Monday, February 22, 2021

Best Laid Plans Review & Blog Tour

 

Title: Best Laid Plans

Author: Roan Parrish

Series: Garnet Run, #2 

Imprint: Carina Press (Carina Adores)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Romantic Leads: Male/Male

On-Sale: February 23, 2021

Format: Trade Paperback

Price: $14.99 US

ISBN: 9781335924803

Book Description: A man who’s been moving his whole life finally finds a reason to stay put.


Buy Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish

Harlequin.com: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335924803_best-laid-plans.html 

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335924803 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Laid-Plans-Garnet-Run/dp/1335924809 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/best-laid-plans-roan-parrish/1138272513 

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/best-laid-plans/id1529725794 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Roan_Parrish_Best_Laid_Plans?id=ogL6DwAAQBAJ 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/best-laid-plans-80 


Book Review:

When Charlie Matheson sees something broken, his first instinct is to fix it. A broken machine, run down house, strange new man. Charlie can't help himself. It's all he's done since the age of eighteen when he set aside his own dreams to take on the role of "parent" to his younger brother Jack after the death of their parents. Now several years later, he lives his life on auto-pilot, running his hardware store, caring for customers and going home alone to his remodeled house and cat.


Rye Janssen is a couch surfer, staying in one place until he's asked to move on . . . yet again. He doesn't have a family or a place to call home and has been a drifter since he left home at the age of sixteen. When he gets a letter from a lawyer telling him his unknown grandfather willed him a house in Garnet Run, Wyoming, he strikes out cross country in his rusty, old car to find a rotting down house in dire need of repair - one inhibited by creepy, crawly things in the dark . . . and a forlorn, hungry cat. Rye's stayed in worse places so he throws his ragged sleeping bag in the corner, shares his scarce food supply with the cat, rolls up his sleeves and goes to work. By the way . . . how does one go about fixing a house? First stop, local hardware store where he meets Charlie Matheson.


Best Laid Plans is Charlie and Rye's journey - two polar opposite, emotionally damaged men coming together, learning to accept, trust, and love. It's a sweet story of innocence, in many ways second chances, and learning to embrace the true meaning of family and "home". As Charlie teaches Rye how to remodel a house and recognize his true life calling, Rye teaches Charlie how to let go of the past - how to relinquish control and trust that someone else has his back. The story that unfolds is low-angst, slow-burn romance at its finest with pages of laugh out loud banter, emotional turmoil and lots of steamy chemistry. Readers get an intimate view of both men's journey to emotional stability and a brighter future through insight into their thoughts and feelings as the story is told through dual points of view. Best Laid Plans is a great addition to the series. Highly recommended to fans of m/m romance.


Excerpt:


Synopsis:

Charlie Matheson has spent his life taking care of things. When his parents died two days before his eighteenth birthday, he took care of his younger brother, even though that meant putting his own dreams on hold. He took care of his father’s hardware store, building it into something known several towns over. He took care of the cat he found in the woods…so now he has a cat.


When a stranger with epic tattoos and a glare to match starts coming into Matheson’s Hardware, buying things seemingly at random and lugging them off in a car so beat-up Charlie feels bad for it, his instinct is to help. When the man comes in for the fifth time in a week, Charlie can’t resist intervening.


Rye Janssen has spent his life breaking things. Promises. His parents’ hearts. Leases. He isn’t used to people wanting to put things back together—not the crumbling house he just inherited, not his future and certainly not him. But the longer he stays in Garnet Run, the more he can see himself belonging there. And the more time he spends with Charlie, the more he can see himself falling asleep in Charlie’s arms…and waking up in them.


Is this what it feels like to have a home—and someone to share it with?


Author Bio:

About Roan Parrish

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.


When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.


Connect with Roan Parrish

Website: https://www.roanparrish.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoanParrish 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roanparrish/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parrishorperish/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14070842.Roan_Parrish



Saturday, February 13, 2021

It Had To Be You Review

Author: Georgia Clark
Genre: Rom-Com
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Release Date: May 4, 2021
Order Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble

My Rating:  4 Sweet Hearts

Special thanks to the publisher for an arc of this book.

The author of the “emotional, hilarious, and thought-provoking” ( People ) novel The Bucket List returns with a witty and heartfelt romantic comedy featuring a wedding planner, her unexpected business partner, and their coworkers in a series of linked love stories—perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Jasmine Guillory.

