Very light and fun! Bolen has combined a romance novel with a Poirot mystery set in the inaccessible chalet during a snowstorm. I'm kind of not sure I buy the romance-but other than that, this was enjoyable.

When Lord Stephen Stanhope agrees to find and protect Lady Mary Beresford on the way to the Congress in Vienna, he finds himself snowed in at a Chateau in the Alps and in the middle of an intriguing mystery. If, as she claims, Mary had a traveling companion, where is she? That’s where the mystery starts, and before it is solved, there will kidnapping, attempted murder, murder, and espionage. Mary wanted adventure. She got that and more. There is also a budding romance between the diplomat and the stubborn reckless young woman. This is a beautifully written fast-paced page turner. The descriptions of the mountains, the weather, the monumental task of transportation in these conditions are fantastic. The assortment of characters (and suspects) is quite interesting. To say that solving the mystery revealed some shocking secrets, would be putting it mildly. I truly enjoyed this Beresford Adventure and look forward to more.

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

Lady Mary Beresford was a dreamer, although to her she made it a reality! Imaginative? yes. Stretching the truth? yes. Gullible, but heart in the right place? oh yes.

Setting out on her own to travel to the Vienna to see her sister, she was lucky enough to meet a fellow lady from England to travel with her.

Right behind her was Stephen, a friend of her brother's, who had asked him to follow her and make sure she was safe. When he finally caught up with her, the fun begins!

A great story with a little of everything! A missing person, suspense, murder, intrigue and an unexpected attraction that sizzles as the two spend time together. Cannot wait to read more in this series!

Regency murder and intrigue in alps chalet! Perfect!

Great story line. Loved the idea of the intrepid Lady Maryann Beresford, escaping London and travelling across Europe, heading for Vienna, via the alps (before Winter) with nothing but William Beckford’s travel journal (an account of his Grand Tour) to guide her. Enroute she joins forces with a lively, elderly governess, a Miss Agatha Willets, she of the divinely warm furry boots, who mysteriously goes missing.
Meanwhile her brother the Earl of Devere has arranged for a fellow, Lord Stephen Stanhope, who was at school with him, albeit a few classes below, (Ah! The English school system, a vast old boys network) to try to find Lady Mary (as she now calls herself).
Stephen works for the diplomatic corps and is heading to Austria for the Congress of Vienna, 1815. He’s hoping to catch up to her as she travels via Holland.
Of course, Lady Mary takes the “road less traveled” across the Swiss alps in doubtful weather!
Stephen finally catches up with Lady Mary at an inn, Le Chateau, where Lady Mary is refusing to leave until she finds Miss Willet. As requested by Devere, he doesn’t divulge that her brother’s sent him to escort her to Vienna. The inn is enclosed by adverse weather conditions and the group are unable to leave giving more time for Mary to investigate. Stephen’s disinclined to believe Mary’s tale at first about the disappearing governess, particularly as everyone else is vehemently denying the woman’s existence. But that situation soon changes, particularly when Mary is in danger.
Unfortunately the interactions between Lady Mary and Stephen were a tad flat and one dimensional. The relationship flow was a tad off. Certainly their relations strayed well and truly beyond what was seemly—recovering from near death experiences does make one focus on living!
An enjoyable read despite my concern about the depth of the lead characters.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Lady Mary's Dangerous Encounter by Cheryl Bolen is an amazing departure from most Regency romances. Leave it to Bolen to come up with a storyline so amazingly different and yet containing all the necessary components to a Sweet Regency romance. Like today, no couple waits t consummate their relationship until they are married, despite society's best efforts. Lady Maryann (she likes Mary better) Beresford has departed England to visit her sister in Vienna. No escort. No chaperone. No heads up to her brother until she is well on her way. This is not an easy journey. She has opted to take the Alps path, which will require her carriage to be dismantled and carried, and her self to be carried in a chair borne by large "chair men." Can Lord Stephen, enlisted by her brother, catch up with her and guard her, keeping her safe from harm?

