ONCE UPON A LADY by Addie Jo Ryleigh

ONCE UPON A LADY
by Addie Jo Ryleigh

Respectable Lady Katherine Baxton, striving to meet the requirements of her station, has become the ultimate dutiful daughter. And now, the Duke of Blackthorn’s betrothed. Far from a love match, Kate is nevertheless determined to do as expected and marry.


That all changes the night she panics at her impending future and runs, stumbling upon a private grove, a mysterious tree . . . and a half-naked man.


The youngest son of a viscount widely thought to have purchased his title, Jackson Cooper demonstrates his disdain for the aristocracy by affording himself every luxury available—drinking, wenching, and gambling—while eschewing anything representing the ton. Jackson has little care for his reputation and no desire to marry. His escape from London is all but complete.


Until fate—in the form of a beautiful, mysterious lady—interrupts his plans, enticing him with the very thing he never wanted.

EXCERPT
“Aren’t sprites confined to the trees?” His deep voice washed over her.

She didn’t turn to acknowledge him. “How nice to see you properly dressed for once.”

His chuckle warmed her. “Are you following me?”

An unladylike snort refused to be repressed. “Hardly. You are rather difficult to overlook, being the only unknown face here.”

“That’s not true. You’ve seen my face . . . as well as other, more interesting parts.”

Kate wished she’d listened to her sister and worn a bonnet. Anything to mask the heat flaring in her cheeks.

Thankfully he remained at her side and hadn’t a clear view of her face. “We have not been introduced. I can’t be seen speaking to you.”

“Then let us go where we can't be seen.”

Her heart raced at his boldness. Why was this man so tempting? She was spoken for, though still unofficially. Proper ladies didn’t follow strange men to private locations, regardless of their marital status. “Absolutely not.”

“Even if I have something of yours?”

Blast! Her ring. Given her luck lately, she would have lost it in the grove of all places. Her aunt would toss in her grave knowing Kate had misplaced her gift.

“A true gentleman would return it.”

His deep laugh caused her pulse to flutter. “I'm no gentleman. Or haven't you heard?”

~Buy ONCE UPON A LADY on Amazon

~Follow the rest of the tour

REVIEW
This is the perfect story for fans of historical romance who don’t mind a bit of magic. Kate and Jackson wind up being quite the match, and their relationship is boiling with chemistry. Want it hot? You won’t be disappointed.

Kate and Jackson’s problems are very believable for the time period. Both feel stifled by England’s society lifestyle. Beyond this, though, I had a tough time connecting with them. I know the driving force of a romance is to get the characters together and watch them develop, but I felt I didn’t get enough of Kate and Jackson’s motivations or personalities before they met one another. Thus, when they suddenly changed after meeting, I couldn’t get a good sense of how or why. Their transitions felt a bit rushed.

Actually, my favorite character was Blackthorn. I liked that he wasn’t the jealous, angry type who got mad when he didn’t get his way. In fact, he was the kindest but firmest “other man” I’ve ever seen in a romance. If it were up to me, I’d have picked him. His sense of humor was wonderful, and he seemed so dependable.

This is very subjective, but I would have liked a bit more of the story outside Kate and Jackson’s forbidden tryst. There’s some at the beginning with Kate’s sisters (who are lovely), but that seems to fade quickly. All in all, this wasn’t quite the romance book for me, but for those seeking real emotions and a strong focus on the main couple, both in and out of the “bedroom,” this is your book.

ABOUT ADDIE JO

Addie Jo Ryleigh writes historical regency romances that feature rakish heroes and strong feisty heroines.

Addie Jo has lived in the same cold-winter-hot-summer area of Minnesota her entire life. Sharing in the raising of her three extremely rambunctious boys is her very understanding husband who endured being dubbed “The Duke” by his co-workers. Keeping Addie Jo company while she writes (besides her wonderfully loud children) is her yorkipoo, Bella, who is never far from Addie Jo’s side. And recently the newest addition to their family, a black lab puppy named Max.

Addie Jo has always had a love and passion for romance books and became engrossed in historical romance (particularly Regency) soon after graduating from Lurlene McDaniel’s young adult books. Currently, Addie Jo reads any genre that has a great emotional story that keeps her reading into the early hours of the morning.

Addie Jo has a bachelor degree in accounting and is a financial coordinator when not playing chauffeur for her hockey-playing boys, cuddled up with a good book, or writing her next story.

Find her online:

-Facebook
-Twitter
-Goodreads
-Instagram
-Pinterest
-Amazon
-website

GIVEAWAY

Addie Jo Ryleigh will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share ‘N Enjoy: