Dive into the enchanting tale of Ethan Locke, a daring pirate on a quest to reclaim his stolen sapphire. Alongside him is the brilliant governess Mae, whose cleverness and charm prove invaluable in their pursuit. But beware of the ruthless Ellsworth, who stands in their way, eager to seize Mae's hidden family fortune for himself. This beautifully penned love story weaves together passion, danger, and the thrill of discovery, making it a must-read for anyone who adores captivating romances!

What a great book! I absolutely loved how twisty and clever this one was! I was totally engrossed from beginning to end and would definitely read from this author again, So, so, so good!

The Sapphire Heiress by Ella Leon features mesmerizing hero, Ethan Locke, who has been a pirate but has returned home with a story to hide and a treasure to find. It seems he had once stolen a small blue bottle on a chain and a sapphire on another chain. The magical combination strove to keep him from aging. Now he had to find the sapphire. It had been purloined by his former friend, Alastair Blackthorne, another erstwhile pirate. He was being chased by another who wanted the sapphire and he needed to see to its return, posthaste. While wandering his forest he ran into an enticing young woman called Mae. Mae Blackthorne. Between the two of them they sought the treasure, putting themselves in danger multiple times. Cleverly written, it seems they were running from two ne’er-do-wells and didn’t know whom to trust.

One wanted the sapphire, the other, the entire treasure. There was a plenty of chasing and fighting, neither of which appeal to me. I long for more subtle ways than physical violence. The main characters were both elusive and charming and well-written within the context of the story. The plot was intriguing, if a little long on chases, and over all, the book was interesting and worthwhile.

I was invited to read The Sapphire Heiress by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #EllaLeon #TheSapphireHeiress

DNF at 15%

I picked this because I really liked the idea of a Filipina character in a historical romance and I was intrigued by the plot. The heroine is working as a governess in the same house she grew up in after losing her father’s fortune and the hero is an old rival of her father, who is looking for something of his: a sapphire that doesn’t make the wearer age. It sounded very interesting but the writing is too choppy for my tastes. Also, I do not feel any type of spark between the main characters; I think I expected more of a romance.

Mae was once the mistress of the house, but after her brothers mysterious death she is reduced to being the governess for the estates new owners. When she wonders into the neighboring forest and stumbles upon an estate she has no knowledge of and finds temporary refuge with its mysterious, brooding owner, things in her life begin to change.

This is a historical adventure romance with a small fantastical element. I think this book will be popular with younger readers (I’m in my 50s), and readers who love historical romance and morally ambiguous pirate MMCs.

The action adventure portions were more up my alley than the romance, which I didn’t fully buy. And there really isn’t enough magic to call it a fantasy (maybe that will be more prevalent later in the series if the Silver Order is more fleshed out). But I am also very sensitive to any kind of Stockholm syndrome themes, and there’s a thread of “why would you fall in love with someone who set out to kidnap you” here.

The Sapphire Heiress blends history and romance in an interesting story. Losing her home and future after the death of her father and brother, Mae Blackthorne is reduced to being a governess to the very family who has purchased her home. Little does she know the real truth of her family's wealth until she encounters Locke who is looking for a gem stolen from him by her father. As she uncovers the truth about her family she becomes entangled in the dealings of the Silver Order, a group that collects, protects and maintains supernatural artifacts. Locke joins with her to find her family's hidden fortune and to keep her safe from a sinister thief and murderer who will stop at nothing to gain the treasure.

I have been reading the Sapphire Heiress, and it is so good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Filippina lead, Mae, is an intelligent woman who is made to be governess. She desires to escape servitude. Then, she meets Ethan Locke, a mysterious pirate from her familys past. This book is so enthralling and everyone needs to read it! Think Bridgerton and Jane Austen meets Pirates of the Caribbean! Such a good read.

I love the writing style, sometimes the dialogue is hard to follow but overall it is fantastic! I love this book and it is a perfect read for a rainy day. I also love the suspense between Ethan and Mae, and the suspense with the mystery of Ethans past, Maes fathers past, and the secret of the Blackthorne treasure - oh and the treasure Ethan finds and the necklace he wears.

I absolutely love this book! I am keen for the next one.

