Paslaptingasis lordas Milkroftas

The King's Elite #1

by Virginia Heath, Indrė Kairytė (Translator)

Keturių knygų serija Jo Didenybės elitas. Pirma knyga.

Ledi Klarisa Biumont, mananti, kad pasižymi tik grožiu ir žavesiu, ketina ištekėti už hercogo. O intriguojantis šnipas Sebastianas Litamas jai padės! Tačiau pirmiausia ji padės jam vykdyti naują misiją – apsimesti savimi pasitikinčiu aristokratu lordu Milkroftu. Vis dėlto Sebastianas sugeba pažadinti Klarisos troškimą pasiekti šį tą daugiau. Kyla abejonių, ar tikrai užvis labiausiai ji trokšta tapti hercogiene...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Espionage, Regency, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2018

About the author

When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Twenty books and two Romantic Novel of the Year Award nominations later, and it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Her new Regency Romcom for St Martin's Press ~ Never Fall For Your Fiancée ~ is on sale November 9, 2021

If you want to find out more check out virginiaheathromance.com or follow her on Facebook @VirginiaHeathAuthor

Reviews

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars

The ever reliable Virginia Heath kicks off her new  King’s Elite  series with The Mysterious Lord Millcroft, which pairs a daring, courageous spy who is hopeless around women with one of society’s reigning beauties, both of them characters we’ve met briefly before in the author’s Wild Warriners series.  Ms. Heath spins a thoroughly entertaining yarn featuring two engaging principals who have to fight their own insecurities while working together to uncover the identity of a traitor, keeping the romance front and centre as they discover they’re capable of more than they ever thought possible.

Sebastian Leatham works alongside Jacob Warriner (A Warriner to Seduce Her) as part of the group of agents working to shut down a smuggling operation that is channelling funds to Napoléon.  Injured in the course of his most recent assignment, Seb is recovering from a gunshot wound at the home of Jacob’s brother Doctor Joe Warriner, and his wife, Bella. He is chafing at his enforced idleness and desperate to get back to his assignment of tracking down the man he and his fellow agents know only as ‘The Boss’, the leader of the smuggling ring.

If you’ve read A Warriner To Tempt Her, then you’ll likely recall Lady Clarissa Beaumont, the beautiful debutante with whom Joe was briefly infatuated before he fell in love with her sister.  In that story, Clarissa came off as rather shallow, a social butterfly interested only attracting a high-status husband.  When we meet her again here, she’s still pursuing that aim, but we’re quickly shown that there’s more to Clarissa than it at first seemed; she’s a beauty, yes, but her perfectly poised veneer hides some deep-seated insecurities. She’s very well aware that her status as the reigning toast of the ton is a fickle one, and that time is running out if she’s to garner a proposal from the handsome young Duke of Westbridge, who has been half-heartedly courting her over the past two years, but has not yet proposed. Now, however, another – younger – lady appears to have caught his eye, and Clarissa is having to work harder than ever to keep his attention.

Tired and worn down by the continual falsity and back-stabbing of London society, she needs a few days away from town to regroup and flees to her sister’s Nottinghamshire home, desperate to be able to drop her mask and stop pretending for a little while.  She’d forgotten Bella had a guest, so is unprepared to come face-to-face with a stranger, let alone a handsome one who appears to be able to see right through her.

Seb hasn’t expected another guest, and his first sight of Clarissa renders him speechless. Literally.  He might be intelligent and brave when it comes to his work, but the presence of women renders him tongue-tied and clumsy; beautiful ones make him even moreso and  Clarissa Beaumont is the most exquisite thing he’s ever seen.  His typical reaction to his inadequacy is to attempt to cover it with a gruffness that borders on the unfriendly – but it doesn’t take him long to realise that Clarissa’s perfect, vibrant exterior is an extremely well-constructed façade… and to want to know more about the real woman behind it.

Some weeks later, Seb is back in London and is not at all pleased with his latest assignment.  The King’s Elite has received information that two members of the nobility may be involved with the smuggling ring, and Seb is instructed to attend Viscount Penhurt’s upcoming house party in order to gather information on the man’s activities.  Seb’s normal method of working is to keep to the shadows and disappear into the background, and the idea of having to be so visible makes him apprehensive. In addition, the thought of having to mix with the aristocracy brings to mind many self-doubts and insecurities, but his objections are brushed aside. He’ll be posing as the recently-arrived Lord Millcroft, a gentleman of large fortune and unscrupulous reputation who has spent most of his life in the Antipodes and is now looking for investment opportunities in England.

The Penhurst house party offers Clarissa’s last chance to land her duke.  She’s convinced that once she’s a duchess her deficiencies – she is unable to read very well, and thus believes she must be stupid – will no longer matter as she’ll have a title and an army of servants to hide behind.  She’s surprised to encounter Sebastian Leatham there, however, and even more surprised when he’s introduced to her as Lord Millcroft. Realising there must be something afoot, she refrains from exposing him, and having listened to his explanation, offers her help.  Spending time with and appearing to be smitten with the dangerously handsome lord whose aloof, confident persona has set the ladies a-twitter will be the perfect way to make her duke jealous, and giving Seb her ‘seal of approval’ will go a long way towards ensuring his acceptance amongst the aristocratic guests, thus enabling him to go about making the acquaintance of the men he’s been sent there to investigate.

Ms. Heath does a great job of combining the romance with the espionage plotline, and never sacrifices the development of the one in favour of the other.  Seb and Clarissa have both spent most of their lives hiding behind masks, and I loved the way they gradually reveal their true selves to one another and in doing so, come to realise that many of the things they’d believed about themselves are wrong.  They’re smitten with each other from their first meeting, but Clarissa’s belief that she needs to continue to hide her shortcomings behind an illustrious title at first prevents her from realising the depth of her attraction to Seb and the true nature of her feelings for him, while Seb’s anxieties about his illegitimacy and his unpolished manner – which Clarissa finds a refreshing change from all the pompous, puffed-up men she normally encounters – hold him back from seeing himself as a proper match for a diamond of the first water like Clarissa. Seb finds Clarissa “sharp and funny and hugely entertaining”, and helps her to realise there’s more to her than her pretty face; Clarissa shows Seb that his birth and his background don’t matter and that his kind, caring and honourable nature make him more than equal to any lord.

The one thing that dinged the book for me is the contrived misunderstanding towards the end.  It’s not hard to see it coming, and given Seb’s insecurities, it’s just about plausible that he might believe the falsehoods he’s told, but it’s a close-run thing; and his refusal to speak to Clarissa to clear things up straight away just adds to the implausibility of the whole situation.

