Loved every aspect of this book from the storyline to every character mentioned. The author not only grabs your attention with the main characters but she leaves you wanted to know more about the secondary characters. I look forward to reading many more of Mrs. St. Claire's stories

This is a sweet romance between a wounded soldier and the woman who drug him off the battlefield and proceeded to nurse him back to life. With such a beginning it’s hard to imagine the author being able to create comparable conflicts for the H/h - never fear though the author puts Colonel Matthew Romney, lord of Longueville, the Viscount of excess, through numerous problems in this story. 😉

I thought the author did a good job with the slowly evolving relationship between Matthew & Bethany. The transition between “patient and caregiver” to two people brought together by circumstances and falling in love, was smooth and realistic. I really enjoyed that Matthew was not afraid of falling in love nor showing his emotions.

<i>“You are beautiful—inside. My fingers tell me that you are such on the outside, too. However, I have seen the beauty of your heart.” … “All he knew was the desire to be in her company. He needed her near him—not from gratitude. It was from something deeper . . . deeper than an attraction. He squeezed his useless eyes shut and felt hot tears escape, wishing they could release his fears and frustration.”</i>

I enjoyed the secondary characters and how they added to the story and were not just space fillers. Dande was a special treat throughout the story. There were some aspects and situations in the story that I am not sure what the purpose of them was but who knows maybe they are included in future books.

If you are a fan of a lot of intimate encounters between the H/h you will likely be disappointed by this story. There are several kisses, very limited amount of petting, and one intimate scene included. This did not take away from the relationship aspect and romance of the story.

I do wish the time the H/h were back in England had been expanded on as the reader is sort of left hanging.

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 3 Flames 🔥🔥🔥

📚I received a review copy from the publisher and this is my honest review. 🦄

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

Colonel Matthew Romney, Lord Longueville, is serving as an officer in the British Army during the American Revolution. Injured gravely during the Battle of New Orleans, he is left for dead when Bethany Phillips (and her beloved dog, Dandie) find him struggling to survive, and save's his life. Bethany knows it would be a death sentence if she was discovered sheltering a British officer in her home, but she can't abandon him, and the more time she cares for Matthew, the harder she falls. When an investigator finds Matthew, and encourages the couple to head for England, Bethany and Matthew set off on a perilous journey, fraught with danger, but with their romance holding them together.

I'm English, okay, so honestly, don't know much about the American Revolution, other than the main bits. I've never really read much around that period - not least set in America - so this was new for me, but really enjoyable. Bethany is a healer, who unexpectedly found herself amidst a battlefield while foraging for herbs. As a healer, she can't abandon those who need her help, even if they are the 'enemy', so Matthew's plight plays strongly on her mind. She takes so many risks to help him, even travelling to a leper colony - which she is known to - in order to hide, and then travel across a country at war to find peace and passage to London. Matthew I couldn't quite grasp at first, but the trauma of his injuries was a large part of that. Considering he's supposed to be a rake (per the series title) he acted very much the gentleman, and seemed at odds with his characterisation at times. All in all, though, it was a nice romance, and a series I plan on continuing.

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah.

This being the flagship book in the series it should have WOWed! Although it was an enjoyable read, it did not WOW me. That being said, I'm an Anna fan, I enjoy her books and eagerly await the series siblings with an open mind.
Thank you Anna St. Claire, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

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

This book started off in a promising way. During the American Revolution a British Officer is injured and left for dead on the battlefield. He is rescued by a young Creole woman and her dog - while she patches him up they fall in love.

But the romance didn't ring true for me and there was some clunky dialogue that I could not get past. So I read to about halfway and gave up.

An interesting premise and, if you are interested in this period of history, you may enjoy it as it is obviously well-researched. I just couldn't connect with the romance which is what makes me want to keep reading historical romance fiction.

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

Matthew owes his life to Bethany and her dog, when they rescue him from the battlefield in Louisiana. Especially after a soldier comes to her door asking about the whereabouts of an English soldier-her lie may have saved his life, and cost her own. While he heals he can't help but start to feel things for the young woman who saved him., but fearing he may be permanently blind, as well as. wanted man, he is unsure of burdening her with his love.

A Daring Rescue

Matthew would have died if it weren’t for the bravery of one young woman and her dog. He was a British soldier, wounded and buried under a pile of bodies. Bethany saved him and helped to heal his wounds, but that made her a traitor to her country. Someone was looking for a British soldier; was it friend, or was it foe, and what would rescuing the enemy bring to Bethany’s doorstep?

