Yvonne..
I originally met Grace Elliot, just after the publication of her first Historical Romance ‘A Dead Man’s Debt’, which she kindly asked my to read and give my thoughts about.
For an inaugural published novel, the book has recieved some fantastic reviews and comments and has gone from strength to strength, with a whole new makeover to its cover art adding an aura of class and distinction. Grace herself is busy out there in the blogging world, talking about what she enjoys the most The Georgian and Regency periods, making some great new friends and invaluable contacts, who have no doubt been providing excellent encouragement in this, her latest venture … not just one new book, but a whole new trilogy in the offing.
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‘Eulogy’s Secret’ by Grace Elliot
Greed, prejudice and a stolen identity…
In the four weeks since her guardian’s death, Eulogy Foster has lost everything. She travels to London seeking the help of Lord Lucien Devlin, the estranged brother who doesn’t know she exists. But Lord Devlin turns her away and alone on the streets, Eulogy is attacked, robbed and thrown onto the mercy of a passing stranger.
Jack Huntley – bitter, cynical and betrayed in love -believes women are devious, scheming creatures and not to be trusted. So when one night he saves a naive young woman from rape, little does he suspect how life is about to change. Despite his growing attraction to Miss Foster, Jack has a problem: Eulogy Foster has a secret and he can’t trust her.
As Eulogy learns the haunting story of her mother’s past, she knows she will only marry for true love. Deeply drawn to Jack Huntley, she needs him to confess his love before she shares the secret of her birth. Caught in a deadlock, with neither able to confess their true feelings, events take a sinister turn as it becomes clear someone wants Eulogy Foster dead and will stop at nothing to achieve it.
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About Grace Elliot
HISTORY, ROMANCE AND…CATS! Grace Elliot leads a double life as a vet by day … she is obsessed by all things feline, and author of intelligent historical fiction by night.
She is an avid reader and turned to writing to de-stress from an emotionally demanding job.
She firmly believes that smart people read romance – as an antidote to the modern world!
Grace only discovered the wonderful world of social history many years after leaving education and, after working her way through the Tudors and medieval history, finally decided that her passion lay firmly with the Georgian and Regency periods.
Her inspiration to delve into the world of the historical fiction novel came initially from Margaret George who encouraged her pick up and read her first social history book, and Stephanie Laurens who showed Grace that to fully escape to her new-found world, she needed to write about it.
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This has got to be a real ‘must read’ for any lover of historical romance out there.
I have been fortunate enough to be asked by Grace, to read ‘Eulgy’s Secret’ and publish my thoughts about it. I have finished reading what for me, was a fantastic romp around the drawing rooms of Georgian England and my thoughts about my journey will appear here soon.
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It sounds like an excellent read and I’m looking forward to your thoughts very much!
Hi Cath,
The book was a great read, historical romance at its best IMHO.
The review is started, but one thing after another has gone wrong just lately and I can’t seem to concentrate right now.
I really will knuckle down to it as soon as, as it isn’t fair to keep Grace waiting.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment, it is appreciated.
Historical romances aren’t usually my kind of thing, but this one actually sounds quite interesting and worthy of giving a go! 🙂
Hi Nikki,
This is definitely an historical romance with a bit of ‘back-bone’ to it. There is a good underlying storyline which is exploited to its full potential and keeps things moving along at a good pace. Definitely one I would recommend, especially if it is not usually one of your most preferred genres.
Thanks for taking an interest and adding to the conversation, it is appreciated.
Romance isn’t my favorite genre, but I don’t mind it when it’s “blended” with another genre like this one is. You’ve piqued my interest.
Hi Kathy,
It is good to have you stop by and join in the discussion, thanks for taking the time.
This is definitely a bit more than your usual ‘slushy’ romance, that’s for sure.
I like the word ‘blended’, which you used, that’s probably an excellent description for the way in which the romance and the underlying sinister storyline work together.
I really do need to work on the review now, as there is obviously some real interest in the story out there … so watch this space…
Hello Cath, Kathy, Nikky and Yvonne!
Thank you for the lovely write up Yvonne, I await your review with trepidation!
As for reading romance – well no one could be more surprised than me, that I turned out to be a fan! ‘Romances’ used to conjur up images of books that smelt of lavendar water that my Granny kept in her sideboard – but no more!
If you are new to romance, why not give it a try! There’s a whole escapist world out there to be enjoyed, that can provide the literary equivalent of soaking yourself in a warm bubble bath.
(PS If you are new to historical romance – Lisa Keyplas, Mary Balogh and Stephanie Laurens are good starting points.)
kind regards,
Grace x
Hi Grace,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to answer the comments about ‘Eulogy’s Secret’
I love the analogy you use between romantic fiction and Grannie’s lavender water and a warm bubble bath. Brought back some great memoris of my Nan, who did use lavender water regularly and did like the more than occasional Mills&Boon romance, when she had the time to read.
The only one of your three authors that I haven’t heard of before is Mary Balogh, so I am off to check her out.
I visit your blog regularly, but don’t always comment as many of your posts and pictures are very ‘catty’ and I’m afraid I have a severe case of Ailurophobia. Just looking at pictures can make me cringe and a real live cat anywhere near me can send me into a freeze!
My thoughts page about ‘Eulogy’s Secret’ is almost complete and there is no need to be trepidatious about it, I thought it was fantastic.
I love historical romances and this book sounds great. I am looking forward to reading it.
And I have read and love Stephanie Laurens and Lisa Kleypas.
Hi there,
Thanks so much for stopping by, it is great to chat with you again.
This is the second great historical romance book that Grace has written now and despite the fact that the genre is not one that I read all the time, I have reviewed both of her novels and have nothing but praise for them.
My review for ‘Eulogy’s Secret’ is a little late in coming, however family issues have unavoidably intervened and have had to be dealt with as a priority. The post should be up over the weekend sometime, fingers crossed.
I have heard of both the novelists that you mention, although I have never read any ‘Kleypas’, and any ‘Laurens’ I have read would have been quite a while ago now.
I like to mix the genres that I read and will give most things a try. As historical romance authors go, I would rate Grace as one of the best, there is always a good back-story going on, in amongst all the romance and her characterisations are excellent.