounds that cannot be hidden...

Duncan Winstanley is not the person he pretends to be. Apart from a simple doctor, he is also a Viscount, bound to inherit the title and fortune of the Earl of Bellston. He has to find a wife as soon as possible, or else he’ll lose everything...

When a strange carriage accident brings Mary to Duncan’s doorstep, a glimmer of hope seems to appear.

But the carriage accident is only the beginning and the strange occurrences in Mary’s life prove to be more than coincidences.

Hidden in the shadows, someone orchestrates attempts against her life.

Now, Duncan will be swept into the whirlwind of danger that surrounds Mary, and the two of them will have to solve this mystery before it’s too late…

Genres: Historical Romance

914 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2019

About the author

Fanny Finch was born in United Kingdom but moved to Denver, Colorado when she was very young. She attended Washington University where she studied for several years and lives with her husband and their bulldog.

Upon leaving university, Fanny found a job as a proof reader for a small press. There, she honed her skills and also met and worked with author Abby Ayles, helping to polish her books to perfection.

But she is also an author in her own right and is working hard to become recognized as such as she starts to publish her own novels through her website.

Her genre is in the Historical Regency Romance category and if you like your reading material to be emotionally clean then you will be undoubtedly thrilled by the characters and scenarios Fanny develops.

When she has time to relax, Fanny enjoys listening to opera music and taking long walks in the outdoors. She writes almost every day as well and hopes to produce many more great books in the future.

Reviews

[Rosanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The woman with the title for once.

This book the woman inherited the title of Countess. She is rescued by a doctor who says he can fix her incorrectly fixed leg. They keep in touch although her Uncle does not approve. The doctor Lord tried to figure out who is trying to harm her. Can he save her?

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great potential however have finally given up at about 2/3 way through. Super hollow story telling and no character depth. Shame because the concept itself is good. Want to know how it ends so might skip and read the last 2 chapters just to have it done.

[saundrea robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

This book was okay. The characters were real people. Some mystery but not exciting. I finished the book because , I always try to finish a project.

[Ophelia Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Countess in her Own Right

Fanny is an expert on regency romance and she has once again given us a delightful story. The characters are remarkable and the story is entertaining.

[Dionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool

I'm still reading this again but it is still a great story. I love it. The characters are just good and I find it to be so good, hence reading the story again. You have a great imagination.

[Carolyn Overcash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost this novel in the computer haze of a newbie on Kindle and just found it again and have completed reading it.

Mary’s family dies in a fire. There are repeated attempts on her life. One attempt brings an attentive doctor into her life.

The course of true love does not run smoothly in this tale. Can the excellent doctor save her life? Will they have a happily-ever-after?

Remember: You should always keep your enemies closer. Just who is that enemy?

Read the book to enjoy the twisted turns in this tale.

An ARC copy.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary uses a cane to get around and still has nightmares of the night she lost her parents and brother in the fire, as it was her leg was broken, which didn’t heal well and still causes pain which she tries to keep to herself; all the while hoping something could be done to fix her leg. Mary again doubting her ability to function as a proper countess. Mary’s uncle Kent helped her after the loss of her mother father and her brother whom she loved very much. Mary had business in London concerning one of her late fathers businesses, Mary decided to pay a visit to her good friend who had also recently lost her father. After leaving her friend she was nearly run over by a runaway Carriage when someone lost control of the horses and crashed into a storefront window. But she hurt her ankle as she jumped into a doorway before the runaway carriage could strike her she explained to the kind gentleman whose doorway belonged to. As he helped her up he asked if she was hurt and that she should come in and let him take care of her cuts, but Mary said that would not be proper and the gentleman said I am a doctor, so she acquiesced and let him tend to her. Mary’s maid stayed with her and was very worried about her. They introduced themselves the doctor is very handsome and kind Mary thought, the doctor it seems is Duncan Witstandley, the Viscount of Tornight. This is The Very Basic Beginning.....I loved this story.....
A Very Suspenseful Romantic Mystery Thriller (One you cannot put down!) I was given this arc and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accident brought her into his life. He will do everything in his power to keep her.
After a terrible fire leaves her an orphan – and the only peeress in her own right in all of England - Mary Hillington will suddenly have to learn how to be a countess. Even if she still bears deep wounds that cannot be hidden...
Duncan Winstanley is not the person he pretends to be. Apart from a simple doctor, he is also a Viscount, bound to inherit the title and fortune of the Earl of Bellston. He has to find a wife as soon as possible, or else he’ll lose everything...
When a strange carriage accident brings Mary to Duncan’s doorstep, a glimmer of hope seems to appear.
But the carriage accident is only the beginning and the strange occurrences in Mary’s life prove to be more than coincidences.
Hidden in the shadows, someone orchestrates attempts against her life.
Now, Duncan will be swept into the whirlwind of danger that surrounds Mary, and the two of them will have to solve this mystery before it’s too late…

