EMILY AND THE DARK ANGEL by Jo Beverley

Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Date published: October 2010
ISBN: 978-0451231253
Historical romance
Trade Sized Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Emily Grantwich hasn’t had an easy life. After her father is crippled and her brother is lost at war, she has to take over the running and managing of the family’s land, as well as the eccentric aunt who lives with them. But Emily has bravely taken on the task and shown that she is more than up to it. A pity her father believes her efforts are to no avail. When she’s bought a herd of sheep which she wants to pasture on land that is still in dispute, as the land is either theirs, or their neighbors.

Then she literally collides with ‘the Dark Angel’, Piers Verderan who has inherited the land next to the Grantwich estate. Emily’s quiet life is about to become turbulent as Ver has a dark and deadly reputation.

I’ve been a long time fan of Ms Beverley and have a number of her books on my shelf. I haven’t read one in a while, so was happy to have gotten this one. Ms Beverley sets her book in the Shires in the Regency period, during the hunting season. As she explains at the back of the book, there is nothing more the Regency men love than the thrill of the hunt and it all comes to life here in this story. I really enjoyed it and had to read it in one sitting. Emily is a wonderful person, very practical, no wilting flower and with a sensible head on her shoulders. Ver is a self confessed rake, who has some really terrible rumors following him and he seems to be a very dangerous man indeed. The dialogue was extremely witty and in parts had me laughing out loud, especially the talk about ‘pudding’…hehe!
There are numerous secondary characters that give life, depth and even more charm to this wonderful story. Yes, do pick this one up and get carried away to the English shires and enjoy those handsome regency men and the women they fall for.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

A LADY'S SECRET by Jo Beverley

Publisher Signet
Date published April 2008
ISBN 978-0-451-22419-4
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Danny



Robin Fitzvitry, Earl of Huntersdown, can’t believe it when he meets a cursing nun in a small French inn on his way from Versailles. Absolutely intrigued by Sister Immculata, he offers her to help her on her way to England. What he doesn’t know that is that she is a Lady with a secret and that she is on the run from her half-brother and an arranged marriage. So starts the journey of this unusual pair across the continent to England. Robin protects her during this journey, but who protect her heart from his wicked charm?

Ms. Beverley wrote with A LADY’S SECRET another keeper that is filled with fabulous adventures, wonderful characters and witty dialogues. The story isn’t predictable because there is more than one unforeseeable twist in the plot that will keep the reader’s interest engaged and their eyes glued to the pages. It’s so much fun to read the story and you won’t be able to stop reading till you reach the end.

Ms. Beverley interweaves historical details perfectly with the sensual blossoming romance that develops between hero and heroine. Another detail that makes this book so enjoyable are the main characters. Robin is carefree and Petra is courageous and clever. Both of them undergo much character development as the story unfolds.

I have been a long time fan of Ms. Beverley’s books, you can’t do anything wrong when you pick up one of Ms. Beverley’s books and A LADY’S SECRET is no exception. It’s always a pleasure to read one of her books.