5 of 5 stars
Ines Neves and Emmeline
Wellesley find themselves on the adventure of their young lives when they flee
London. When Ines stows away in the carriage of Duncan Murray, she has no idea
that he's headed for Scotland. The more time she spends in his company, the
more she doesn't want this to end. Emmeline is also running away from
everything her mother wants to mold her into. She's tired of everyone trying to
change her. The one person who sees the real her is Stratford, her childhood
friend. Stratford had chased after Emmeline when she ran away to return her
safely back to London, but the more time he spends in her company, his feelings
for her become crystal clear and he's reluctant to let her go.
I'm a fan of Ms. Galen and
this book is my absolute favorite of the Survivors series. I adored Stratford.
He was so honorable and tries so hard to do the right thing. I was glad his
romance with Emmeline was given equal time in this book. Two romances in
one--Ms. Galen pulls them both off so well with two fun and feisty heroines and
two swoon worth heroes. Each hero has their own doubts and flaws and that just
makes them all the more likable. While this book is part of a series, it can be
read as a standalone without too much confusion. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily read an
advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
********************************************
Blurb:
Just because they’ve run away…
Ines Neves and Emmeline Wellesley have both run away. Ines hid in a carriage from a tedious suitor, only to find, too late, the carriage had traveled out of London, not just around the block. To make matters worse, the carriage is that of a stranger: a handsome Highlander. Or perhaps a big, strapping Highlander makes matters better? Emmeline Wellesley has had four Seasons and cannot tolerate another. To force her mother to listen to her, she’s run away. But things haven’t gone well. She’s been locked in a closet, had all her money stolen, and somehow adopted a dog. When an old family friend shows up to save her, she doesn’t exactly welcome his help.
Doesn’t mean they don’t want to be found.
Duncan Murray doesn’t know what to make of the Portuguese-speaking woman in his carriage. She refuses to return to London, so he takes her to meet Nash Pope, a so-called friend who speaks Portuguese. On the way, he meets up with former soldier Stratford Fortescue, and Stratford’s opinionated distant cousin, Miss Wellesley. The four travel together to Nash’s estate, and that’s when everything goes really wrong. On the run to Scotland, Duncan finds himself increasingly attracted to Ines, even though he knows he can never marry her. Stratford has always wanted Emmeline, but his family secret means he doesn’t deserve her. This excellent adventure might bring the couples together, but only if they manage to elude gun shots, a murderous brother-in-law, a vicious dog, and outlaws.
Ines Neves and Emmeline Wellesley have both run away. Ines hid in a carriage from a tedious suitor, only to find, too late, the carriage had traveled out of London, not just around the block. To make matters worse, the carriage is that of a stranger: a handsome Highlander. Or perhaps a big, strapping Highlander makes matters better? Emmeline Wellesley has had four Seasons and cannot tolerate another. To force her mother to listen to her, she’s run away. But things haven’t gone well. She’s been locked in a closet, had all her money stolen, and somehow adopted a dog. When an old family friend shows up to save her, she doesn’t exactly welcome his help.
Doesn’t mean they don’t want to be found.
Duncan Murray doesn’t know what to make of the Portuguese-speaking woman in his carriage. She refuses to return to London, so he takes her to meet Nash Pope, a so-called friend who speaks Portuguese. On the way, he meets up with former soldier Stratford Fortescue, and Stratford’s opinionated distant cousin, Miss Wellesley. The four travel together to Nash’s estate, and that’s when everything goes really wrong. On the run to Scotland, Duncan finds himself increasingly attracted to Ines, even though he knows he can never marry her. Stratford has always wanted Emmeline, but his family secret means he doesn’t deserve her. This excellent adventure might bring the couples together, but only if they manage to elude gun shots, a murderous brother-in-law, a vicious dog, and outlaws.
Print: Coming September 8th
Excerpt:
Author bio:
A few moments later, the coach slowed, and Mr.
Fortescue opened the door and jumped out. No one emerged from the house to
greet them and after Murray exited the coach, the coachman called down, “Are
you sure this is where you wanted to go?”
“This is Wentmore,” Murray said. Then he looked back
at the women. “Stay here while we go inside and do a wee bit of reconnaissance.”
He started away.
Emmeline turned to Ines. “This looks worse than I
imagined.”
“It doesn’t appear anyone lives here,” Ines murmured.
“Or if someone does, he does not welcome visitors.”
Just then a crash echoed from inside the house, and
the women exchanged worried looks. The crash was followed by the sound of raised
male voices. Then the door banged open and Murray flew out. When he turned to
look at the coach, blood ran down the side of his cheek.
“Caramba!” Ines said. She jumped out of the
coach, but Murray had already gained his feet and was running back into the
house. The door closed behind him. Miss Wellesley joined Ines on the
weed-filled drive, and they listened to more shouts and then the sound of a
rifle or pistol firing.
“I’ve had enough of this,” the coachman said. He
jumped from the box, untied the trunk and various boxes strapped to the back of
the coach, and dumped them on the ground.
“You can’t leave us here,” Emmeline argued.
“Oh, yes, I can. I agreed to drive the man to
Scotland. I didn’t agree to this.” He jumped back on the box, called to the horses,
and drove away before the women could say another word.
Ines watched the coach disappear around a bend in the
road. “I don’t know whether to be terrified or thrilled.”
“I feel a bit of both. Should we go inside and tell
them?”
Another crash made both women jump. “Perhaps not
quite yet,” Ines said.
The door burst open again, and this time Murray fell
out. He clutched his arm, blood seeping through his hand. Ines gasped, and he
held up the bloody hand. “Dinnae fash, lass. It’s a scratch.” Then he winced and
sank to his knees. Ines ran to him and put her arm around him to steady him.
“Is it your arm?” she asked, though she already knew.
Her head was spinning and panic seeped in.
“Aye.”
“What happened?”
“The bastard shot me.”
Ines gasped then stared at him in stunned silence.
Emmeline was not so passive. She looked at Ines and Murray then seemed to make
a decision. She straightened her shoulders and stomped past them. “This has
gone on long enough.”
“Dinnae go in there, lass!” Murray called. But she
ignored him and opened the door then closed it after her. Murray looked at
Ines, who suddenly realized she had no idea what to do next. She’d never seen a
pistol ball wound before. She had no idea how to treat it or help Murray. She
just knew she could not allow him to die. He stared down at her for another
moment, and she became increasingly aware of the warmth of his body and that
her arms were wrapped around it. She should let go, but she needed to steady
him. Or perhaps she needed him to steady her.
“Did that scratch on my heid damage my brain, or did
ye speak tae me in English?”
Ines opened her mouth, but it was too late. As
Catarina always said, Ines’s face was an open book, and Murray had read the
writing there.
“So ye do speak English.”
“I—” But what excuse could she give?
He held up a finger, cutting off her stuttering
reply. “We’ll talk aboot it later. Right now, I need tae fall over.” And he
did, taking her with him.
**********************************************
Author bio:
Shana Galen is three-time
Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and
adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to
happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT
Bookreviews calls her books "lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet
touching."
She taught English at the
middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years
were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's
happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in
the making.
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