Although overall I did enjoy this one I found it a little slow and frustrating at times.

Whilst I was intrigued by Joshua and Arabella's relationship the whole backstory of their lives just didn't really make a lot of sense to me and I felt it took too long into the story to explain just what exactly had happened on those past expeditions with Joshua and his then partner.

Again, I did enjoy this one and it was a really good pallet cleanser read for me after coming off a super heavy book, but probably lacked a little bit of depth.

Love, Lies, and Treasures

Joshua had a secret that some were willing to kill for. Did he possess a treasure? Did he know something that could lead one to great riches? Whatever it was, it led the criminals to his door.

Joshua was not the only one with secrets. His housekeeper had them, too. What was she hiding? As Joshua was falling in love with her, was she plotting his demise? In the beginning, she might have intended him ill-will, but as she got to know him, she knew there was more to the truth than what her father told her. While Joshua and Arabella were sifting through the truths and lies, danger lurked, and it was deadly. Who was stalking them, and what did they want?

This is a delightful story, full of mystery, secrets, intrigue, suspense, and adventure. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to lovers of historical romance.

This is the first time for me reading something by this author. The story was captivating and caught my attention from the very beginning and I simply could not put it down.
Joshua is the new Viscount of Dunalastair and also a former explorer. He has hired a new housekeeper, who unbeknownst to him, is the daughter of his former exploring partner. Arabella, disguised as Mrs. Clara Lewis, now finds herself as housekeeper to the viscount in the perfect position to get revenge for her father. Her father blamed all his troubles on the viscount, but as Arabella grows closer to Joshua, she realizes her father may not have told her the whole story. As their friendship grows and feelings begin to deepen, they both find themselves facing danger.
Suspense, intrigue, drama, and romance kept me glued and had me turning the pages, anxious to see how things would end. The author did a great job of bringing the story and the characters to life. This was an exciting book and I look forward to reading more by this author!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

In it to set things right as she understands it. But things are not what she understood them to be. Needing to reconcile the two she keeps digging until.......
Keep reading to the end. This is not a typical servant master romance I enjoyed the candid essay from all characters.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

The Lady Takes It All by Terri Brisbin is the first of the Unexpected Heirs of Scotland series. Joshua was a good man; he was also a scholar, an archeologist, and a viscount. He was, today, hiring a new housekeeper, a task that apparently was above his butler. He gazed at Mrs. Clara Lewis and knew he wanted to hire her, over his butler’s protests. From that moment on he had to remind himself he was an honorable man who did not forces his employees into inappropriate relationships. Mrs. Lewis was not really her name. She was really Arabella MacGibbon, the daughter of the man Joshua, the Viscount of Dunalastair had ruined, and eventually been the cause of his death. It had started many years earlier when the two of them, Joshua and Luigi Balugani had been searching for treasure in the Middle East. Now she was here for one thing, revenge in the form of the other half of the brooch her father had given her.

Joshua Robertson was an interesting character. He was good to his friends, although he was able to see them for what they were. He lived a good, if simple, life until Arabella crashed into it. Then it became a nightmare of bizarre attacks. From whence, he had no idea. Meanwhile, Arabella is discovering he is a good man, not at all the man her father had described. Both interesting and convoluted characters who were looking for something in life and had not yet found it. It was a complicated plot with the motivating forces having happened years earlier. Only when they began to really communicate did some form of the truth emerge and what a tale! Good book.

I was invited to read The Lady Takes It All by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #TerriBrisbin #TheLadyTakesItAll

Hired as the new housekeeper for Joshua, Viscount of Dunalastair, Mrs.Clara Lewis is in a position to follow her plan of revenge for her father. But the more time Clara is around Josh, the evidence of his personality doesn't match what she was told by her father. Attacks from an unknown person put them both in danger and they leave Edinburgh to go to one of Josh's estates further away. Safe at last, they give into their passion, until Clara's true Identity is revealed. A map for a treasure, lies and violence finally bring closure to years of pain and guilt. Stayed up late to finish.📖
Ready to read book 2.
Heat level 4 - very sensual.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I loved how this love story was told. Arabella and Joshua were very cute at how they tip toed around their feelings for each other. The story was entertaining. The background story of both characters hunting for their treasure added mystery and suspense to the flow of the book. Crooked people and old friends adds even more trouble brewing in Joshua’s house, but it’s Arabella that helps Joshua to remain stable.

