I loved this book!
The plot was super interesting and I was engaged with the storyline throughout the book. I liked how the mystery played a significant role in the plot but still didn't shadow the romance, which was what we signed for in the first place, right?
Miranda and Tom were a delightful couple. I liked both of them, each had a well fleshed character with great character development.
In the beginning, their interactions were a little bit stilted, kind of awkward, but after the third meeting, they started getting comfortable with each other, which, in hindsight, is so realistic considering the era they were from.
The side characters were mostly well written, some characters were ambiguous or not consistent. For example, Edgar's character was really confusing, I still don't understand whether he were good or bad. Also, I wasn't a fan of Ashleigh. He was super condescending and stiff, which I understand was intentional to give his book kind of a teaser, but I was a bit irritated. Still reading his book though, the author has a great writing style which I'm sure would make it worthwhile.
A good book!
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I really wanted to enjoy this one. But i found myself not liking any of the characters and felt they had no chemistry what so ever..

The Earl Returns has it all. Mystery, suspense and sweetness. Miranda and Tom are extremely likable characters. Hold on tight because this will take you all over the place

Thanks to Netgalley, Dragonblade Publishing and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very well-written historical romance with an engaging cast of characters and plenty of intrigue. When the Earl of Merton escapes from the Royal Navy, a position he was forced into, he vows to find out which treacherous family member put him there.

Together with his fellow escapee, Hodgson, he embarks on a mission to expose the culprit and get his revenge. Along the way he meets the vivacious American Miranda Rokeby and gives in to a powerful attraction. But she is not a suitable match for him, and besides, she doesn't like him.

There's plenty of character development in this book as well as interesting historical context - it really is an intelligent, and still romantic, story. I look forward to more from this author.

I loved the beginning of the book, the rest of the book was okay.
It was an enjoyable read, until the end. I did not like the ending.
That being said I would still recommend it to others to read.

The Earl of Wortham was presumed dead but he had been impressed in the Royal Navy for three years. He returns to rightfully assume his title and falls for Miranda, an American, in the process. I enjoyed this book. I liked Tom and Miranda very much. They had a great deal of chemistry. Also, the mystery of who wants to see Tom dead was very intriguing.

After being kidnapped and pressed into service in the Royal Navy, the Earl of Merton returns home three years later to find the country suffering from economic strife and unrest. Seeking to provide jobs, he takes the unlordly step of building a shipyard. His family wants him to adopt a more traditional life and marry a proper English bride. Instead, he falls for an American heiress who cares little about the ways of the nobility.

I love books about unconventional characters. This one is a delight to read. It's love at first sight for Merton and Miranda, and they're perfect for each other. But their families are against the match, and someone still wants Merton out of the way. This is a sweet romance with a strong adventure subplot.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After being presumed dead the last few years, Tom Wortham, the Earl of Merton, has returned, and is ready to take up his title again. Knowing that someone had a hand in his being impressed into the navy, and especially when more and more 'accidents' start occurring, he's wary about his family. Because of his experience in the navy, and seeing what awaits veterans when they return from war, he opens a shipbuilding yard on his estate, and the idea of being involved in a trade is almost too much for some. His elderly grandmother, and the dowager countess, wants him to marry, settle down, and forget about it, but the ladies who are paraded in front of him are too dainty and lady like. When he meets the American cousin of one of his prospective brides, Miss Miranda Rokeby, she's like a breath of fresh air. The grand-daughter of a viscount, her life in Boston has been one where her family and friends have respected her opinions, and it's normal for her to be around ships and seaman, and ambassadors and nobles alike. She has a disdain for nobles, especially the fops she has met in London, but with Tom there is a connection. Soon enough, though, Miranda finds herself at risk of the same madman after Tom, and it will take their combined efforts to discover the truth.