Mix historical romance with pirates and what do you get? An outstandingly different story from the norm. While it doesn't have alot of seafaring adventures, it is very creative, mysterious and thrilling. Pour a bit of fantasy into the mix and you have a hit story. The first in the series is engaging, exciting and different on many levels. Can't wait for book two to show up with more exciting tales.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting mix of histrom with some fantasy elements. I loved seeing a heroin with Filipino heritage in this genre. The story is a little slow going but worth it in the end.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ella Leon for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Sapphire Heiress coming out January 24, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love Victorian stories. I thought it was good. I enjoyed the secret society and supernatural aspects of the book. There was a little less romance than I was expecting. Maybe there will be more in the next book. I think there was a lot of world building.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Victorian stories!

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing for the eARC.

I had a hard time getting into this one. A magical stone that prevents aging, and still my interest wasn’t held.

I didn’t really connect to either of the main characters and after a while, I realized I was just skimming to get through the book. And that’s not the way I like to read. Thus, I DNF.

Mae was the daughter of a wealthy ship merchant, until her family loses all their money, her father and brother pass away, and now she’s the governess to the new occupants who bought her family’s house. And somehow she gets tangled up in a treasure hunt that her neighbor (who mysteriously has not aged in thirty years) and some other villain is undertaking at her home. Ethan was a pirate who sailed with Mae’s father until they became enemies once upon a time and he’s trying to reclaim a sapphire that he believes that her father had hidden in his vaults. Ethan and Mae have an instant attraction for each other, though she is definitely wary of him. I’d say this book is a lot more action-adventure than romance, with the treasure hunt and running from danger taking forefront of the story. Still, really enjoyable read.

okay, so I went into this book very excited for some ancient family pirate legacy and lore with a sprinkle of magic, but was a bit disappointed on that front. we have some very brief flashbacks to pirating, and some mentions of family stories, but the focus was truly on the historical aspect. mae is a former-heiress-turned-governess and meets locke, a near 60 year old man in a 30 year old’s body, who grew up with her father and was betrayed by him and now searches for mae’s family fortune to take back what was rightfully his. they’re forced to work together against the creepy villain with zero morals to find the fortune and save each other.

i really like the premise of the book, but i had a hard time with the execution. i was often a bit confused on the actions of main characters as they were not consistent and everything often felt rushed. this book is on the shorter side, but i think i gladly would have read another 100 pages if it added some depth and development to the language and flow of the story, as well as more development for the characters’ relationships. the middle dragged, but the action at the end was solid and i appreciated the tying of loose ends. if the middle of the story had more of a similar type of action woven through it would’ve helped. i really liked mae’s character, and would’ve loved more depth from her, and also would’ve loved more stories about her father from his pirating days and his time with locke.

also, i think there was a huge missed opportunity to expand on the idea of the Silver Order - all we know is they might be magical? they can maybe see the future? they’re rich? and like plants? and i would’ve LOVED for them to be a larger part of the story with more context.

overall, an exciting premise that fell a bit flat for me, but a read nonetheless.

thank you to NetGalley and dragon blade publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sadly, I just didn't mesh well with this story. I was really looking forward to it given the premise. The romantic aspect of the book wasn't really present at all. I picked it up thinking it would be a pirate romance with some magic elements, but in truth, it was reversed. If someone wants a historical fiction book with some magic and adventure, you will enjoy it.

I thought it would be for me! Pirates, historical romance, magic? Yeah, right up my alley.

Unfortunately, I was bored half to death and confused the rest of the way.

The writing was pretty good, so let's start there. I think if I hadn't been bored by the plot and characters, I probably would have appreciated it more, but I did enjoy the way Leon writes. It was a little clunky at times, but it flowed well enough for me to keep from being jarred, and the dialogue was pretty good. It was mostly the characters themselves that I had a problem with.

For one, the romance didn't make any sense to me. Yeah, sure, I'm known for not being that into the romance aspect of a book, but this one really didn't make any sense. Apparently there had been a spark somewhere, but did I see that spark? No, I did not. It was like one minute they were talking and the next Mae, the main character, was really into the other main character, Locke. Just. Out of nowhere. And then she insists the feeling is mutual, or that it has to be, despite Locke pretty much being a dick the entire time. Sure. Okay. Didn't get that one.

There also wasn't quite as much of the supernatural/magic element that I had been hoping for. The blurb mentioned Pirates of the Caribbean, but that absolutely was not the case. I did not care a lick for Locke's background, and Mae's was pretty glossed over (we barely even see her as her governess position before she's taken away), but there was apparently magic involved on Locke's end and that's why he stopped aging, and that was... kind of it? Not exactly it, but that's the part I feel like it wanted you to focus on. And I couldn't bring myself to care.