Even so, I’ve yet to read a book by Virginia Heath that has disappointed me, and she’s one of the few writers of historical romance currently writing who really stands out from the crowd.  2018 has been a particularly disappointing year for the genre, but Ms. Heath is somehow managing to buck the trend, having published ten novels over the past couple of years that have all earned B grades or above (including several DIKs) from me, which is quite a feat.  The Mysterious Lord Millcroft, is a tender, sensual romance wrapped around an intriguing plot, and I’m looking forward to reading more about the  King’s Elite .

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

I love it when the hero is shy! And also a spy! A shy spy! LOL

I loved Seb and his blushing! His inabilty to interact as himself, but his ability to do it, and do it very well, as his spy persona! It was really, really very well done here!

Clarissa is pretending too, but she pretends that she's empty headed. She not only fake to others, but also to herself! She's convinced that her worth is in her looks only! She's deeply ashamed because she cannot read ( I suspect that she's dyslexic), but she hides it from everybody.

When Clarissa and Seb find each pther during one of Seb's operation, Seb ask for her help keeping his cover and Clarssa is thrilled to help!

Obviously, while they're investigating they fall for each other, but their insecurities get in the way and make a mess of things!

Not only that: Clarissa is trying to make a Duke marry her and asks Seb's help in making the Duke jealous. And that make things between them even worse!

All becomes a big mess when Seb's half-brother, who abused him, appears!

A fast paced whirlwind part spy part romance part misunderstandgs story that I thoroughly enjoyed!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being nearly shot to death, Sebastian Leatham was recuperating at the home of his colleague Jake Warriner’s brother, Dr Joe Warriner. When Joe’s sister-in-law Lady Clarissa Beaumont bursts inadvertently into his room, Seb is transfixed by her otherworldly beauty – as is most of the world. Clarissa needs to speak with her sister, but is impressed that Seb was hurt because of a heroic deed, although he doesn’t seem very affable. Then one night, Clarissa and Seb realise they need each other to succeed in their respective endeavours: he must catch smugglers, and she must nab her duke.

Although I had adored each and every book of Virginia Heath’s previous series – The Wild Warriners – I must admit I was not as enthused as I should have been about this new series because of the world it’s set in: The King’s Elite is a spying organisation, and historical novels with spies abound these days. Now, I feel utterly silly to have doubted Ms. Heath for even one second. THE MYSTERIOUS LORD MILLCROFT is a delight from beginning to end, and Ms. Heath’s spies are everything they should be; nothing too outrageous. Seb and Clarissa are spectacularly well-defined characters, and also very unusual. Seb is an ideal spy, confident, self-assured, fearless in everything he does except in the presence of women, where he is hopelessly tongue-tied, and shy. Clarissa is beautiful, charming, society is her oyster, she can flirt the way she breathes, and well, that’s it. Oh, and she has a secret …

THE MYSTERIOUS LORD MILLCROFT is filled with marvellous disclosures, surprises, and all sorts of unexpected twists, that I will let you to discover for yourself. This book is a masterpiece of character development as you watch Clarissa bloom, become her true self, as she and Sebastian work together and fall in love, as they both realise that they amount to so much more than what they ever believe they were. THE MYSTERIOUS LORD MILLCROFT is one of the most divine character study I have ever read, I was engrossed from the very beginning, enthralled by Virginia Heath’s absolute mastery of the English language, at the humour and wit that make the brilliant dialogues irresistible, at her unmistakable eye for detail so that every facet of the story shines, and the characters breathe and grow before your very eyes.

If the spying world of THE MYSTERIOUS LORD MILLCROFT feels entirely genuine – it’s easy to imagine Lord Fennimore telling James Bond what to do – the romance is utterly breathtaking. It grows out of trust, friendship and respect; I could feel the sparks Seb and Clarissa were experiencing as they realised that what was happening was as unexpected as it was what they had always needed, but had despaired to find: someone who cared for them, understood, and loved them for what they really are. THE MYSTERIOUS LORD MILLCROFT is thrilling, exhilarating, sensual, seductive, alluring, and so, so, so very romantic. Again, I cannot find the words to properly express how I feel about Virginia Heath’s writing: her incomparable prose, her way with words, her ability to create characters that remain with you, and for whom you genuinely care, and her ingenuity which manifests itself in the glorious ending which has one of the best plot twists I have ever seen. The King’s Elite series will be as outstanding as The Wild Warriners, if not even better.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Skaistė Girtienė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pradėjau dar vieną meilės romanų seriją. Privalumas - apie XIX a. pradžios Angliją, o dar ir apie karaliaus šnipus, bandančius sučiupti nusikaltėlius. O tame įsipainioja ir meilė, augantis susdomėjimas ir pasitikėjimas vienas kitu. Moteris - Neprilygstamoji aukštuomenėje, iš pažiūros tobula, bet viduje slepianti daug nepasitikėjimo savimi ir galimų trūkumų. Vyras, pratęs dirbti slapta, šešėliuose, sunkiai mezgantis pokalbius su moterimis, raustantis, o gavęs užduotį įsilieti į aukštuomenę, kurią niekina, ir prisikasti prie nusikaltėlių. Abiejų derinys pažeria įdomių akimirkų. Nekantrauju griebtis antros dalies.

[K.S. Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seb has a role to play, if he wants to uncover a smuggling ring. But once Lady Clarissa is on the scene, she could ruin everything... or make everything perfect.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oooh, that was so much more fun than I was expecting. I loved every page.

We follow Seb Leatham as he is forced to play the role of Lord Millcroft, and mingle with the higher tiers of Society. Not great for a man who'd rather play the servant, than deal with the intricacies and lies of the ton. Not easy, for a man who struggles to speak to women, and can't flirt or charm to save his life.
I loved Seb, he's sweet and definitely one of the good guys. He's a normal guy dropped in the middle of Society, highlighting just how odd it can be.

Lady Clarissa is perfection. She has worked for years to make every move the epitome of grace and elegance; every smile and eye contact enrapturing. She has trained to know the ins and outs of the ton, and has them wrapped around her little finger. All of this is for one aim - to snare a Duke - because anything else would be a waste of her potential.
She meets the real Seb Leatham briefly, when he is recovering from injuring at her friends.
When she meets Seb again, as the supposed "Lord Millcroft" and inadvertently becomes the assistant to his mission. Clarissa sees a chance to help Seb stop the smuggling ring, and to make her Duke jealous enough to push for a final engagement.
I didn't think I was going to like Clarissa, with how shallow she's portrayed to start with; but she becomes so much fun. She's got a good heart, is more intelligent than she allows; and once the challenge is set in front of her, she relishes it.

