Lady Maria, having been a favorite of Ton gentlemen, is involved in a family scandal and sent to Paris. While there, due to the scandal, she feels she will have to marry for practical reasons instead of love as she'd hoped. Happily, she is reunited with childhood fried, Lord Philip, who is also a Ton favorite and the man she has secretly loved for years. Unfortunately for her, Philip has become infatuated with an Archduchess, which blinds him to what has always been right in front of his face. Maria feels that there is something not right about the Archduchess and works tirelessly to help Philip realize before it's too late. This story has mystery, intrigue and a large dose of romance.
Thank you Elizabeth Johns, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Love and Intrigue

Maria escaped London after her family was touched by scandal. There she would look for someone to marry. However, Maria is interested only in her childhood friend, Philip. Unfortunately, Philip was in a fog of lust. He thought that an Austrian Archduchess captured his heart, but was it his heart she really captured? Something about the Archduchess did not seem right to Maria, and she was determined to help the man she loved. Would Philip be stupefied by lust, or would he see what is in front of his eyes before it was too late? This story has romance, treachery, intrigue, and a bit of suspense.

This is book 7 in the Gentlemen of Knights series. It is my first time reading something by this author, so I have not read any of the previous books, but I had no trouble reading this as a standalone. The story is filled with mystery and intrigue and held my interest all the way through. Philip and Maria have been friends since childhood. Maria was well-liked in society, but a scandal attached to her family resulted in her retreating to Paris. Although her and Philip have been friends for a long time, Maria's feelings changed along the way and she is deeply in love with him. Only Philip does not seem to reciprocate her feelings and in fact he has his sights on someone else. Maria is heartbroken, and gathering up her pride, she is resolved to marry without love. Philip clearly does not realize what he has right in front of him with Maria until it might be too late.
This was a lovely story that captivated me from the start and kept my interest and attention till the end. The characters were well-developed and endearing, and my heart went out to them both, especially Maria. The author did a really nice job of creating scenes that came alive and I could easily picture them in my mind's eye. This was an engaging and entertaining story and I really enjoyed it. I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

A story of unrequited love that just may change, but there is a journey to get there!

Maria is forces to flee England due to her family's scandal. Going to Paris with friends, she
finds herself in the company of her great friend Phillip who she has been in love with.
But he seems to be focused on another lady.

A mystery, intrigue and wonderful characters bring this to a great conclusion!

Thank you to Dragonblade and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
I really admire when an author is capable of starting a small publishing.
This is like the 7th book on the series. Is possible to read as a standalone, but I think it would be better to start with the other books.
This is a sweet romance, although I think it could be a little bit more. It's well written, but maybe not for me.

When Lady Maria Mottram's family suddenly has a scandal tarnish their name, her close friends, Kate and Jack, take Maria with them to Paris where Jack is assigned as part of Wellington's staff. Maria is excited to go as her childhood friend and the man she loves, Captain Lord Philip Everleigh is also part of Wellington's staff. Her joy is short-lived as she must watch Philip fall under the spell of the beautiful Archduchess Pauline.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are interesting, showing a variety of feelings from confidence to self-doubt or vulnerability.

3.5 stars

Not a bad read. Only kisses, I like a bit more passion. The heroine was tenacious trying to persuade the hero that his obsession with the archduchess wasn't in his best interest. The duchess was a bit two dimensional and her demise I thought was a bit OTT. It's a interesting series, some I've loved and given 5 stars to but this didn't quite match up to that high benchmark. This might have been because of the heros behaviour making his about turn seeming a bit less believable.

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

With her family's reputation in tatters, Maria Mottram accepts her close friend's invitation to accompany her to Paris, where Wellington is residing. With political intrigue rife in the aftermath of Napoleon's capture, Captain Philip Everleigh and his fellow officers are constantly on the lookout for suspicious activity. Upon the arrival of Archduchess Pauline, Philip goes on high alert, but unfortunately, she is a master manipulator and well knows how to use her charms. Maria instinctively dislikes the Archduchess but is wise enough to realize that her feelings may be swayed by the attraction she has always felt for Philip. As the novel escalates, so too does Philip's mistrust, as more and more clues emerge. Fortunately, the truth does come out in time, and the novel ends on a successful note. I found this romance a little less humourous than preceding books in this series, but it is nevertheless enjoyable and entertaining. I received a copy of this novel through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