Review:
As half-owner of In Love In New York, a wedding planning business, Liv Goldenhorn is busy putting out fires at a wedding gone horribly wrong when she gets the phone call that forever changes her life. Her husband Eliot, who should be there helping her with the wedding, has been found dead in a motel room in Kentucky . . . with his ridiculously young and blonde mistress Savannah. What?! To add insult to injury, the same naive blonde bombshell comes calling on Liv later to announce Eliot's half of the business has been left to her - and no, she won't sell. She wants to partner up with Liv - her dead lover's wife - and restore the fading business to its former glory days. Liv is in shock. Surely she jests.

And so begins It Had To Be You! Talk about starting with a bang, this emotional rom-com hits the ground running and never lets up. As the story unfolds, readers are introduced to numerous couples whose stories are all woven in and around Liv and Savannah's stories. Clark expertly entertains readers with five diverse romances playing out at the same time, including two inter-racial, and one gay, second chance and adultery. While It Had To Be You is decidedly a rom-com, there's a sweet, heartwarming undertone carried throughout as readers bounce back and forth between couples while trying to keep up with who's loving and/or hurting who. Although the alternating points of view were a wee bit distracting at first, I quickly settled in and soon felt like I was catching up with old friends and couldn't wait to get back to each couple's story of finding and accepting their perfect soul mate.  It Had To Be You is a sexy, fun, diverse modern romance with a surprisingly emotional depth and sweet happy-ever-after ending/s. Highly recommended to fans of romance, diversity and rom-coms.

Synopsis:
For the past twenty years, Liv and Eliot Goldenhorn have run In Love In New York, Brooklyn’s top wedding planning business. That is, until Eliot dies while visiting his younger, blonder girlfriend, Savannah Shipley, an events intern from Kentucky. In a twist no one sees coming, Eliot leaves his half of the business to Savannah, who had no idea Eliot was still married.

To Liv’s horror, Savannah won’t sell: she wants to help Liv build the now-failing business into the thriving company it used to be. Liv finds herself widowed and shackled to the inexperienced if optimistic Savannah, her polar opposite in every way. But what starts as a personal and professional nightmare transforms into something even savvy, cynical Liv Goldenhorn couldn’t begin to imagine.

Sexy, tender, and utterly charming, It Had to Be You cleverly tells multiple modern love stories, featuring Liv, Savannah, and the various florists, caterers, musicians, and other vendors of the business, in a joyous Love Actually-style braided narrative. Second chances, secret romances, and steamy soul mates are front and center in this smart, emotional, laugh-out-loud rom com that’ll renew your faith in love and have you swooning on every page.
 

Hello, I'm a Brooklyn-based novelist and host/founder of a couple different live shows. I love improv, sleeping in, and fun snacks that are salty.


My next book is a modern romantic comedy called IT HAD TO BE YOU (out May 2021). I also wrote THE BUCKET LIST, THE REGULARS, PARCHED and SHE'S WITH THE BAND.

I'm originally from Australia, and have been living in New York for 11 years. Wanna know more? AMA.


The Perfect Daughter Review

Author: D.J. Palmer
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Preorder Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble

My Rating: 4 Psychotic Hearts
Special thanks to St. Martins Press for an arc of this book.

The Perfect Daughter is a thriller that explores the truth or lies behind a teenage girl's multiple personality disorder, from D.J. Palmer, the author of The New Husband.

Review:
A mother and son are shocked to find a small child abandoned in a park on a cold, rainy night.  They take her home, clean her up and call authorities.  When no one claims the girl, Grace Francone believes it's a sign from above.  This is the daughter she's always wanted,  and the family is elated when the adoption goes through.   With two sons and now a daughter, everything is perfect . . . until it isn't.

Years later, a knock at her door leaves Grace flabbergasted and in denial.  Her adopted daughter has been arrested for murder.  Penny was discovered in shock and covered in blood, standing over the mutilated body of the birth mother she's never known.  Grace is horrified and dismayed as evidence quickly mounts against the young teen.  When Grace finally speaks with Penny, she's alarmed to find it's not Penny talking to her, but Eve - one of the alters that have surfaced over the years since Grace brought Penny into their home.  Grace believes Penny has Disassociate Identity Disorder; however, after several sessions with psychiatrists, her diagnosis remains undefined.  Penny is relegated to Edgewater Psychiatric Hospital for observation and study while awaiting trial for murder.  Convinced of Penny's innocence, Grace hires an attorney and begins an investigation of her own unknowingly rattling some old cages.  If Grace can't prove Penny has DSD - meaning she can't be held accountable for her actions, then she'll be convicted and sent to prison or . . . someone is framing her for murder.  Who? 

