An Unwilling Earl

Jacob Baker is a widower & a solicitor whose life takes an unexpected turn when a distant relative dies & he inherits the title of the Earl of Ashland. Charlotte, an orphan, suspects her cousin of terrorizing London. When her maid Penny disappears, she fears for her own life and runs away & finds herself living in one of London’s rookeries. One day a handsome, well dressed man rescues her from being trampled by a horse & both of their lives are changed. The first book in a new series & I found it to be well written with a story that flowed well. There was a very good mix of murder, mystery & of course romance. The characters are well portrayed & have plenty of depth. I liked both Jacob & Charlotte & although they were attracted to each other there growing relationship was well written, believable & had me enthralled. The villains were also very well portrayed & were truly evil. I look forward to reading more in the series My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is the second book I have read by this author and I can truly say I cannot wait to read more! Sharon Cullen has combined all the elements of a great historical romance to make my heart pound and turn the pages as fast as I could! Mystery, suspense, second chances, great characters and two people who meet by chance (or what it fate?) that were meant for each other. Jacob Baker, solicitor has unexpectedly inherited an earldom. How wonderful you say? Not really because he enjoyed his work and would have to give it up. He works for barristers doing several jobs of helping to find people, interviewing witnesses and research which he finds satisfying. But when he is approached to help find a Baronness's missing niece Charlotte, he initially declines. He is intrigued however by a drawing he was given of her and unsettled by her aunts words. Charlotte has been on the streets hiding until she can make her way to America. Her life had been terrible with her aunt and she had begun to form a suspicion of happenings in London. When he does find her, they are drawn to each other and he really wants to help her. But events take off and there are forces that may pull them apart or cost their lives. Don't miss this first book in a new series that I cannot wait to read more!!

A new author for me! Nicely done story with romance and crime. I thought Charlotte too reluctant to confide in Jacob regarding her need to escape London and then not wanting to try to contact her mother's family. However, at 20 and not out in society at all, it is understandable for her to be cautious in giving her trust. I very much liked Jacob's character and Armbruster as supporting character. A bit gothic. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.