A widow, Emma, has a young female child, meaning the Earldom and estate is being passed to a distant cousin of her deceased husband. Gabriel is a career soldier assigned to guarding the exiled Napoleon when he receives the news of his inheritance. When he arrives at the estate, he allows Emma and her daughter to stay while the Dower house is rebuilt from a fire. They of course are attracted to each other. Gabriel believes he is dying and there is a slight mystery of the deaths of the previous two Earls. I didn't especially like Emma. Swooning twice and snobbish. The story was very slow-moving and I struggled to the ending.

This was an enjoyable book. The H and H were very fleshed out and believable. Although I did find it unbelievable the Lady Emma would move into the attic bedroom when the new Earl arrives. This seemed very childish to me and not something a Dower Countess would do.

Gabe, a career soldier, unexpectedly inherits an Earldom he neither expected nor wanted. Said Earldom comes with it's very own young and beautiful Dowager. Throw in some major chemistry and some arsenic poisoning and you've got a really good read.
Thank you Anna Markland, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Can a career soldier, an officer in the British Army with the humble surname of Smith, successfully manage a prosperous earldom he unexpectedly inherits? Gabriel makes his first mistake when he falls in love with his predecessor’s beautiful young widow, Lady Emma Crompton. He faces a second hurdle—he is slowly being poisoned with arsenic. A double mystery unfolds when it comes to light Lady Emma’s deceased husband was also suffering from arsenic poisoning.

A soldier that became an earl??? count me in!
I always has a soft spot for any historical romance books where I can see the yearning and everything!
Highly recommended!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

The Soldier Who Becomes Earl

Gabe was a soldier; he never thought he would inherit the earldom. After all, he was a cousin, many times removed. Would inheriting the earldom be a blessing, or would it be a curse? Gabe thought he was dying, so when the widow of his predecessor captured his heart, he chose to do nothing. Did Gabe inherit the earldom, only to lose it, or would his mystery illness be solved before it is too late? In addition to Gabe’s illness, there was unexpected danger waiting in the wings. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance with mystery and a dash of suspense.

A career soldier inherits a title as Earl! Gabriel is a totally unlikely candidate because he is a third cousin and is a plain man by the name of Smith and has no clue on how to put on “Airs”. The other issue is he knows he is dying of some type of malady.

After a time Lady Emma Compton, the widow is enamored of the new Earl and he is the same. People will talk, but their is more because they claim both the previous Earls were mad!

This is definitely not only a great book, but not your normal Rich Earl likes poor girl. This is a mystery with a history lesson within! Loved the characters and the steamy bits and the moments of father daughter time as well.
I definitely would recommend this book to friends and family!

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

This book appealed to me on a traditional regency level. It reminded me a lot of reading a Grace Burrowes book. Gabriel has unexpectedly inherited an Earldom after the death of his second cousin twice removed. Gabriel didn't even really know his birth father and his step father was not a nice man. Gabriel has been guarding Napoleon on St. Helena after Waterloo. While he was on St. Helena he started to get ill - and assumes he is dying. With his symptoms - I am guessing I would too!

He returns to England to take over the earldom - while he still has time. The former countess, Emma, has been left with basically nothing from her husband's estate. She is definitely not prepared for living a life in (for her) poverty and not raising her daughter the way the daughter of an earl would expect to be raised. Emma's life has not been working out the way she thought it would - and dealing with Gabriel isn't working out that way either. Particularly as she comes to terms with her attraction for him.

Gabriel was not raised in wealth and society - and Emma is the daughter of an industrialist. In many ways - they fit together with their more "middle class" beginnings. Gabriel also takes to fatherhood like he has been a dad since Patsy was born.

I enjoyed the level of detail the author put in about clothing - especially Gabriel's clothing. I would, however, have liked more detail about Emma. She came across as somewhat of a typical society lady - more typical perhaps than most romance heroines (she actually swoons and is quite concerned about propriety) - and a little one dimensional. Things got better as the book progressed - but I just wanted more from her.