I will say it picked up by the end, but my lord. Did it take forever to get there. This wasn't for me nearly as much as I had hoped it would be.

(Also, before I end this, a certain character pops up out of NOWHERE during Mae and Locke's travels. How did they get there?! Why are they there?! Literally, what was that?)

Okay, anyway. I don't even know what else to say other than BIG disappointment. But two stars for the last, like, 15%!

Suspense, action, and a sweet romance.

The Sapphire Heiress was like a high-speed train leaving the station. It starts off with a pull into he characters, story, and energy and once the steam builds, it becomes fast-paced with plenty of twists and turns. I enjoyed Mae Blackthorne the governess and former lady. I loved her quiet strength and pride in her family, and I rejoiced when she started speaking out for herself and didn’t let others run roughshod over her. Ethan Locke was a bit of an enigma at first. I couldn’t quite tell if he was good or bad. But morally grey heroes are exciting and thrilling and he suited perfectly. Once I got to know him, I knew he would be a great main character.
Ms. Leon wrote well-developed, deep characters. The story was thrilling and suspenseful with lots of action, a secret society, and buried treasure. What’s not to love? It was an easy read, and I couldn’t put the book down. I loved the dialogue between the main characters. The romance between Locke and Mae is sweet, though not the main focus of the story, and the intimate times are behind closed doors. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

I initially requested this book, because I Liked the sound of it. A pirate in high society? A magic sapphire? A disgraced lady? Awesome.
And I will say, I enjoyed the premise of this book, and I did end up rooting for the main couple… Even if this is one of those ‘age gap’ romances where the age gap is a little more… not as fun?

So, the mmc, Ethan Locke, stole a magic sapphire that stopped his aging, meaning that his body is now in the early thirties, while he has lived for around 60 years.

Mae Blackthorne, however, the fmc, is a 20-something year old girl, who’s family has died leaving her to fall from the status of a lady to a governess.

Turns out Mae’s dad stole the sapphire from Locke, who then stopped aging, before the people Locke stole the necklace from could steal it back, so now Locke needs Mae’s help to find the sapphire - and her hidden inheritance.
I enjoyed all the past history, the twists and turns in the plot. I was baffled when Ms. Rosewood turned up later, and overall, I do think the story is great.

There were, however, also some things in the book, that I didn’t enjoy.
Other that Mae and Ethan, I felt most other characters were very two dimensional. Miss Rosewood being a prime example of this, I don’t even think we learn her first name!

I also think the style of the book was a little too telling for my taste. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the ‘argument’ the main couple had in the last half of the book, as they just completely spoke away from each other. The Silver Order is also something, I’d loved to learn more about.

Overall, this book was a nice enough 1800’s romantasy-like book, that I enjoyed reading. 3/5 stars.

Nope. Just can't do.

I usually try to read at least five chapters of a book before deciding if I should DNF or not but with The Sapphire Heiress, I was only able to get through chapter one. Why? Well, no hard feelings towards the author or anything but the writing was sooo "tell" not "show." Sentence and paragraph transitions were clunky and abrupt and almost every line seemed to be taken from another book. Concepts such as "and he pulled off his shirt to dry off" was cringe and the FMC was a "super talented horsewoman" who "because of her skill, was able to pull ahead in the horse race" (not a direct quote, just the gist). She willingly and unrealistically (historical-wise) went in the company of an unknown man and into his house. Sure, he was helping her get out of the storm but women in 1842 did not randomly go into strange men's houses unaccompanied by a chaperone! They were trained to be smarter than that. Who likes a clueless and naive FMC? Not me.

I went into this book looking forward to the historical/fantasy/romance aspects but came out disappointed. From what I garnered in chapter one, there's one d-word.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for The Sapphire Heiress e-ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts.

This was a super fun new read for me and I love the adventure. Looking forward to more from this author!

I have never read a historical with mystery elements. It is a fantasy but based on regency era, so think about pirates and bridgerton dresses. Mae and Locke have amazing chemistry. It is a book that would be great to turn into a tv series. Also, it reminds me of The Rokesby Series by Julia Quinn.

Thank you, Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions are of my own