The plot was awesome, it perfectly balanced the Historical Romance, the Mystery of the smuggling ring, and a thread of warm humour throughout.

I'll definitely be picking up some of Heath's other books.

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ Enthralling & Passionate Historical Romance

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft is the first book in a new series by Virginia Heath.

I was enthralled by this new series, and can't wait to see how it develops.
There was the usual swoon worthy romance, and loveable characters you come to love with Heath's books.
But The Mysterious Lord Millcroft adds something a little different, it has mystery and intrigue, spies, smuggling, secrets and lies and suspense. An exciting mix.

Lady Clarissa is beautiful, charming and full of charisma and on the lookout for a Duke to Wed. But she is hiding secrets
It seems she has set her sights on a Duke in the hopes she will be protected.
What she doesn't bargain on is meeting the gorgeous Sebastian.

Sebastian is a secret spy for the Kings Elite. He was injured on duty trying to catch a smuggling ring in the act.
Clarissa meets the rugged and handsome spy whilst he is recuperating at her sister and the Drs house.
There is an attraction but Seb is extremely shy and finds it difficult to talk to Clarissa.
But he finds her intriguing yet mysterious.
Just what is Lady Clarissa hiding?

There was something quiet magical about Clarissa and Sebs relationship.
As they work together to help each other on their quest, they fall closer.
Watching their connection spark and grow as they became more confident around each other was beautiful to read. Seb being shy yet masterful as a spy, and Clarissa a Charismatic Lady with secrets to hide so different yet they fit together perfectly.

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft is a refreshingly historical romance filled with passion, thrilling spy mystery with swoon worthy romance, loveable characters, secrets and great twists to keep the reader enthralled.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next instalment!

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Jurgita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lengvas skaitinys prieš miegą. Labai tinka po įtemptos darbo dienos, kai smegenys atsisako priimti ką nors rimčiau nei tokio tipo smagios istorijos🙂
7/10

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series!

Sebastian "Seb" Leatham is a spy tasked with bringing down a dangerous smuggling ring, but at the moment, he is recovering from a near fatal gunshot wound he sustained saving Felicity Blunt in the book A Warriner to Seduce Her. He is currently under the care of Joe and Beth Warriner and chomping at the bit to get back to his mission.

Lady Clarissa Beaumont arrives at her sister Beth's house unannounced, she needed to get away from the gossips in London and regroup. Clarissa is an "Incomparable" and has been courted for the last two years by the Duke of Westbridge, but lately the duke has begun showing interest in a younger woman and Clarissa is terrified of losing him. She doesn't love him, in fact she doesn't even really like him, but as a duchess she will have security and no one will ever have to learn her shameful secret. When she meet Seb, she is surprised by her immediate attraction to him. He is gruff and rude, but she wants him. After a late night meeting with a very drunk Seb, she rushes back to London.

Weeks later, Seb is finally recovered and called to London. He is given a new assignment, he will infiltrate the ton as Lord Millcroft, a sinfully rich, unscrupulous man looking for an investment. He is told to befriend their prime suspect in the smuggling ring - Viscount Penhurst. Seb is not a member of the ton and is painfully shy around women, he sees disaster written all over this mission. That fear is amplified when at his first ton event, he sees Clarissa.

Clarissa wants answers, why is Seb here pretending to be a Lord?? He dances with her and explains what is going on, she is excited and offers to help him and in turn, he will help her make the duke jealous and finally bring him up to scratch! Seb agrees, but secretly wants Gem (his pet name for Clarissa) for himself. Will Clarissa win her duke or will the spy steal her heart?

This was a very well written, fast paced story with action, intrigue, romance, a bit of steam, some amusing moments and a wonderfully exciting ending! I loved the book and am happy to recommend it! This is the first book in a new series, with some cameos from characters from the previous Warriner series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seb is a brave and intelligent spy, but he is extremely shy around women and very conscious of his position in society as the natural son of a Duke and a farmer’s daughter.
Lady Clarissa is an “incomparable”, beautiful and from good blood, but getting worried about her Duke suitor who still did not propose after two years and who suddenly started to pay attention to a younger girl.
Below the surface, Clarissa is more than a vain lady and Seb’s real personality is very different from the one he shows to the world. They will work together to bring to justice French brandy smugglers that are betraying king and country.
Fun and light! Good read!

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be up there with THE best book's I have read, pure perfection!!
Oh, my! Oh, my! Virginia Heath, what are you doing to me? There was me thinking that this author could never create a character who will send me into a swooning, dithering mess like I was, when I first met lovely, damaged Jamie Warriner. But she has gone and done it again with this magnificence specimen of a man, who I have fallen completely and utterly in love with. Oh, Seb! Be still my beating heart!

After being shot and nearly killed while on his last mission, spy Sebastion Leatham is recuperating at the home of a fellow agent’s brother; Dr Joe Warriner. He finds himself sharing the house with the spellbindingly beautiful and too perfect to be true, sister of Bella Warriner. Seb is instantly tongue-tied and shy around this gleaming goddess, but his well-honed spy intuition tells him that there is more to this beautiful woman then meets the eye, surely someone cannot be that perfect!

Clarissa is harbouring a secret which is the reason why she has ventured to her sister’s in the first place, she has been wanting to marry the Duke of Westbridge since the first moment she met him. She knows he is dazzled by her, what man isn’t? and yet he hasn’t made a moved unless you count the roses he sends.

It is not long before Clarissa and Seb realise that they need each other’s help, Clarissa needs Seb to catch her Duke and Seb needs her in the next part of his mission with those pesky smugglers. I would never have thought that two completely different character, characters who are as far removed from the others world as you can get would work so beautifully together. Their individual personalities as different as they may be, seem to blend with each other so perfectly. They really are a couple I never expected to work, but they do!

I truly believe that Seb Leatham could be the best character that has sprung from this author’s fabulous mind – except maybe delicious Jamie, but I may be a tad biased where that chap is concerned 😉 Really, this is what I look for in a hero. Not only is he brilliantly gruff and brave but I love how painfully shy around women he is, such a refreshing change from the usual overly confident heroes that are so popular, I would much rather have a quiet, genuine and kind hero than one who talk’s more than me.