Overall - I give this a solid 3.5 stars!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Lady Emma Crompton has lost her husband and she and her daughter have lost their home to the new Earl of Farnworth’s. Gabriel Smith has only known life in the army so it comes as quite a surprise when he’s tracked down and he learns he’s the new Earl. This is an enchanting story of Gabriel who thinks he’s dying, who finds himself attracted to Emma and knows he needs a wife and an heir quickly. Emma doesn’t know quite what to make of Gabriel, he is so sweet to her daughter and she enjoys his companionship and company. Emma and Gabriel are so perfect together as they try to navigate their way through their attraction, feelings and uncover the mystery surrounding the Farnsworth men. I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent and emotional romance love story.

Gabriel Smith goes from being an officer in the army to an Earl ,when he had no idea he was even related to one. Baby-sitting Napoleon on his prison island is a boring job for any soldier.
Gabriel's strange illness has him convinced he's dying. When he finds out the previous two Earls of Farnworth had similar symptoms , it can't be good. Is it a curse on the line or is somebody behind it??
Lady Emma Crompton and her young daughter have been left in dire straits by the unexpected death of her husband. Why should a common soldier inherit everything and they get nothing??
A very interesting and mysterious story with fabulous strong characters, even little Wellington. The conclusion of the main mystery will really surprise you.
I loved every page.

A young, beautiful widow, Lady Emma, her daughter Patsy and a delightful poodle named Wellington begin this story as they are waiting for the new Earl to arrive. Of course, Emma never expected Gabriel Smith to be so handsome!

Gabe never expected to inherit an Earldom, having been on an assignment, guarding Bonaparte when he got the word. Now he and his batman travel to his new estate, not thinking the late Earl's widow would still be there. The beautiful Emma. All he knows is an illness that seemed to plague him was not getting better and nobody could figure out what was wrong!

Anna Markland has written a wonderful start to this new series and I absolutely loved it... Seeing the romance unfold and the mystery of the illness come to light was so intriguing! Cannot wait to read more!

Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Smith was guarding Bonaparte on Saint Helena. When he got word that his twice removed cousin had died and he was now the earl. So he and his batman got on a ship and headed for England. He hadn't been feeling very good and thought he was dying. He would try his best while he was still living and try to make the earldom stable.
When he arrived at the manor, he found the Dowager and her daughter still there. He found out the previous earl only left her 25 pounds a year to live on. How would they survive?
He was still trying to cope with the headaches, nausea, and other symptoms of his illness. The army doctor did not know what was wrong with him. He needed to look over the house and property and see what he had to do.
He liked children and got along well with her dog( Wellington), and the Dowager. The servants were a little stand-offish but with time. I really loved this story of a gentle and loving man who takes a poor dowager countess and her daughter to his heart. The characters were merry and amazing.
it was fun to read the teasing they did with each other, watching the blooming of love begin. It was so romantic, entertaining and when a neighbor tried to kidnap Patsy, Gabe and his batman were there to rescue her. It was a wonderful and enjoyable book.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it and loved it.

Every Earl Has a Silver Lining by Anna Markland. Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Smith is called from watching over an imprisoned Napoleon to claim the Earldom of Farnsworth from a now deceased second cousin. While he was ready to return to England, he was in no way ready to be and earl. Bradley, his batman was to return with him to continue to serve as his valet. The seat of the earldom was far north, away from where he had grown up. Emma Crompton was the widow of the dead earl and had nowhere to go. She had discovered that he had not provided for her and their daughter, leaving them no way to live. Now, the new earl would be arriving. What was to become of her?

This is an ingenious plot, rife with unknowns and what appear to be coincidences. Itall some down to an intelligent doctor and Emma's sleuthing skills. With an interesting plot and two people who were truly compatible, this was a wonderful romance that resulted in a happily-ever-after. Gabe was a truly nice guy who vowed to care for Emma even before he fell in love with her. He turned out to be a better earl than the ones preceding him, although that might not have been entirely their faults. It was a very clever plot with excellent pacing and timing. It is not easy to keep coming up with new ideas for this time sensitive era but this one was successful. What a wonderful story!

