Kate's mother had died and her brother showed up about a month later. He took her to live with him in London. One night she overheard Nevell talking to Earl Farnsworth. Farnsworth would pick her tomorrow afternoon. Her brother, Humphrey Nevell had just sold his sister to cover his gambling $10,000 debt. So Katherine Russell ran away and to her Aunt Franny in Lewes, Sussex. Lord Farnsworth was very angry he had not found her yet He sent his henchman Hall to find her. Once he found her, he took Farnsworth to get her and kidnapped her. Duke Ashleigh, Peter, worked very hard to rid the family name of scandal. He was a perfect example of protection, care of, and providing for his family. He managed to save her from kidnapping. Also when they tried to burn down her Aunt's place or to find someone to kill him( the duke).
The author did a very good job of keeping up the tensions in the story. An engaging tale of a mad Earl.
A selfish and indulgent brother who cares for no one but himself and the poor victim, Kate. This book is so full of all kinds of surprises. The characters are exciting. I am not really sure about the duke, his's behavior could go either way. But I think I would have made him suffer a bit more.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

What a great story. Kate is determined to save herself from a horrible marriage. Then enters Ashleigh...an uptight duke who falls...hard. we have villains, evil brother, wonderful family. True love! Enjoy!

Kate Russel is a proud young lady and her mother taught her proper manners. However, she never had a proper debutante come-out or been to fancy balls, but her father left her mother and her in dire straits. Kate was astounded when her brother asked her to come to London to live with him. For once she felt as though she was going to be seen and maybe go to a dinner party or a ball. That is not what her brother was bringing her to London to do at all. He was going to sell her to the worst man. She was being sold like a horse at an auction. Let the highest bidder be the winner except there was only one bidder and diseased old man.

Kate snuck away to her mothers sister and here she met the man of her dreams. The Duke of Ashleigh was a dreamboat! There was one problem he was looking for a wife with a better pedigree. Poor Kate was asked to be his mistress and she came undone.

This is a lighthearted read that the author depicts in a wonderfully humorous storyline. There are a couple areas that could be more cohesive, however overall I would still recommend this book.

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

Bestill my historical romance loving heart. This was such a great book. Great characters, great storyline, great author!

So let's start with the plot! The main character, Kate, is sold to a man by her brother as a way of paying outstanding debts. She runs away to live with an aunt where she meets an assortment of characters, including our main male lead - the Duke of Ashleigh. This book was fast-paced and every page was exciting! I loved all of the twists and turns it took, and actually ended up finishing it within a day of starting! I really enjoyed Lillian Marek's writing style. It was elegant, true to the time period, and had enough flair to set it apart from other books of its kind. The only thing I can say about the writing of the book is that it switched to different characters' point of view at times. Had it just been between the two main characters, this would have been completely normal and expected but there were times when it jumped to a supporting characters' point of view which I found a bit odd. Not that it wasn't interesting to see what was going on in their heads, but this happened in the middle of chapters and was sometimes a bit confusing. This obviously didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book that much, however!

As for the characters themselves, Kate was a firecracker! I loved her spunk and attitude, especially when conversing with the duke. Their conversations had me laughing and rooting for them right from the start! Kate was definitely a strong, independent woman who knew what she wanted from life and was prepared to do whatever was necessary to make it happen. I loved her resilience and ability to cope with whatever was thrown at her with ease and a fiery grace. The Duke of Ashleigh AKA Peter, was equally as enjoyable. Yes, he could be a bit controlling at times but it was very obvious that he had nothing but good intentions. I loved how he was with Kate, and his very admirable sense of duty to his family name. And the supporting characters were great as well! Lady Talmadge and her daughter, the Mertons, Aunt Franny, etc. They were all great and well-placed in the story.

Overall, I found this book to be quite enjoyable and very tastefully written. I look forward to reading more by Lillian Marek in the future.

Havng not read Lillian Marek before, I did not know what to expect. This was a wonderful story of a woman who has never been able to trust a man. Then she encounters the Duke of Ashleigh and Kate thinks she has found the man she can put her trust in. She quickly realizes his scandalous proposal is no better than the men who have been in her life all along and he will have to prove himself to be better than those men.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The men in Kate's family have done nothing to protect her, in fact her brother has put sold her to an evil Earl to clear his gambling debts. To save herself she escapes to her aunts, and takes on a new identity, and meets the Duke of Ashleigh. He's a handsome, staid sort of man who has a hero complex needing to protect all the women in his life, his neighbor, his sister and niece and now Kate. Kate has understandable trust issues and thought she is attracted to him, she does everything to push him away knowing he isn't good for her. Likewise, he fights his attraction knowing he can't commit himself to a commoner. Whey her life is in danger and forced them together they realize they can't live without each other.

