Blog Tour: Undercover with the Earl by Robyn deHart (Review + Giveaway)

Love Saves the World is pleased to participate in Robyn deHart's blog tour for her latest book, Undercover with the Earl, the first book in her Brotherhood of the Sword series.

To celebrate, Robyn will be hosting a Tour Wide Giveaway for:
Grand Prize: $25.00 eGift Card to Choice Book Retailer (Amazon, B&N or iTunes)
First Prize: Gifted Ebook Copies of the Forbidden Love Series; A Little Bit Wicked, A Little Bit Sinful and A Little Bit Scandalous
Second Prize: Gifted Ebook Copies of the Masquerading Mistresses Series of novellas; No Ordinary Mistress, For Her Spy Only and Misadventures in Seduction

To drop by Robyn's other stops, and find out more about the book, click here.

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About the book:

London, 1838

The handsome Earl of Summersby may just be the most eligible bachelor in London, but has no interest in a wife. As a member of the Brotherhood, Bennett Haile is far more vested in his undercover duties for the crown and protecting the Queen from would-be assassins. For now he has the perfect tool with which to lure out the villains -- a young woman with an uncanny likeness to the queen.

The spirited Evelyn Marington is about to live out every country girl's dream -- becoming royalty overnight. Under the tutelage of the arrogant Earl of Summersby, she'll have to fool the entire court that she is, in fact, the queen. But as danger threatens from every side, Bennett realizes that his lovely little protegé isn't just placing her life in his hands ... She's stealing his heart.

Buy Links for this book:
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My review:

I've always thought Robyn deHart had a talent for romance and mystery, and she showcases this in Undercover with the Earl. Evelyn Marrington has been recruited to masquerade as the young Queen Victoria, as Her Majesty recuperates from an injury -- and it is Bennett Haile, the Earl of Somersby, who is tasked to escort and instruct Evie to act like the Queen.

What I really enjoyed about deHart's novel is how it introduces the Brotherhood of the Sword, the Custos a Vesica, which has a long, and deeply-rooted history of protecting the monarch. They remind me a bit of the musketeers of France, whose job it was to protect the ruling king or queen. What makes the Custos a Vesica more fascinating is that, part of their job, is to train the present monarch in the arts of self-defense. (I would've loved to see Queen Victoria in action. ^_^)

The initial job, which Evie was recruited for was simple enough -- to make an appearance at an Opera -- but, nothing is ever simple where the young Queen is involved, and Evie is asked to do more than what she signed on for. I really enjoyed this insight into England during the reign of the young Queen Victoria -- and I felt a bit sorry for her, as she tried to prove her ability and worth to her people. She could not even publicise her ankle injury, for fear that it would reflect on her strength as Queen. And Evie, poor Evie, who lived a quiet life in the country -- gets to see first hand how difficult -- and dangerous -- it is to be Queen.

"Our allegiance, in case you have forgotten, is to the crown, and right now that is Her Majesty, Queen Victoria," Potterfield said. "This girl is nothing more than a servant doing a task. She is disposable, if necessary."

Bennett wanted to hit him, but he held his temper in check.

"She could have been killed."

"Better her than the queen," Potterfield said plainly.
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What is great about Evie is how she chooses not to be overpowered by Bennett or overwhelmed by her situation -- at all times, she keeps a level head and a calm demeanor.

"My Lord, I realize that you an Earl and of relation to our Queen, and our Society deems you more important than I. Perhaps they are even correct. However, it would seem to me that you," she jabbed a finger into his chest, "need me more than I need you for this assignment. Thus far you have insulted my family, the way I walk, and my hair. You are arrogant and rude and sorely lacking in manners."
- loc 627

Then there is the difficulty of getting along with Bennett Haile, who has been burned in his previous relationship -- Bennett is understandably wary of women -- his former fiancee was a money-grubbing, social-climbing shrew, and Bennett did the gentlemanly thing of accepting the blame for their failed engagement. When Gwyneth re-enters Bennett's life, and makes some very serious threats, I was intrigued -- and would've loved to see our hero handle this person from his past, who now threatens his future.

Another complication comes in the form of Philip Wells, the Earl of Morton -- a member of the Brotherhood, and Gwyneth's husband. In contrast to Bennett, Philip is charming and kind to Evie -- and I was so, so worried that Evie might fall prey to his charms.

Overall, this was a great introduction to a new series. I'm especially curious about Adrian Winthrop, Marquis of St Giles, who appears in the latter part of the book. ^_^

Disclosure: I received this book from Netgalley. Thank you to Entangled Publishing and Robyn deHart for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.


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About the author:

National Bestselling author, Robyn DeHart's novels have appeared in the top bestselling romance and historical romance lists. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages. Her historical romantic adventure series, The Legend Hunters, were not only bestsellers, but also award-winners, snagging a Reader's Crown and a Reviewer's Choice award. She had three releases in 2013 and 2014 will see four more, all set in the popular historical romance Regency and Victorian eras. Known for her "strong dialogue and characters that leap off the page" (RT Bookclub) and her "sizzling romance" (Publishers Weekly), her books have been featured in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune. A popular writing instructor, she has given speeches at writing conferences in Los Angeles, DC, New York, Dallas, Nashville and Toronto, among many others.

When not writing, you can find Robyn hanging out with her family, husband (The Professor) a university professor of Political Science and their two ridiculously beautiful and smart daughters, Busybee and Babybee as well as two spoiled-rotten cats. They live in the hill country of Texas where it's hot eight months of the year, but those big blue skies make it worth it. Sign up for Robyn's newsletter www.robyndehart.com/newsletter/






Find Robyn at:
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Giveaway!

To celebrate, Robyn will be hosting a Tour Wide Giveaway for:
Grand Prize: $25.00 eGift Card to Choice Book Retailer (Amazon, B&N or iTunes)
First Prize: Gifted Ebook Copies of the Forbidden Love Series; A Little Bit Wicked, A Little Bit Sinful and A Little Bit Scandalous
Second Prize: Gifted Ebook Copies of the Masquerading Mistresses Series of novellas; No Ordinary Mistress, For Her Spy Only and Misadventures in Seduction

To drop by Robyn's other stops, and find out more about the book, click here.

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