Customer Reviews

Unveiled (Hqn)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed "Unveiled" for many reasons, including the pleasure of reading a well-written and nicely edited book (during the last several I've read, I had to untangle cumbersome sentences and figure out missing or misused words).

The hero, Ash Turner, is a gem. While he can be ruthless and vengeful, when he interacts with the heroine, Margaret, he is supportive, kind, protective, loyal, and extremely empathetic. He is the most lovable hero I've come across in a long time.

Watching the three Turner brothers together is great, too. Just as happens in real life, the siblings offer unconditional love, but frequently fail to understand each other, and often hurt each others' feelings.

I liked the funny bits. The Turners' dreadful mother gave each boy a bizarre name. Ash's full name is revealed in "Unveiled," but disclosure of the "real" names of the other two brothers must wait for the sequels. Including all three names in one book would require an extra chapter just for the names. Also, younger brother Mark is obsessively writing a quirky treatise on male chastity. And, Mark gives self-defense lessons in streetfighting tactics to the housemaids. I could imagine the maids in their dark uniforms leaping about the parlor like early 19th century ninjas.

Courtney Milan has used an interesting device in her novels. Each hero has a syndrome or difficulty that was not identified until the 20th century. In his own way, each man has figured out how he is different from most others. Each feels isolated from the rest of society, but all of them learn to adapt and face the challenges in their lives. The hero of Milan's first book appeared to have Asperger's Syndrome. The second novel featured a bi-polar hero. In "Unveiled," Ash has his own problems which are easily diagnosed today but must have seemed baffling in Ash's time. I hope Milan continues to create such interesting characters who conquer adversity from within. I can imagine an OCD hero eagerly removing the heroine's clothing one piece at a time, then folding each item very precisely and placing the article of attire on the floor, an exact one inch from the last piece.

Every single Courtney Milan book I've read has been so full of win. Her writing really speaks to me on so many levels. Courtney's skill as a writer is shown perfectly with her heroes and heroines and the interactions that on the surface seem to be one thing, when really underneath their dialogue and conversations is another thing altogether. Not many authors can write a successful character driven story, but Courtney has done it time and again. Her latest, Unveiled is another beautifully written historical romance that I can't find any fault with. The majority of the drama that occurs is internally, mainly from the heroine, Anna Margaret Dalrymple, who's entire world has been destroyed not only because of the selfish and amoral actions from her father, but from a distant cousin who rips it all away as a revenge on his part.

Ash Turner and his two brothers lived in near poverty because their mother was sick in the head and become a religious fanatic who gave away all their money and livelihood after their father died. Ash lives with guilt over the death of his sister who could have been saved if only his distant cousin, Richard, the Duke of Parford had given him the funds needed for a doctor. The Duke turned Ash out on his ear just because he felt like it. Left with nothing, Ash leaves his family for India where he makes his fortune. When he returns, his brothers are living on the streets. He quickly makes amends, but it's not enough, or at least from his view. Ash promises to get back at Parford, and after years of waiting, has figured out a way to take away the Dukedom from Parford and in a legal way. Parford is a bigamist who married one woman, threw her away and then married another woman of society who became his Duchess. From that union he had three children, two sons and a daughter. Now Parford is dying, and after Ash has taken legal action, Parford's children are considered to be bastards. Ash has come to take over Parford Manor, along with his younger brother, the studious Mark in tow.

Ash wishes it didn't have to come down to this, but the former Duke forced his hand. Ash really doesn't need the title, the lands or the money, but it's the principal of the thing. He's not sure what to expect, especially in regards to the staff. But he quickly charms them, mainly by treating them like equals. But one member, former Parford's nurse, Margaret Lowell looks upon him with cold disgust. Ash doesn't know why she has such disdain toward him, but he plans on doing his best to change her mind. But what Ash doesn't know is that Margaret is former Parford's daughter, Lady Anna.

Margret keeps her real identity a secret because her brothers have left her to be a spy and report back to them about anything about Ash they could use against him in court. Not only has Margaret's fiancée dropped her, but her father acts like he can't stand her and says the most horrible things about her dead mother. Margaret is adrift in the world, with no real place or social status. Ash confuses her because he doesn't act like that soulless, greedy thief she expects him to be. Instead he is very kind, as well as makes her yearn for something deeper than she shouldn't feel since he's the enemy.

