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Regency in Color #10
Secrets With The Marquess
Journey Beaumont knows the importance of her name and her lineage. Journey Beaumont has always understood the importance of controlling her freedom. Her Jamaican mother impressed upon her the importance of staying strong and knowing herself. When her father’s greedy business partner feels cheated out of his inheritance and decides to gain access to it by coercing her to marriage, her only choice is to hide. With only one hundred and forty-two days to her twenty-first birthday and her full inheritance, keeping her identity a secret should be easy if it weren’t for the charms of her new handsome employer.
Archibald Huxley, The Marquess of Aberdeen, had given up fighting after losing his wife. Vowing to never allow a cause to consume him again, he focuses all his love and attention on his only child. Hiring a governess to care for his daughter was the only sensible solution. However, he was not suspecting to find one as beautiful and charming as Journey Beaumont. He wanted to uncover all her secrets. What he did not expect was her to light a fire in him, awakening a long-buried need for justice. Will they allow their secrets to tear them apart or will they discover them one scandalous kiss at a time?
Archibald Huxley, The Marquess of Aberdeen, had given up fighting after losing his wife. Vowing to never allow a cause to consume him again, he focuses all his love and attention on his only child. Hiring a governess to care for his daughter was the only sensible solution. However, he was not suspecting to find one as beautiful and charming as Journey Beaumont. He wanted to uncover all her secrets. What he did not expect was her to light a fire in him, awakening a long-buried need for justice. Will they allow their secrets to tear them apart or will they discover them one scandalous kiss at a time?
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 10, 2022
Secrets with the Marquess, by Cecilia Rene. Ooooo bring on the heat. Bring on the spiciness. Journey and Archi not on lit of the flames in the abolition of slavery movement, they burned the sheets in the bedroom together. I would have like Journey’s age of twenty little closer to Archi’s thirty two.
I put that to the side and focused more on the story at hand. I loved how both characters, Archi and Journey matched knowledge to knowledge with one another over issues that both have experienced in different ways. I appreciate that the writer took the time to do research over the issues and supplied the book with facts of information. I enjoyed the excitement that surrounded the romance around Archi and Journey. Having little Emma there to keep the two grounded was a great addition to the story.
I liked the pace of the story. It moved rather fast for me, but that was ok. The book was an exciting read for me.
I put that to the side and focused more on the story at hand. I loved how both characters, Archi and Journey matched knowledge to knowledge with one another over issues that both have experienced in different ways. I appreciate that the writer took the time to do research over the issues and supplied the book with facts of information. I enjoyed the excitement that surrounded the romance around Archi and Journey. Having little Emma there to keep the two grounded was a great addition to the story.
I liked the pace of the story. It moved rather fast for me, but that was ok. The book was an exciting read for me.
October 29, 2026
"Secrets With The Marquess" by Cecilia Rene was a fun and short read. I loved Journey and how caring of a character she was. I liked how she treated Archie's daughter. I liked the carriage scene and the epilogue the most. I also liked how Archie handled a situation with his daughter's "uncle."
March 22, 2023
I loved this
Read
February 7, 2023The Journey was beautiful
Cecilia Rene is not the first Regency author I've read, but she is definitely one of my favorites. This is the first Regency in color, and I think I have found a new love. The Secrets with the Marquess was a beautiful beginning to this new "journey".
Journey was more than a governess for the daughter of the Marquess, she was a woman who ran from a life that she didn't want, and who had a purpose that she was determined to see through, freeing her family from slavery. To do this, she needed to hide from her fathers former business partner who was determined to marry her to get control of it all. During her exile, she fell in love with her charge, and her employer.
I really enjoyed going along with the ride and watching these two ignore proprietary, or everyone else's idea of proprietary, and prove that love has no boundaries! The story was as beautiful as the journey.
Cecilia Rene is not the first Regency author I've read, but she is definitely one of my favorites. This is the first Regency in color, and I think I have found a new love. The Secrets with the Marquess was a beautiful beginning to this new "journey".
Journey was more than a governess for the daughter of the Marquess, she was a woman who ran from a life that she didn't want, and who had a purpose that she was determined to see through, freeing her family from slavery. To do this, she needed to hide from her fathers former business partner who was determined to marry her to get control of it all. During her exile, she fell in love with her charge, and her employer.
I really enjoyed going along with the ride and watching these two ignore proprietary, or everyone else's idea of proprietary, and prove that love has no boundaries! The story was as beautiful as the journey.
August 28, 2023
This book was spellbinding in its unique story line and almost impossible set of circumstances that the hero and heroine had to face. I am in awe of this author.
That said, I typically write a technical review, with no synopsis and little in the way of subjective analysis.
- Excellent story concept with a complete story arc, good flow, and moderate to high angst.
- A good decision was made not to try to write dialect.
- Exceptional scene-setting.
- Superb "showing" language and deep point of view.
- Filter words: smell, felt, heard, watched. These are "telling" not "showing."
- A cliché was used: "smile did not reach her eyes."
- Extra "the."
- 13 non-Regency words, about double the average for a novel, and this is a novella.
- Two Americanisms (gall, exited).
- One homophone was used (poured for pored).
- 68 contractions, where a novel of this kind would usually have less than ten. Jane Austen used eight in Pride and Prejudice, and those were only used by characters who were lower-classed or silly people.
- The novel ended at 82%, after which the rest was book stuffing, which is a rip-off. But I got this book for free, so perhaps this isn't the case in the book you buy.
- The romance aspect was excellent, with a good pace.
- In the Regency, miles were used in Britain, not kilometers. The metric system began to be adopted in the UK in 1965.
- Beautiful cover with good balance and scale. It definitely says "Buy me!"
I loved this story, and if it weren't for the distraction of the contractions and non-Regency words, I'd have been fully immersed in the Regency era with the style of writing, which included impeccable research. The author was excellent at bringing out the emotion in the reader to meet with the challenges seen by the protagonists, better than many authors I've read. I'm duly impressed. I look forward to reading more books from Cecilia Rene, and I do hope she learns to spell out her contractions like Jane Austen did!
That said, I typically write a technical review, with no synopsis and little in the way of subjective analysis.
- Excellent story concept with a complete story arc, good flow, and moderate to high angst.
- A good decision was made not to try to write dialect.
- Exceptional scene-setting.
- Superb "showing" language and deep point of view.
- Filter words: smell, felt, heard, watched. These are "telling" not "showing."
- A cliché was used: "smile did not reach her eyes."
- Extra "the."
- 13 non-Regency words, about double the average for a novel, and this is a novella.
- Two Americanisms (gall, exited).
- One homophone was used (poured for pored).
- 68 contractions, where a novel of this kind would usually have less than ten. Jane Austen used eight in Pride and Prejudice, and those were only used by characters who were lower-classed or silly people.
- The novel ended at 82%, after which the rest was book stuffing, which is a rip-off. But I got this book for free, so perhaps this isn't the case in the book you buy.
- The romance aspect was excellent, with a good pace.
- In the Regency, miles were used in Britain, not kilometers. The metric system began to be adopted in the UK in 1965.
- Beautiful cover with good balance and scale. It definitely says "Buy me!"
I loved this story, and if it weren't for the distraction of the contractions and non-Regency words, I'd have been fully immersed in the Regency era with the style of writing, which included impeccable research. The author was excellent at bringing out the emotion in the reader to meet with the challenges seen by the protagonists, better than many authors I've read. I'm duly impressed. I look forward to reading more books from Cecilia Rene, and I do hope she learns to spell out her contractions like Jane Austen did!
October 10, 2022
Secrets With the Marquess by Cecilia Rene is the next short novel in the Regency in Color series. Journey is a mixed-race heiress that has a secret from her employer, Archibald, in Scotland. Although she has made a fine governess and friend for his young daughter, Archibald is holding some secrets from Journey as well. Once Archibald is summoned to England by his mother, the pace of the novel picks up as well as the chemistry between Journey and Archibald. They also find out they share a common political interest which cements their bond. As they draw closer together their trust and each other grows. It is this love and trust that helps both of them reveal their secrets to each other and find everlasting love.
December 21, 2023
Great
This was such a great story about finding love but history telling too. A young woman of mixed blood that was running from her guardian, who was twice her age and only after the money she would inherit on her 21st birthday and the plantation that went along with it. He wanted to keep the people working there as slaves, even knowing that they are Journey’s relatives. Now she is working as a governess and has falling in love with her charge’s father and he with her. So now she is under his protection and she can stop running. Now she has love, family, and most of all the power to free her people and live happily ever after. Wonderful and extraordinary story the way in was written, and finding love.
This was such a great story about finding love but history telling too. A young woman of mixed blood that was running from her guardian, who was twice her age and only after the money she would inherit on her 21st birthday and the plantation that went along with it. He wanted to keep the people working there as slaves, even knowing that they are Journey’s relatives. Now she is working as a governess and has falling in love with her charge’s father and he with her. So now she is under his protection and she can stop running. Now she has love, family, and most of all the power to free her people and live happily ever after. Wonderful and extraordinary story the way in was written, and finding love.
June 11, 2023
Very Cute
Hiding in plain sight Journey is working as a governess in Wales. She’s waiting until she reaches 21 in order to receive her inheritance and help her enslaved family in Jamaica. As a person of color, she’s well aware of the horrors of slavery, and wants nothing more than to make a difference. Archie, the Marquess is her employer. He is devastatingly handsome, but knows it is inappropriate to act on the feelings he has. Will she be able to escape the clutches of her dastardly suitor and find true love with Archie? I really enjoyed their story and especially liked the time jump at the end!
