Adult Historical Romance
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 256 Pages
April 1st 2020 by Covenant Communications
Summary
Despite living at her father's inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be.
When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father's death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded midcharade, Jonas's life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler's daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.
My Review
THE NOBLE SMUGGLER is a story of danger and romance set on the coast of Kent as a gentleman tries to infiltrate a gang of smugglers in order to avenge his father. The characters are instantly likable, the romance sweet, and the danger intense. An overall highly entertaining read!
I really loved these characters from the start! Elizabeth or "Lizzie" is a young woman who has had a tough life and continues to face challenges from the rowdy smugglers and an unscrupulous magistrate, as well as an uncaring father. She is smart and sweet with a bit of a backbone. Jonas was a great character and my favorite of the two. He's a bit headstrong, but courageously so, as well as intelligent and gallant. He slowly puts the pieces together of what happened long ago when his father died as he attempts to bring down the leader of the smugglers. The attraction and chemistry between Lizzie and Jonas are palpable. I also adored Jonas' friend as well as his sister and mother and all the interactions between these characters. The danger in the story ramps up quite a bit towards the climax, which kept me turning pages to the very end.
My one complaint, and it is a bit of a strong one, is that I wanted a lot more development in the romance and in the danger to Lizzie. It was almost insta-love between Lizzie and Jonas. I wanted more time to pass with them being around each other, conversing and getting to know each other, before they just fell in love. This is a bit of a pet peeve for me. Then I also thought it would have been better for Lizzie to have been more guarded, along with the staff, at the beginning and then for them to begin to be lax before things happened. It just would have made more sense to me. It felt too immediate and plotted. Regardless, I still enjoyed this immensely.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a story with a great balance of danger, mystery, family, and romance. The characters were fantastic and the story was intriguing from the first to the last page. Definitely one recommended to fans of the author and sweet historical romance with an edge of danger.
Content: Some abuse and violence, but clean.
Source: Purchased. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.
She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books.
Although Sian doesn't have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.
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