Those of you who have read the Warriner series (really is there anyone out there who hasn’t?) then you will remember Clarissa, the sparkling and perfect sister of Bella. When I first met Lady Clarissa, I will be honest and say that I wasn’t a fan of her, she could be the only character of Ms Heath’s that I didn’t take to. Clarissa perceived herself as way too good for the hard-done by, brilliant Warriner’s and as I am terribly attached to those four brothers’, her attitude really put me off her. Sorry, I do hate to say that, but she did get on my nerves a little when we first met her. So, I was in two frames of mind about her having her own story, but I was interested to see where Ms Heath would take this character and wondering if the little strumpet would redeem herself to me. And I can gladly say that Ms Heath has pulled it off, I will put my hands up and say to the author; “You were right, to give Clarissa her own story.” Clarissa is so much more than the woman I originally thought her to be, her transition from spoilt little madam, to the complex social butterfly is quite an eye-opener and I have now grown to love her as much as I do her sister; Bella

As well as the captivating blossoming romance between Seb and Clarissa, I have to mention the spine-tingling and gripping smuggling and spying branch of the story. As soon as I heard that Virginia Heath was going to be writing a series based on the spy ring that popped up in the Warriner’s I was so excited about it, and this first instalment of the King’s Elite is so damn good! I cannot wait to properly meet the rest of the spy’s, I just know that this is going to be an invigorating and breath-taking series. The King’s Elite spying world is dark and perilous, you can literally feel the danger, Ms Heath has created a marvellously real and all-consuming deadly world of spies that could be right out of an Ian Fleming novel.

This is an exhilarating, edge of your seat, thrilling and beautifully sensual romance, one that I guarantee with keep you engaged right from page one and never want it to end. I love the sweet and tender romance that between Seb and Clarissa, their relationship blooms from mutual trust to friends to something more. This is a masterpiece of character development each scene is beautifully written to portray each moment of our character’s role in the story. I cannot wait to read the rest of The King’s Elite, thoroughly satisfying and highly recommended.

[Sameeksha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mysterious Lord Millcroft is part of the new Kings Elite series by Virginia Heath.

Lady Clarissa is an incomparable amongst London's finest society. She has beauty and charm but unknown to most, she also isn't very good at the womanly pursuits of art, embroidery, singing or playing the pianoforte. She only has her exceptional looks and with them, she plans to snare a Duke to marry. It's the only way she can see that she will be able to keep her secret, something far more serious than not being good at art etc, or at least have it not matter because nobody would dare insult a Duchess.

Sebastian Leatham is a spy for the King's Elite. He is recovering at the home of Doctor Joe Warriner who is married to Clarissa's sister. It's there that he and Clarissa first meet. Sebastian is very shy, so much so that he struggles to talk around women, even going so far as to blush which Clarissa finds sweet. He may come across as brash to cover up his shyness, but when they have a heart to heart, albeit because Seb is drunk, she realises just how shy he is. They talk about their troubles and Seb also admits he is a spy. He needs to trap some smugglers and she needs to nab her Duke. One who has been leading her on for two years and currently seems to be courting another young woman, a new younger incomparable. Seb and Clarissa realise that they could be a great help to each other and join forces ready to attend a week-long house party where both Seb's smugglers and the Duke will be in attendance.

There is an instant physical attraction between Seb and Clarissa, one that they both want to forget about. Seb has to concentrate on his job, and Clarissa has to concentrate on snaring her Duke. The more time they spend together, the more Clarissa doubts having any feelings for the Duke and realises that she is feeling much more than lust for Seb. Seb, masquerading as Lord Millcroft to enable infiltrating the smuggler's ring also realises he is starting to fall for Clarissa. The problem being that she only has eyes for her Duke, or does she?

The romantic aspect of this story was beautiful, Clarissa and Seb truly brought out the best in each other. When they give in to their passions the steam nearly bursts out from the book's pages.

Alongside the romance, of course, there is the suspense of the smugglers with Seb trying to catch them in the act. Clarissa plays her part well in the subterfuge too and there is quite an amusing scene where they are both climbing a rope out of her bedroom window. That is another reason that this book is so enjoyable, amongst the beautiful romance, and the drama of the smuggling operation, there is also cause for some fun, lighthearted moments that had me laughing out loud. There was the perfect balance of light and shade and the book's conclusion was perfect. I can't fault this story at all and I am very much looking forward to reading the future books in this series!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

[AUSTĖJA ❤️❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labai džiaugiuosi pagaliau pasiėmusi paskaityti vieną šitą serijos knygą, nenusivyliau.

Buvo tikrai įdomu: šnipai ir meilė buvo puiki kombinacija.

Aš noriu pradėt nuo to kas man patiko labiausiai ir tai yra SEBASTIANAS per jį aš tapau simpe. Jis toks mielas, malonus, geras. Best book man I seen so far. Kiekviena minutė su juo buvo pasaka. Atsiprašau bet kur mano Sebastianas, kuris nuskins ir padovanos man gėlių, vadina deimančiuke, pradės rausti vos pamatęs ir vaikščios prieš mane pusnuogis. 😳🤭🤫

Klarisa nebuvo tokia prie širdies. Ji turi tokį nuostabų vyrą kaip Sebastianas tai ko ji dar žvalgosi į tą hercogą eina jis žinai kur. Bet jos asmenybė, ji simpė dėl sebastiano. Aš net negalėčiau suskaičiuoti kiek kartų girdėjau kaip ji šneka apie jo išvaizda. Bet ji šiek tiek ir dirty minded. Aš išgirdau ir tokiu keistų dalykelių iš jos.

Šią knygą užkskaitau , viena sekso sceną per 320 puslapių, čia yra wow. Nevisi taip sugeba. Ir ji tokia awkward buvo aš norėjau po žeme paklysti,bet šitą galim praleisti.

[crashqueen73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid and enjoyable read and being that I have rated my last 3-4 reads as DNF-es and 1 star this is a decent rating for me at the moment.

I liked the hero and the heroine and the storyline was pretty good too.

Nothing heart wrenching but not boring.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seb Leatham, agent of the secret King’s Elite, is recuperating at the home of Bella and Dr. Joe Warriner after being shot trying to catch the leader of a smuggling ring linked to Napoleon. He is bored, tired and can’t wait to get back to work. When the beautiful Lady Clarissa, Bella’s sister, comes to visit he’s tongue tied and shy. He realizes Clarissa is too perfect and wonders what she’s hiding.