Hiding in plain sight Journey is working as a governess in Wales. She’s waiting until she reaches 21 in order to receive her inheritance and help her enslaved family in Jamaica. As a person of color, she’s well aware of the horrors of slavery, and wants nothing more than to make a difference. Archie, the Marquess is her employer. He is devastatingly handsome, but knows it is inappropriate to act on the feelings he has. Will she be able to escape the clutches of her dastardly suitor and find true love with Archie? I really enjoyed their story and especially liked the time jump at the end!
July 20, 2026
Historical romance is not usually a favorite genre of mine. This book was a great take on the genre however. Journey is the daughter of a plantation owner and a freed Jamaican slave. To escape being forced to marry her father’s business partner she flees to England and accepts a job as a governess for the daughter of the Marquess of Aberdeen. The Marquess, Archie, is a widow. He and Journey have intense chemistry but know a relationship between them would be inappropriate. When Journey and Archie give into their desire their interactions are spicy. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance.
June 18, 2026
This was my first story from author Cecelia Rene and it was epic!!! It is a story about slavery in the British empire. Journey was mixed heritage and when she turned 21 she would get her father's wealth and release all of her enslaved family members that were descendants of her mother's family. Journey spends 4 months with Archie, (Archibald, The Marquess of Aberdeen), as governess to his daughter before she is 21. The book had tears, loss, misinformation, and heartwarming love. I highly recommend this book and will be looking for more of Ms. Rene's books!!!
October 31, 2022
I found Cecilia Rene earlier this year and really liked her stories and characters.
As with others series similar to this one with various authors, I only read the books of authors I normally read.
I hated that this story was so short but felt a depth in the characters and really liked them and the storyline.
Good read.
As with others series similar to this one with various authors, I only read the books of authors I normally read.
I hated that this story was so short but felt a depth in the characters and really liked them and the storyline.
Good read.
November 29, 2023
Meaningful…
This story had depth, strength and courage. The characters were people who truly cared about their fellow man. I really loved Archie and Journey because they wanted to right the wrong that was going on. I was glad they had a beautiful relationship that they both deserve. Their relationship was very sensual, sexy and respectful.
This story had depth, strength and courage. The characters were people who truly cared about their fellow man. I really loved Archie and Journey because they wanted to right the wrong that was going on. I was glad they had a beautiful relationship that they both deserve. Their relationship was very sensual, sexy and respectful.
July 22, 2026
It is so nice to read a regency book that includes a heroine who looks like me. The representation is awesome! I enjoyed the story and the tie in with slavery and abolistionist movement in England. It made for a fuller story but the focus on the budding romance was beautiful. I'm definitely a sucker for a happy ending. Great story! Definitely loving the Regency in Color series.
September 28, 2022
another cute story
I enjoyed it. I like that the issues of that time were not only acknowledged, they were integral to their love story. It is great to see a heroine who strongly stands for what she believes in, even with the potential of losing someone she loves.
I enjoyed it. I like that the issues of that time were not only acknowledged, they were integral to their love story. It is great to see a heroine who strongly stands for what she believes in, even with the potential of losing someone she loves.
January 26, 2023
Liked alot
I have read many recency books but was the first with a woman of color. Begin born in Jamaica, I was e,cited to see someone like me represented. The writing was good though often emotions were repetitious, but they emphasized the intensity.
I have read many recency books but was the first with a woman of color. Begin born in Jamaica, I was e,cited to see someone like me represented. The writing was good though often emotions were repetitious, but they emphasized the intensity.
May 1, 2023
easy read
A story of a English /Jamaican young lady who wants to free her family but must wait undercover until she is of age to inherit. While in hiding as a governess she finds her hero who helps her gain her dreams and her hea
A story of a English /Jamaican young lady who wants to free her family but must wait undercover until she is of age to inherit. While in hiding as a governess she finds her hero who helps her gain her dreams and her hea
April 20, 2023
Wish it was longer
Great story. Journey is a catalyst to ending slavery in England and its colonies. Good love story. I wish it were a longer book!
Great story. Journey is a catalyst to ending slavery in England and its colonies. Good love story. I wish it were a longer book!
April 12, 2024
A lovely fast-paced novella with minimal angst and a satisfying love story between Journey and Archibald. I adored Emma and I found her relationship with her tutor Journey to be an absolute highlight of the story.
I will be reading from this author again, this was a good introduction to her style and I think she writes lovely historical romance.
I will be reading from this author again, this was a good introduction to her style and I think she writes lovely historical romance.
May 8, 2025
A Wonderful, Entertaining & Romantic Story.
I enjoyed reading this book.
Journey & Archibald were wonderful characters.
I look forward to reading the other books in this Series.
I enjoyed reading this book.
Journey & Archibald were wonderful characters.
I look forward to reading the other books in this Series.
December 24, 2025
A delightful quick read, one of the best in the series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews