Julia Justiss

Convenient Proposal for a Lady by Julia Justiss is a 2017 Harlequin Historical publication.

I love the Hadley’s Hellion series! While this is a traditional Regency romance, there are several dark themes explored which gives the story added depth and gives the characters more room to develop.

In this story, Lady Alyssa, wants nothing more than to pursue her career as an artist, after suffering a loss and heartbreak. But, when she is approached by Ben Tawny, a member of parliament, informing show more her she is being used as a pawn in a revenge plot against her brother, she attempts to control the situation to her advantage, only to have it all go horribly awry.

Ben grew up dealing with the stigma of illegitimacy, and understands the trauma associated with a ruined reputation a young lady might endure. Therefore, when he gets wind of the plot against Alyssa, he is compelled to come to her rescue. He never would have dreamed he would end up proposing marriage to save her reputation and give her a chance to pursue her dreams.

I cannot thank the author enough for writing a traditional Regency romance, but without a silly girl trying to tame a ne’er do well rake or rogue who is avoiding marriage at all cost. Instead, we meet Alyssa, a mature lady who is passionate about her work and is driven to achieve her own independence and success. Her story has dark undertones, which made me feel even better that Ben rescued Alyssa, and I enjoyed seeing her come out of her blossom and embrace her new life.

Ben, is not technically an aristocrat, but is a politician. He is damaged by his cruel childhood and is afraid of feeling too deeply after seeing the fate his mother endured. He’s had his share of dalliances, but he is also an honorable gentleman, who does respect women and goes out of his way to see that Alyssa’s dreams come to fruition.

Ben’s story also touches on some delicate family issues and there are a few shocking revelations along the way.

I really liked both these characters and seeing them realize they have fallen in love was fun and satisfying. I loved the slow romantic build up, which was realistic and builds anticipation, but once they gave into to their desires, it was very passionate.

Each character made personal sacrifices so the other could achieve happiness, with is proof they are enjoying a true, deep and abiding love that took them by surprise and changed them for the better.

I really enjoyed this story, which has all the traditional regency elements, but the depth goes deeper and touches the emotions. Alyssa and Ben made a nice couple and it was nice to see them get their happy ever after.

Overall, this is a solid addition to the series and can be read as a stand alone. If you enjoy historical or regency era romance novels, this is one you should try.

4 stars show less

Good book about the perils and hypocrisy that face those who find love outside their approved social class. Lady Laura didn't grow up as nobility, but when her father unexpectedly became a marquess, she learned to navigate the ton. Laura has no interest in marriage at this time. She prefers to care for her ailing father and spend time indulging her love of mathematics and numbers. A husband would only get in the way of those pastimes.

When Laura meets the shy banker's heiress, Susanna show more Rochdale, she offers to teach her how to deal with the less pleasant members she's sure to encounter. Susanna is a sweet young lady and feels overwhelmed by the idea of facing Society. She and Laura quickly become friends, and Laura's lessons give Susanna the confidence she needs. I loved Laura's down-to-earth and practical advice. The only fly in the ointment is Susanna's brother, Miles.

Miles has a very poor opinion of the aristocracy thanks to a failed romantic relationship several years earlier and the attitudes of those he encounters at his bank. He is suspicious of Laura's intentions and attends many of Susanna's lessons, determined to stop them if he sees anything he doesn't like. It doesn't take long to realize that Laura is a sweet and honorable woman.

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Laura and Miles develop. The sparks are evident between them from the moment they meet, though both try to resist them. Miles is a commoner who is (gasp!) in trade, and Laura is a Society lady. While an aristocratic man may marry a well-dowered commoner woman without repercussions, the same doesn't go for the reverse. A woman who marries "down" will be shunned by Society. But over the course of Susanna's lessons, Laura and Miles become friends, discovering that they have much in common. I loved Laura's excitement at finding someone who understands her love of numbers and her relief at her ability to be herself with him. Miles is captivated by Laura's intelligence and beauty.

I ached for both as they realized that their feelings would have no happy resolution. Then Laura's father suffers from a financial disaster, and Laura's future looks bleak. I loved how Miles's protective instincts were aroused. The ball scene drove home the hypocrisy of the ton, and I loved the effect it had on Miles. His actions showed how deeply he cared for Laura but still denied his feelings to protect her reputation. I loved the ending and seeing Laura take her happiness into her own hands. The scene at the bank was fantastic, and the epilogue was great.

#netgalley show less

I have long been a fan of Julia Justiss' work. In my opinion, The Courtesan and The Untamed Heiress are two of the best historical romances ever written. They are both definitely on my "desert island keeper" shelf. When an author writes some of the best historical romances in the business, it is difficult to imagine how she might top herself. With the Ransleigh Rogues series, Ms. Justiss has done just that.

The Rake to Ruin Her and The Rake to Redeem Her are both gems - Julia Justiss at her show more best and better. The Rake to Rescue Her, however, is one of those once in a lifetime romances.

