Chasing Dreams

The Restoration Series #2

by Jaclyn Reding

When her relationship with the king and the murder of her father bring her face-to-face with a death sentence, Cassia Montfort's only chance for redemption lies in Rolfe Brodrigan, who sparks Cassia's hopes to recover from her painful past. Original.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance

96 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Jaclyn Reding is the award-winning author of numerous historical and contemporary novels, including an Amazon.com #1 bestseller and a RITA award nominee. Since first publishing in 1993, Jaclyn has seen her stories translated into nearly a dozen languages around the world.

Jaclyn can usually be found at her home in New England, or Venice, Italy...or somewhere in between. Jaclyn loves hearing from readers and answers every letter personally.

Find her on FaceBook at:
http://www.facebook.com/jaclynreding....

Reviews

[Alexandra G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Winter and her bodyguard...

Cassia grew up in France at an exiled English court during Cromwell’s Protectorate. Her father left behind in England, and her scandalous mother loathing the man, she was raised by a strict governess and learned to navigate the royal court’s traitorous waters on her own.
When the Crown returns to England, so does she. Her mother dies soon thereafter and now her father’s cruel wrath falls upon her – until one night they’re found in his study : he dead, she bloodied and confused.
Already judged guilty by the public, Rolfe, one of the King’s most trusted and loyal subjects, is summoned to town to protect her, and, if possible, prove her innocence. But he comes with his own cross to bear: guilt, scandal and a broken heart.

This was a riveting murder mystery!
Royal court intrigue, a frolicking king, a lonely queen, backstabbing mistresses, envy, greed, deceit and jealousy. Close proximity, dogged determination, threats, nightmares, unconditional friendships, unexpected tenderness and slowly crumbling walls. A delectable slow burn, nursing back to health, a union under pressure and a touching splash of steam.

This was a brilliant read! Thrilling, dark and twisty, but with humour and heart, and so well-written! I devoured it start to finish, barely able to put it down.
The complexity of the characters – all characters – was engrossing, the plot never betrays itself and the relationship between the MCs felt so real – both the good and the bad; they share a secret vulnerability they only show each other and it was absolutely gorgeous!
And even her father, an abusive controlling man with great power, somehow redeemed himself in the end. It may be in a very roundabout way, but he loves his daughter.

First released in 1995, I most ardently recommend (re)discovering this series! This was book 2 – reading book 1 Tempting Fate will help, it’s excellent but not strictly necessary – and I can’t wait for Oliver Heber Books to re-release book 3!

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very different type of regency romance as it takes place at the court of the new Monarch King Charles II. It has a lot of history in it. Not being a history buff, how much is true and how much is the authors story I can’t say. I can say this is a very fast-moving story of a woman, Cassia Montefort who has had a very rough life. Her mother and father hated each other, and both used her as their pawn. She is known at court as “Lady Winter” as she puts off all attention by the many gentlemen there. Most just want the money she would bring them. She is a favorite with the King, and many think she is also one of his many mistresses. She is not, she is a true friend to the new Queen Catherine and helps her all so can. When she is found badly beaten with blood on her hands next to her dead father, Lord Monteford all think she killed him. Charles enlists the one person he trusts to guard her and find out the truth., Rolfe Lord Ravencroft. Cassia wants nothing to do with Rolfe and tries to get rid of him stating she is not in danger. Little did she know what was to come. There is much danger the evilest nasty women you have every read about, and tons of secrets and misunderstanding are couple with must deal with. At first, I didn’t like the way Cassia treated Rolfe but as the story flows you will learn the reason why. Rolfe is a wonderful character and one all women will fall in love with he also has his own secrets and hurts. This is the second book in this series and both are great. Be sure and grab a copy and get started, it was a great if different type of story. Must pain and hardships for both Rolfe and Cassie. But the ending is great, and some get what's coming to them. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have Rolfe Bridigan, formerly Viscount Blackwood now Earl of Ravenscroft appointed guard over Lady Cassia Montefort.
Cassia has been found in a locked room with her deceased father badly beaten.
Cassia has no recollection but is great friends with King Charles and his Queen.
Rolfe suspects Cassia is one of the King’s many mistresses and he is struck by her beauty! She is labeled Lady Winter for her cold demeanor! Cassia has to immerse herself in ice to protect her heart and emotions from a brutal and violate father! She has been raised by a faithless mother who flaunts her infidelities to a father who would punish her for them!
She is astonished that her father’s will makes her a heiress and a target! Rolfe saves Cassia’s life thrice over and she begins to see that he is not the enemy! The real enemy wants her dead and is closer than she believes!! I can’t see how the evil of one of the kings mistresses went unchecked!
Love seeing the reunion of the first story and how they have evolve!
Do Rolfe and Cassia get a HEA? Does Rolfe also expose a secret organization that Cassia father was involved in!? Will it be too late as evil comes in close to surround them? Bravo well done. Suspense and romance!
I would have given this 5 stars except the mystery with the Queen was unresolved and it affected Cassia!.