This is a lovely, original tale, different and yet, the same. The bulk of the story happens in a chateau, high in the mountains, surrounded by snow. What a setting for an almost, not quite, Gothic novel. Lady Mary is convinced she arrived at the chateau with a traveling companion she had met along the way. Everyone else denies that this woman ever existed. What suspense as Lady Mary, with Stephen at her side, sets out to prove she is not delusional, but indeed is missing her friend. Of course, along the way, the inevitable happens and Lady Mary and Stephen fall in love. What a journey it is! A delightful tale! Bolen has created a mystery worthy of Agatha Christie and her locked room mysteries. I loved it!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Lady Mary's Dangerous Encounter by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #ladymarysdangerousencounter

An adventurous romance, with intrigue and suspense, I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written novel. I hadn't previously known modes of transport in the Regency era, and shudder to imagine just how difficult it must have been. Known for her impetuous and somewhat outrageous behavior, Lady Mary embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, not really taking into account the dangers of crossing the Alps in the middle of winter. Fortunately, she meets up with the elderly governess, Miss Willets, who dispenses counsel together with companionship along the journey. Mary's brother is laid low by an accident and contacts Lord Stephen Stanhope, who is also traveling to Vienna, to keep an eye out for his wayward sister and to ensure her safety. Stephen did not count on having to be the guardian of a hoyden, but being a protective brother himself, he takes on the mission. I love both the main characters in this romance, Stephen with his protective concern for a young lady who is suddenly out of her depths with the disappearance of her traveling companion, and Mary with her intelligence and adventurous spirit. The plot thickens and becomes suspenseful as one life is threatened and another lost, as Mary refuses to accept the loss of Miss Willets, despite the conspiracy against her. As the young couple spends time together in the snowbound inn, an attraction ignites and they both find themselves reevaluating their feelings about a commitment, but when Mary's life is threatened, Stephen will do everything in his power to keep her safe. This book is the start of a new series, but is a standalone and comes to a very happy and successful conclusion. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Lady Mary’s Dangerous Encounter by Cheryl Bolen, book one in The Bereford Adventures series is an enjoyable read filled with adventure, suspense and romance. Lord Stephen, a duke’s diplomat son, preparing to travel to the Congress of Vienna, agrees to protect his friend’s stubborn sister while on his journey to Austria. Lady Mary Beresford impulsively set off on her own adventure, wanting to travel to Vienna to visit her sister; on her own. Along the way Mary meets Miss Willets at the starting point for crossing the Alps from France to Vienna. They chat and visit each evening at the chalets they stay at. When Lady Mary suffers altitude sickness, she discovers upon waking that Miss Willets disappeared; that she had never been with the travelers. Lady Mary becomes adamant something happened to her and everyone is lying about it. Being a day behind her and fearing he will not catch up with her, Lord Stephen encounters her at an inn in the Alps. She is still there on because their progress has been delayed for two reasons; a blizzard and Lady Mary’s refusal to leave until she’s found Miss Willets. Mary is frustrated and furious that everyone at the inn has conspired to deny the existence of Miss Willets, merely implying that she was delirious when they arrived and she imagined this lady. Before the party departs without her, Lord Stephen arrives at the chalet, becoming her knight in shining armor. Stephen knows better than to let her know he had been sent by her brother to protect her; besides he also questions her crazy story. After all, Mary had a reputation of embellishing the truth. At least until an attempt is made on Mary’s life. Part adventure, romance, murder mystery, and political thriller, this story covers a lot of ground while most of it takes place in an isolated French chateau in the middle of winter.

Ms. Bolen wrote a story filled with mystery, spies, assassins, adventure, intrigue, and romance that should not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with endearing characters, visual imagery, and intrigue. I highly recommend Lady Mary’s Dangerous Encounter to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this story and had difficulty putting it down. Mary is certainly headstrong and stubborn, with no thought of the consequences. No wonder her brother worried about her. Lord Stephen Stanhope, was tasked with looking out for her. He was loyal, steadfast and trustworthy but not a dull as this sounds. I found the way they travelled over the Alps to be very interesting. This story has a mystery disappearance, danger and a romance, just what I like in a story. I look forward to reading more of this series. I did receive a copy of this book which I voluntarily reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.

Lady Maryann Beresford has left her home to go unaccompanied, to see her sister in Vienna. She is 21 and very headstrong. She speaks two languages well and a third not as well. She had wanted to travel and here she was. She loved an explorer, William Beckford, and followed most of his traveling diary. Now she trying to cross the Alps in December.
Lord Stephen Stanhope, his father is a duke and he works for the Foreign Office. Devere, Mary's brother is terrified for her. He had broken his ankle so bad that it should take a while to heal. He was confined to bed with his foot up.
He could do nothing. Lord Stephen rushed after her, to try to catch up and keep her safe.
I loved this story. It is exciting, fast-paced, and moves fairly fast. She gets along with most people. She is not arrogant, uncaring, and cruel to people she meets.
Stephen prided himself on his reliability. Even though it was a tough thing to do, he would see it done. She worried about freezing to death, avalanches, and falling off the mountain. The characters were so nice and tried to be helpful.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