This book has romance, adventure, a bit of suspense, and a dash of mystery. One thing I must mention is that when a person goes blind, his smell and hearing do not become more acute. That is a common misconception. As a blind person, I always find it difficult to read about blindness in literature. It is true that we mention the things we smell and hear, but that’s because we can’t discuss the things we see, as we do not see them at all. I did like that Matthew was not so helpless. He did make himself useful. He was a soldier on and off the battlefield. Will his courage extend to love? Will he be able to acknowledge his feelings for Bethany as they grow? If you like historical romance with a bit of adventure and suspense, you might enjoy this story. Beware of the shadows in the bayou. Someone might be coming.

Quite the adventure for Matthew. He is certainly a survivor. So many unforeseen things happened to him it was unreal. Thank goodness he had his savior Bethany by his side the entire time nursing him through each incident time and time again. Matthew did not know if he would make it home. With the help of Bethany's grandmother and great aunt they helped Matthew recover as best they could. The danger came when a deserter of the American army was determined to turn Matthew over to his commander to clear his name. Then there was a man who wanted to entice Bethany to marry him. But her heart slowly but surely belonged to Matthew. When a friend of Matthew's father found him, he arranged to have them board a ship to England. Then the unthinkable happened. A very good read.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed
Easy-to-read
Page-turner
Romantic
Realistic
Unpredictable

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

The Earl of Excess is the first in Anna St. Claire's new Rakes of Mayhem series. I found this an interesting read, while not something I would consider a favourite read.

In the first half of the book, I found it a little slow and did found the character's chemistry lacking. What saved the book for me was the dog.

Despite the fact that I would not consider this a favourite read, that is just for me. I would still recommend other readers to give this a read, and have them get their own opinion, as it may suit them more than me.

The Earl of Excess is the first in Anna St. Claire's new Rakes of Mayhem series. It's a book that I didn't not like, but it also had some pacing issues and disappointing plot choices that pulled it down a couple of stars.

Along with her charismatic dog Dandi, Bethany, an American Creole woman, rescues a wounded Matthew from under a pile of dead British soldiers. Matthew himself is a British soldier, which means that Bethany could face treason charges if she's discovered. She nurses him back to health and takes him farther into the bayou to her aunt's home to keep him hidden. During this time, they face several dangers (alligators, yellow fever, a bad guy), but none of these dangers take more than a page or two to resolve. Instead, the book's content comes largely from lengthy and sometimes awkward dialog about things better described in prose. (Cornbread, anyone?)

The book's description suggested that some of the story arc world take place in the journey across the ocean and with Bethany finding her way among gossipy British Society, but that part is relegated to an epilogue which itself contains a few flashbacks to summarize a voyage that seemed more harrowing than the bayou. It did make me wonder if the book originally had more content that in the end was edited down to the epilogue. For me, it was an odd and disappointing way to end.

The chemistry between Bethany and Matthew isn't particularly strong, though it's clear that they admire each other. That the whole series is billed as being about rakes is somewhat confusing though; Matthew was nothing but a gentleman. I did like the characters very much, but I don't think that in the end they are very memorable.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

This book had an interesting premise, but the execution has pacing issues. The first half of the book was way too slow for my liking and got me bored most of the time. In addition to that, the main characters did not have any chemistry at all and act like one-dimensional characters. Their affection for each other does not feel genuine as well. Maybe other readers will connect with this book more, but this isn't just for me.

Bethany Phillips and her dog help rescue Colonel Matthew Romney after he is left for dead on the battlefield. Bethany nurses him back to health, even though if they are found out she could be tried for treason for helping a British soldier survive. Colonel Matthew Romney has been shot and doesn’t think he will survive to see his family again. But an angel comes to his aid and nurses him back to health. But danger lurks close by, and they need to leave Bethany’s home and travel by boat to her aunt’s house where her grandmother is also staying. Can they make the journey safely and also get Matthew back home to England, or will the danger that is lurking in the background prevent them from not only realizing their feelings for each other but for their lives as well?

Very nice story. The relationship between Bethany and Matthew was well written and very natural. I would recommend this story to others. You will enjoy it.