Clarissa has wanted to marry the Duke of Westbridge since she met him. He’s sent roses for years but never proposes. When Seb, undercover as Lord Millcroft, sees her at a ball he realizes he must convince her not to give him away. She thinks spending time with “Millcroft” will make the Duke jealous. They all attend a house party at Viscount Penhurst’s home near the coast. Clarissa’s best friend, Penny, is married to Penhurst who is not an ideal husband. Seb is suspicious of Penhurst and has agents hidden up and down the coast hoping to catch the smugglers in the act. Surprisingly, Clarissa is very good at covering for him and making plans. She realizes the Duke is not for her, but Seb might be.

This is a wonderful story and I’ll not say what happens to the smugglers or the suspects. You will have to discover Clarissa’s secret and how Seb reacts for yourself. No spoilers from me as this book has twists and turns. Virginia Heath’s books just keep getting better and better. She’s an automatic buy for me.

[SidneyKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s the return of the word “sat”

I previously mentioned, after I read Virginia Heath’s The Disgraceful Lord Gray I would probably read another of her books. Remember, I like to live dangerously and try to decipher UK English. So, I decided to do some back-tracking and read the other books in her Kings Elite series, starting with The Mysterious Lord Millcroft. Once again, I ran into UK English, but this time I was prepared. This time, I was not kicked out of the story. See, preparation is everything.

Sebastian Leatham is one of the King’s Elite, and he’s shy. When we first encounter him in this book, he is recovering from a gunshot injury at the home of Doctor Joe Warriner. Evidently, there is a Warriner series, which I have not read. Anyway, he is quietly resting, when into his room pops another character from the Warriner series, Lady Clarissa Beaumont. (The Warriner's must have been pretty busy. Perhaps, I started with the wrong series.) Evidently, Clarissa is beyond beautiful, and a little stuck on herself. She has rushed to her sister’s house. You see, she is in a panic because she is not wed yet. OMG! In her twenties, and not married! Of course, Sebastian is tongue-tied by the sight of her. He is very, very clumsy when it comes to talking to women. Could be any kind of female; a heifer would make him nervous as far as I know. Sebastian and Clarissa spend some uncomfortable, embarrassing time together. She enjoys his embarrassment, just loves to see his ears turn red. I gave her a bad mark for her enjoyment of his shyness. Anyway, they spend some time together. Then they are off, her to storm London and he to do some more spying.

There is a plot line which threads through this series: the hunt for The Boss. The Boss is a smuggler-Napoleon supporter, and the King’s Elite is chasing The Boss. This may have been a thread in the Warriner series, but I don’t know. Can’t say I’m extremely fond of someone being called the “boss.” Sometimes I think I’m tooooo picky. Could be I just like to whine.

I was actually quite fond of Sebastian, but there were some moments in this story that were just a teensy-weensy implausible. Let’s start with the brains of the King’s Elite, Sebastian’s superior. For some reason, shy Sebastian is given the assignment of going to a party and pretending to be a happy-go-lucky-man-about town. He is given a false identity and told to be social. Being a shy person myself, I know I would never be able to pull off any kind of social activity - unless, I had 50 gazillion Margarita’s before hand. Then I would just probably do a dance and fall to the floor unconscious. So, for me, accepting shy-see-my-ears-turn-red Sebastian as a man-about-town was a bit of a stretch. I also had a hard time accepting that a spymaster would take the chance of putting someone so unqualified into that position. But hey, this is Romanceland, and everything is possible there.

The other little implausible moment was with Clarissa. Clarissa shows up at the house party – sans chaperone. Maybe I am wrong, but I was of the belief that an unmarried aristocratic woman would not go to a social gathering without some kind of chaperone. Oh sure, she had a maid, but a maid is for the carriage ride, not the party. I do not believe maids were allowed to mingle with the guests; that’s what companions were for, or unpaid relatives, or mothers, or sisters, but Clarissa had none. But, what do I say my little Petunias? This is Romanceland, and everything is possible.

Anyway, Sebastian and Clarissa are both at the party. He is going to catch a spy-smuggler, and she is going to catch a husband. But, Sebastian has a itty-bitty problem – Clarissa knows his real name. The two of them come up with an idea, one which I could see coming. They form a partnership. She will help him maintain his facade. She even concocts some wilder stories of his false identity to feed the partygoers. He will help her in her endeavors to catch a husband, the boring Duke of Westbridge. Their silly plan works, everyone, including the villains, think Sebastian is the cat’s-meow, and Westbridge becomes jealous and proposes. However, by then Clarissa realizes that she is in luv-lust with Sebastian and turns Westbridge down. Clarissa also decides that she wants to be a spy-help-mate to Sebastian. Yes, Clarissa and Sebastian will become a husband and wife spy team. I do realize, my little Petunias, how silly this may sound, but actually, the entire story was rather endearing. Even with the goofy schemes, and an implausible plot, I enjoyed this story. I liked Sebastian a lot, and even though I did not care for Clarissa in the beginning, I thought she turned out to be a great choice for Sebastian.

Even with the biiiggggg stretch of believability in this story, I do recommend it. The Mysterious Lord Millcroft was fun.
3.5 stars

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do wonder sometime if universe is against me!
When I have a long awaited book finally in my hands, it is always on the wrong day, I work or family is demanding!
I tried my best but at 1am I had to close it to sleep.
But I did it, I will probably re-read it an other time to appreciate it quietly.
I loved it!
I discovered Virginia Heath during a Romance authors event in Paris, and since I was never disappointed.
I adored both main characters, they have their flaws, but it is what makes them more interactive.
Sebastian’s shyness among women and his deep blushing when around Clarissa were just adorable. A dangerous spy not afraid to face bullets who melts down when confronted to women, it was just sweet and funny.
The scene withClarissa just dressed for bed and him drunk then able to tell his true thoughts was lovely.

“Typsy, he is just perfectly adorable!
Spilling his secrets without restraint, lost was his shyness with two glasses of brandy.”

“With her hair poking out of her head in rainbow tufts, jam stains on the front of her nightdress and one unnoticed sticky lump glued just above her lip, the Gem didn’t seem half as terrifying as she had before.”

