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An Earl to Enchant: The Rogues' Dynasty

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Sometimes, you enjoy a book based on more than the characters. If the setting is rich and the dialogue is sharp, you'll fall into the pages, becoming one with the surroundings. Thus is the case Amelia Grey's An Earl To Enchant, a vivid and unforgettable story which delivers just as the title promises.

A case of mistaken identity ensures the introduction to the protagonists is both sultry and memorable, snaring the interest and engaging the attention. Morgan is a gentleman in need of the lushness of a woman, and awaits the arrival of the courtesan he's arranged to visit his home. Of course, what he finds instead is a beautiful woman who rebukes his advances and informs him none too gently that she is at his domicile to meet his grandmother. Their banter is both humorous and tongue in cheek, and I realized then that I would absolutely adore Morgan and Arianna. Both are head-strong, intelligent, and unwilling to bend. Their similarities make for some comical scenes that will cause you to stifle chuckles of glee while shaking your head in delight.

Although An Earl To Enchant has elements of suspense, the plot is woven like the finest tapestry, with interwoven threads that become visible as you view it from the proper direction. Through impeccable pacing, you'll get what you need, when you need it. There is no need to rush as the romance between Morgan and Arianna blooms slowly and enraptures the reader without overwhelming them. It was refreshing to enjoy a book with such a slow, sensual burn. He wants her, but he wants his freedom more. She wants him, and but realizes he isn't hers to take. As a romantic at heart, it definitely hit the spot, and I couldn't wait until Morgan caved to his desire and claimed Arianna as his own.

Those searching for a steamy romance with characters you can help but love will thoroughly enjoy An Earl To Enchant. The writing is fantastic, the plot thickens as the story progresses, and the characters are absolutely wonderful. Don't forget to pencil this title onto your TBR list. This is the first story I've enjoyed by Ameila Grey, but it will not be the last.

Grey crafts an intriguing Victorian romance with "An Earl to Enchant." This is book three in her Rogues' Dynasty series. Lucas Morgandale, (Morgan) knows his mind when it comes to women, but when he meets Miss Arianna Sweet, she throws his whole equilibrium into chaos.

The novel opens with Morgan waiting for a female companion. It's late at night, rainy, and he's had a good amount to drink. Around midnight there's a knock on the door, but it isn't who he was expecting. Arianna Sweet has just arrived from India and has gone to Valleydale in search of Morgan's grandmother, Lady Elder. Arianna is sick, and Morgan insists she stay for the night.

Morgan later explains to Arianna his grandmother has passed away, but he's willing to help her. He insists she stay at Valleydale until she is fully recovered. Arianna softens towards her host.

Soon Arianna and Morgan grow close. Arianna calms Morgan's horse, Master Brute. Morgan shows Arianna the cliffs on the Valleydale estate. The couple share hungry kisses and scorching caresses. Morgan, however, soon realizes that Arianna is a virgin, and he knows himself well enough to know he doesn't want to take that from her. It puts a damper on their growing relationship. Fully recovered, Arianna goes to London and settles into society. She intends to present her father's formula to the Royal Apothecary Scientific Academy, but the man who killed her father is now in London. Morgan follows Arianna to the city, but will his reemergence in her life affirm his feelings for her, or drive her into her stalker's trap?

Grey writes a sharp story that flows well. She paints a vivid picture of Morgan and Arianna's world using a good economy of words. Valleydale and the cliffs are rich in description.

Grey brings authenticity to the story through the characters dialogue. She's done her research and it shows, especially when describing the influence of Indian culture on Arianna.

Morgan and Arianna are interesting characters. Morgan knows himself well, but when he meets Arianna, she beguiles him to the point of madness. He wants her, but realizes the price for having her might lead him to the altar. The question he has to answer is - Is he willing to pay the price? Arianna is a spitfire. She embodies an innocence of English society having spent so much time in India, but she also has a worldliness about her gained through her travels. She knows what she wants - Morgan. But can she have him?

The story is sophisticated for romance readers. The scenes are rich and rewarding. Overall, "An Earl to Enchant" is a nice escape to another time and place.

Lord Morgandale decided to escape the hustle & bustle of London and spend his time in the country. He'd grown weary of the parties and balls and of his cousins who insisted on parading eligible young ladies for him to 'choose' from. However, it seems country life has bored him as well and he finds himself in need of something, or someone, to occupy his time. Enter Arianna Sweet...