Wow!! This was truly and enthralling read.
I was mesmerized from the first pages by this one.
The plot and story line were so engaging and just wouldn't let you go.
The characters were fleshed out so well and I couldn't get enough of reading about them.
Highly recommend reading this one!

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE ENTRALLING WONDER!!!
Out of this world! Fanny blew my mind with this incredibly refreshing spin that's as captivating as it is riveting. One explosive, wild ride keeps you on a razors edge, witnessing the trials and tribulations that's as shocking as it unnerving. Man, it doesn't get any better than this with perilous drama, stunning intrigue and spiraling tension that thrusts this bad boy to life spectacularly. Twists and turns abound with all the sharp corners and sleek lines that meld this baby together piece by jagged piece. You can not help but fall in love with the characters. All the hits, trips, snags, mishaps and mayhem takes you on one exciting adventure with this thrilling storyline and gripping plot. This bad boy showcases 100% on point realism, kicking up a churning vortex chocked-full of vexing circumstances and a slew of daunting events that keep you flipping page after page. Sparks fly as danger and suspense ensues in epic proportions. The characters are authentic and realistic with depth and personalities that rock this bad boy to core. The scenes are described so colorfully you have no trouble interpreting each scenario as they play off one another smoothly. Remarkable job Fanny, thanks for sharing this little gem with us.

[Cindy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Countess in her Own Right is well-written Regence romance filled with a magnificent cast of engaging characters. Ducan and Mary are so well developed you feel every emotion that they are feeling throughout the story and become very endearing as the story progresses. Fanny Finch's book was more than just a great story, it was an awesome love story and a great adventure as well. It hooked me from the start and kept me turning the pages to the very end. It's a sweet story of love, murder, drama, suspense, family trials, with twists and turns. Remarkable emotions, and unforgettable characters.

Merged review:

A Countess in her Own Right is well-written Regence romance filled with a magnificent cast of engaging characters. Ducan and Mary are so well developed you feel every emotion that they are feeling throughout the story and become very endearing as the story progresses. Fanny Finch's book was more than just a great story, it was an awesome love story and a great adventure as well. It hooked me from the start and kept me turning the pages to the very end. It's a sweet story of love, murder, drama, suspense, family trials, with twists and turns. Remarkable emotions, and unforgettable characters.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Hiilington becomes a countless when a fire leaves her an orphan. Because of her scars and a limp, she rarely goes out in public. Duncan Winstanley is a doctor. But he is also a viscount. His father, the Earl of Bellston, doesn't like the idea of his son and heir is a doctor. So he tells Duncan to give the idea of being a doctor or he will disinherient him, and giving his title to Duncan's cousin, who is a gambler who looses more than he wins. When a close call with a run away carriage leaves Mary injured in front of his office, Duncan tends her wounds. When he notices her limp and and asks about it, Mary is hesitant to tell him. When he tell her he can fix her limp by rebreaking her leg, she is reluctant to go through all that pain again. Will Mary let Duncan fix her leg? How will Duncan handle his father's ultimatum to give up his dream? What happens when a countless falls in love with her doctor? Will Mary and Duncan's love bring them eternal happiness? I loved the characters Mary and Duncan. I could feel their pain and desperation as I read this good book. I love reading Fanny Finch's books.

[Shirley Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Targeted and terrorized for her title, property and money

Mary lost her parents and brother in the fire 🔥that burned their home and left her with a broken leg when she leaped from the balcony to escape that terrible night. She has lost her self-confidence and doesn't believe that any man would want her for herself and her uncle asks her to consider marrying one of her two cousins.
Mary meets Dr. Duncan Winstanley when she stumbles into the doorway of his office trying to escape from a runaway carriage. Duncan treats her injuries and then asks her about her leg that hadn't been set right after it was broken and tells her that it could be surgically rebroken and healed leaving her with a lot less pain and better mobility.
Mary and Duncan both find themselves endangered and Mary breaks their engagement when she receives a a threat that she'll be very sorry if she doesn't break all contact between them. The deaths of her family and the father of her best friend are all tied together and Mary is extremely shocked 😲when she's attacked in her own home by somebody that she thought loved her.