Clarissa’s incapacity to perform usual activities for ladies pushed her over the edge, everything she does is calculated to hide her deficiencies, ever her very wish to marry is led by her fear of being see as a fraud.
While they get to know each other, give their trust, they are unable to confess their deepest thoughts, scared to be rejected.
But by hiding their real feelings, they continually hurt the other, until a turn of events brings them to reveal them.
They have lot of insecurities, Seb to be rejected like he was in the past while Clarissa is afraid to become a failure because of her lacking.
“
She found herself being herself more around him than she had ever dared with a man before “

The background plot helped to get them to know each other, it added tension and action without being too overwhelming.
I already have preordered the next book in this new series.

[Gabija · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5* Turiu padėkoti Austėja, labai patiko ši knyga.

Nepakartojama. Šnipai, meilė, geidulys, 1800?? PASAKA

Sabastianai... Pls ir mane vadink savo Deimantuke🤭 BRO KAIP MAN JIS PATIKO. Jis toks kietas, gražus, stiprus, protingas, mielas, drovus, puikus aktorius, sassy like AHHHH. 10/10

Klarisa... Mane buvai biški užknisusi su tuo hercogu, bet galiausiai susipratai, kad Sabastianas yra tikras saldainiukas😘 o dar flirtas tavo, pls teach me your ways🙇‍♀️

Jų santykiai buvo beleka. Tas slapukavimas, abieju emocijos, tas rizikavimas. Kai jie grynai nebeištvėrė ir pradėjo mylėtis vos ne lauke?? BRO I love that tension. Tie lovoje praleisti puslapiai wow. Šiaip neesu tokiu scenu fanė, bet čia buvo užsitarnauta ir grynai jų charakteriuose tai viskas ok.

Pati misija man buvo paini, supratau kas dedasi tik pradžioje ir pabaigoje 😭 dėl to krenta reitingas iki 4,5*

Šiaip viskas good, vibes amazing, pora nereali, ko daugiau norėti🤷‍♀️ ✨️PUIKU✨️

[bindu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok ngl…this was way better than I expected because the cover threw me off😭 I love a good spy story and this guy being shy and awkward was refreshing…I also didn’t find the fl annoying which was nice and I did find some dialogues corny and repetitive and I felt like this lacked the finesse that nffyf has but it’s still an enjoyable read and I liked how the story flowed. Umm yeah regency mr and mrs smith here we go🥰🥰 i need a wedding epilogue that i will not get but!

[LAlikes2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

THIS WAS AMAZING. Read 80% of it in 1 sitting and I could not put it down. I loved Seb and Clarissa and their budding friendship and romance. I also enjoyed the spy aspect and I’m very excited to read the rest of the series!

[Diane Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virginia Heath simply writes good stories. I always like her characters, I always get wrapped up in the plot. This one was no exception. This is the first book in her new series, King's Elite, about a group of spies for the crown. I love that she wrote a shy guy for the hero. Seb and Clarissa are truly opposites and if takes a while for them to see how they fit together. Both have some insecurities to overcome, but their love for each other helps with that. I anticipate a long, lively future for them.

Clever writing and dialogue. A little slow in the middle, but this was a slow developing romance. Good book.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great book

I enjoyed this fun romance. I liked how it was Cassandra that took the lead and saved her man many times. I also liked how they both transformed and brought out the best in each other.

[Rose Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, as reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-Nn

Lady Clarissa Beaumont considers herself a fraud. The beautiful earl's daughter is called an Incomparable and is much admired in society, yet hides the fact that she has serious problems reading and writing. Today we recognize those issues for the disorders they are, but back then, Clarissa would have been considered stupid and flawed if her secret was known. So, to compensate, Clarissa has decided to use the gifts she has, namely her beauty and charm, to marry as high as she can. For the past two seasons, she has set her sights on the Duke of Westbridge. While he has show that he favors her company, he has never come close to proposing. And now, a fresh new debutante has appeared to catch Westbridge's interest, and his attentions are be split between the two women.

Sebastian Leatham is a member of the King's Elite spying team, and is currently recovering from a gunshot wound that nearly took his life. Seb is good at what he does, and is itching to heal and get back to flushing out the leaders of a smuggling ring. When Lady Clarissa unexpectedly comes to visit her sister, whose home is where Seb is recuperating, Seb is awestruck by her beauty, and reverts to the shy, blushing man who is totally uncomfortable around women. An unexpected late night encounter between the two gives them an insight into each other's true character, and a basis for a mild friendship.

When Seb finally heals, he is assigned the task of posing as Lord Millcroft, and infiltrating the smuggling ring. His alias is put in danger when he encounters Clarissa, who wisely makes no comment on his real identity. Seb ends up confiding his real purpose to Clarissa, who agrees to keep his secret, and actually aids him. There seems to be an added bonus, as the waffling Duke of Westbridge notices the time Seb and Clarissa spend together, and becomes more attentive to Clarissa.

Seb follows the trail, which leads to a house party, and the circumstances draw him even closer to Clarissa. He is falling hard, but is very aware that her sights are set on the toplofty duke. Little does he realize that Clarissa is going through a change herself. She slowly begins to see the flaws in Westbridge, and all the wonderful qualities in Seb. She finds his shyness endearing, and feels attraction for him personally that she never felt for the duke. Clarissa shows herself to be more than an empty headed beauty - she's observant, intelligent, and finally stands up to waffling Westbridge. Seb is honest, honorable, and so confident of his ability as a spy, but so unsure of himself around women. I love this couple together, and their falling in love was slow building and pure joy to watch. The scene where they finally share their passion for each other was beautifully written and near tear inducing.

THEY MYSTERIOUS LORD MILLCROFT is another amazing read from Virginia Heath, and looks to be the start of a fabulous series. The spying part of the story was interesting without overwhelming the romance. Seb and Clarissa are stellar lead characters, who both made mistakes near the story's end, showing they weren't perfect, but redeemed themselves nicely. The pacing of this story was perfect, causing me to devour this sparkling romance in one sitting. The conclusion was genuinely sigh inducing and left me smiling, and in no doubt of Seb and Clarissa's happy future together.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading The Mysterious Lord Millcroft last night and instantly wanted to read it all over again. Clarissa and Seb light up the page with their journey to happily ever after. This book has it all, terrific characters, romance, intrigue, witty dialogue and humor.

This is the first of a new series The King's Elite by Virginia Heath. Clarissa and Sebastian are minor character from her previous series The Wild Warriners. (You have to read that series too! It's amazing.) Seb Leatham has moved to the top of my favorite hero list. He is the leader of the King's Elite Invisibles- and poor Seb really doesn't want to be center stage. And Clarissa? Clarissa was the incomparable sister of Isabella from A Warriner to Tempt Her that I really couldn't imagine as a heroine. Boy did Virginia Heath prove me wrong, she is not only an amazing heroine I feel in love with her character just as much as Sebastian.

