Book Review: From London with Love: Rebellious Brides by Diana Quincy

This is quite a nice historical romance.
From London with Love: Rebellious Brides
by Diana Quincy

File Size: 5089 KB
Print Length: 268 pages
Publisher: Loveswept (February 7, 2017)
ASIN: B01GYPPMLG
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating 4.25 of 5.0

With wedding bells ringing and a killer stalking from the shadows, a former British spy makes up for lost time with the one that got away in this thrilling Regency romance from the author of Spy Fall and License to Wed.
Emilia St. George is moments away from marrying the admired grandson of a duke when the man who once jilted her decides to kidnap her at the altar. It’s the second time in five years Hamilton Sparrow has ruined her wedding day, and Emilia isn’t about to forgive him. The mere sight of her ex-fiancé revives painful memories—and, most regrettably, aching desires that refuse to be ignored.
Scanning the guests at Emilia’s wedding, Sparrow spots a familiar face: an assassin he recognizes from his days as a spy in France. Whisking Emilia away, he’s pleasantly surprised by her newly formed curves. Could this be the same flame-haired slip of a girl once promised to Sparrow? And does the fop she still insists on marrying realize what a prize she is? True, Sparrow left Emilia at the altar. But he’s afraid that the only way to right that particular wrong is to risk the one thing he’s always guarded: his heart.

Review:
Emilia is about to marry the grandson of a duke when she is swept out of the church by Hamilton Sparrow, the man who jilted her five years before. Emilia is still hurt by Hamilton’s abandonment and she doesn’t understand why he has to ruin her second wedding even if he claims that she is the target of an assassin. The fact that a bullet flies by their heads as they flee does give some strength to Sparrow’s pronouncement.

Hamilton snatched Emilia after he spotted an assassin who he recognized from his spy activities. He was quick to react and once he finds himself protecting Emilia he feels he must solve the mystery of why she is a target. Hamilton thought he had a good reason to leave Emilia behind five years earlier, but the more time he spends with her the more he thinks that he made a mistake. Yet he loved a woman once who betrayed his trust. He doesn't plan to let that happen again.

There are several potential suspects who might want her dead, even her fiancé, although he would do better if they were married first. Ms. Quincy does a good job blending the danger and mystery with the growing relationship between Hamilton and Emilia which is warm and lovely. The characters are nicely developed and make the story more engaging. There is some fun banter but also some rather base descriptions. The couple of sexual encounters are on the visual side but still tastefully done.

The story moves quickly and I enjoyed the twists and turns that complement the romance. I recommend this to readers who enjoy historical romance with a mix of mystery, and sweet, sexy romance.

I received this through NetGalley. It qualifies for my 2017 NetGalley and TBR Challenges.

Book Review: A License to Wed: Rebellious Brides by Diana Quincy

This is an enjoyable, character driven, sexy, second chance historical romance.

A License to Wed: Rebellious Brides
by Diana Quincy

• File Size: 4809 KB
• Print Length: 226 pages
• Publisher: Loveswept (July 5, 2016)
• Sold by: Random House LLC
• ASIN: B016GRO8T4
Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Perfect for readers of Madeline Hunter, Lisa Kleypas, and Sabrina Jeffries, the Rebellious Brides series continues with a sizzling tale of forbidden love between a socialite and a scholar—who might just be an infamous spy.
Lady Elinor Dunsmore made the mistake of falling for her older brother’s best friend, who vanished after a night of unbridled passion. Six years and a lifetime later, their eyes meet across a Paris salon. Her friends and family believe she’s dead, but Elle is very much alive. She’s now associated with a ruthless general, who wants her to seduce the man who broke her heart in order to learn his deepest secrets. Is Will a mild-mannered scholar—or the notorious agent they call The Razor?
The bastard son of an earl and an actress, Will Naismith always knew he was an unsuitable match for Elle Dunsmore, no matter how powerfully he ached for her. And yet he almost allowed his desires to spoil her glittering future. After the agony caused by Elle’s supposed death, Will has devoted himself to the Crown, but his entire life has been leading up to this unexpected reunion. As much as he still wants her, though, he must not succumb to lust once again. For his mission is delicate—and Elle is delectably dangerous.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Review:
Lady Elinor was only a young girl when she determined that she would marry her older brother’s best friend, Will. During the celebration of her eighteenth birthday, Elle manages to break Will’s defenses down. After their joint passion he offers to marry her but she refuses as it sounds like he is offering out of duty.

Will is enthralled with Elle but he has stayed away from her as he knows she is a lady of station who deserves better than a nobelman’s bastard son. When Elle refuses his offer, he takes off to town and then gets called away for a work related task. When he returns a few months later, Elle has married a wealthy French aristocrat.

Six years later they meet unexpectedly in Paris. Will thought Elle was dead and she is shocked to see him in Paris. They each felt abandoned or rejected from their earlier encounter. They are both hiding secrets and begin a reluctant relationship filled with distrust and misunderstandings. They actually work at cross-purposes because they don’t confide in each other although there are glimpses of hope from each that keeps the relationship moving forward.

I do not know enough to know if the description of Parisian fashions in the time period are accurate but they are described as quite risqué. These details are part of the sensual leaning that runs through the book. This is a character driven story and I enjoyed the secrets, tension and danger in the storyline. There is a strong emphasis on the attraction between the main characters and there are several sexual encounters. The later scenes are fairly explicit but not in an unpleasant way. At least the reader knows they really care for each other even if the characters haven’t discovered that yet.

This is a new author for me. The writing flows well and this is easily read as a standalone. I enjoy historical romances and liked the second chance theme of this tale. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sexy romance.

This title released on 7/5/16. I received this from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review. This qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.