ARC Review: Forever Your Earl by Eva Leigh (Release date: September 29, 2015)

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When I look through Zoe Archer's bibliography, I see a list of romance stories that always have an unconventional twist to them -- so, when I discovered that Zoe Archer was writing a set of Regency romances, I knew I wanted to read them -- no, needed to read them.

Zoe Archer debuts as Eva Leigh in Forever Your Earl, the first book in her The Wicked Quills of London series. I had wondered about the "quills" in the series title, and was delighted to discover that the series centers on heroines who write. E. Hawke is the editor of The Hawk's Eye, a London newspaper that features the scandalous lifestyle of the titled and wealthy -- the hot topic being, Daniel Balfour, Lord Ashford.

And Daniel is tired of having his exploits splashed on to the front pages daily. He needs to gain a bit of anonymity as he searches for his childhood friend, Jonathan, a veteran of the war, and the new Duke of Holcombe, who walked away from his life and disappeared into the underbelly of London. Daniel walks into E. Hawke's office, fully intending to threaten the man and insist that he stop printing these stories about him, but, when Daniel discovers that E. Hawke is, actually, Eleanor Hawke, his plan changes. He invites Eleanor to join him in his "adventures" -- the plan is a bit vague, but, then again, it was conceived quite quickly, and I don't think even Daniel had time to think it through.

Daniel hopes that he could control and regulate what is written about him, and also intends for Eleanor to act as a cover while he discreetly investigates his friend's disappearance. He needs to keep his investigation a secret, but he hadn't counted on Eleanor to be so clever and so distracting.

What is refreshing in Eva Leigh's novel is the characterization of the hero and heroine. Yes, they are opposites, but I hadn't expected Eleanor to be the "cold" to Daniel's "hot" -- Eleanor had a difficult childhood, and has learned that sentiment has no place in her life. She's very business-minded and practical. Daniel is the one who embraces life and really cares for the people around him. His reputation as a rake is well-earned, but there's a side of him that is also misunderstood by the public. It's the enormous guilt he carries over what happened to his friend that is the first glimpse into a different side of our hero --

"To Ride with a Rake." she pronounced.

He winced. Of all the names he'd been called in his life -- "rogue," "prodigal," libertine" -- rake had always been one of his least favorite. It implied a certain leering, cheap smuttiness. "We don't need to use that word."
- loc 296

I was very intrigued by Jonathan's disappearance, and more intrigued about his younger sister, Catherine, who isn't "out" yet, but who has been helping Daniel in his search. In the first half of the novel, the search for Daniel is put on the back burner as the author develops the relationship between Daniel and Eleanor. It becomes an active part in the latter half of the story, and it does wonders in building up the momentum and driving the story further along.

Not that the first half of the story is any weaker -- Eleanor becomes are backstage pass into the life of a gentleman of wealth and leisure. There are a lot of points for reflection as Eleanor discovers how very, very differently the world is for a man and a woman. It's a sad reality that women in Regency times didn't have as many opportunities as the men, but it is a testament to Eleanor's intelligence to have defied convention and built a business for herself.

Again, Eleanor looked into the mirror. She stood, agog, at her change. She'd entered the Imperial Theater as a woman, but now she was a young man of means and fashion. For several moments, all she could do was stare at herself.

Who was she? She felt oddly lost within this masculine persona, as if Eleanor had disappeared and a strange man had taken her place. Except the strange man was her.

"Oh, Eleanor,: Maggie said on an exhale, her face aglow, "just think of the trouble you could het into."

"That's right," Eleanor said after a moment. "I'm a man now. I can do ... anything."
- loc 636 - 652

Then there is her friend, Maggie, who is the heroine of the second book in the Wicked Quills series. Maggie is a playwright, and Eleanor's only friend. She is determined to write a play that she knows will scandalize the London theater scene -- and she's excited to do so. I know that I will definitely like her. She was very loyal to Eleanor, and showed how well she understood her friend. I love that she owns a theater! ^_^

Forever Your Earl is the first book in Eva Leigh's The Wicked Quills of London series, and her debut novel*. It will be released on September 29, 2015. To find out more about Eva Leigh, click below:

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*She is previously published as Zoe Archer. To find out more about Zoe Archer and her books, click below:

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Disclosure: I received this ARC through Edelweiss. Thank you to Avon and Eva Leigh for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.

