Reread mass market paperback 8/18/2020
I still love this title! 🥰

…and the games continue!

Lady Caroline Martindale and the rake Huntley! Will they fall in love?
Gervaise, Earl of Huntley, heir to the Marquis of Huntingdon, is a man of infinite patience and strength once having decided that it is Caroline whom he wants as his Countess.
This Marriage Game begins with a marriage of convenience that slowly grows to something more, defying Caro's tragic past. The ravishment and rape of young women by scoundrels is a danger that one doesn't think about. I suspect us readers have been anaesthetized by Jane Austen. This is Caroline's darkest secret and deepest nightmare. A nightmare she constantly relives with fear and loathing.
Fleeing Vemice and the unwanted attentions of the deranged Marchese di Venier, Caroline and Huntley are thrown together by Huntley's aunt and Caro's godmother, Lady Horatia Laughton in an effort to protect Caroline.
A torrid race through Italy over the alps en route to Nancy via Austria pursued by the wicked Marchese makes for a different turn of events.
However, the strength of Lady Horatia and her finding love in an unexpected place actually entranced me, and nearly eclipsed the romance between Caroline and Gervaise. I did enjoy Horatia and Captain John's repartee and interaction. Theirs is a whirlwind romance, witty and amusing. I found it very satisfying that this wonderful widow found the love and companionship she deserves.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Marriage Game #4
Publication Date: First Published 1/1/14 – new release 8/23/22
Period: Regency Europe
Number of Pages: 301

This was a scrumptiously feel-good book. Yes, there was a villain, and yes, there were exciting coach chases over the alps, but, all-in-all it just felt good. It seems every male and female who met fell in love. While there were several mentioned romances, the two featured ones were: the main one between Gervais (Earl of Huntley) and Lady Caroline (Caro) Martindale; and the secondary one between Lady Horatia and John Whitton, the Earl of Devon.

Lady Caroline left England five years ago to live with her aunt, Lady Horatia, in Italy. She’s spent that time trying to heal after the horrendous events that caused her to leave England. She enjoys her life with her aunt and she adores Italy. Unfortunately, she has become the focus of Duca di Venier, and his attentions are most unwelcome. His family is ultra-powerful in the area and she’s heard some very dark stories about him. Leaving Venice is the only answer – even if it does have to be with her Godmother’s nephew.

All of Gervais’s friends have been bitten by the love bug and married and he’s been pursued by every marriageable lady in England. The only way to escape is to take his Grand Tour and visit his Aunt Horatia for a while. The houseguest he finds there is beautiful, intriguing, and totally uninterested in him. How can that be – all the ladies love him?

I just loved Gervais – he had the most wonderfully generous heart and a protective streak a mile wide. Almost as soon as he saw Lady Caro he was smitten and would do whatever he had to do to protect her. Of course, he couldn’t tell her he intended to marry her – he’ll have to quietly woo her and convince her. However, he has to save her first. Can they escape the Duca before he swoops in to kidnap Caro? Can Gervais convince Caro to stay with him and have a happy marriage?

While Gervais and Caro are careening through the alps, Horatia is trying to lead the Duca on a false trail – where she meets the most enigmatic man. He’s so very handsome, and so very determined to marry her. He intrigues her. He vexes her. He entices her. Oh! My!

I can definitely recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the characters were absolutely wonderful.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

Here comes the fourth Ella Quinn novel in her Marriage Game series and out of all four, and thanks to Ms. Quinn’s wonderful characterization of both hero and heroine, this was my favorite.

Poor Huntley! He watches as his friends one by one succumb to the ‘parsons noose’ and the only way he could escape this inevitable fate is to run as fast and as far as he possible can, in this case Venice and a visit to his Aunt, Lady Horatia.

Fate, however, has something and someone in store for him, and poor Huntley will not know what hit him as he meets Lady Caroline Martindale who had her own reasons for leaving her homeland a few years ago to stay with Lady Horatia, her godmother.

From the first meeting between the two, you could feel Huntley’s interest in Caro and wanting to unravel the enigma of her. Caroline’s aloofness to all the male suitors in general and one in particular, was intriguing to him and as soon as he realized the danger she was in, he did anything he could to protect her.

As they flee the villain, we’re treated to ...thanks for jumping to b2b to finish my review ...

http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/desiring-lady-caro-by-ella-qui...

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher. ( )

Book Four in the series yet this book is stand alone. This reader did not feel as though she had missed anything by not reading the preceding novels.

The heroine suffers a tragic event prior to this novel and escapes societal norms by going to stay with her godmother. Initially the heroine seems a fairy weak character but once her backstory is explained and through her relationship with the hero she becomes emboldened. As with most historic novels, the heroine hates the conventions of the day but due to circumstances has to adhere to them and in so doing finds her true love. Equally I initially found the hero annoying but in a likeable way.

The novel is fast paced and yet enough time is given (mid novel) to explore the blossoming relationship between the two main characters. The characters are not too complex but given just enough depth to be engaging. The addition of a secondary love story, which one would expect to have detracted from the main storyline yet does not, was refreshing and a joy to read.

Along with the love story and the other intermingled subplots the reader is treated to a visual and flavoursome feast as the couple travel through historic Europe.

However, as with most historic romances, the ending is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Indeed it does what is says on the tin.

Full Disclosure: ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review. ( )

DESIRING LADY CARO by Ella Quinn is a deliciously wicked Regency Historical Romance set in 1816 London, Venice and other parts of France. #4 in "The Marriage Mart" series, but can be read as a stand alone. See, THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE, THE SECRET LIFE OF ANNA MARCH, and THE TEMPTATION OF LADY SERENA.

Fast paced from beginning to end. A spicy Regency romance. Meet, Lady Caroline Martindale (Caro), haunted by her past and Gervais, Earl of Huntley. With danger on very turn, secrets, passion,adventure, second chances and romance in the air, you do not want to miss this enticing, delicious Regency Romance.

After years in Venice, Caro is on the run from an influential,determined, Venetian man, who is actually a stalker, and wants her at all cost. Gervais,who is visiting his Aunt Horatia, just so happens to be Caro's Godmamma, is determined to keep her safe, even if he has to marry her himself. So off they go against Italy,on the run from Caro's stalker.

Caro, aka,the Ice Maiden, has a harsh past, she had a tragic event happen when she was younger, because of a scoundrel who she refused, years earlier.

Gervais, is or was determined not to marry until he needs an heir.

While, emotional at times, it has witty moments also. Well developed characters which are engaging as well as realistic. The storyline is intriguing. The secondary characters are just as engaging. A couple of them find their HEA also, including none, other, than Aunt Horatia.

Can a marriage of convenience turn into the love of a lifetime? You must read DESIRING LADY CARO to find out the answer. You will not regret your choice.

Gervais, is such a kind, considerate, and strong hero. Very careful of Caro's feeling about her past and their future, he learns early on what her past involves. Caro is repressed, but soon comes out of her repression, how could she not with a hero such as Gervais.

Well written with vivid descriptions of the setting. Well done, Ms. Quinn! I have enjoyed this whole series, and look forward to more soon. A must read for anyone who enjoys Regency Romance readers who enjoy London, Venice, and Italy. A must read!

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: HOT

REVEIWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More ( )