Years of deprivation and struggling to maintain their family holdings have made Kate a strong and resourceful woman. Thus, when she overhears her dissolute brother planning to use her as payment for his debts, Kate makes a daring escape. She is successful, up to a point, but when a private investigator discovers her whereabouts, everyone she cares about is put in danger. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced suspenseful romance. I felt myself being drawn into the plot and love that Kate is not a sniveling miss who helplessly flops around, but rather she is a strong-minded young woman who plans and strategizes her course. Her initial encounter with the Duke of Ashleigh is amusing and sets the tone for their relationship, usually with the Duke on the back foot. Peter takes life much too seriously and his sense of responsibility for those in his care deprives him of much of life's pleasures, but with Kate and his sister bonding, he finds he is fighting a losing battle. We meet up with the Earl of Merton and his wife Miranda once more and they add a joyful element to the plot. As the enemy closes in Kate and Peter find that putting their heads together with family and friends brings about a synergistic solution to their problems and the novel ends on a delightfully joyful note. The story is well-written and intriguing, making it difficult to put my book down once I started reading. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

The first romance I read was a Regency, back when I was only twelve or thirteen and I had to sneak it from my mother's room. I've loved them ever since. The description for Debt of Dishonor immediately intrigued me, and I knew I needed to read it.

The story flowed well, and I enjoyed the characters. Especially Kate's fire! The banter between her and the Duke made me smile and at times outright laugh. It was clear from the beginning something was brewing between them, even when they wouldn't admit it to themselves. As far as villains go, Farnsworth was dastardly and completely insane. A truly vile man I wanted to bash over the head every time he entered a scene.

There were so many characters! And not just small parts either. Mrs. Darling, the Duke's family, his friends, and Kate's friends from back home all had their parts to play. At times, I found it a bit tedious to suddenly be in the point of view of a minor character. Instead of driving the story forward, it made it feel as if it had stalled while I had to wait and find out what was going on with Kate and the Duke. I can appreciate the minor characters' perspectives of what was happening, but it seemed completely unnecessary. As did the side romance with the Duke's sister. It would have been better served in a book of their own. For me, it detracted from Kate and Peter's romance.

Overall, Debt of Dishonor kept me entertained and I enjoyed the book. I'm not quite certain if I liked it enough to necessarily read more in this series. It would depend on how much focus was given to the main characters. NetGalley (and retailers) do no permit half-star ratings, but I give Debt of Dishonor 3 1/2 stars.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for permitting me to read Debt of Dishonor.

❤️❤️❤️1/2
💋

Running away from her brother Viscount Newell is the only option open for Kate Russell, after she discovers he means to sell her to an unscrupulous lord to cover a gambling debt.

It’s on her travels that she meets the man who is to change everything for her, Peter Duke Of Ashleigh, there is chemistry between them but can he protect her from the man now searching for her. Does he even want too?

Enjoyable read, slow in parts but it doesn’t detract too much or spoil the experience.

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

A Debt of Dishonor follows Kate as she flees London and an unwanted marriage arrangement made by her scheming brother. Kate seeks refuge with her aunt Franny and tries to start over. However, many obstacles stand in her way. When Kate meets the Duke of Ashleigh, she knows there is no possibility of a future with him, but she can’t deny her feelings. Ashleigh’s duties prevent him from marrying Kate, but his heart tells him something different. Can Kate trust the Duke? How will Ashleigh react when he learns of Kate’s past?

This is a lovely historical romance with dynamic characters, an interesting and suspenseful plot, and excellent messages of female empowerment and friendship. I adored Kate! She is a woman without money and resources who refuses to fall victim to the manipulations of her selfish brother. Intelligent and sincere, she is well-read, informed, and strong in her opinions. I love her determination and her astuteness. She is the type of person that people gravitate towards, which says a lot about her kindness and good intentions. I think this is why Ashleigh is so drawn to her.

