He is a world traveler,explorer who suddenly inherits and becomes a Viscount. He returns home to take up his responsibility.
She is alone and out for revenge against the man who ruined her father's life. Taking on the role as the housekeeper in charge of running the Viscounts home, she has access to his many personal files. In coming there and making inquiries, she has stirred up interest from the wrong kind of people.
Can these two solve the mystery of not only who is attacking them but also solve the strong attraction that they have for one another.
I enjoyed this book. It had a few twists and turns.
I really liked the character of the Hero. Because of not being raised in the aristocracy, he is very down to earth.
I liked that our heroine wasn't afraid to admit when she was wrong.
I give it 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Lady Takes It All by Terri Brisbin is the first book in her new series Unexpected Heirs of Scotland and is a wonderful start to the series.

Joshua Robertson is a former diplomat and explorer who partnered with the wrong person. His reputation practically in ruins, he unexpectedly inherits the viscountcy of Dunalastair, quieting the rumours but making him an outcast throughout most of society.

Arabella MacGibbon is the daughter of his former partner, and up until his death, her father cast aspersions on Joshua, making out that Joshua cheated him out of his share of a fortune. Arabella is determined to get revenge for her father and manages to get herself hired as Joshua's housekeeper using the alias Mrs. Clara Lewis. In so doing, she unwittingly leads danger to the viscount's door.

From the beginning there was sufficient intrigue to capture my attention, and I found it difficult to put the book down. Both Joshua and Arabella came off as intelligent, level headed people. I appreciated that while Arabella was in the viscount's home to seek revenge, she didn't let her preconceived notions of him blind her to his true nature.

The book had an interesting cast of side character, I was especially amused by the viscount's butler, Pottles and his indignation any time Joshua didn't act as he thought a viscount should, or when he thought his authority was being undermined.

The Lady Takes it all was a very enjoyable read with witty dialogue, a bit of intrigue and action, and a few steamy scenes. I was captivated by the storytelling and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Romance, Threats, and a Mystery: This was a cute, fast read that's light on actual steam but a fun plot nonetheless. The novel is intriguing and there is a mystery to unravel.

Book: The Lady Takes It All
Author: Terri Brisbin
Series: Unexpected Heirs of Scotland, #1
Publisher: Dragonblade
Release Date: 1/13/2023
Print Length: 258 pages
Book Rating: 5/5 stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Edinburgh, Scotland
1815

This is the story about archeologist adventurer Joshua Robertson. Previously, in the year 1799 he had been traveling the continent with Italian illustrator, Luigi Balugani. They discovered the lost Roman City called Timgad and the carvings they discovered proved that. Now at this time he was only a minor Scottish diplomat but a scholar and adventurer too. He was hoping these discoveries would open new doors for him like on the Society of Historical Antiquities among others. His future looked bright and hopeful that was until that rat Luigi Balugani ruined everything! Due to ruining other lives due to his own selfness needs and caring only for himself!

Sixteen years later….Edinburgh, 1815

Arabella MacGibbon’s was heartbroken and wanted revenge against Joshua Robertson who is now the Viscount of Dunalastair for ruining her father. Both her parents are dead yet she blames Robertson for their unhappiness and early deaths for destroying her father and all his work. So Arabella wants revenge and she needs to find proof, so she gives herself a fake name as Mrs. Clara Lewis and applies to work in his household as the housekeeper. Now his butler wasn’t impressed by this widowed Mrs. Clara Lewis and normally he would let him interview and hire the applicants. However, Joshua was immediately attracted to this beautiful woman and wanted her hired no matter what. Of course this works into Arabella’s hf ands perfectly as she thought she could get proof on how he ruined her father! She wanted to get proof to destroy Joshua except he was nothing like nobleman she expects, as he was kind, respectful, thoughtful and caring to everyone on his staff. To him it didn’t matter if you were titled or a maid or valet he treated everyone the same. Plus he was attracted to his new housekeeper in a way he had never been attracted to any woman and Arabella/ Claire felt the same which was confusing to her. Now she didn’t know what to do and was questioning her fathers accusations.

Now of course with him being a titled noblemen and she his housekeeper would make many look at his housekeeper like a prostitute if he acted on his feelings. Arabella too was consumed with guilt. Do these two have a future but he does not even know her real name. Plus if he discovers Arabella’s true plan he will sack her and hate her for life. Read and find out the conclusion of the fabulous story.

Again Terri Brisbin the Queen of Scottish historical romance writes a wonderful regency story that readers will absolutely love. It has all the elements that regency romance readers love. A book I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary ARC copy from the author and Dragonblade Publishing throughNetgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.