Ash wants to get to the bottom of the skittish Margaret and have her trust him. He lets her in on his darkest secrets about feeling like an outcast where his brothers are concerned, including something so damaging that if Parliament or the public finds out could make him return to being a commoner. All Margaret has to do is pen a letter to her brothers to tell them what she knows. It all comes down to Margaret and how far she will go to take back what is rightly hers, even if it means betraying Ash who wants her for the woman she is and not her role as a daughter of a duke.

Ash Turner is a man with faults, who beats himself up for things in the past that occurred by no fault of his own. Courtney has written an amazing hero with Ash who doesn't see things as black and white, but all different shades of gray, especially in regards to Margaret. As soon as he sees her, he feels a connection and wants to claim her as his own. He doesn't try to seduce or plunder Margaret as most heroes may do, but takes care with her since he senses her mistrust.

Mistrust is a big underlying theme in Unveiled. This mainly concerns Ash and Margaret, but also the lack of trust with Parford and what he has done to his family. Ash feels he's lost the trust of his brothers, especially the seemingly emotionally distant Smite. Mark is Ash's conscience in a way where he tells Ash what he doesn't want to hear. Even with the strain that appears between the Turner brothers, you do feel the love between them. The same applies to Margaret with her two brothers, Edmund and Richard, who at first may seem as villainous as their father, but surprisingly are not.

Watching Margaret and Ash fall in love is very tender and sweet. You'd think their passion for one another would be tumultuous with everything between them. But it isn't, which is a welcomed relief is because we see this far too often in historical romances, especially when the hero and heroine are at odds with one another. Another familiar, stereotypical trend is the big misunderstanding. Courtney gets even more brownie points for staying far away from that trope and I so wanted to cheer when it didn't happen.

One thing to cheer about is that Courtney can write an awesome, heated exchange in a store-room pantry with Ash and Margaret during a ball.

Unveiled is an absolutely delightful historical romance. With Unveiled, Courtney has shown that she's not on her way to become a master in this genre, but has already arrived there.

Katiebabs

Unfortunately, I'm always highly suspicious when books by (fairly) new authors get a bunch of five-star reviews. My natural instinct is to think those first few five-star reviews are coming from friends of the author or people paid by the publisher to review the book favorably.

HOWEVER....In the case of Unveiled, I have to say that I feel every five-star review here is absolutely deserved by this author. I won't go into detail about the book because several others before me have already done so, but I just wanted to say that the book really surprised me in how beautifully it was written. I've read so many books lately that have just not been written well at all, that I found myself just shocked at how wonderful Milan is as a writer.

The book was completely engaging from the very beginning, and kept me enthralled throughout. The characters were well rounded and believable. I loved both the hero and the heroine and, even though logically, you know they will win in the end, I found myself on the edge of my seat, rooting for both to overcome the hurdles that were keeping them apart.

I would have absolutely no problem recommending this book to any other regency romance fan. Just a brilliant piece of writing. Well done, Courtney Milan!

To me, what makes this novel stand out from the pack is that it's more of a character study than a romance. Ash and Margaret are each in a rut in their journeys to self-actualization. The relationship that springs up between them helps them realize that they can be more than they're settling for.

The story got off to a slow start, but it didn't take me long to realize it wasn't slow...it was deliberate. This author's style reminds me a lot of Madeline Hunter, another writer who takes romance to the next level with fleshed out characters and careful word choices. Like Hunter, Ms. Milan seems more to craft her work than to just slop it down with an inevitable ending.

The family relationships are another stellar aspect of this book. Ash's relationships with his brothers felt true to life...both joyful and painful in the way family relationships are. (Your family may drive you nuts, but you'd probaly still give your life for them.) Poor Margaret drew the short straw when it came to family, yet they're not flat-out villains either. Margaret struggles with wishing she could walk away from them and knowing she just can't.

Bottom line: If you prefer your romances quick, formulaic, and focused on the couple relationship, then this may not be the book for you. If you look for a little more in your light reading experiences, give this one a try. I loved it and am eagerly looking forward to the next two books.

Historical romances routinely ignore entailment laws in their period... so maybe giving Milan a break here is not too much to ask? After all, we read books set during the Crusades and are willing to pretend nobody smells.

I really loved Ash. He was a wonderful, wounded, determined character. More genuine than most male protagonists in historicals, and a lot more fun. I am dying to read more from Mark and Smite. The quirky names are simply genius.

This was my first Milan purchase, but won't be my last.