I really enjoyed this book. The premise of it all intrigued me, and I liked the twists and turns we saw surrounding the assassination plot. Both Tom and Miranda were lovely main characters, full of vim and vigour, who had different positions in society, yes, but could go toe to toe with the best of them. Their relationship was one of mutual respect and affection, and it was really refreshing to see. Tom has struggled in his time in the navy, one in which he wasn't expected to return from, and the subsequent plots against him would be enough to dishearten anyone, but he remained strong in his resolve. Everyone seemed to think of Miranda as a bumpkin, unaware of how society should act, but she was better than most of them. Her life back home was actually more prestigious than they thought, but still, she wasn't arrogant, or anything, which is another reason why she worked so well for Tom. I liked the side stories too - we see Miranda's cousin find love, meet Tom's best friend, the Duke Ashleigh (who is the hero of the second book), and obviously there's the mystery too. I had ideas of who was responsible for it all, but still there were parts that shocked me, and I was hooked until the end. A really good Regency read.

After three grueling years, the earl of Merton returns to England, after being forced into involuntary service for the Royal Navy. But he finds that things have not changed as someone is still trying to kill him. Whom ever it is thought that being suppressed into naval service would do him in, but it only made him harder and more determined to find them. I enjoyed reading this book, the characters are interesting. Plus, the surprises and suspense make the book enjoyable.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a new author for me and I actually in enjoyed this read a great deal. We have an earl who is trying to get his life back. However, someone keeps trying to kill him. This was actually was a good story and I enjoyed it a great deal.

An exciting tale that begins with Thomas Wortham, Earl of Merton finally returning home after three years at sea, having been abducted and made to work. Of course his cousin had already tried to take his place since all thought he was lost. Lost? No, just made to suffer until he could make his way back to England. Now he was trying to take his rightful place.

Of course, his grandmother through a house party to help find him a bride. That is when he met her. Miranda Rokeby. "He was besotted, no matter her had just met her.....He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless."

Filled with a mystery, a little suspense, a strong attraction and everything needed to keep my interest until the end! Looking forward to more in this series!

Thomas Wortham, the Earl of Merton, vanished three years ago and presumed dead has now returned from sea. He starts his own shipyard business to the horror of his family who want him to settle down and marry. He has no plans to marry until he’s bewitched by a Miranda Rokeby, an American ship owner’s daughter visiting England. Tom is not looking for a meek and mild wife, he realizes he wants a spitfire, one with an opinion and a one who is not afraid to voice her opinions. Tom knows someone had him kidnapped and possibly wanted him murder, but can he stay alive now that he’s returned to England and his home? I love these two together as they get to know one another and fall in love. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story of mystery, murder and romance.

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A book that keeps you on the edge of your seat .
It’s full of suspense and surprises, adventures and romance.
Some great characters with excellent chemistry that reels you into their lives and keeps you invested in the outcome.

Very enjoyable read, I’ll keep a lookout for more from this author.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

The opening chapter drew me in right away and the twists and turns kept me interested. Tom and Miranda are interesting characters by themselves and even better when they are together. It is always refreshing to see a strong independent woman in historical fiction and Miranda is definitely one. I thought the identify of the assassin was revealed a little too early (and wasn't a surprise) but the identify of the person hiring the hitman was revealed at just the right time. I don't want to give anything away, but I did think that one of the villains of the story got off a little too easy (which makes me wonder if they will be seen again in another book). Hodgson's actions towards the end were a surprise, but did make sense. I would love to know more about Edgar and I hope he turns up in one of the later entries in this series.

This is the first story I have read by Lillian Marek and what a treat it was. I loved the characters, especially all their varied foibles. There is mystery, thrills, romance, and humor throughout. It was pure enjoyment from start to finish.

Lord Thomas Merton returns after being kidnapped and forced to serve in the Navy for 3 years. Accidents continue to happen and he realizes he must find out who in his family wants him out of the way.
There are instant sparks between Merton and American Miranda Rokeby. Together they try to solve the question of who is out to hurt Merton?
This is a great first book in a new series. I can't wait to read the next book!

Historical Romance with Mystery

The earl returns after three long years of being forced to work for his majesty’s navy, but can he stay? Someone is intent on seeing him gone, forever. Who is trying to kill the Earl of Merton? Is it the cousin set to inherit if he dies? Could it be his aunt? Might it be someone who works for him? Tom has more questions than answers, and he finds himself attempting to avoid the jaws of death at every turn.