A young teen's identity crisis and a family in turmoil spiral out of control in this dark, startling thriller.  As Grace tries to save her daughter from life in prison, her family and world fall apart around her.  Through skillful prose, Palmer tells the story of a protective mother's secret guilt - her worry that she may have invited catastrophe into her family when she chose to make Penny her own and her determination to make things right.  Told through multiple points of view, readers are charged with discovering the truth.  Is Penny's disorder real or an elaborate ruse?  Is she mentally ill?  Or a murderess?

The Perfect Daughter delves into the social stigma and prejudice surrounding mental disorders and the public, legal system and health professional's tendency to doubt the existence of DSD.  Clearly, Palmer has done intensive research into Dissociate Identity Disorder including typical treatment options as well as the often horrifying conditions of mental hospitals of old.  Through past/present chapters, Palmer expertly weaves an edgy, complex, taut story elevating the pace and intensity as readers race toward a surprising ending.  The emergence of Penny's alters during trial is fascinating - a window into the psyche of a emotionally fragile girl.    Penny either has DSD, or she's a skilled psychopath.  The Perfect Daughter is a riveting, intense, highly entertaining thriller.  Highly recommended to fans of suspense and psychological thrillers!

Synopsis:
Grace never dreamt she’d visit her teenaged daughter Penny in the locked ward of a decaying state psychiatric hospital, charged with the murder of a stranger. There was not much question of her daughter’s guilt. Police had her fingerprints on the murder weapon and the victim’s blood on her body and clothes. But they didn’t have a motive.

Grace blames herself, because that’s what mothers do—they look at their choices and wonder, what if? But hindsight offers little more than the chance for regret.

None of this was conceivable the day Penny came into her life. Then, it seemed like a miracle. Penny was found abandoned, with a mysterious past, and it felt like fate brought Penny to her, and her husband Arthur. But as she grew, Penny's actions grew more disturbing, and different "personalities" emerged.

Arthur and Grace took Penny to different psychiatrists, many of whom believed she was putting on a show to help manage her trauma. But Grace didn’t buy it. The personas were too real, too consistent. It had to be a severe multiple personality disorder. One determined psychiatrist, Dr. Mitch McHugh, helped discover someone new inside Penny—a young girl named Abigail. Is this the nameless girl who was abandoned in the park years ago? Mitch thinks Abigail is the key to Penny’s past and to the murder. But as Grace and Mitch dig deeper, they uncover dark and shocking secrets that put all their lives in grave danger.
 

Meet the Author:
Pseudonym for author Daniel Palmer

D.J. PALMER is the author of numerous critically acclaimed suspense novels, including Delirious and Desperate. After receiving his master’s degree from Boston University, he spent a decade as an e-commerce pioneer before turning his attention to writing. He lives in New Hampshire where he is at work on his next novel.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Beneath Devil's Bridge Review

Author: Loreth Anne White
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: June 1, 2021

My Rating: 500 Shocking Hearts

A special thank you to Author Loreth Anne White for gifting me an inscribed paperback arc of this book.  Words can't express how much this book affected me and/or means to me.


A true crime podcaster. A retired detective. A case they can’t let go.

Review:
Twenty-four years ago, a small community was horrified and sickened by the rape, brutal beating and drowning of fourteen year old Leena Rai.  When a beloved school guidance counselor confessed to the crime, shock waves reverberated throughout the small, close-knit community and rumors ran rampant.  After his detailed confession, Clayton Jay Pelley refused to speak of the crime again.  He accepted his life sentence without benefit of a trial, leaving the police and community frustrated with unanswered questions and dangling case threads.  