Arianna has lived in India most of her life while her father performed his scientific research. Now her father has been brutally murdered and she must return to England to seek the help of Lady Elder, an old friend of her fathers. Before her father was killed, he thought he had discovered the cure for consumption and now Arianna's mission is to make sure her father and his memory get the credit he deserves.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters of Morgan (aka Lord Morgandale) and Arianna. Morgan is an Earl and he lives up to this title. Although unmarried and in no hurry to marry, he's responsible, kind and an all-around good guy. Arianna is innocent and sweet yet impetuous and determined. She intended to return to England to seek the help Morgan's grandmother (Lady Elder) and instead got the help she needed and more from Morgan himself. Arianna was as prim and proper as any well-bred English miss, but having spent so much time in India, she picked up an Indian habit or two that intrigued Morgan (and made him a little hot under the cravat).

I was pleased with the novels pacing. Morgan and Arianna enjoyed each other's company and seemed to grow a genuine fondness for each other, although they didn't fall in love or at least didn't realize it right away. There were a few moments that were a bit of a stretch [damsel in distress and hero shows up out of nowhere:], but I guess that's to be expected with romances. There were also some very sweet moments that were nice to read.

This was the 3rd book in the Rogues Dynasty Series. However, I was able to enjoy it without having read its predecessors. I plan to read the other two books next chance I get.

Matters are not proceeding to plan when the Morgan, the Earl of Morgandale, awaits a courtesan and a beautiful lady arrives. Miss Ariana Sweet's hope for sanctuary goes awry when a dashing and dangerous nobleman greets her instead of the expected elderly lady.

And so begins Amelia Grey's delightful Regency historical, AN EARL TO ENCHANT, a tale brimming with deceptive appearances, mistaken expectations, and dangerous secrets, all leavened with flashes of humor.

On the proverbial dark and stormy night, Ariana, ill, and newly arrived from India, seeks aid from an old family friend, Morgan's now-deceased grandmother. When Ariana collapses in his arms, Morgan is forced to grant her shelter.

The attraction between them is sharp and immediate. But the rakish Morgan is too much the gentleman to take advantage of a sick lady, and Ariana will not burden her kind benefactor with the danger stalking her.

The sensuality ratchets up page by page as they continue to deny their mounting passion. Meanwhile, exactly who is the villain dogging Ariana? The man who followed her from India, or someone else? Ms. Grey keeps us guessing almost to the end.

AN EARL TO ENCHANT is a treat for everyone who likes mystery, danger and humor woven into a sensual romance. Enjoy.

ARC provided by Sourcebooks

This is the third book about 3 cousins finding love. Like with the two other books here each chapter starts with a quote from Lord Chesterfield, and I do like that. She has kept consistent, the letters from lady Elder, the quotes by or jokingly by Lord Chesterfield, and Gibby getting into trouble.

Wouldn't exactly call Arianna young, she is 27, but she has lived in India her entire life, and has not been presented. She is very young in one way. After her father's death she leaves for England and shows up at at Morgan's estate. She is looking for his grandmother and she is weak from fever. Soon he realizes that he is attracted to her, but he has better things to do than seducing innocent women. Better to send for someone who can introduce the lovely Arianna to society.

This book has another pace then the other two. There there were more "action" in one way. This one introduced the couple and the time they spent at Valleydale getting to know each other, and falling in love, whether they want it or not. That is the two first parts of the book, getting to know each other, starting with the sexual tension and then the last part that is set in London. Here the danger starts, it all has to do with her father's work in India and the reason why she has come to London.

Arianna is sweet, she may be a blushing virgin but she does not deny what she is feeling for him. And Morgan, well I do like he eagerness to preserve her innocence. He seems honorable (but well we all know he is not gonna be able to keep that up for long.)

This is sweet romance, I do not mind things going slowly or it not being steamy (I did have that earlier talk about how conservative I get sometimes, lol.) There is some passion in the latter part of the book, fear not those who want that. But I think the sweetness is the thing about this book just as that is her name.

When thinking about all 3 books, then I think number 2 was my favorite of the three, and these two can share the second place. They do not need to be read in order. Even if I hadn't known anything I could have read this one without the rest. But then I love order and could never read a book out of order.

An Earl to Enchant was just that, an enchanting read. Also funny and sweet. Ms. Grey doesn't disappoint, this is the third and last story and it makes a perfect ending to the trilogy. I love the intrigue that is pored into each book. I enjoyed both the characters of Lucas and Arianna. Especially Lucas, he is ever the stubborn male, but charming and sexy. A must read for any regency fan.

An Earl To Enchant by Amelia Grey
Historical Romance - April 6, 2010
4 Stars

An Earl To Enchant is the third novel in Amelia Grey's Rogues' Dynasty Series which follows the first two novels in this series A Duke To Die For and A Marquis To Marry. The Rogue Dynasty Series feature the stories of the grandsons of the notorious Lady Elder.

