Book Review: The Traitor (Captive Hearts) by Grace Burrowes

This Regency romance raises questions of betrayal when loyalties become blurred and difficult during war.

The Traitor (Captive Hearts)

by Grace Burrowes 

• File Size: 1310 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (August 5, 2014)
• ASIN: B00HUTVG70

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency

My Rating: 4.25

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2014

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes delivers a passionate, danger-filled Regency romance...

The past will overtake him...

Abandoned in France since boyhood, despite being heir to an English barony, Sebastian St. Clair makes impossible choices to survive a tour of duty in the French Army. He returns to England hoping for the peaceful life of a country gentleman, though old enemies insist on challenging him on the field of honor, one after another.

But this time, he will not fight alone...

Millicent Danforth desperately needs her position as companion to the Traitor Baron's aunt, but grieves to learn that Sebastian must continually fight a war long over. As Sebastian and Milly explore their growing passion, they uncover a plot that will cost Sebastian his life and his honor, unless he does battle once more-this time in the name of love.

Review:
Millie has become a companion to Lady Frederica in order to get away from her own cousins who would use her as a servant or marry her off to a man she doesn’t enjoy. Lady Frederica is a fierce, eccentric and determined woman who loves her nephew, the ‘Traitor’ Baron, Sebastian St. Clair.

Sebastian has had a difficult life. As a young English lad he was taken by his parents to visit France and remained there with his mother when the truce ended. He was abandoned to be raised by his French grandparents when his mother died. During the war he found himself in the position of an inquisitor, interrogating captive British officers. Rather than have the officers killed at the torturous hands of his superior, Sebastian found painfully creative methods of obtaining secrets and managed to arrange for their ransom to freedom.

Now that Sebastian has returned to the company of his aunt and his lands in England, he finds he has no peace and his life is in danger. He is continually challenged by British officers who scorn him as the “Traitor” Baron.

As a man who tends to view the world in terms of military strategy, Sebastian finds Millie to be a breath of fresh air. He recognizes that she too has had a lonely childhood and a difficult secret. He patiently helps her face her problem but he dare not pursue a relationship with her considering the guilt and dangers from his past.

Millie is willing to help Sebastian face his own dark nightmares but she believes she is unworthy to be his Baroness, even if he was willing to consider a relationship. After all, what nobleman would want an uneducated woman as a wife?

I loved the flawed and vulnerable characters of Millie and Sebastian and I loved how they helped each other find their own strengths. Their conflicts, the military allegories, and the underlying danger, make for a finely choreographed dance to romance.

Beyond the romance there is the puzzle of the threats to Sebastian’s life creates an interesting mystery. The story has a good hook and although the early pacing was on the slow side it seemed fitting for the difficult time of putting war behind and starting a new life. The word I noted for the atmosphere is “mellow”.

I am sorry I missed the first book in this series which I will have to get. I really appreciate the fine characters and engaging plots that Ms. Burrows continues to share with her readers. There is always a rich background of history underlying weave of mystery and well defined characters that are packaged into a reliably engaging romance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sort of ironic nuance I really enjoyed:

He’d asked her for a single rose, and she had flung an entire bouquet at him.
...
And each of her roses came with thorns. [Location 2775-2777.]

I received this ebook from Sourcebooks through NetGalley.

Mailbox Monday September 8, 2014

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.
Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday.
Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received one NetGalley selection, two AudioBook Jukebox requests and I won an ebook this week.
I purchased three Kindle books, received one free Amish title for joining a mailing list and, of course, I also picked up many free kindle titles.

(I still have many author requests to consider and reply to.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I selected one cozy mystery title from NetGalley to review for early November.
I really like the cover and I like books and gardening so it looked like a title I should read.

The Red Book of Primrose House
by Marty Wingate
Book Description
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
In Marty Wingate’s charming new Potting Shed Mystery, Texas transplant Pru Parke’s restoration of a historic landscape in England is uprooted by an ax murderer.




I received two titles from AudioBook Jukebox:
This sounds like a fun mystery.
Title: The Red Shoelace Killer
Author: Susan Sundwall
Narrator: Lee Ann Howlett  
Publisher: Susan Sundwall
First in the Minnie Markwood Mysteries: Minnie Markwood can out-sleuth Miss Marple any day of the week - in her imagination. But when a real killer begins to target Minnie and her young sidekicks, reality trumps imagination big time. Who's buying up all the red shoelaces at the mall and stalking a cashier? Is it the killer who terrorized Minnie on the highway and kidnapped her coworker?  It soon becomes frighteningly clear that Minnie's onto something, and The Red Shoelace Killer's days are numbered.

I had been eyeing this collection of apocalyptic stories
and was glad when it showed for review request.
Title: The End is Nigh: Apocalypse Triptych
Author: John Joseph Adams, Hugh Howey 
Narrator: Mur Lafferty, Rajan Khanna, Kate Baker, Lex Wilson, Ralph Walters, Jack Kincaid, Norm Sherman, James Keller, Anaea Lay   
Publisher:  Broad Reach PublishingTHE APOCALYPSE TRIPTYCH is a series of three anthologies of apocalyptic fiction. THE END IS NIGH focuses on life before the apocalypse. THE END IS NOW turns its attention to life during the apocalypse. And THE END HAS COME focuses on life after the apocalypse.