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

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this novel heartbreaking yet triumphant, in that Lady Cassia Montefort has managed to navigate her way through King Charles II's court with wisdom and aplomb. When her father is murdered, suspicion falls on her, and the gossip is evil. The King himself does not believe her guilty and appoints Lord Ravenscroft as her guard. Rolfe has faced his own share of horrors, and fairly soon after meeting the frustrating Cassia, he comes to realize that the claims against her are false, but proving them is difficult as the perpetrator has covered his tracks well. Living in close proximity to Cassia, her night terrors make him understand her background and the horrors she experienced. However, being a survivor, Cassia does not make it easy for him. It takes multiple attempts on Cassia's life for Rolfe to come to the understanding that, regardless of the truth, he has fallen in love with her. The difficulty is whether or not she can love him back. The novel comes to a successful conclusion, bringing resolution to a long-standing mystery. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Oliver Heber Books and BookSprout, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Cassia’s father is killed while she is unconscious in the locked room with him, all society believes she must be guilty.

But the king is suspicious and assigns a trusted man to watch over her and find the true culprit.

Rolfe is not happy to be back in London but he believes in duty above all.

There is some animosity between the two but they do work together to figure out who could have killed her father….and is now trying to kill her.

I enjoyed the characters and their stories. It was an interesting plot line.

There are characters from other JR books so it was nice to catch up with them.

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

[Sheri-Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I love Jaclyn Reding's work! Everything I have read by her has been thoroughly engrossing, and Chasing Dreams is no exception.

With well-crafted characters, twists, and turns, Cassia and Rolfe's story kept my attention from start to finish. I just couldn't put it down!

The second in a two-book series (Merry Monarchs), it holds its own without reading the first. However, I'm sure reading the first one, Tempting Fate, would have added more depth and understanding of some characters' relationships.

I wholeheartedly recommend Chasing Dreams!

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

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exciting read about court intrigue, a murder and a sweet romance between 2 characters who have been through some pain. Cassia, our h, has been accused of killing her father and someone is out to get her. The king assigns Rolfe to keep her safe. Rolfe hates the court, after beeing deceived by a lady in the past. What starts as dislike, slowly evolves into love, and protection.

This book was refreshing. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story and can't wait to read other books by Jaclyn Reding. The King asked Rolfe to protect Cassia after the murder of her father. She doesn't trust anyone and with her life in danger, he needs to find a way to keep her safe while she tries to stay independent. When she nearly dies, he takes the ultimate step to try keep her safe.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misnomer…

This book should definitely have a vastly different title.

Cassia has been beaten by her father. When she regains consciousness, it’s to see her father dead with a knife sticking out of his neck.

She’s been a victim abd now she’s a victim again as Rolfe needs to figure out if she’s guilty or innocent.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story! Cassie is found with her brutally beaten father, who was no charmer. Rolf, has been charged with keeping her safe and determining her innocence. An fully engaging story with intrigue, mystery, twists, turns a bit dark but oh so much fun to read.

[Nicole alphAbet]

fall pile