4 1/2*STARS*
Napoleon is still in exile on the island of Elba. The British continue to maintain their spies. Even though it was proven her brother was not a traitor, society still gossips and Maria Mottram decides to leave London. She is invited to Paris by her friend Kate, the wife of Captain Jack Owens attached to Wellington's staff. Maria is hoping to see her childhood friend Philip Everleigh, also with Wellington. He is the man she loves and dreams of having a life together. At the same time Maria arrives in Paris, the Archduchess Pauline Klementine of Austria, makes her entrance into society and mesmerizes Philip. He sees no one else but her. Maria's heartbroken. It isn't long before the archduchess' behavior becomes suspicious. Maria doesn't trust her and sets out to find out her secrets to protect Philip. Only it seems Philip should have been protecting her in Brussels. Men can be such fool's over a beautiful woman! Some suspense and intrigue before Napoleon's escape and the battle at Waterloo.
Embraces and kisses.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Lady Maria Mottram wasn’t a diamond of the first watr but she was well liked in society until one wretched day when her family’s name was attached to scandal. Swept away by friends to Paris, Maria is faced with a whole new heartache of watching her close friend Philip, the man she has loved forever be captivated by another, and her needing to marry quickly. Captain Lord Philip Everleigh was one of England’s most dashing heroes. Numbed with the world of glittering intrigue, he finally finds a beautiful Archduchess who stirs his blood.
The seventh book in the series but it’s easily read on its own. I loved both Philip & Maria but at times I wanted to shake Philip for not realising who was right in front of him until it was nearly too late. Maria was a delight & I admired her for facing society rather than hiding & I loved her true friends who stood by & supported her. There was mystery, intrigue, infatuation, revenge & of course love, A well written book which I thoroughly enjoyed & hope the elusive Gabriel has his story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This was an engaging read with likeable characters. I was pleased that Lady Maria was able to be herself when she was out of her mother’s control. She didn’t seem to appreciate how lovely she was, probably due to her mother. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Captain Philip Everleigh, he did seem very sure of himself and yet he found himself in something of a quandary. He also begins to see Maria in a new light. Maria had loved Philip for a long time but Philip had previously looked upon her as a friend. There is another lady on the scene but is she all she makes out to be? It didn’t make clear why someone would call Maria’s brother, Gabriel, a traitor, at the beginning of the story and what happened in India with her father wasn’t fully explained. I did enjoy all the details about the English in Brussels. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a cute political romance, including a friends to lovers trope and some really interesting intrigue! Thoroughly enjoyed this and blew through in less than 24hrs!

What a refreshing theme! Elizabeth Johns is in her stride with anything about the military— wars, medical achievements, and positions. Her stories always give us wonderful characters. I’ve been a fan for a long time and always love her books.

Outstanding sizzling read with lots to offer. The storyline was enjoyable and the characters were very addictive to read. Fab book.

Maria Mottram is ruined because her father didn't do what was right. So she runs to Paris to escape the ridicule. Her childhood friend is stationed there and they renew their friendship. However, there are complications.
This is more of a spy novel. Trying to figure out how and why is the plot. With a little romance involved. The characters are well rounded and I was continually enthralled.

I recieved a free copy so that I can tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book

Lady Maria Mottram has had to leave London to escape scandal. When a friend invites her to stay in Paris, she agrees but soon finds herself faced with watch Philip, the one man she has loved, being captivated by the beautiful Archduchess. Captain Lord Philip Everleigh was one of England’s most dashing heroes. Envied by all, he is one of Wellington’s most trusted spies, working under the cover of diplomacy. Numbed with the world of glittering intrigue, he finally finds a beautiful Archduchess who stirs his blood. Whilst Philip and Maria have been close friends since childhood, can it be that he is lost to her, due to his infatuation with a woman who might not be what she wants all to think.
I found Maria to be such a great character, who does all that she can to support Philip, despite his obvious fascination for another woman. At times, I did want Philip to see Maria for the strong and selfless person that she was yet had to have faith that he would eventually see reason. An excellent read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After her family is involved in a scandal, there's nothing Lady Maria Mottram can do but hide from society. A good friend and her military husband have invited her to travel to Paris with them. Following the Drum with the Duke of Wellington's staff will be a very different experience for her.

Our heroine is in a delicate emotional state for more than one reason. The bright side for her is getting out from under her mother's control.

Captain Lord Phillip Everleigh is one of Wellington's most useful officers. Some of his duties are unknown to outsiders. His appearance is a valuable tool. This particular task will cause him more than a little self-doubt. Not something he's used to feeling.

This series of books, while linked can each be read alone. You will meet characters from the other books, but not enough to spoil any of them. We get a story that is different from most historical romances set in the same era. The characters have vulnerability as well as strength and all are very interesting.

Great fun.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋

A sweet and emotional read.
Philip has been best friends with Maria for many years, when her feelings have morphed into love, his it seems, have not.

When he falls for an Austrian Duchess, Maria has to swallow her pride and begin the search for a husband, and that’s not going to be the man she loves.
But can she make it work
Can he, or is something else at work here, all may not be as it first appears.

Excellent book and a very good read.

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

A well written nicely paced interesting book with both romance and mystery. I did find myself a bit lost at the beginning as the scandal affecting Maria was never well explained so perhaps not to be read as a standalone as I felt I was missing out on not having read the earlier books. I did like both character's but did feel as an experienced spy Phillip was a bit stupid to get involved with Pauline and it was a bit unbelievable how quickly he changed his allegiance to Maria. However Maria more than made up for his character defects by being so selfless and willing to help him. In the end I couldn't put it down so 5 stars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Johns has a way of writing that makes it impossible to put the book down. I was captivated from the beginning. Lord Phillip Everleigh was introduced previously in the series and I knew instantly that his would be an interesting story. Maria's character was such a sweet soul that my heart broke for her at times. Elizabeth Johns has a remarkable talent in writing her characters and setting so that the reader is drawn in. This book can be read alone, but much better as a series in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series.
I received this book from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for an honest review.