4.5 Stars
Lord Stephen Stanhope, fourth son of a duke is a diplomat who’s travelling to the Congress of Vienna. He's asked by his friend the Earl of Devere to protect his wayward sister on Stephen’s journey to Austria. Lady Mary Beresford has impetuously set off on her own for Vienna. Vexed with the headstrong woman he’s yet to meet, Stephen despairs of ever catching up with the maddening lady. They eventually meet at Le Chateau an inn in the Alps, where the guests’ progress has been impeded by two matters: a blizzard and Lady Mary’s refusal to leave until she’s found Miss Agatha Willett an elderly fellow traveller who has disappeared. Mary’s infuriated that everyone at the inn is in a conspiracy to deny the woman ever existed and to imply Mary invented her. Just when every person at the inn is against her, the handsome Lord Stephen arrives and becomes her champion. Stephen doesn’t tell her he’s been sent by her brother, nor does he actually believe her preposterous story. Until there’s an attempt on her life.
The first in a new series & what a good starter it was! Strong characters & a fast paced story had me devouring this page turner in an afternoon. I loved Mary who was fond of elaborating the truth so Stephen thinks she’s crying wolf. Stephen starts by not believing Mary but the more their friendship grows the more he believes her. Their attraction simmered rather than sizzled but I did love how their relationship developed. I also loved the mystery surround Miss Willetts & loved the nod to the classic film. I recommend this well written book & look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This book is quite different from what I expected it to be, but I liked it all the same. The setting is unusual (a chalet in the Alps instead of London during the Season as in most historical romance) and the plot is essentially a crime story. Lady Mary is a very independent and adventurous young girl who embarks alone on a perilous journey across Europe to reach her sister in Vienna. Stephen is a young diplomat who’s tasked by her brother to find and protect her. They found themselves stranded in a forlorn chalet surrounded by snowy mountains with some very suspicious travel companions... The plot is really intriguing, but I would have preferred the love story to be developed more fully. The book is on the sweet side (no graphic sex), but the characters are loveable, especially Mary. I would recommend it for an entertaining read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was definitely not what I was expecting. It was so much better! It not only had the regency historical romance setting that I love, but it also added in a murder mystery. I loved it!

Thank you @netgalley and @dragonbladepublishing for the e-arc!

Last Sophia sets out on her own to see her sister in Vienna. Lord Stephen Stanhope is following on a request by her brother to protect her on her journey. The only problem is, she is several days ahead. One of Sophia's fellow travelers disappears from the inn in the Alps. Eventually Stephen catches up, but he is skeptical when she tells her story about the missing lady. Until events change his mind. There is little they can do in the Alps in the middle of a snowstorm, unless the lady is still hidden in the inn. Disappearance, attempted murder, murder, everyone denying the lady's existence and a romance with a hero that comes to a young lady's aid.
Very entertaining who done it!!!
(As noted by the author, reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock's THE LADY VANISHES).
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

What an engaging read! This story has it all! With action and suspense on every page, this who -dunnit offers, intrigue, murder, attempted murders, kidnapping , espionage, and the most delicious of romances! Lord Stephen is the Diplomat son of a Duke, traveling to attend the Congress of Vienna, when an old acquaintance , Lord Devere, asks him to look after his reckless sister, Lady Mary , traveling through the Alps in winter , unaccompanied. Thus begins the incredible feat of finding her and protecting her while snowed in at an Inn , in the Tirol , with others who would rather see to her demise. Riveting and entrancing!

Lady Mary's Dangerous Encounter by Cheryl Bolen
Love this story because it's got a lot of components to it: mystery, romance, travel and spies.
Book starts out with Mary and she's going to travel using the money she's saved through Europe with a final destination of Vienna.
She is not taking a maid so her brother enlists help of Stephen who also went to the same school. Stephen would hope he'd do the same if his sisters ran away.
She meets up with a nanny and they are chair man lifted to an inn in the valley deep in the mountains after suffering through an avalanche.
She goes missing and Mary is not sure what's going on. She then meet up with Lord Stephen and he's been warned that she tells stories. He really tries to side with her til he realizes what she is telling him is the truth.
They are able to band together to find clues as to the woman who's now gone, there are items left behind. Love the little secrets about each other that come out along the way.
Just when you think you know who the culprits are you find out you are wrong and others are investigated. They are betrayed by many and they agree to now help them solve the mysteries.
Mary's life is in danger one night...Last straw is when Stephen's manservant is killed. Lose this series and can't wait to read more.
Ends with the author's other works and how to contact her.
Received this review copy from Dragonblade Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#LadyMarysDangerousEncounter #NetGalley