Ash Turner is getting his revenge. As a young child, for religious reasons his insane mother gave away all of their money and Ash found himself on the doorstep of Parford Manor begging his very distant cousin, the Duke of Parford, Richard Dalrymple for help. His young sister was very ill, and everyone was hungry. Parford slammed the door in his face refusing any support. After his sister's death a short time later, Ash decides to never see his brothers suffer the same fate. He takes himself off to India for four years to amass a fortune. Returning, he finds his two brothers skinny as a rail and on the street, but gets them through school.

As an adult he accomplishes something very important to him. He discovers Parford had married a mistress, prior to his current marriage, and after going through parliament he has Parford's current marriage declared void for bigamy. Therefore, the children he had with his second "wife" are no longer able to inherit his title. This leaves Ash (his sixth cousin, twice removed) next in line. With Parford on his deathbed, Ash has the title of Duke in the very near future.

Margaret Dalrymple has lost her title, her fiancé and her mother all in the recent past. She is Parford's daughter - and as her brothers are in London battling Parliament for their father's title back, she is pretending to be a servant, in particular Parford's nurse to essentially spy on Ash. To gain any information she can to send back to her brothers that would help them get the bigamy ruling overturned.

Ash takes one look at Margaret, standing in the servant line and an attraction develops. Margaret thinks Ash is a greedy tyrant intent on ruining her family's name. Ash thinks Margaret is a mere servant, but one with spunk and independence. But their attraction towards one another will lead them to discover many new truths.

Unveiled is the third book I have read by Courtney Milan and the third that I have adored. And by adored I mean - this book is on my favorite list for 2011 and will proudly sit upon my favorite shelf. From the very beginning Courtney Milan had me. She has such a way with words - they are to be absorbed and savored.

Ash is great with people. He is not good at analyzing things on paper, but let him look someone in the eye, and this is how he has built his fortune in trade. The reason he has a fortune, and the reason he is vying for the Dukedom are for his brothers Mark and Smite and only his brothers. After he watched his young sister die, he vowed to himself his brothers would have a better lot in life. While earning his fortune there were many years he did abandoned them - but once he had the funds, he forced them to go to school and encouraged them to be successful members of society. But his relationship with them is far from perfect. They don't dote upon him - both Mark and Smite have bonded with each other, leaving Ash out of their circle. Their dynamics are very intriguing and different.

Ash never looks upon Margaret as a lowly servant (for a time, he doesn't know she is actually Parford's daughter). He is enamored from the start. Margaret wants to hate him for what he has done to his family. She is not only mourning the death of her mother, but her father is on his deathbed and her and her brothers have all been proclaimed bastards. But the man she meets is not the man she expected. He really is trying to do the right thing. Yes he wants revenge on Parford (who truly is scum) but he treats everyone else with the utmost respect. He is charming and just - nice. As Margaret notices he can be a man of business, with the utmost honor in parliament, but also have dinner conversations with servants without a struggle.

The best thing Ash does for Margaret is gives her confidence. He dares her to defy her station in life. He tells her by both words and actions that she matters. She is important. Something I love about Margaret is her trust and acceptance of Ash. She may have confusing feelings because she doesn't want to go against her brothers, but she knows Ash would never do something to intentionally harm her, and she has no qualms about letting people know that.

Mark and Smite both get page time in this book, especially Mark, whose book is out later this fall. Mark is a scholar writing a book on why men should practice chastity, something he himself follows so I very much look forward to watching how he gets his happily ever after. And Smite is still somewhat of a mystery. He lives a very small lifestyle, and not a lot is resolved about his relationship with Ash or who exactly he is. Which of course has me extremely intrigued to find out more about him!

Unveiled is an absolutely beautiful book.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

UNVEILED's first chapter started off somewhat slowly for me, but once the hero and heroine locked eyes, I was sucker-punched by the intense desire to see what would happen next in this historical.

Milan is a new author for me. I've heard some positive things about the author and her writing, including how hilarious her stories can be... and I was not disappointed. Scene after scene had me either smiling knowingly, snickering, or laughing long and loud. A certain amount of mischievousness has been layered into the story, thus lending the otherwise angst-filled story about discovery a new level of excitement and fun for the reader.

Speaking of angst, this isn't your typical romance. There's drama, of course, but remember that humor I just mentioned? It nearly eradicated the disquiet lurking in the background. But Milan doesn't let you forget it's there; in fact, she'll remind you every chance she gets--when the characters are alone. Usually with the romances I read, it's all adversity, all the time. It can get quite tiring, but I suppose that comes with the tortured hero, right?