[Ramona Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything was burning she ran around searching for a way to escape to find her family and get them to safety also she heard them screaming and the sounds ceased she ran to her bedroom hoping that the trellis outside her window was still attached and she could to send to the ground by yet instead it was demolished she gave a quick silent prayer and jumped out of her window... Bolting upright in her bed a screen dying on her lips she realized she was safe in her bedroom and it was just another nightmare. The remembered tragedy of her parents and her brother dying in the fire a year earlier caused her current nightmare the pain in her left leg that reminded her of the nightmares that she still suffered. Lady Mary Hillington, the Countess of Linden was a Countess in her own right her great-grandfather had been afraid he would have no sons so he got the king to change the laws so that her daughter could inherit. To find out all the trials and tribulations that Lady Mary and her friends have to go through to get a happily ever after you have to read the book. In my humble opinion it's a well written book easy to read and very enjoyable. It's a good book...

[Sheree K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never give up when you know what you want

I truly enjoyed this book. It was a bit different.

Mary has had her share of pain and struggle, physically and emotionally. During a house fire, she became trapped and jumped from a second story window to escape. She broke her ankle which didn't heal properly due not being set correctly leaving her with a limp. After her father's death, she inherited his estate and was named a countess in her own right, which was unusual at that time. Her uncle, who had set her ankle, became over protective of her and wanted her to marry one of his sons. She declined; but then a series of incidents happened that were suspicious when taken together. Was someone trying to kill her? Will Duncan win her hand against his father's wishes? Will his father finally except his choice of being a doctor?

This has several twists that one doesn't see coming that keeps you flipping pages. I received an ARC from the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary has gone thru a tragedy that would have broken most people. She lost her family to a fire that injured her leg so that she now walks with a limp as her leg was not properly set.. She inherited the title of Countess of Linden with all the responsibilities. Between taking care of all the businesses that should have gone to a son, she has to fend off many fortune hunters. Fortunately, she has her uncle to help her. When she is in an accident, she meets Duncan who is a doctor. The attraction is mutual. When he tells her that he believes he can reset her leg and fix her limp, she eventually agrees to try. When she finds out he is Lord Tornight, she knows he is not a fortune hunter. Someone is threatening her and Duncan's life it they don't stop seeing each other but love won't be denied. Who wants her dead? She can't imagine and when the culprit comes forth, she or Duncan may not survive. This is a clean, sweet romance about overcoming life altering problems and forgiving. There is murder, deception and villains. I enjoyed it and recommend it highly.

[alfawolf1 ~Sherri K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary becomes a Countess after a fire takes her whole family and destroys their home. She is left with a broken leg which does not heal well, so she has a limp that makes her feel very self-conscious. There are men that are after her hand, but they really only want her money and title, they care nothing for her. Most believe that she should not have the title, as she is a woman. Her uncle, who acts as her advisor, and two cousins are her only remaining relatives. Mary meets Duncan when she jumps into his office to avoid being run down by a carriage. Duncan is a doctor, but he is also the son of an earl. He must marry soon or risk losing his inheritance, and a title he does not even want. He falls for Mary and wants to take care of her; he does not want or need her money or title. Suddenly, more strange accidents occur, and Mary and Duncan start to believe that perhaps they are not accidents after all. Who is trying to kill Mary, and why? Will Mary and Duncan solve the mystery before it's too late?

[Bethanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story

While this story is interesting there are several issues with it. One is that it's impossible to tell what time period it takes place in. The actions of the women are definitely not those in the Regency -Georgian period. They are without chaperones or companions and meet with unmarried men in public. An investigator who isn't a member of the TON is attending balls with the best of society at night while working as a investigator in the day. Lastly this writer pads her work in order to get paid more via KU. Two or three line paragraphs and half inch blank spaces between them are tricks to make a 200+ page story into a longer and more profitable one. A half inch of blank space isn't needed between each characters one line of dialogue. It's not right.

