Book Review - Romancing the Earl - Darcy Burke

Title:  Romancing the Earl

Author:  Darcy Burke

Review:  This is a regency treasure hunter romance/mystery story that takes place in 1818. It starts out in Wiltshire, specifically the village of Wooten Bassett, before moving to Wales. It involves two strong characters, Major Elijah Hollister-- rather Lord Bloody Norris and Miss Catriona Bowen.

Elijah has come into his title owing to the untimely death of his brother and has just returned from Australia having been there for several years. Miss Bowen arrives on his doorstep seeking to purchase an old Welsh tapestry. Miss Bowen believes that the tapestry is a hidden map that will lead to a sword that belonged to one of Arthur' knights of old. Mistrust and attraction, to each other, soon lead them into Wales and each other's arms. The story flowed well and the overall plot was not flawed.

I enjoyed the book and rated it a solid four stars. I would read other titles by this writer.

I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley to read for my unbiased review.

Thanks Frank for this review.

Synopsis:  Major Elijah Hollister never wanted to be an earl, particularly not when it meant losing his brother. When a bold adventuress shows up at his door seeking a treasure map, Elijah suspects his brother’s death may not have been accidental and that the lady knows more than she’s willing to share. Whether she’s a friend or foe, Elijah plans to keep her close—and hope the temptation of her kisses doesn’t ruin them both.

Miss Catriona Bowen can almost taste the fruits of her years-long quest to find one of Britain’s greatest treasures. The discovery will deliver the recognition and respect she deserves as an antiquary, despite the fact that she’s a woman. However, to find the map that will lead her to success, she must ally herself with a stoic, yet provocative gentleman with a different goal. And when a villain threatens their lives, she realizes too late that love is the greatest treasure of all.

Kindle Edition, 275 pages
Published April 21st 2015 by Intrepid Reads (first published April 20th 2015)

Author Information:  Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.