Review and Giveaway: A Shocking Delight

A Shocking Delight (Company of Rogues - Book 15) by Jo Beverley

Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet Select
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 432
ISBN-10: 0451468015
ISBN-13: 978-0451468017

(Received for an honest review from Signet Select)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Jo Beverley on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Company of Rogues

1. An Arranged Marriage
2. An Unwilling Bride
3. Christmas Angel
4. Forbidden 
5. Dangerous Joy
6. Forbidden Magic
7. The Dragon's Bride
8. The Devil's Heiress
9. Hazard
10. St. Raven
11. Skylark
12. The Rogue's Return
13. To Rescue a Rogue
14. Lady Beware
15. A Shocking Delight

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from, A Shocking Delight, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

From five-time RITA Award winner Jo Beverley comes an exciting new Regency romance in which a lady must risk all to win love.
 

The man she shouldn’t want. The woman he shouldn’t marry...

David Kerslake, smuggling master from The Dragon's Bride, is now Earl of Wyvern and must survive the ton as well as the Preventive Officers.

Lucy Potter, daughter of a wealthy merchant, is more interested in trade than in the men after her dowry. When forced to have a London season, she sets out to enjoy herself rather than to find a husband. But once she meets the notorious Earl of Wyvern, her resolve weakens, and when they kiss, it dissolves—even though her instincts warn he’s dangerous.
 
Wyvern has a dark secret, which means he must win a rich bride. Lucinda Potter seems ideal. Not for her beauty and her lively charm, but because at first meeting she seems unlikely to realize the truth.
 
As he comes to know her, however, as they spar and kiss, he realizes she’s too clever and honest by far. Marrying Lucy would mean living a lie with the woman he has come to love.... 

Thoughts:

Award winning author, Jo Beverley continues her long running Company of Rogues series, with the 15th installment, A Shocking Delight. Beverley has long thrilled historical romance fans with her blend of opulent Regency grandeur and sweet and tender romance. Her latest offering is a tale of opposites. At first glance Lucinda Potter and David Kerslake have little in common, but underneath there is a lot more to this relationship than meets the unknowing eye. Filled with action, adventure, and a delightful romance, this is a book any Regency fan will adore.

What I liked:

Jo Beverley is often considered one of the best when it comes to Regency romance. Her command of the customs, fashions and rules of the times gives her writing an authentic and believable ring that is undeniable. The Company of Rogues series has flourished over the years and fans still flock to read each new book. A Shocking Delight is number fifteen in the series, but Beverley doesn't show any signs of slowing down. It is a rich and vibrant story about truth and deception and how they straddle a fine line. Fans will adore it and new readers will be rushing to the bookstore for the other fourteen titles in the series.

Lucinda Potter is in a bit of a jam. Her father has always schooled her in the way of business and mercantilism. But the death of her mother has completely derailed Lucy's plans to take over her father's business. Now he intends to remarry and have a son to continue his legacy. And where does that decision leave Lucy? Her father is determined she marry and start her own family, when all she wants is continue in the financial world of the ton. What a great heroine! Lucy is tenacious and head strong. She's used to getting her own way and now she is at a loss. When she meets David she knows something is different about him, but she can't quite put her finger on it. Beverley once again creates a heroine that interesting and full of the zest of life. Lucy is fun to read about and her success in life is something readers will be clamoring for.

David Kerslake is a study in contrasts. He is a man of whom a lot is expected from others, when he only wants to live a quiet life. He has an earldom that he doesn't want and doesn't know what to do with. He is the leader of a group of smugglers that he doesn't want to captain and he now has to find a woman with money which he really doesn't want either. That is until he meets Lucy and things begin to become a lot more clear. I think Beverley knew that Lucy needed a man who could challenge her and David is certainly that man. He loves her intelligence and fortitude, even though her opinions are vitally different from his own. A great overall hero and the perfect compliment to the heroine.

Together these two characters provide readers with a look into true honesty and how it affects any relationship. I think Beverley wanted the reader to think these were two very different characters who would have to overcome a lot to be together and that's true. But there are also a lot of similarities as well. I think readers will find that they have more in common that what is first apparent. I loved the way their relationship flourished and grew. It started out slow and then worked up to a beautiful romance. I thought the pacing was perfect and the kiss a day bargain was genius. I loved this one.

What I didn't like:

There were times when I felt a little behind the times with this book, having not read any of the previous titles in this particular series. I especially think I would have benefited from reading, The Dragon's Bride in which David is first introduced. I think readers would enjoy this title more with a little more background and perhaps reading a few of the other books as well. 

Bottom Line:

I enjoyed almost everything about this book. Beverley shows why she is such a well known and excellently regarded novelist. The plot was not just a rehash of a typical Regency theme. It stood well on it's own, though I think readers may find themselves more attuned to the story by reading previous books in the series. An overall good read, with excellent characters and storyline.

A Shocking Delight is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Jo Beverley is widely regarded as one of the most talented romance writers today. She is a New York Times bestseller, a five-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s cherished RITA Award, and one of only a handful of members of the RWA Hall of Fame. She has also twice received the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her recent novels include Seduction in Silk, A Scandalous Countess, An Unlikely Countess, and The Secret Duke. She has two grown sons and lives with her husband in England.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of A Shocking Delight by Jo Beverley.

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~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 5th.

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