Fans of Julia Quinn will love Virginia Heath. Go buy this book, read it and remember why you fell in love with historical romance. You don't have to read The Wild Warriners series first, but why wouldn't you?

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. It had potential. I don’t understand the sex immediately after a couple declares their love finally. Kiss sure. But straight to it after they finally know they like each other!? It’s just such a cliche and doesn’t feel like it advances the story. Enh. Too bored to go on. DNF at 81%.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the King's Elite series and it captured my attention from the beginning. I loved both main characters, and the setting of stopping a ring of smugglers with ties to Napoleon.

Clarissa is a reigning beauty in Society, well known for her charm and perfect appearance. This perfection hides a profoundly insecure woman who hides a secret that would topple her from the pedestal she is on. She feels that the only way to protect herself is to marry a duke (because who would question a duchess?) and has pursued the Duke of Westridge for two years. His courtship has been lackadaisical at best, and his attention has recently begun to wander. Needing some peace to regroup, Clarissa left London to visit her sister. Her fixation on marrying a duke was irritating at first but became understandable as her issues were revealed.

Seb is a member of an elite spy ring working for the British government. Recently wounded, he is recovering at the home of Dr. Joe Warriner, brother of one of his colleagues, and anxious to return to his mission. Seb is a man who can blend in anywhere, but would rather face a deadly enemy than have to converse with a woman. Confronted with Clarissa and her stunning beauty, Seb became a tongue-tied mess. It's unusual to find a hero who doesn't reek of self-confidence, and Seb's shyness and moments of blushing were sweet.

Seb and Clarissa intrigued each other from the very start. Though overwhelmed by her beauty, it didn't take long for Seb to see that she used that beauty as a façade to hide the real her. Clarissa sensed his attention and used her own observational skills on him. She couldn't help but notice his physique and how different he was from the other men she knew. Though gruff on the outside, she saw the kindness in his eyes. Both had their pride, however, and maintained their outward appearances. But the sparks that were there between them created an unexpected encounter that night, as each one's inability to sleep sent them to the kitchens for a late-night snack. Seb ended up more than a little tipsy and became very talkative, something that didn't usually happen with him. I ached for him as he talked about his past and sighed at his admission of his shyness and difficulty talking to women. I also loved his observations of Clarissa and his advice to her about the duke. He finished off his ramblings with an unexpected kiss that shook them both.

Six weeks later, Seb was back at work, with a new assignment in their search for the leaders of the smugglers. A task that he isn't happy about. Instead of his usual background position, he will be front and center as Lord Millcroft, trying to work his way into a suspect's circle. It was his bad luck that on his first night being introduced to Society he ran into Clarissa, who could blow his cover with one word. Clarissa's intelligence shines through in this part as she listens to his explanation and steps in to help. Her acceptance of "Lord Millcroft" and presence at his side cement his place. In addition, she helps smooth over any of his rough spots. As a benefit to her, Seb's attentions to her waken a bit of jealousy in her duke.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Seb and Clarissa. Their work together to uncover the smugglers frequently put them in each other's company. As they work together, their feelings for each other grow and change. Seb falls hard for Clarissa but knows her eyes are set on the Duke of Westbridge. His background also holds him back as he is well below her in standing. For Clarissa, the more time she spends with Seb, the less enthralled she is with the duke. Seb's appreciation of her intelligence begins to change the way she sees herself. Her increase in confidence gives her the boost she needs to go after what she wants. I loved Clarissa's big moment at the end.

The mystery of the smugglers was great. It was an essential part of the story but didn't detract from the romance. I was on the edge of my seat as the book progressed, waiting to see what would happen. I loved how Seb and Clarissa's efforts complemented each other, and the way they made a perfect team. I laughed out loud at the scene with Clarissa in men's clothes, determined to help and refusing to be left behind. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, as well as an example of Clarissa's ingenuity. I loved the twist at the end and look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

I liked the secondary characters of Seb's fellow spies, Flint, Gray, and Hadleigh. All of them seemed to enjoy giving Seb a hard time, especially Gray. He really stirred the pot the night that Seb went out with the other "gentlemen."

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After dazzling readers the world over with her sensational Warriner Brothers quartet, the fabulous Virginia Heath is back with a mesmerizing new series, The King’s Elite. The first installment, The Mysterious Lord Millcroft, is an outstanding, engrossing and enchanting page-tuner from this outstanding writer of historical romance.

Lady Clarissa Beaumont has always been in her sister’s Bella’s shadow. While Bella was accomplished, clever and intelligent, Clarissa always felt that she didn’t have much to recommend her – except her beauty. If she couldn’t dazzle the Ton with her intellect, then she was determined to do so with her charm, poise, figure and breath-taking beauty. Having set her sights on making an advantageous match, Clarissa was determined to marry a Duke. Having been given the sobriquets of Diamond of the First Water and Incomparable, the Ton is waiting for the announcement of Clarissa’s marriage to the Duke who has been courting her for the last couple of years. But alas, no proposal has been forthcoming and having reached the age of twenty-three, it does look like Clarissa might soon be taking up permanent residence on the shelf. With news having reached her that her duke has made a new conquest who is much younger than her, Clarissa realises that she needs to get away from it all and sets off to Nottinghamshire to be with her beloved sister. But on her arrival there, she is stunned when she realises that her sister and her husband have already got a house-guest, the mysterious Sebastian Leatham…

Sebastian is a man of action who is currently climbing the walls! An accident had compelled him to take some time to rest, recuperate and heal from the injuries which he had sustained during the course of his duties as a spy and he is counting down the days until he can shake off the confining shackles of the sick room and resume his life again. Completely dedicated to his job, Sebastian is a man who would much rather face down a deadly enemy waving a dangerous weapon than make polite conversation with a woman – so he is not best pleased when he finds himself having to make small talk with his host’s new guest, Lady Clarissa Beaumont. Despite his prowess as a spy, Sebastian gets tongue-tied in social situations – and his shyness is exacerbated when he finds himself attracted to the beautiful Lady Clarissa. Sebastian is well aware that a man like him who comes from farming stock does not stand a chance in hell with somebody as aristocratic and poised as Clarissa, however, he can sense that there is more to her than meets the eye.