[Biba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Countess Lady Mary lost her parents and brother to a fire that she escaped but ended up with a limp. Her father made sure that the title and wealth could be passed on to any of his children. Last Mary had to rise above the tragedy and manage the home and her father’s businesses. She rejected lots of suitors but when she met Duncan Winstanley, the Viscount Tornight, she had feelings she didn’t think she was capable of having.
Duncan a doctor was given an ultimatum to marry or his inheritance would pass on to his cousin a gambler. He thought he was going to have to settle but then he met Mary. Although, it seemed as if someone wants Mary dead.
Regency romance with enjoyable characters and a good storyline. The added mystery got me hooked.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW... This is a novel worthy of Mrs. Fletcher (from the TV show "Murder She Wrote") and Detective Sherlock Holmes. This book had you guessing who was who and what was what. There were so many twists and turns in the book that it had me spinning round and round. The suspect could change on a dime. There were four murders in total and several attempts on the life of our heroine. There was plenty of drama between the H/h and there were obstacles against them. There is high tension, suspense, horrid nightmares (described in detail), suspicion, betrayal, misunderstandings and insecure love. This is a must read. You will not be disappointed.

[Virginia VanSaders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Duncan & Mary. Duncan is a Viscount who will inherit his father's estate, titles and money, but wishes to be a doctor. Mary is a Countess who inherited her father's estate, titles and money. They meet after Mary runs into a doorway (which is Duncan's doctor's office) to avoid a runaway coach. Things happen from there rather quickly; a lot of things. There is a lot of action in this story, and suspense. It is an intriguing story with a good storyline. I enjoyed reading it. It is extremely well written. I highly recommend this book.

[Diane Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lackluster tale!

I can't imagine how this book got such high reviews. It started good & held my interest but midway through I started skipping pages at a time
just to get through it. It is supposedly a mystery but it was pretty predictable. It read like something from an amateur writer. The formatting of the book was also frustrating with double spaces between every paragraph. Lastly, there were many errors, as if it wasn't edited, which is typical of this type of book. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Debra Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary had a tragic life and an accident brought her to the doctor, who is also a Viscount. The trials and tribulations that they go through are exciting and want to make you cry for them.

Are all of Mary’s accidents really accidents? Can Mary and Duncan, the doctor/Viscount fall in love?

I find my self really loving Fanny Finch books. Can’t wait to read more of them.

To me this is a must read book.

[Ruby Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was an excellent book. I could hardly put it down. The idea that a woman could have nothing in her head but things to do with keeping a home running smoothly is ridiculous.
Today those men and women would be fun out of town for their backwards thinking. The idea that society is able to say whether or not you have the ability to run a business or not is quite archaic.
This was a lovely book. I really enjoyed reading about a woman who knew her own mind.

Thank you,
Ruby Hanson

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting book--I Could Not Put It Down!!!

Mary is a young lady who inherited the title of Countess after all members of her family were killed in a tragic fire. Suddenly suitors came from everywhere wanting to marry Mary. Mary had to make an important decision.

Follow Mary's choices to see which she chooses. You may be surprised in the end. Fanny Finch includes both an epilogue and an extended epilogue to let us in on the details.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is filled with suspense, tragedy, danger, mystery, love, drama, twists and turns. Mary has a lot of accidents, but are they really accidents? Or is someone trying to kill her? Will Duncan be able to figure it all out? Will he be able to save Mary? The plot is well thought out and the story is well written. This story will grab you and not let you go. A must read.

[Katrina Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was basically about a Countess who family wanted her fortune and plotted on her in order to get it. Mary was a character that went through so much tragedy but the fact that she ends up with Duncan who has his own motives, but none at least to harm her, made this book so intriguing and I loved it from start to finish.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. It was thrilling, mysterious and romantic. All the characters were well crafted and completely believable for that period of history. I started reading, intending to read for a hour or so, but bedtime came and went and I was lost in another world. I was happy to have finished it, but sad that it had ended.

[Charline Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and heartbreak

Mary is alone in her struggle until she meets Duncan a doctor. Mary is weary of all her suitors because of her wealth and title. Duncan does not need those since he has his own. There is mystery about her parents death and who is treating her. Just when you think you know, t h e plot thickens.

[Teresa Bertolio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved this fantastic mystery regency romance! Plenty if suspense, action, and danger lurking around every corner. Fabulous characters with intriguing interactions. A wonderful storyline that keeps you coming for more. I highly recommend this book! Happy reading!

[James Overcash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down

A brave heroine. A manly hero going against type casting for his title in the time period. Attempts on the characters' s lives. Which one of the family members is a villain? Can it be that there are more than one? A stand alone clean romance.