Won

I won an interesting sounding book at Bookfan: 

The Spider and the Stone
A Novel of Scotland's Black Douglas
by Glen Craney
As the 14th century dawns, Scotland’s survival hangs by a spider’s thread. The maniacal Edward Longshanks of England schemes to annex the ancient kingdom to his growing realm. But a slight, dark-skinned boy named James Douglas—inspired by his headstrong lass—refuses to move from the monarch’s path. Here is the thrilling story of the war and forbidden love that saved Scotland and destined the founding of America.
Thank you to Mary at Bookfan and Author Glen Craney.

Purchased

I purchased these three books at Amazon Kindle:

Chasing Time ($.99)

Travis Hill

Kindle Edition

Sarah Woods Mystery Series (1-6) Boxed Set ($2.99)

Jennifer L. Jennings

Kindle Edition

Winds of Betrayal Boxed Set ($.99)

Jerri Hines

Kindle Edition

Free

I got a free book for joining Global Grafx Press. I missed the Friday deadline by a few minutes but I received the book Papa Abram's Special Christmas by Ruth Price on Saturday.

While researching titles for Ladies Book Club I discovered a new-to-me Christian author: Grace Livingston Hill. She has apparently written may short, sweet titles and I found she has numerous titles for free on Amazon/Kindle.

I downloaded another 72 free Kindle titles, which included 13 by Grace Livingston Hill. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

It's Monday! What are You Reading? September 8, 2014

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had a busy time last week which went pretty well. 
My reading was good and I finished three books, plus I am well along on the audio.  I only got two reviews posted. 
I also posted the usual memes. :-)


I was pleased to visit several blogs two days early in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? September 1, 2014.

• Mailbox Monday September 1, 2014.

• Book Review: Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel by Katie Reus; Romantic Suspense; Military Suspense; my rating 4.0.  

• Audible Book Review: Steel World: Undying Mercenaries, Book 1 by B. V. Larson; Sci Fi; my rating 4.5. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 5, 2014.  Open Worldwide. Ends 9/11/14.

• Sharing Beyond Books #167 Comment Giveaway 9/6/14; Open Worldwide. Ends 9/13/14.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 7, 2014.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

The Traitor (Captive Hearts)
by Grace Burrowes 
I liked the characters in this Regency.
I'll be posting the review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle - Also Print

Love Remains (The Matchmakers Book 1)
Kaye Dacus
Ladies Book Club enjoyed this easy read. 
I will post a review with giveaway.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Winter's Passage
by Julie Kagawa
This was a quick read and a good bridge to the next book.
Click on book title for full description.

eTreasures Publishing New Release:
We released an updated version of:

The Spaces Between Your Screams
by Christopher Hivner
Real fear lives in the spaces between your screams.
The moment twilight becomes darkness, they are alive again. Whispered doubts, overfed lies, indistinct dreams; these crowd into your mind to create the monsters.
Your fear unleashes demons.
Your desire attracts blood seekers.
Your frailty makes you werewolf prey.
Your trust makes you vulnerable to the obscenity of the human soul.
When you scream we will hear only the silence between your breaths.
And we will know you are doomed. 
Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Thriller
Pages:  408, Anthology

Two print releases going through final adjustments before we link them up at the website.
Two more ebooks still out for galley proofs; to be released soon.

Currently reading:
1. Audio/MP3

Dead Case in Deadwood: Deadwood Mystery, Book 3
Written by: Ann Charles
Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer
I selected this from AudioBook Jukebox 
because it looked fun even if it is a third book.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Neverhome
by Laird Hunt 
I have started this and love the prose.
I look forward to enjoying and reviewing through NetGalley.
She calls herself Ash, but that's not her real name. She is a farmer's faithful wife, but she has left her husband to don the uniform of a Union soldier in the Civil War. NEVERHOME tells the harrowing story of Ash Thompson during the battle for the South. Through bloodshed and hysteria and heartbreak, she becomes a hero, a folk legend, a madwoman and a traitor to the American cause. Laird Hunt's dazzling new novel throws a light on the adventurous women who chose to fight instead of stay behind. It is also a mystery story: why did Ash leave and her husband stay? Why can she not return? What will she have to go through to make it back home? In gorgeous prose, Hunt's rebellious young heroine fights her way through history, and back home to her husband, and finally into our hearts.