Review: Sweet Revenge by Zoe Archer (ARC)

Jack Dalton spent five years in jail after he failed to avenge his sister. Now he has escaped Dunmoor Prison and he is more determined than ever to dispense justice on Lord Rockley, his former employer and the man who killed his sister. A tip leads him to an inn very near Dunmoor but, when he goes in, he doesn't find Rockley -- what he finds is a gun pointed at him -- and the person holding it is the most fascinating woman Jack has ever seen.

Eva works for Nemesis Unlimited, a group known to handle delicate situations and solve problems for those who need them. Nemesis Unlimited has been hired to deal with Lord Rockley and, based on their research, their best bit is Jack Dalton.

Despite their extensive investigation and their very thick file on Dalton, the man himself defies all expectations: more feral than civilized, Eva and her companions are overwhelmed by the barely contained brutish force that lies within Dalton.

Dalton and Eva have different views on revenge (he wants him dead; she wants him to face justice in the courts of law) but both of them want Lord Rockley to pay his dues. With no resources of his own, Dalton goes along with the Nemesis's plan and finds himself paired up with Eva.

Beast meets Beauty. Jack Dalton is an interesting hero as he doesn't fit the mold of what we consider as one. He was imprisoned for 5 years and had lived a very colorful life before that. He knows he is a brute and is aware of his limitations and, perhaps this is where Zoe Archer's skill in characterization shines through: she took on the challenge of writing a most unlikely hero and made her readers believe in him.

Eva and the rest of Nemesis Unlimited are a sharp contrast to Jack. Their civility and manners highlight Jack's rough ways and this was a point of conflict in the story -- like a diamond polishing another diamond, each confrontation between Eva and Jack chip away at their exteriors, adding to each other's facets.

"...He won't let a piece of filth like me disrupt that."

She looked at him sharply. "Why would you say that?"

"Because to Rockley," he said, spreading his hands, "there's nothing more important than appearance."

"No, I mean, why would you call yourself a piece of filth? Do you really think of yourself that way?"

He blinked. "I don't think of myself in any way. I just am."

The idea seemed to flat out puzzle her. "You've got to have some conceptualization of yourself. Some idea of who you believe yourself to be."

He gave a quick bark of laughter. "Self-reflection -- I think that's the word for ti -- that's a luxury for them that don't have to worry about their next meal, or whether the rain will come through the holes in the roof. There's only survival. And if you don't fight to survive" -- he shrugged -- "you don't."
- loc 1647 - 1660

The experience transforms Jack drastically but Eva isn't left unscathed: she has hidden herself, her wants, dreams and desires and dedicated herself to her work in Nemesis. Jack coaxed her out of her comfort zone.

The romance between Eva and Jack aren't the main focus of the story but I love how the author presents and proceeds to narrate a very interesting revenge plan. Archer orchestrates the scheme very well and takes her characters on a thrilling caper through London. She injects little bits of historical facts that further adds dimension to the story (read about the Contagious Diseases Acts in loc 1831).

Justice vs. Punishment -- there is a reflection on ethics in Sweet Revenge. Lord Rockley is a man who has: ruined the lives of young ladies, defrauded the government, killed for his own gains -- is there an honorable way to mete out justice for a man such as this? Nemesis Unlimited claims they are not murderers, but they aren't lawful either -- they exist in a limbo and they negotiate right and evil with every decision they make.

"Just picture it: the only family you got in the whole world, stretched out at your feet, dying too slow to be merciful but too fast to get a doctor. Picture that" -- he pointed at finger at her -- "and then tell me you'd be satisfied with ruination."
- loc 1086 - 1098

This is the first book in Zoe Archer's new series, Nemesis Unlimited. She introduces the rest of the characters very nicely in this story and I'm curious to read about them. Readers who enjoy exciting escapades should really give this book a try. Sweet Revenge will be released this June 3, 2013.

To find out more about Zoe Archer and her books, visit her website. She's also on Facebook and on Goodreads.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author for review purposes. Many thanks to Zoe Archer and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.