Lady Mary takes off on her own to meet her sister at the Congress in Vienna. Up in the Alps the lady she has met and been traveling with disappears. Lord Stephen Stanhope has told her brother he would try to catch up with her and keep her safe. Now they have met and he is the only one who believes she had a traveling companion who has disappeared. Can they solve the mystery?

Wow, just Wow !! This is the first story in the new series " The Beresford Adventures". If all the books are as wonderful of this one. I can't wait for book two.
This is a very fast-moving story with lots of adventure, danger, intrigue, and of course romance.
Lord Stephen Stanhope is sent an urgent request by the Earl of Devere to come see him.
Stephen knows Devere from their days at Oxford but not well. Devere was an upper-class man who was nice to him. Devere youngest sister, Mary has taken off on her own to visit her sister in Vienna ! Traveling across the country by herself with even a maid. Devere wants Stephen to try and find her and makes sure she gets to her sister safe. All odds are against this happening as Mary is a small woman traveling alone and beautiful to boot. Stephen can't say no, and is glad it is not one of his sisters. Devere knows Mary is following a travel book that will help with the route she took.
With a copy of the book Stephan set out hoping he finds her before something happens to her.
Mary wanted and adventure, it's hard being the middle sister. She wants something that is just hers. Now that her oldest sister has married into one of the wealthiest family in England. Her and her husband live in Vienna and get to travel all the time. Her youngest sister is the adorable one the baby.
Mary has a lifelong habit of never owning up for her rash actions. She uses arrogance to mask that she could possibly be wrong in some choices. This might be her worst one yet. Traveling over the alps in December is not anything like what her travel book said. (The author makes up feel like we are right there with the snow and the cold so very cold. )
Stephen fears he will not find her with the bad weather conditions. Then he meets up with her in an
Inn high up in the Alps. Now the plot really thickens cause everyone at the Inn is upset with her.
She will not leave as a woman she met on the way is missing. Only no one else at the Inn claims to have ever seen her or know anything about her. Like she was a ghost.
Stephen must figure out who is telling the truth and who is lying. When Mary is attacked and could have been killed, they both know a conspiracy is at foot.
This book has so many details, drama, danger, spies, murder, and romance mixed it.
Once you start you just can't put it down... it is absolutely one of the best books I have read this year. I hope book two is just as good...
I received an ARC from Net Galley. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

This latest by Cheryl Bolen is a fun, quick read with an endearing, quirky heroine. Lady Mary is traveling alone on her way to Vienna to see her sister. The route she's traveling takes her through the Alps. When a blizzard hits her traveling party is forced to shelter in a Chalet until the weather clears. An elderly traveling companion disappears but no one believes her. Is she delusional? Lord Stephen Stanhope has been trying to catch up to Mary...her brother has asked him to keep an eye on Mary and protect her from harm, but to keep that a secret from her. It soon becomes apparent to him that there are forces working against them as he and Mary work to reveal the plot against her...along the way they fall in love. If you enjoy sweet regency romance with a lovable heroine, a handsome hero and a touch of danger this is a book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Mary Beresford is independent, impetuous and has a tendency to exaggerate the truth. When she sets off on a solo journey to Vienna, her brother asks his friend Lord Stephen Stanhope to follow her and keep her safe. It's a perilous journey and it takes a number of days to catch up with her. When he finally finds her, they become stranded at an inn in the mountains. Not only has the snow continued to pile up, but Mary is involved in a mystery involving an elderly companion who has disappeared and which the innkeeper insists there was no such woman. Stephen must weigh all the facts while dealing with a headstrong Mary to figure out the truth.

Ms. Bolen has written a unique and entertaining story. It's far from the glittering ballrooms of the ton. Being stranded at a snowbound inn allowed the mystery plot line to flourish and unfold at a steady pace. I thought Mary was a little bratty at times, but Stephen's steady influence calms her especially when he begins to believe her story. There's intrigue, a cast of shady characters and a sweet love story. I'm glad I came across this book.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

This was an entertaining book. It was light and had an unusual plot. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others, though parts of it did not hold my interest and there were details that seemed out of place for the time period and setting.