I really loved this book. The story was so well-developed and well-written with wonderful and complex characters. This book had everything! Suspense, some unexpected twists, a strong and fearless heroine and romance. There was never a dull moment in the story and I was pulled into the story very quickly and was sad to see it end.

I also loved that there was a smart and entertaining dog in the story. Animals always make a story more entertaining, and this dog certainly did the trick for me! Not to mention the strength of the heroine who dared to rescue a soldier from the "other side" at her own peril. They both have a lot to overcome. You have to wonder if they will survive it all. A wonderful tale of strength in both the heroine and hero!

I highly recommend this book.

What a wonderful start to a new series! Anna St. Claire has done a fabulous job with this one. An engaging tale of class differences in a time and place where the hero and heroine are on equal ground. Our heroine is strong, resourceful, and independent while our hero is wounded, determined, and more than our heroine thinks he is. Ms. St. Claire's descriptive writing has me imagining myself there in that place and time. Worth more than 5 stars!

The Earl of Excess by Anna St. Claire is different in that it took place almost entirely in America. Matthew (Colonel Romney) has fallen in battle and mistaken for dead and placed in a pile of bodies being readied for disposal. He can barely move, cannot yell out, and cannot see. Only one small dog knows he's alive and guides his owner to save him. Bethany and her dog, Dandie are putting themselves at risk of being shot as traitors, but Beth cannot let a man die, no matter what side he is on. She drags Matt to her small boat and gets him to her house. None of it is easy as he is so large, but she gets him inside, removes and hides his clothing, and removed the shot from his body. He has only this one wound and a scrape on his head but her doesn't awaken for several days. Fortunately she lives in an isolated place and few people come to bother her. He does eventually awaken and is healing well except for his sight. She longs for her grandmother, who knows so much more about healing, and determines to make the small boat ride to her aunt's where her grandmother is. Of course, none of this is without difficulties.

Taking a bayou girl to England to be a countess is not going to be an easy feat. St. Claire has stuffed a lot of story into one book, lots of trauma and difficulty. Beth and Matt have forged a real connection, though, and despite a whole lot of coincidences, manage to stay alive and leave the country, where they meet with more adversity. In many ways, the story was far-fetched, although, entertaining. St. Claire introduces a plethora of characters, some who stay only a very short time. It was entertaining.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Earl of Excess by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #theearlofexcess

Colonel Mathew Romney was on the battlefield at New Orleans, waiting for who would lead them. They were at war with the Americans on their soil. He had a bullet hole in the side of his body and he had a horrible headache. He was also blind.
Bethany Phillips was picking herbs at a plantation when the firing started. She and her dog hid in the bushes till it was over. She proceeded to go onto the battlefield and look for the surviving. They were starting to gather the bodies for mass burial. She found him at the bottom of a pile. She had to free him first. She took him to her home and nursed him back to health. But he still couldn't see
This story is exciting and entertaining.
She is a herbalist like her aunt and grandmother. All sorts of things happen to them. The characters are wonderful and full of life. It was well written, easy to read, and full of all kinds of danger. I loved it.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Colonel Matthew Romney came dangerously close to death on the battlefield near New Orleans. There is still a lot for him to face if he's to ever return home. Our hero needs to call on all his courage.

Bethany Phillips and her wonderful little dog put their lives on the line to help a wounded enemy soldier. She's been schooled in healing by her grandmother. All of that knowledge will be needed. The backwaters of New Orleans has many dangerous creatures, some walk on two legs and others have none.

This is an emotional and at times funny, historical romance. All the characters are fabulous, especially the dog. A grand adventure.

This is the first in a new series and it certainly whets the appetite for the rest.

I loved it.

Ms. St. Claire has written an intriguing and entertaining story that captured my interest from the start and I was engrossed till the last page. It is the first book of her new series The Rakes of Mayhem, and it is off to a brilliant start. Ms. St. Claire does an amazing job of bringing the story and characters to life with her vivid descriptions. Bethany and Matthew had such a strong attraction and raw chemistry, and I enjoyed seeing their connection deepen. Both characters were so endearing, I couldn't help but fall in love with them. The characters were well-developed and I enjoyed their dialogue and interactions. The story flowed well and kept my interest all the way through and the romance was heartwarming and beautifully portrayed. A very enjoyable and entertaining read, and I am excited to read the upcoming books in the series. A wonderful start to an amazing new series!

I received a complimentary advanced reader's copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.