An Earl To Enchant tells the story of Lord Lucas Morgandale who has gone to his estate in the county to get away from his matchmaking cousins who both fell in love and married in the London season and feel he should do the same but he has no intention of falling into the same trap. Unfortunately fate has other plans in the guise of Miss Arianna Sweet who shows up on his doorstep looking for his late Grandmother Lady Elder. When Arianna faints with fatigue and illness at Lord Morgandale's feet after her long voyage from India, he feels compelled to allow her to stay to recuperate. It doesn't help that he is instantly drawn to her, which is the last thing he wants. Arianna is happy for a safe place to stay but she knows she can't trust Lord Morgandale with the secret of what really happened to her father in India and the groundbreaking discovery that he made which someone would kill for.

Amelia Grey does a fantastic job of creating characters that are compelling. I especially loved the characters of Lucas and Arianna. They both have some very different aspects to their personalities but are greatly draw to each other despite the fact that they have reasons that make them want to draw back from their obvious attraction. In addition to the main characters, I also loved how the novel included many additional characters that were interesting and made me to want to learn more about them and their stories.

The story of An Earl To Enchant is an excellent story with a believable and compelling romance. In addition to the main romance storyline, there is a mix of mystery and adventure to keep the reader enthralled until the very end. If you love a great historical romance that is both exciting and enjoyable, I would recommend An Earl To Enchant. I would suggest starting by reading the first two novels by Amelia Grey in this exciting new series.

Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

While Blackwell (from A Duke to Die For) still holds my heart the most, I think Morgandale might make a good showing for second favorite of the three cousins. He certainly knows how to make a girl's heart flutter and Arianna was an interesting mix of innocent and temptress due to her upbringing.

An Earl to Enchant definitely has more of a mystery feel to it then the previous book, A Marquis to Marry, with higher stakes and a bigger gamble in my opinion. Morgandale and Arianna, despite starting off on the wrong foot make a commendable effort to get along and develop their relationship. They both show patience which I think is what was lacking in Marquis so very much.

Morgandale, despite his initial disappointment and irritation over Arianna not being the courtesan he had hoped her to be, offers assistance for her problem. Arianna, thinking him to be an ogre at first, revises her opinion as he proves himself to be a gentleman and willing to help her honor her father.

The letters to Morgandale from his grandmother, Lady Elder (the original person Arianna meant to meet with to discuss her problem) are charming and filled with 'wise words' that help illuminate the chapter's events a little differently.

The development of the romance moves at a good pace, though some of the 'bonding' moments were more contrived then others. And despite knowing this is a romance, the ending with the much too sweet to be real words of love rubbed me the wrong way. Not because I didn't feel either meant them--they clearly grew to love and cherish each other through the course of the novel--but because it didn't feel 'real' for them to be saying things.

Happily I can look forward to a fourth book in this Rogues' Dynasty series, though I have to wait a good number of months for it. No matter, I'll be happy to read it whenever it comes out!

An Earl to Enchant by Amelia Grey
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Rating: 1

After the first two chapters of this book, I was ready to give up. I gave it a little bit more just to see if it was worth it, and I sort of regret it. I could have been reading something else.

I felt like I knew everything after the first chapter, and that there was no reason to keep going. The character spilled her guts, the sexual tension was immediate and way too strong for a first meeting, and it felt typical. I knew what would happen: They'd meet, they'd sleep together, they'd get married, they'd fall in love. In that order. There was no mystery, there was nothing keeping me reading.

The characters seemed dense and melodramatic. For instance, Arianna fainted in the first chapter, and woke being "carried in strong arms" (the Earl). She "felt safe there for some reason." But I was thinking the whole time, She doesn't even know the guy. It felt wrong that she was so attracted to him and "felt safe" and "felt at home" when she--and I as a reader--didn't even know the character very well. Also, after one argument she's convinced herself that he's ill tempered--when he's not--and that keeps her from being open to him.

The writing wasn't that great, either. The prose felt forced and hard to read, and the dialogue was awkward. It was as if the characters said more than they needed to, and said everything they thought, and described things unnecessarily. For example,

It's just that I'm so happy to be outside for the first time in such a long time. I seldom left my room on the ship, and this is the first time I've been out of your house. Everything looks fresh and new."

(Page 108, ARC)

I would have said "It's just that I'm so happy to be outside for the first time in such a long time." She had seldom left her room on the ship, and it was her first time outside of his house. Everything looked fresh and new. It's less awkward... or maybe just less wordy.

There was just too much against this book to keep me reading. I will say that from what I read, Grey is good at developing the sexual tension. But that was another thing that was just too much for me.

All in all, I was expecting a lot more from the plot and characters than I got from An Earl to Enchant.

An Earl to Enchant was published April 6th. It got 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Please consider other reviews before making purchase decisions.