Clarissa might have spent most of her life trying to secure a duke, but she has never met a man as intriguing as Sebastian Leatham. When he gets a new assignment which sees him having to masquerade as Lord Millcroft, Clarissa is determined to teach him all she knows about being a member of the aristocracy. But the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself attracted to Sebastian…

Will Clarissa’s yearning to be a duchess force her to lose the man who has come to mean the world to her? Or will she realise that happiness can be within reach – but only if she has the courage to take a leap of faith and a chance on love?

Virginia Heath is on top form once again with The Mysterious Lord Millcroft. A skilled, accomplished and talented writer who never fails to pen evocative, compelling and poignant historical romances with plenty of flair, elan and wit, The Mysterious Lord Millcroft is a spellbinding Regency romance with two wonderful characters who will steal your heart. Clarissa was a terrific heroine we can all relate to. Despite her beauty and privileged position in life, she had flaws and vulnerabilities that many of us can empathize with and I absolutely adored Sebastian. We are used to reading about arrogant and confident Alpha heroes in historical romance, but I found his shyness and lack of confidence with the opposite sex endearing and charming. He was also honourable, competent, charismatic and simply irresistible!

Historical romance does not get any better than The Mysterious Lord Millcroft and I am already counting down the days until the second title in The King’s Elite series is released – I cannot wait!

[Jéssica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got really sad when I finished reading the Wild Warriner Series, because I know there were some characters there that I was curious about, including Clarissa. But when I found out about this book I was relieved. So you can understand how excited I got when I first started reading the book.

Sebastian Leatham is such an amazing character. I didn't know if I would loved him as much as I loved the Warriner brothers, but I did! And I loved seeing how he reacted to Clarissa, how they interacted with each other. It was amazing. And the fact that he is a spy and was nearly killed, and now he's trying to get back to living and getting better...

Well, Virginia does know how to make a story intriguing and a character different from all the others in her books. Each character that she writes about has that unique quality that makes me want to get to know them better with each page.

Then we have Clarissa... if you read "A Warriner To Tempt Her" you know who she is... When I first read about her I didn't know what to think. She wasn't the kind of character that immediately grab my love, but I know there was a story there. Besides, I wasn't fcus on her when she appeared in that book. When I found out that Virginia was going to publish this book and it was about her and an male character/love interest, I got thinking and I realized that it was the right time to find out more about that story, about that feeling I had when I first read about her.

And that was what made me a bit open to her. I knew that she deserved to get her story told, even if she wasn't very likable in the beginning and she has a lot of potential for developing and to grow as a person. So I was happy to finally see that developing, and to see her for whom she really is. So I was definitely not disappointed about this book.

I loved Clarissa and Sebastian's relationship and that same relationship unfolded, because from page after page, we get that feel of love, action, drama, unexpected moments and humor that Virginia works so well in her storytelling. And it's great to see how the characters can change, because it gives me a sense of realism in the world that Virginia Heath created, from book one of the Wild Warriners to this one.

And speaking about the Warriners and before I forget... I love to see the Warriners in this book. As soon as Dr. Joe appeared I almost screamed. It's like seeing and old friend again, after so many time away from each other. And I know I have read his book this year, a couple of months ago, but still, it was amazing to read a bit about them again.

Overall, I can't wait for the other books in this new series. the concept is amazing and I can't wait to see what else Virginia is going to come up with and how exhilarating the next story will be. We are talking about Virginia Health after all, so I know she will write brilliant, funny, romantic, action and drama moments that will blow our minds and fill our hearts with the need of reading another book.

Do I recommend this book? I recommend all of her books, this one included. If you like Historical Romances and books with love, humor and action, plus a spy and a lady, go for it and go grab a copy of this book. Go buy it and enjoy a cup of tea (or wine) and the book.

[Thank you Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Virginia Heath for the eCopy of the book and for allowing me to be a part of this blog tour and give my honest review.]

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I didn't LOVE this but I had a lot of fun with it. Virginia Heath seems to really enjoy including some action and derring-do in her novels and the King's Elite gives her a very easy way to include that.

I thought that she did such a great job transforming my view of Clarissa, who I didn't like very much after reading the third Warriner book, but this novel made her seem fun, funny and clever. I also really appreciated the explanation for why she behaved the way she did and seemed so focused on status and society. It was actually quite sad but made her sympathetic. I'm really happy with the ending as well and the fact that she'll continue to play to her strengths with Sebastian. Speaking of Seb, he was great too. I thought that his personal baggage due to his background was quite understandable and realistic and I liked having a male character who wasn't super smooth and good with the ladies.

The writing in this one did feel a little different though and I'm not sure if that's because I read all of the Warriner books in quick succession several months ago so I forgot what her style was like but I did find the constant reiteration of the two leads' fears about their personalities/backgrounds/insecurities a little tedious. I get it. You don't have to keep telling me the same thing over and over and over again. It also seemed to dwell a little more than previous books on the physical attraction between the leads, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing as it is a romance novel, but I feel like previous Heath novels have not been quite so lusty and I always liked that about them, that they prioritised the emotional and mental connection between the leads over the physical one. But as always, it was a quick, fun read. I continue to enjoy the banter between the leads and the other King's Elite characters we've been interested to.

When do we get Gray's story? I can't wait!

[Gmr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love how the author breathes life into the time period and her characters. They are neither predictable nor stuffy, or at least no more so than they should be, and we're allowed a glimpse into both their worlds AND their hearts. We get to see how they interact with the ton, but also how free they are when pursuing their own passions. We catch glimpses of those pairings we've read of before, but not so much as to render the other books obsolete, or shutdown interest in reading each of their tales to gather all the scandalously delicious details. When we first meet Seb, it's not on a level playing field, so we see him raw and unfiltered...and certainly still appealing! When he regains his footing, we see him at the top of his game and yet, despite the high stakes game he is playing at, still his charming self beneath it all (whether he knows it or not!). When Clarissa first encounters him, she's torn between pity and desire, the first of which was explainable due to circumstances, but the latter was something unforeseen. When she let her guard down, albiet against her wishes, we got to see the REAL Clarissa, and appreciate her for the person she is versus how the ton want her to be. Their interactions as the stakes grew higher were award worthy, and yet only served to feed their mounting feelings for one another. Whether they would eventually "meet in the middle" was always up in the air, but even so, we knew we could count on one to be their for the other in spite of it all.

To conclude, it's a definite recommendation for Historical Fiction and Romance fans. Whether a current reader of the author's work, or just getting started, there's LOADS to love here, and a promise of more to come on the horizon...woo hoo!


**ebook received for review