I was invited to read a free ARC of Every Earl Has a Silver Lining by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #everyearlhasasilverlining

When Gabriel Smith, career soldier become Earl, arrives at his new estate two things attract his attention. One is the fact that before they died the last two Earls of Farnworth exhibited the same symptoms that have plagued him since before he left Saint Helena. Two is Emma Crompton, the widow of the previous earl. The stage is set for an intriguing mystery and a romance (maybe two). The reader is drawn into the captivating story as it unfolds. I love the characters. Gabriel and Emma make a wonderful couple. Susan is a force to be reckoned with. Emma’s daughter Patsy is a pure delight. An excellent story, great characters, a surprise or two, and an ending that will make you smile. I recommend this one and can’t wait for the rest of series.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Anna Markland has done it again. What a wonderful adventure, great characters, and a few bad individuals to top it off. A career soldier, Gabriel Smith of the British Army, is a veteran of Waterloo and placed in charge of guarding Napoleon on a small island in the Atlantic Ocean. While he is there, he develops a medical condition that seems to be deadly. But when he is delivered a letter, stating that he has inherited an estate and the title of Earl, Gabriel cannot figure out how with a last name of Smith, that cannot be possible. However, it is true. The circumstances that follow will keep you reading and the mystery that develops holds the plot together.

The first book in a new series, this charming romance is full of surprises. I found the author's writing style to be smooth and the story has a fairly complex plot without too many red herrings. Gabriel makes a delightful, although somewhat insecure hero, in that he is by no means prepared for the responsibilities he is about to take on. Together with his faithful batman, he returns to England to assume the role of Earl of Farnworth and discovers that far from the elderly dowager he is expecting, he finds a lovely young woman who has been left high and dry by her deceased husband. She comes with the unexpected accompaniment of a small daughter and her dog named Wellington. Emma and her daughter Patsy make an impact on Gabriel, but it is only when his predecessor's practical sister arrives on the scene, that he is able to admit his feelings for Emma. There is a mystery to be solved and initially, everyone is a suspect. I found the background to the story fascinating and can only imagine the horrors our predecessors went through before the role of contaminants in everyday products was determined. I enjoyed this informative novel, a copy of which I received as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Gabriel and Emma are destined to be together.
A widow and an Earl who thinks he's dying come together in this exceptional book. The child Patsy is enchanting.
Is there a curse on the Earls or is something else afoot.
Anna Markland has written an excellent book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley
This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Gabriel Smith was a career soldier, an officer in the British Army when he suddenly & unexpectedly becomes The Earl of Farnworth. Gabriel makes his first mistake when he falls in love with his predecessor’s beautiful young widow, Lady Emma Crompton. He faces a second hurdle—he is slowly being poisoned with arsenic. A double mystery unfolds when it comes to light Lady Emma’s deceased husband was also suffering from arsenic poisoning.
A very well written series starter & I can’t wait for more. Strong characters & a very well paced story had me devouring this lovely romance in two sittings. I loved Gabe who unexpectedly became an Earl & how he dealt with everything thrown in his path. Emma was delightful & she blossomed throughout the book. The chemistry between the pair was electric & I loved their journey to their HEA. Patsy was a joy & I loved that there was a secondary romance too. There was also the puzzling mystery of the poisoning, which added another dimension. An engrossing page turning read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

5 stars

Excellent story. Captain Gabriel Smith inherits an earldom so he and his Batman have to leave guarding Napolean and return to his estates. Emma, the widow of the last earl who with her daughter has been left impoverished wonders how she will survive. I liked the mystery about Gabriel's illness and the passion that builds up between him and Emma. Her daughter is a delight and even the batman gets a HEA. Lots of good historical references. Pleased this author has moved to regency from medieval and pirates. I'll look out for more of her books.

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

I absolutely adored this story!! Anna Markland is such a wonderful author and her stories always go straight to my heart. I am so excited about this new series and if the other books in this series are as good as this first one, then we, her readers, are in for a real treat:)

The characters are so well developed, the plot keeps you wanting to keep reading and the ending will leave you with a huge smile on your face. Gabriel is such a swoon worthy hero and Emma is such a wonderful heroine, you can feel the static electricity when they're close to each other:) As for Emma's daughter, Patsy, omigosh, she's absolutely adorable! Some of the things that come out of her mouth are hilarious!!

I also love how the author includes real historical facts/places and mixes it in with her imagination, it really makes for a great story! I learned a few things about Napoleon Bonaparte that I didn't know before!! It's no wonder I love historical romances:)

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I enjoyed this book by new-to-me author Anna Markland. Gabriel is a soldier that unexpectedly becomes an Earl. Emma is the young widow of the previous Earl who hopes she and her daughter won’t be turned away from their home. Gabriel relies on Emma to help him manage his new circumstances as well as to figure out who is poisoning him. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.