My Review (+ Exclusive Tour Giveaway!): The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch

The Story:

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.

*****Read an excerpt here!*****

My Thoughts:

The marriage of convenience trope within a Regency setting is my very favorite romance to read, so this series by Erica Vetsch has been a sheer delight for me from book one! She has concluded this series in the best way. I do believe that Charles, Earl of Rothwell is my favorite hero in the series and one of my favorites in inspirational romance. Lordy, I do love a man in uniform and like Sophie, I can really appreciate one who looks even better in a cravat and evening dress and is all gentleness and kindness to boot. I knew pretty much from the start of this book, that I was going to adore this hero as I could see that he was falling a little bit in love with Sophie through her letters. Kick the rogues to the curb, I love my softies, okay? 

That said, if you're reading this, you probably want to know a bit about the actual plot and other characters and whether this book is worth reading otherwise. Simply put, it is. Obviously this is a romance, so that's the focal point, but the secondary characters really make this story. Vetsch doesn't ignore them and gives them each a little bit of spark, so much so that I actually would love to see them in the future! A few of them I could imagine would make great heroines in their own right. 

The setting and the mystery involving smuggling reminded me a bit of one of my favorite historical series; Poldark. I'm not usually fond of mystery taking over a plot in my romances and it doesn't do that here. It ads  So if you loved the PBS series and are missing it, I think you'll enjoy this story! I recommend reading the entire Serendipity & Secrets series starting with my favorite, The Lost Lieutenant. 

~My Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars 

*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Giveaway:

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Happy Reading!