Now Pelley is talking to Trinity Scott, a young, ambitious true crime podcast reporter.  Upon her arrival in Twin Falls, Scott relentlessly pursues everyone with ties to the old case including one of the original investigators, retired Detective Rachel Walczak, whose life course was tragically altered by the murder and subsequent investigation.  Her refusal to be interviewed motivates Scott to dig deeper into the past, and she unknowingly sets off a series of events that quickly spiral out of control when episodes of her podcast begin to air.  The release of Trinity's interviews with Pelley sends shock waves rumbling through the community as new questions are raised and the past and present collide.  People are nervous.  People are scared.  People are lying.  Why?  Was Clay's confession twenty four years ago a truth?  Or lie?  If he didn't kill her, who did?

Inspired by a true crime, White has penned a thriller I promise will leave you dazed and searching for answers while trying to come to terms with a crime so cold-blooded, so heartless, so unimaginable that it begs the question "Why"?   Dark, unsettling, disturbing on many levels, Beneath Devil's Bridge forces readers to acknowledge the dark side of human nature. Unfolding through multiple points of view and then/now chapters, the story moves forward like an avalanche - picking up momentum, rolling over you page by page, chapter by chapter, podcast after podcast until it buries you.  As I burned through pages with heart pounding, the only thing I could hear was these character's voices in my head - their lies, deceit, accusations - brought to life through flawed characters, twisted plot lines and all five senses.  All thanks to the expertise of an author who excels at manipulating and transporting readers into unsettling scenes alongside unreliable narrators hiding game-changing secrets. White's masterful rendering of this story shines a light on some ugly truths still prevalent in society today.  The reading experience will be greatly enhanced if you go into it as I did - knowing little.  However, I'll leave you with one quote to ponder: "If it takes a village to raise a child, does it also take a village to kill one?"

If I'm lucky, maybe once in a blue moon, I read a book that leaves my mind reeling, heart aching and soul searching. One that haunts me long after The End.  Beneath Devil's Bridge is one of those books. 
Loreth Anne White has a gift for rendering thought-provoking stories that demand attention, respect and intimate soul searching.  Stories that inspire, entertain and motivate.  Stories that hurl you at warp speed toward electrifying endings you most likely won't see coming.  Highly recommended for fans of true crime, suspense thrillers, mysteries and 5 star books in any genre.
 
Synopsis:
True crime podcaster Trinity Scott is chasing breakout success, and her new serial looks like it will get her there. Her subject is Clayton Jay Pelley. More than two decades ago, the respected family man and guidance counselor confessed to the brutal murder of teenage student Leena Rai. Why he killed her has always been a mystery.

In a series of exclusive interviews from prison he promises to tell Trinity the truth about what happened that night beneath Devil’s Bridge. What Clayton says shocks the Pacific Northwest town of Twin Falls to the core. But is Clayton lying now? Or was he lying then?

As ratings skyrocket, Trinity is missing a key player in the story: Rachel Walczak, the retired detective who revealed Pelley’s twisted urges and put him behind bars. She’s not playing Clayton’s game--until Trinity digs deeper and the podcast reverb widens. Then Rachel begins to question everything she thinks she knows about the past.

With each of Clayton’s teasing reveals, one thing is clear: he’s not the only one in Twin Falls with a secret.

Is Trinity finally getting to the truth? Or falling victim to a killer’s sick game? 

Loreth Anne White is an Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of thrillers, mysteries, and suspense. With well over 2 million books sold around the world, she is a three-time RITA finalist, an overall Daphne du Maurier Award winner, Arthur Ellis finalist, and winner of multiple industry awards.

A recovering journalist who has worked in both South Africa and Canada, she now calls Canada home. She resides in the Pacific Northwest, dividing time between Victoria on Vancouver Island, the ski resort of Whistler in the Coast Mountains, and a rustic lakeside cabin in the Cariboo. When she’s not writing or dreaming up plots, you will find her on the lakes, in the ocean, or on the trails with her dog where she tries—unsuccessfully—to avoid bears. For more information on her books please visit her website at lorethannewhite.com

Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loreth.Anne....
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Loreth
Instagram: lorethannewhite
Visit her at www.lorethannewhite.com
 

Monday, February 8, 2021

The Heiress Gets A Duke Review & Blog Tour



THE HEIRESS GETS A DUKE
BY HARPER ST. GEORGE

Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Paperback & eBook; 320 pages
Series: The Gilded Age Heiresses, Bk 1 
Genre: Historical Romance/Victorian


“A fun, fresh historical romance that gives both formidable characters their due.” – Publishers Weekly

“A delightfully entertaining read, rich with romance, glamour, and lush Victorian detail. Harper St. George truly captures the spirit of the era.” – USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews

“THE HEIRESS GETS A DUKE is a sexy, emotional romantic tale, set against the backdrop of the changing Victorian England. August Crenshaw is exactly the strong, intelligent, self-reliant heroine that Evan Sterling needs – the only trouble is neither one believes it. Watching the path of their romance and their battles makes this story a winner. Harper St. George is a must-buy for me!” – USA Today bestselling author Terri Brisbin

“Wit, seduction and passion blend seamlessly to create this deeply emotional romance. St. George weaves an intriguing plot with complex characters to provide the perfect sensual escape. There’s nothing I didn’t love about The Heiress Gets a Duke, especially its lush, captivating glimpse into history.” – USA Today bestselling author Anabelle Bryant

Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can't buy entrance into the upper echelons of Victorian high society—for that you need a marriage of convenience.

Special thanks to Berkley Publishing and HF Virtual Book Tours for an arc of this book and blog tour invitation.  Check out the Sneak Peek Excerpt at the bottom of this post!
4.5 Passionate Hearts

Review:
There are many things American Heiress August Crenshaw dreams of but an arranged marriage with a penniless title-carrying, blue-blood stranger is not among them.  August is no fading wallflower and has no need of a man . . . title or not.  What she is is an intelligent, witty, progressive woman with an uncanny ability to analyze numbers and future investments and make profitable decisions for her family's company Crenshaw Iron Works.  Her decisions and expertise have served to greatly increase her family's wealth, and August has aspirations of taking over management of the company when her father steps down.  Her brazen boldness is only tolerated because of the income she generates.  Of course, this is all unheard of in Victorian England - a woman running a business?  Making decisions?  Surely they jest!  As a result of "not playing by the rules", August is labeled "mannish" and totally unsuitable for a respectable marriage by cultural standards.  And so, her family looks to marry off her younger sister Violet instead.  What?  Not on August's watch!

Evan Sterling recently inherited the title of Duke of Rothschild, along with a stack of bills, empty coffers, and eviction notices.  A lot of people depend on him, and it appears a marriage of convenience is the only thing that can save him now.  While he hates the idea, his only hope is to marry into a wealthy family - his name and title for their financial support.  He cringes at the thought of being shackled to a silly, witless girl for life, but it's time he stood up and did what must be done.  However, when he's introduced to American Heiress Violet Crenshaw as a possible match, it's her fiery, outrageous, stubborn sister August that catches his eye and heats his blood.  It just might be easier to tolerate being married if he can catch this intriguing creature.  But first, he'll have to convince August that it's a match made in heaven.  Best of luck!

The Heiress Gets A Duke is a fantastic representation of everything I love about historical romance.  The clash of wills, culture, social status, and gender expectations all woven into a delightful story I couldn't put down.  The chemistry between Evan and August is fire and gasoline as flames ignite every time they get close.  All in spite of the fact they loathe one another . . . they do, don't they?  I was hoping from the beginning that this wouldn't be "just another love/hate romance" and believe me, it's not.  Harper St. George has pinned an intriguing, seductive, heartwarming historical romance featuring complex characters who refuse to play the role they were born into.  The Heiress Gets A Duke is a page-burner in more ways than one!  It sizzles while evoking passion, fire and finally love.  Highly recommended to fans of great romance no matter the time period.
  
Synopsis:
American heiress August Crenshaw has aspirations. But unlike her peers, it isn't some stuffy British Lord she wants wrapped around her finger—it's Crenshaw Iron Works, the family business. When it's clear that August's outrageously progressive ways render her unsuitible for a respectable match, her parents offer up her younger sister to the highest entitled bidder instead. This simply will not do. August refuses to leave her sister to the mercy of a loveless marriage.

Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has no intention of walking away from the marriage. He's recently inherited the title only to find his coffers empty, and with countless lives depending on him, he can't walk away from the fortune a Crenshaw heiress would bring him. But after meeting her fiery sister, he realizes Violet isn't the heiress he wants. He wants August, and he always gets what he wants.

But August won't go peacefully to her fate. She decides to show Rothschild that she's no typical London wallflower. Little does she realize that every stunt she pulls to make him call off the wedding only makes him like her even more.


Harper St. George was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was a setting filled with stories of the old days that instilled in her a love of history, romance, and adventure. By high school, she had discovered the historical romance novel which combined all of those elements into one perfect package. She has been hooked ever since.

