Monday, November 19, 2012

To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood (Wicked Wagers #3) by Bronwen Evans

Henry St. Giles, the Earl of Cravenswood, longs to find his soul mate. Now that his two best friends, both reformed rakes, are happily married, the need becomes an obsession. When they challenge him to find a wife by the end of the season or marry his neighbor, the innocently alluring Lady Amy Shipton, he can’t believe his luck. He wins, either way.  But in a darkened garden, a case of mistaken identity, a drunken kiss, and a dropped emerald earring, leads Henry on a Cinderella hunt. He knows the woman he held in his arms could be the one he's searched for all his life. He just has to find her.

Lady Amy Shipton is determined to marry for love instead of sharing her husband like her mother did. So why did she let her handsome neighbor and romantic fantasy, known as the Sinful Saint for his bedroom prowess, seduce her in his garden? And what can she do when in the middle of their passionate encounter; he whispers another woman's name. Now Henry is hunting the owner of the earring Amy left behind, and she's determined to retrieve it before her identity is revealed. She's not about to give her father the ammunition he desperately wants in order to force her down the aisle.

Type: Historical Romance, London
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood was a pretty delightful little read that brought together so many of my favorite storyline devices. Reformed rakes, meddling friends determined to see their friends together and a case of unrequited love finally coming to light and all with a fairy tale twist. 
Henry and Amy were both so easy to love. They're sweet and funny and just good people. I really liked the fact that they'd known one another since she was a child and while she may have always had a secret fantasy of him, Henry had never noticed her until it was nearly too late. Amy's was an interesting heroine. She's very..., well, she can't seem to help herself and her curiosity which was rather entertaining and Henry's a determined hunter when it comes to finding his mystery woman.
I loved watching things develop between the two while he was still trying to figure out who she was and after. There are some really hysterical little set ups and some oh-my sexy scenes. This is definitely one sexy little historical with a little voyeurism and self loving going on and some delicious moments involving a breakfast table...
Then the most erotic sounds flooded her hearing, arousing groans, soft sighs and the sound of skin intimately touching skin. Don't you dare turn your head! But the urge defeated her. She moved and let her eyes stray to the mirror.

Heat flooded every inch of her skin as she breathlessly watched Henry St. Giles take his earthly pleasure.
While some parts did feel a little repetitive and certain phrases and actions didn't really ring true to the time period if you just focus on the story of Amy and Henry falling in love it's truly a delightful read that'll have you laughing, smiling and falling for two wonderful characters as they finally find their hearts desires and one another.

Get Your Copy
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Bronwen is offering the winner's choice of a Wicked Wagers e-book!
Just leave a little book love and a way to reach you :) 
Open international. Ends 11/26

What do you think of To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood?
Do you like takes on fairy tales? Meddling friends that bring a couple together?
Have a favorite reformed rake?

[Don't miss Bronwen's Guest post!! It's fantastic and there's a chance to win a $30 gift card!]

19 comments:

  1. I really like the sound of this book. I have not read any in this series before. The idea of a Cinderella type story is really cute. Can't wait to read this!

    sheryll1974 AT netscape DOT net

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    1. It was one of the first fairy tale-esk type of storylines I've read and it really was kinda nice. I'm going to have to try to find some similar ones :)

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  2. I love reformed rakes, especially in historical romances! And I totally love takes on fairy tales -- this sounds so good!

    booksconsidered[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. They are pretty entertaining ;) Their reactions to getting reformed always really tickle me.

      Happy reading!

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  3. I love historical romance with a reformed rake. Of course being an avid reader I like a variety of heroes. I love fairy tale takes in books-love books with happily ever afters :) thanks for the giveaway.
    lorih824@yahoo.com

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    1. Oh me too. It's always fun to see what an author will come up with for their heroes :)

      Good luck!

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  4. I read "To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield" and loved it. I look forward to reading To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood. Another addition to the TBR pile!
    kitcat76(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I'm really looking forward to going back and reading book 1 and 2 now. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Good luck!

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  5. Sounds like a delightful read. Definitely one for the TBR pile.

    Sound like the Earl has his hands full. And if he's the prince to Amy's Cinderella. Then what's not to love about fairy tales? Especially the ones with happy endings.
    Favorite rake "Nicholas Devons, Earl of Renwick", from Rachel Van Dyken novel the Ugly Duckling Debutante.

    divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. He's definitely the prince to Amy's Cinderella just takes him a while to figure it out :) LOL Hope you enjoy it!

      I'll have to check Nicholas Devons out. I've not read her before but oh do I love a rake. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  6. I love takes on fairy tales...this book sounds terrific! Definitely going on my must read! Reformed rakes are a plus--- after all they make the best husbands :)
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hope you enjoy it PC :) And oh couldn't agree more. Love seeing those rakes turn doting husband!

      Happy reading!

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  7. I love historical romance, can't wait to read it.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. Good morning, everyone! Thanks for the lovely welcome. It was great fun writing Henry and Amy's story. I hope you enjoy it!

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  9. I absolutely love a fresh take on a fairytale. This one sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway.

    JYL22075 at gmail dot com

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  10. I love reformed rakes and have so many favs it would take forever list them all. Here's a taste of just a few:

    Any of the Bostcastle men from Jillian Hunter"s Bostcastle Series.
    Cameron MacKenzie from Jennifer Ashley's The Many Sins of Lord Cameron
    Hawke from Isabella Bradford's When the Duchess Said Yes

    ...Oh Yes, my list can keep going. I would Love to add Henry St. Giles to my list!!!

    Sensual twists on the classical fairy tales are always a plus for me. As for meddling friends, that's a plus too in Romance series. It makes it all the sweeter if and when each of their stories are told.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. forgot....contact info:
      kaladata1(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  11. Sounds like a great read .I love different takes on fairy tales, meddling friends and reformed rakes .Have an amazing week

    flanagan@mebtel.net

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I always enjoy hearing what YOU think so come on and leave a comment. Everyone's welcome :) And feel free to leave comments on old posts. I'll check in on you there too :)

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~Anna

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