Friday, April 2, 2021

Book Review and Giveaway - The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch


My Review

The Indebted Earl is a historical romance set during the Regency period (1814 England). Captain Charles Wyvern is a Naval captain who feels guilty that one of his friends, Major Rich Richardson, lost his life while saving him. He decides to visit Rich's fiance, Lady Sophie Haverly, to express his sympathy. He arrives as Lady Sophie is losing her home, and he jumps in to help her. This coincides with Charles becoming an Earl, and they travel together, along with Rich's mother, whom Sophie has been living with, to the coastal estate that Charles has inherited. When he discovers he has also "inherited" three young charges, he proposes a marriage of convenience to Sophie, who accepts. There is a mystery at the estate as well as a slow building romance between Charles and Sophie.

I wanted to read The Indebted Earl because I read, and enjoyed, the first book in this series (The Lost Lieutenant). I have not read the second book (The Gentleman Spy), but had no problem catching up with this novel. I think it would work fine as a standalone.

I love historical fiction and enjoy the Regency period. Erica Vetsch does something unusual in this series, which focuses not just on the female protagonist, but on the male lead as well. I feel this adds an extra nuance to the storytelling.

Captain Charles Wyvern is a wonderful romantic lead - strong, caring, and complex. Sophie has a bright, sunny personality, and they are well matched in their differences. Their romance builds at a slow but sure pace and it was so enjoyable to read.

There is also a strong mystery storyline as Charles uncovers a smuggling operation at the estate. He has worked his whole life to uphold the honor of his country, and suddenly he finds his new home is involved in a dangerous criminal operation!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Indebted Earl. I recommend this book (and the series) to fans of historical fiction, and especially to readers who enjoy Regency romance.

Book Synopsis

Can Captain Wyvern keep his new marriage of convenience all business--or will it turn into something more?

Captain Charles Wyvern owes a great debt to the man who saved his life--especially since Major Richardson lost his own life in the process. The best way to honor that hero's dying wish is for Wyvern to escort the man's grieving fiance and mother safely to a new cottage home by the sea. But along the way, he learns of another obligation that has fallen on his shoulders: his uncle has died and the captain is now the Earl of Rothwell.

When he and the ladies arrive at his new manor house in Devon, they discover an estate in need of a leader and a gaggle of girls, all wards of the former earl. War the new earl knows; young ladies and properties he does not. Still wishing to provide for the bereaved Lady Sophia Haverly, Charles proposes a marriage of convenience.

Sophie is surprised to find she isn't opposed to the idea. It will help her care for her betrothed's elderly mother, and she's already fallen in love with the wayward girls on the Rothwell estate. This alliance is a chance to repay the captain who has done so much for her care, as well as divert her attention from her grief. When Wyvern returns to his sea commission, she'll stay behind to oversee his property and wards.

It sounds so simple. Until the stalwart captain is arrested on suspicion of smuggling, and Sophie realizes how much he's come to mean to her. Now she'll have to learn to fight, not only for his freedom but also for his love.


Author Bio

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate. 

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Giveaway


1 comment:

Erica Vetsch said...

Hi, Trish! Thank you so much for hosting The Indebted Earl on your adorable blog for the tour!