Joshua Robertson is a scholar and archaeologist. An unscrupulous partner caused his team trouble and damaged Joshua’s reputation with rumors. He is now Viscount Dunalastair. Arabella MacGibbon is sure that Joshua is responsible for her father’s poverty and woes, and plans to take revenge. Arabella becomes Joshua’s housekeeper under the assumed name Mrs. Clara Lewis. She intends to find proof of Joshua’s perfidy. What she, or he, intends is to fall in love. This is an exciting story filled with secrets, mystery, danger, lies, and misconceptions. There is also a not-so-slow burn romance and a bit of steam. The characters are entertaining. Joshua’s household is likable and humorous. Will they discover who is stalking them? What will Joshua do when he learns who Clara really is? There is a happily ever after with in reach. They just have to grab it. Great start for a new series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

The Lady Takes It All by Terri Brisbin
Unexpected Heirs of Scotland

Having visited Edinburgh last year made this story come alive in a special way. The narrow streets on hills, high buildings, and history seen there was fun to revisit in this historical romance set in the early 19th century.

Another part of the story that hit home was the archaeological finds Joshua made and having visited several old Roman ruins in a variety of Arab countries. Hearing about the city in the sand reminded me of my husband telling my daughter and I that when he worked in Tyre long ago, he used to walk across the necropolis covered by sand…the necropolis that had been unearthed that we were playing tourist within.

With the looting of artifacts, we have seen recently in the world…a secret find that is being searched for by those wanting a treasure map or lies told to gain prestige about a huge archaeological find seemed all too real. Then throw in a romance that includes an enemy to lover’s element and you have a story well worth reading.

That the housekeeper was misrepresenting herself and hated Joshua was a given but how she changed and how he came to see and want her was as fun as Pottles, the butler, dealing with his own issues with the unwanted housekeeper.

This is the first complete novel I have read by this author, and I will definitely be looking for other books by her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I did enjoy this story and in particular, I liked the character of Joshua Robertson, Viscount Dunalastair. There seemed to be something in his past that people shunned him for. Joshua was really too honourable for his own good. Arabella was in his household to discover where an artefacts was hidden. However, there are others who also want this artefact. There are some dangerous events and secrets to revealed, as well as a romance. This was an entertaining read with likeable characters. I was given a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wonderful story of revenge and love

Arabella assumes a false identity to get close to the man her father blamed for all his troubles, only to gradually discover that perhaps her father only told her one side of the story. Joshua isn't sure why he's so attracted to his new housekeeper, but she has captivated him and he readily accepts her help after he's attacked and injured. Their friendship grows steadily as they both find themselves targeted by a band of villains who seek something neither Josh nor Arabella believes exists.

I loved the pacing of this story, Josh's determination to right the wrongs that doomed the long-ago expedition, his sometimes cheeky pursuit of the woman who swirls with more questions than answers, the increasing threats against them both, and Arabella's slow but steady realization of the truth behind all the mystery.

As romances go, the love story was beautifully done and very satisfying. The only disappointing part was that the villains were able to achieve their end goal without ever having been held accountable for their treachery. As much as I depend on a forever resolution for the MC's relationship, I also like to know that the bad guys don't succeed. HEA - 5 stars, Justice - Zero.

Recommended for the romance, even if one has to write one's own ending for the sake of justice. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Secrets and adversaries....

Joshua Robertson is Viscount Dunalistar....he inherited the title from his cousin three years ago. But before that, he was an explorer, working with an Italian. He has plenty of secrets to keep hidden.

Arabella MacGibbon aka, Mrs. Clara Lewis, newly hred as Viscount Dunalistar's housekeeper, is young, beautiful and full of anger. That anger is brimming full of vengeance towards Joshua, her employer.

Great character develpment, an interesting premise with suspense and two very approachable leads.
Recommend.