Ashleigh is not used to being challenged, and Kate does exactly that. It’s pretty clear from the start that Ashleigh and Kate are attracted to one another, though neither act on their feelings. Their romance is slow-building and filled with yearning. Both are proud, and both have trauma in their pasts. It’s lovely to see this pair slowly let down their defenses and find love.

One of my favorite parts of the story, besides the romance, is the representation of strong females throughout the story. The story also shows powerful bonds of friendship between women. Kate had a lovely bond with her mother and develops a close kinship with her new female friends as well as her aunt Franny.

I love how the women each strive for independence in their own way while supporting each other, and their conversations are fantastic – honest, funny, and supportive. Husbands, brothers, and potential mates have failed these women throughout their lives, and now they are all determined to live their lives on their own terms. This is not easy in a male-dominated society, but none of the women will be deterred.

"My name is Shakespearean as well. My mother called me Kate after Shakespeare’s shrew. She said that ‘shrew’ is just the name men give to women who stand up for themselves, and the world would be better off if all women were shrews."

The women, and the noble men in their lives, surround Kate with kindness and protect her from the threats in London. I love that Kate found such a wonderful support system, especially considering the lonely and unsupportive situation she was in at the start of the story.

I also like that these wonderful women did find male counterparts that were honorable and good. Men like Ashleigh, Stephen, and Franny’s husband (now deceased) stand in stark contrast to the more dastardly males in Kate, Lady Talmadge, Franny, and even Ashleigh’s present and past. For example, the Earl of Farnsworth and Viscount Newell (Kate’s brother) are two reprobates who use their power and influence to get what they want. Unfortunately for them, the Duke of Ashleigh and his friends stand in their way.

The Earl of Farnsworth and Viscount Newell are such reprehensible characters. However, their villainous plans and intentions add suspense and uncertainty to the story. Will they make good on their threats? Is Kate’s life in danger? How far are they willing to go to get what they want? These are two men that don’t seem to take no for an answer, and their manipulative and threatening ways prove dangerous to Kate and Ashleigh’s happiness.

A story of love, friendship, and fighting against adversity, A Debt of Dishonor is a wonderful slow-building and slow-burning romance. Though it is the second book in the series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and Lillian Marek for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Sweet and spicy, with one of the more affable heroes and daring heroines I’d seen in a while. Can’t wait to read more from this author

Having been gambled away by her brother to a diseased old man, Kate decides to run away. She finds haven with a relative. There is an instant attraction between her and Peter, the Duke of Ashleigh. Can he save her from her fate? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

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

After losing her mother, who was the only family member who cared for her, Kate Russell is taken to London by her dissolute and degenerate brother, Humphrey, Viscount Newell. When she overhears him and the wicked Earl of Farnsworth discuss her, and the way she will be used to repay a gambling debt, she flees to Sussex, where she believes a maternal aunt lives. Hiding with her aunt Franny, she meets the Duke of Ashleigh, and the attraction between the two of them is clear. However, she's masquerading herself as Miss Darling, the niece of a tradesman, so is wholly unsuitable for Ashleigh, and his perfect reputation. Befriending the Merton's, and Ashleigh's sister, Lady Talmadge, Kate soon starts to feel comfortable in Lewes, but Farnsworth is not one to cross lightly. Will he finds her hiding out in Sussex, and will the new friends she has made be enough to protect her?

I enjoyed this one even more than I did the first one. Both Kate and Peter were amazing characters, and I love them so much. Kate had been brought up in virtual poverty, with only her mother for company, and due to the kindness of the local squire and vicar, she has some semblance of an education. Thinking that she would be guarded and protected by her brother, to hear that he wants to virtually whore her out to pay of his own debts was abhorrent, and she flees, thinking only of getting to safety. When she joined society, or at least what passed for it in Lewes, she wasn't put off by her background, and made some true friends, especially in Clara and Alice. Seeing that was nearly as good as the romance, but the chemistry between herself and Peter was phenomenal. Yes, there was a moment in the middle where there was a misunderstanding, and it seemed all was lost, but I liked how it was resolved. What made the whole book even better, though, was the way in which the whole gang joined forces around Kate, and managed to put a stop to Newell and Farnsworth. I really can't wait to read the next book, but I'm not sure who's story it's going to be. Another really enjoyable Regency read.