Starred review from July 18, 2016
Even in the world of Edwardian England nobility, rank and wealth do not preclude love, faith, and nobility of character. Tired of being underestimated and overprotected, Lady Ella determines to discover the origins of the cursed red diamonds—the Fire Eyes—that have caused the duke (her brother) and their friends so much trouble since they acquired the striking jewels. Her efforts to protect them from those who would kill for the jewels are complicated by the handsome and newly reformed Lord Cayton, who is being pressured by his old friend Lord Rushworth to return to his former dishonest ways—and to use his friendship with Ella’s family to steal the Fire Eyes for Rushworth. Cayton’s guilt over his past hinders his burgeoning relationship with Ella, but their mutual desire to keep their loved ones safe unites them in purpose and faith. Though the book works as a standalone, reading it as part of the entire Ladies of the Manor trilogy will provide more context and elicit deeper affection for the characters. This conclusion to White’s (The Reluctant Duchess) Downtonesque drama will delight readers and sadden fans who have grown attached to such engaging, lovable characters. Agent: Karen Ball, The Steve Laube Agency
September 1, 2016
Lady Ella Myerston is an eternal optimist, but she is also aware of the dangers lurking beneath the surface of her otherwise sunny existence. Arriving in the Cotswolds to face the threat that has stalked her brother since he acquired the red diamonds known as "Fire Eyes," she meets the handsome Lord Cayton, whose relationship history is nothing short of disastrous. He may be endangering not only Ella's heart but her life as well. VERDICT Demonstrating White's excellent eye for historical detail and a deftness at creating suspense, this final book in her Edwardian series (The Lost Heiress; The Reluctant Duchess) doesn't disappoint. The author is well equipped to write a swoon-worthy romance capped off with a satisfying finale. Suggest to fans of Carrie Turansky and Julie Klassen.
Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from August 1, 2016
Love and adventure are what Lady Ella Myerston dreams of, but in spite of their love-at-first-sight connection, surely her future is not destined to be with the cantankerous Lord Cayton. Cayton's reputation as a heartbreaker and criminal accomplice precedes him, and it has taken years to prove that he has truly changed. Neither feels that they can trust themselves or each other, but when threats related to the cursed red diamonds called the Fire Eyes resurface yet again, the two must outsmart a villainous friend turned foe to rid Ella's family of them once and for all. White finishes her Ladies of the Manor seriesThe Lost Heiress (2015); The Reluctant Duchess (2016)with flourishes of adrenaline, wit, and simmering heat, proving again her mastery of historical Christian romance. Set in the picturesque Cotswolds of England in 1913, this is a true Edwardian saga, featuring moments made for the movies. Double agents, Russian ballerinas, and terrifying villains, all set against the alluring backdrop of the English countryside, dramatize themes of trust, regret, and forgiveness. Readers will be kept guessing through the final page, thrilled by the butterflies of Ella and Cayton's courtship and abuzz in the series' heart-pounding finale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)