As the Earl of Merton falls in love with Miranda, he puts her in peril, too. She is not an appropriate bride for an aristocrat, he is told, but after living as a seaman in the royal navy for three long years, his ideas about what is proper have changed. Can Tom and Miranda find their happily ever after? First, they must survive a ruthless villain, intent on killing them. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with mystery.

The Earl Returns by Lillian Marek is a little different and totally compelling story. Tom is returning after three years missing, presumed dead. He calls upon his friend, Peter Bancroft, Duke of Ashleigh, first in order to have a meal, get cleaned up, and discover what his family had been doing the past three years. He then went to his own home, where his arrival was a shock. Feeling that the perpetrator behind his abduction would reveal themselves, in time, he simply went about the business of living his life. He had changed in the three years he had been impressed into serving in Her Majesty's navy. He had become useful and secure in himself, no longer full of the ennui that captured so many of his stations. He was, after all, the fifth Earl of Merton. He and his friend from the ship Dick Hodgson were now in business together, the business of shipbuilding. The yard was near his country home, where his grandmother had gathered a plethora of guests, may of them young ladies, in the hopes he would select one and marry. He saw, and then, met, Miranda Rokeby, a young American, there with her aunt, uncle, and cousins, and was immediately smitten. Of course, she was entirely the wrong woman, or so thought everyone except Tom. It was at the time of the house party when the attempts at taking his life began anew. It had not been killed at sea and now someone's patience was waning.

This is a somewhat familiar trope: American woman, English nobility, a family firmly opposed. Marek handled it somewhat differently as well as turning it into a mystery, and at times, a thriller. They appeared to be accidents, until it was flat out attempted murder. Tom had a positive attitude all of the time, about all things, until Miranda's life was put in danger. He took full advantage of his title when she was involved. This was a wonderful love story, with all kinds of family (and friend) obstacles put in their way. Miranda handles them beautifully, being not only lovely, but also intelligent, with an acerbic wit. The plot was well done, will surprises along the way. The end was surprising, but that is nothing but exciting. This was quite a good book. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Earl Returns by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #theearlreturns

An exciting, suspenseful, and well written Regency romance, this novel kept me engrossed from the opening chapter. Tom Wortham, Earl of Merton finally finds his way home having been forced into the Royal Navy as an ordinary seaman. Apart from having to regain all that was stolen from him, he also has to find out who wants him dead. Unfortunately, returning to England's shores and dealing with his nemesis does not stop the attempts on his life. When his grandmother arranges a house party to enable him to meet eligible ladies with a view to marriage, Tom has little interest in them until the outspoken American Miranda Rokeby arrives. In her, Tom finds a kindred spirit and a woman after his own heart. However, not everyone is happy with the budding romance and the plot races to an exciting close. I felt disappointed that the story did not come to a conclusive ending but realise that as the first book in the series, the author probably has further plots up her sleeve. I did, however, love the main characters as they are so well suited. Tom's ability to set aside the crimes committed against him, speak of his generous nature. Miranda is the perfect foil for him with her strength of character and intelligence. This is altogether a very enjoyable book. I received a copy of this novel through NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This book will keep you captivated because there is a mystery right to start! Who is trying to kill the Earl of Merton? Why? Greed of Course! But, there is at least four people that could be the ones who would want this to happen!

Merton meets his soulmate, Miranda! It just so happens he is building a shipyard and her father is an American shipowner.

The author keeps the book flowing by adding in some twists and turns that you won’t see coming. I found this book very intriguing. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Tom gets impressed into the Royal Navy where he claims he is an Earl and that a mistake has been made. No one listens. Fast forward to three years later when he is able to escape and clear things up. Having lived as an ordinary person, he has much more sympathy for the common man than his fellow aristocrats. His eye is caught by an American shipbuilding heiress, Miranda, who has much more equalitarian views as well as a common love of ships and the sea. Miranda helps him try to solve the mystery of who wants him dead. I received an Arc from NetGalley and Dragonblade Press for my honest review.