She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children. When not writing, she can be found devouring her husband's amazing cooking and reading. She would love to hear from you. Please visit her website at harperstgeorge.com

 You can also find her on FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterest, and Goodreads.

Excerpt:

“Marriage?” Violet’s voice was a high-pitched screech that might have come close to peeling the wallpaper in the sitting room of their mother’s bedroom suite. August was too stunned to investigate. Their mother had delivered the surprise announcement with all the aplomb of a woman blissfully unaware of its unwelcome reception. 

Her smile was so bright that August was certain they must have misheard. She was simply overly tired from accompanying Camille to the fight last night. “Pardon me, Mother, but did you say marriage and something about a duke? That Violet is to receive a proposal of marriage from a duke?”

Their mother paused, preening in the glorious aftermath of her news. Shifting on the settee, she tucked a curl of chestnut hair only lightly touched with silver back up under the silk turban she wore to bed every night. August suspected she was savoring the moment, and her mouth went dry at the implication that she had indeed heard correctly.

“Oh, if I must say it again then I will.” Another maddening pause for effect. “The Duke of Rothschild will attend the Ashcroft dinner later this week. If he finds favor with Violet—and I am certain he will—then I have hope that we can expect an offer of marriage to be forthcoming.”

Violet had gone pale. The announcement had pulled her to her feet, and she stood speechless there before the settee she had shared with August opposite their mother.
August took it upon herself to ask the pertinent questions on behalf of her sister. “Forgive me, but I am having a bit of trouble putting together how this came about. We have never met this family, much less the duke.”

“The Ashcrofts have been very good to us this Season. Lord Ashcroft has a fondness for your father and has introduced him around to his men at the clubs. As luck would have it, Lady Ashcroft is very friendly with the duke’s mother. They grew up together. We met at tea several days ago, and Her Grace implied that her son is eligible and in need of a wife.”

“You mean that she asked you for Violet?” August asked.

Her mother looked heavenward before shaking her head. “Not in so many words, no. They are civilized people, August.” Her eyes flashed a warning, before softening as she transferred her gaze to Violet. “But Her Grace expressed an interest in making Violet’s acquaintance. She’s heard nothing but good things about you, my dear.”

Violet had yet to recover her ability to speak and covered her mouth with her fingers. When it became clear that she had nothing to offer, their mother continued with her explanation. “After Her Grace departed, Lady Ashcroft was kind enough to explain the situation to me. No one knows, you understand, but rumors are that when the elder duke died last year he left them without so much as a penny.”

“How can that be?” Violet asked. Her voice was soft and far away. Whether she meant the Rothschilds’ financial state or the proposed marriage, August couldn’t say.

“It hardly matters,” their mother continued. “The important thing is that they need funds no matter the currency, because they have very little of their own. I suspect their debts are going to be called soon, since the duchess was being a bit forward in her interest. They need us.” There was a distinct gleam in her eye that made August uncomfortable. “Oh, do say something, Violet. This is wonderful news.”
Violet shook her head slowly and, with a hand on her forehead, made her way to the darkened window that looked out over the garden.

“Why do the Rothschilds’ financial woes have to involve Violet? Can’t they and Papa work out some sort of arrangement? An investment?” asked August. “Or better yet, if the Ashcrofts are their friends, they can lend them money.”

“Because that is not how it is done here, August.” Her mother’s voice was sharp again with impatience. 
“The duke needs an alliance with a powerful family.”

“A wealthy family, you mean.”

Her mother’s glare matched the severity of her tone. “Very well, if you insist on mercenary terms, then yes, he needs an alliance with a wealthy family. We are a wealthy family.”

“This is because of Camille, isn’t it?” August had been wary of the covetous look in her mother’s eyes as Camille had shown them around her manor in Sussex. Now she knew why. It wasn’t the wealth that the manor represented that had caught her mother’s attention. It was the history of the estate and the family. The stench of new money could not linger in a home that had existed for centuries.

“You have to admit things have worked out quite well for her.”

Camille was miserable. Anyone could see that. Anyone who cared to look could see that, August amended. “Financially, perhaps, but do you truly think Camille is happy?”

“Happy?” Mother’s laugh grated as it climbed the ridges of her spine. “Of course she’s happy. She has everything a young woman could ask for.”