Apart from the suspense and subterfuge, I found this an interesting novel as it brings into question the matter of archeological digs, and the desperation in treasure hunters to be the first to make a find and document it, or to find illusive hidden treasure. Unfortunately, in the process people get hurt, families are devastated and responsible people's reputations are often tarnished. Joshua is a lovely hero and his keen observations of Arabella made him employ her over the recommendations of his surly butler, and ultimately his choices proved correct. My heart went out to Arabella when she discovered the truth about the past and especially because she had been so badly manipulated. When it is discovered that their lives are at stake and the reasons for it, I sympathized with Joshua, but fortunately, he was wise and strong enough to see both sides of the matter and make things right. The novel comes to a lovely conclusion with both Joshua and Arabella finding their way together. I received a copy of this suspenseful romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Some fun characters and great chemistry in this story.
Romance in the air for these two, one the Lord and the other the maid hired by a housekeeper.
When love transcends the barrier of class.
Well written and enjoyable.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

A little slow at the start but a fun, different read. I enjoyed the adventure, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

She was seeking justice but found something else entirely. She was looking for proof of guilt but didn’t expect to find what she did instead. And she fell in love with the one she thought was the villain of the piece. The main characters are smart and caring and very likeable. Enjoyable read, for sure!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

The Lady Takes It All is an enjoyable start to Terri Brisbin's new series, "Unexpected Heirs of Scotland." Here we have the story of Joshua Robertson, unexpectedly the Viscount of Dunalastair, and Arabella MacGibbon aka Clara Lewis, orphaned as a girl and pushed into an early life of service, something she blames on the ruin of her father, which she believes Joshua was responsible for. Looking for revenge, Arabella manages to maneuver her way into the role of housekeep in Joshua's home. Joshua, while not a rake, finds himself wanting to push beyond the master/servant relationship. In the background a mystery swirls around supposedly lost artifacts and buried treasure, creating physical danger to both of our leads.

I really enjoyed both Joshua and Arabella/Clara. I have huge respect for the long-play revenge plan enacted by Arabella/Clara. She is smart, strong, and a wee bit funny. Joshua is an atypical aristocrat in his interactions with her servants and his concern with their comfort. When he is threatened, Joshua ensures that his entire household is protected rather than simply Joshua's person. He feels betrayed when he discovers Arabella's true identity, but he is able to work through his reaction quickly and healthily. No dangerous scenario leads to the realization that he loves Arabella/Clara, just his own thoughts. It was a nice change from similar plots.

I thought the background mystery was woven well into the romance plot. There was a decent amount of steam, and the side characters are entertaining. I will definitely pick up future entries in this series.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

Yes this book is a romance, but I really liked the artifact and undercover parts of this book.

The character development was really nice in this book. I especially liked Arabella/Clara getting to know Joshua for who he really is instead of the preconceived ideal of him as told by her father. This book also shows the connection between Lord and staff and how good treatment in that sense makes all the difference. Plus it was nice seeing the man, a bit messy even, and not just his status.

This is a nice romance that brings a lot of intrigue and some suspense to the table.

Thank you to Dragonblade and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

This was a great start to what promises to be an entertaining series. The prologue pulls you right in and leaves you wanting to know more about what happened in Algeria. Obviously, the set-up makes you believe that Joshua did nothing wrong (or at least it did in my case). As a result, I had some difficulty getting on board with Arabella as the heroine of the story because I know her anger is misplaced. But the author does a great job of instilling her with characteristics that make it impossible to not like her. The mystery surrounding the events of the dig and the broach add just the right amount of drama and intrigue. With stories like this you know it is only a matter of time before a secret identify is revealed. I thought Joshua's reaction to finding out his housekeeper's true identity was really well written and not too over the top. He had every reason to feel betrayed. I also really liked that it didn't take a dangerous situation for him to start to forgive her and to see how her father had probably manipulated and lied to her like he did with everyone else. I wasn't sure the part with the treasure hunters was really necessary, but it didn't detract from the main story. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in future books!

Joshua Robertson was an explorer until a partner soured it all for him. Now he has inherited a title and the responsibility that goes with it. Unfortunately his reputation has not recovered from the damage done years before.

Arabella MacGibbon wants to punish the man who ruined her father and now the opportunity has arisen. She will join his household and find the truth.

An exciting and slightly steamy historical romance. The characters are unusual and full of fun. Secrets and lies put everyone in danger.

Great fun.