3. eBook/Kindle

The Night Visitor
by Dianne Emley
I will begin this after Neverhome.
I received this thriller through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: September 16, 2014
In bestselling author Dianne Emley’s chilling new paranormal thriller, a beautiful woman’s romantic past comes back to haunt her in the form of an otherworldly visitor seeking justice.
Gorgeous and successful, Rory Langtry seemed to have it all. Daughter of a movie star and sister of a supermodel, Rory was engaged to sexy artist, Junior Lara. But her bright future went dark one terrible, bloody night that left her sister dead and the accused murderer—Junior—in an extended coma.
Now, five years later, Rory appears to have put the past behind her. She has a wonderful new fiancé and heads a successful cosmetics company. Yet dark secrets threaten. Across town, Junior lies close to death but before he departs he seeks to clear his name.
It starts with a feeling. It turns into a vision. Soon Rory is having sensations that only Junior could experience—from the horrifying to the erotic. Then she learns details about the awful night that only Junior could know, newfound knowledge with potentially fatal consequences. When another act of violence rocks her family, Rory plunges deeper into the unsolved mystery, led by an inexplicable visitor to a dangerous time and place where all will be revealed at last. But until then, Junior will not let her go.

Chances are I will start one of the two new audios when I finish Dead Case.

I am still one day ahead on my daily Bible reading.
I have disciplined myself each morning to read my Bible passage before I pick up print, Kindle or mp3. I am really enjoying the reading.

Line Edits:
We are still finalizing formatting for two educational, non-fiction ebook releases. We are also working on releasing several novels in print.

I still have some books carried forward and I still hope to read at least one of my own TBRs this month. I completed two reviews last week and hope to post at least three this week; staying up to date.  

September Scheduled -
---Nothing new yet.

NetGalley - To be read in August thru September:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, Illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Neverhome by Laird Hunt (reading)
The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley (reading this week)
Global Predator by Jack Maclean  (Legend Publishing)
The Red Book of Primrose House by Marty Wingate

Authors:
From Story Bundle -  I am enjoying the romance bundle and so glad I got these.  There is a Steampunk Bundle available now that looks interesting.
Huntress For Hire by Terry Spear
Peter's Christmas by M. L. Buchman
The Death of Davy Moss by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Shades of Moonlight by Karen L. McKee

Still many requests to field and reply to.

AudioBook Jukebox
The End is Nigh: The Apocalypse Triptych by John Joseph Adams, Hugh Howey
The Red Shoelace Killer by Susan Sundwall

Post Hypnotic Press
I have several more audiobooks from this publisher that I will be reviewing.

From TBR Collection - TBD
Won Book - TBD
Free Kindle/Nook or Smashwords - Winter's Passage - Done

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 7, 2014

Pastor’s central point in the Sermon this morning continued what we have been reading, discussing and seeing in online videos: God has a purpose for all things and there are times of Divine Appointment. Habakkuk 2:2-3 Jesus prayed in sorrow for Jerusalem because they would not – chose not to –  believe; therefore they missed an appointed time. Matthew 23: 37-39.

We believe today that warnings have been given, the signs are appearing and the world circumstances are moving toward a Divine Appointment. There is lawlessness, there are famines, volcanoes, earthquakes, blood moons and eclipses.  We must be careful not to miss our appointed time.

God is now warning nation, church and individual. How should we respond? We need to abandon any worldly idols that hinder our time and worship of God; that hinder our obedience and relationship with God.

We sang a part of a song this morning but I do not know it and it wasn't on the song list I picked up.

In searching for a song today I found this and it fits for me.

From the Inside Out

Verses for Today:

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NIV)

 2 Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
    and make it plain on tablets
    so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
    it speaks of the end
    and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
    it will certainly come
    and will not delay.

Lord, it is my prayer that you will help me lay aside unimportant matters and focus more on You and what You want me to do each day. I praise you and thank you for your faithfulness and your never ending grace.

Sharing Beyond Books #167 Comment Giveaway September 6, 2014

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
This has been a short week because day off results in pushing the rest of the week to catch up.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Ten out of 19 people do not use the snooze either because it is not a function on their alarm, they don't use an alarm or they are morning people like scottsgal and fredamans (who jumps out of bed like a Pop Tart!). Five of us use the snooze fairly regularly and another four use it on rare occasions.

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #166 comments is: #3 SarahM who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the ARC/Review titles, Christmas titles or Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.  Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #167 (One Question.)

Q1. Alyn asks: Do you remember the first book you did not finish??

A: Really?? I'm lucky to remember the last book I did not finish. And that was only two weeks ago. I had so much trouble starting an audio book I even forgot to list it on my Monday Reading Post. Now I don't remember the name of the book and would have to go look it up. There is also a paperback on the book shelf in my 'throne'room that I started at the beginning of the year that probably will end up in the next giveaway box. It was too risque and not for me.  It is only recently that I decided that not all books are worth finishing. As a guess, the first book I DNF was War and Peace.

That is a good saying but I have come to agree with other readers that 
sometimes there are books that need to be passed on.
Image found at Behappy.me.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Alyn asks: Do you remember the first book you did not finish??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books, the Christmas Giveaway Books (this is the new link), or the June 2013 Newly Updated ARC/Review List.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.

I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday September 13, 2014 at 5 PM  central.