The only point in time where I started to lose interest is towards the end of the story. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's obvious the two will hook up at some point (it's a romance, after all). The question, then, is when will they? My problem was, once the two did get together, my enthusiasm began to wither away. I began to lose focus and interest in what would happen next, and I'm not sure why.

Like another reviewer, I found it fairly hard to believe that Ash didn't figure out Margaret's identity sooner--especially since he had this "intuition" when it came to people.

Aside from those two complaints, I found UNVEILED to be a fun and engaging read. Anyone who enjoys historicals must check out Milan's Turner series. I will definitely be checking my library to see what other books are available there.

If you like historical romance, you'll love it.

If you're like me and don't read romance and generally prefer books that are character-driven, literary, and filled with solid prose rather than the cliches that mar nearly every romance and popular fiction book out there, you will enjoy this. It's good. And it's not filled with cliches and purple prose.

No, it's not "literary fiction." (I don't mean that as a slur--this is just a different kind of fiction.) But it's the best kind of genre fiction, well-written and with characters who drive the plot as much as the far-fetched device of a vote in parliament to declare illegitimate children legal heirs. Within a chapter, you care about the characters, and they continue to surprise you with their humanity, basic intelligence, and ability to think and act like real adults, unlike the romance heroines and heros of the romances I recalled from the 80s bodice-rippers--you know the kind, the heroines who act in ways so immature and idiotic that even a teen in the throes of an I-hate-you-no-one-understands-me hissy fit wouldn't act like that.

Plus, it's both romantic and sexy. Perfect beach read.

This author writes well and tells a good story, with believable characters. I'll read more Milan on the beach and whenever I'm looking for a greater escape than my usual fare.

I picked this story up, but then was reluctant to start it. The premise did sound a bit run of the mill. But, one day I was in the mood for an historical romance and finally cracked this one open. And I loved it! I stayed up all night reading it because of the depth of characters and the heat of the romance, and I needed to know how it all ended!

Ash Turner has finally gotten his victory. His revenge on the man who ruined his family is just about complete. Ash uncovers documents that proves the Duke had previously married, which means the children of his second bigamist marriage are bastards and unable to inherit. The dukedom is now within his grasp. Lady Margaret has just been declared a bastard and has lost her fiancé, her friends, her dowry, and her future. To protect her ailing father, the Duke, from their enemy, Ash, she stays at the manor posing as the Duke's nurse. However, as she learns more about the new Duke, Ash, the more she comes to realize that there is more going on that what is on the surface. As Ash and Margaret fall in love, where will their loyalties lie? How can they find happiness?

I was so captivated by this story. I became so invested in Ash, Margaret, and all the characters that I truly was concerned about how they could find their happily ever after amid such chaos. Being a romance novel, you know they will find their HEA and I loved how it all came about. I also loved that the conflict they must overcome wasn't the whole "you lied to me. You aren't who I thought you were." type thing. It actually cracked me up to watch Ash's reaction when he discovers exactly who Margaret is.

I'm looking forward to the next novel about Ash's virgin brother. How often do we get a virgin hero? Not often enough.

Unveiled

Unlocked (short story)

Unclaimed (Hqn)

I think the most refreshing thing about this book is that the female heroine in the novel is the one hiding the secret from the male hero. Usually, it's the opposite. I really found that exciting. However, what I didn't really enjoy was the pacing of this novel. It definitely seemed fairly odd. It felt like only a handful of encounters before Margaret's feelings changed. It seemed odd to me.

I don't really feel like I connected with the characters. I wanted to feel more for them but it only seemed to glaze over the surface of them. We do learn about them but there really wasn't enough inner dialogue that let us learn more and become connected to them.

To be perfectly honest this was a hard read for me. It wasn't one that I just breezed through. I found myself a few times actually getting confused by the dialogue. I'm not sure if I was just trying to read through it quickly or if I just couldn't figure out their meanings.

Through most of this story I couldn't wait for it to be over. Then towards the end I felt it started to pick up. Until once again it seemed to be dragging on. There were some very good moments that I did truly enjoy but it's not one I'd want to read again.

****** Update*****A day later*****

I think I have to change my rating because I know when I can't stop thinking about a book even after I finished it that it left a lasting impression on me. As much as I thought it was oddly paced I think it really grew on me. The more I reflect on what happened during the story the more I think I enjoyed this one.

**************************Slight Spoiler***************************

I do hate spoiling anything in a story but I really wanted to mention this. With Margaret's father, I don't really know enough about Alzheimer's to tell if he really didn't like his children or if it was the disease that was making him that way. It was really depressing.