Alastair Ransleigh suffered the ultimate humiliation and betrayal at the hands of Diana, now the Duchess of Gaveston. Eight years ago his poet's heart was broken and replaced by that of a reckless soldier and a battle-hardened rake. When he encounters his former love he seeks revenge with a humiliating offer of his own and is stunned when she accepts.

Eight years ago, Diana – now the Dowager Duchess of Gaveston – sold herself in marriage to secure the lives of the two men she loved most – her father and Alastair Ransleigh. To survive her husband's cruelty she has stripped away pieces of her very soul, until even the most precious piece of all is sacrificed to make her impervious to any source of pain and therefore any source of love or joy. Even the acceptance of Alastair's insulting offer fails to move her. She sees herself as broken and begins to believe she will never be whole again.

That is all I am going to tell you about the story. The story speaks for itself and I want people to experience it for themselves. I will tell you what The Rake to Rescue Her left with me.

In Alastair we find a man ready to wreak a thoughtless, cruel vengeance on the woman who nearly destroyed him. He sees himself as the man jaded enough to do it. But when he sees what Diana has become, the man he once was slowly returns and all he wants to do is restore to her those things which made her the glorious creature he once loved.
There are portions of this book it hurt to read – so very real and painful and so very beautiful. The characters step onto the page and immediately draw you into what you know is a complicated and searing love story.

A woman who has stripped herself of every joy and every love is lost unless those joys and loves were left in the safe-keeping of a man determined to give those things back to her. And if that man does so with no expectations in return and sets that glorious creature free to make her own decisions about life and love out of the darkness – he is the one thing every woman dreams of - a hero.

Thank you, Ms. Justiss, for a truly magnificent love story. show less

Loved this book about two people who have survived the war, but with challenges to their futures. Dom has come home to Suffolk, minus and arm and an eye. Before the war he had bred and trained hunters and now finds himself unable to do what he considered his life's work. While regaining his health he also has to figure out what to do with his life. He has done his best to avoid contact with all his neighbors, until he encounters Theodora on the road, after he was dumped by his horse. She show more recognizes him as a returning soldier, encourages him to take care of himself, and fusses at him when he is less than polite to her.

Theo is the daughter of a soldier and grew up following her father to all his postings. She had also been engaged to another soldier. While following them she had also begun caring for various soldiers' orphaned children, and when her father and fiance both died, she came to England. Having been left enough money to do as she wishes, Theo has decided to begin a school to train these orphans for a better life. She wants to lease a building on Dom's land to do so.

I loved both Theo and Dom. Theo, having grown up in the army, has little use for the niceties of polite society. She is honest and blunt, saying what she thinks and pursuing her own dream. After losing her fiance, she has no interest in risking her heart on another man. She will devote her energies to her school. In their first encounter, Dom has been unseated from his horse and left dazed in the middle of the road. Theo has also been tossed by her horse, which was startled by Dom's horse running by. She asks for help remounting from Dom, who replies rather rudely, and she turns around and fusses at him. They part on less than friendly terms. Later, each feels they owe the other an apology, and when Theo shows up at Dom's home to inquire about leasing a building, they make their apologies and come to an agreement. What neither expects is the instant and strong attraction they feel for each other.

Dom is slowly coming to terms with his injuries. He realizes that he can't continue with what he did before the war. He isn't really bitter, but he feels rather lost. When he returned from the war so grievously injured, he broke off his engagement feeling that he was no longer the man he used to be. He's pretty much hiding out at his home, avoiding contact with everyone. His encounter with Theo starts bringing him back to life. He's attracted to her, but he's not ready to think about marriage, and Theo is not a woman to have an affair with.

I loved the way that they admitted their attraction, but also agreed that it could go nowhere. They began to develop a strong friendship. Dom found Theo's straightforward attitude very appealing and being around her made him feel better about himself. She has a matter of fact way of encouraging him to look at his current life as a new challenge rather than dwelling on what he can no longer do. He was also amused by the way that she would gain his assistance in everything from leasing his building to finding people to help with her orphans. At the same time, Theo was having a hard time staying away from Dom. She finds him incredibly attractive in spite of his injuries. She is also more comfortable with him than anyone else because of their common experiences. Their hearts start to open to each other, but their experiences have them resisting the pull.

A twist from Theo's past brings Theo and Dom together in an unexpected way. Theo has to overcome her fears of loss and that she would be ruining his life. Dom has to find a way to convince Theo that, far from ruining his life, she has saved it. I really enjoyed Dom's methods and seeing how his full support and understanding of who she is finally helps her believe.

The secondary characters in the book were really great too. I liked Theo's aunt and how she is there for Theo through everything. I loved her attitude toward Dom also. My favorite secondary character was Jemmy, one of the orphans. I loved his confidence in his own abilities and his determination to go after what he wants. I also loved his protectiveness toward Theo, especially at the beginning. It was fun to see his attitude toward Dom change. I really liked his part at the end, when he tracked down Dom to get his help. I didn't like the complete absence of the other Rogues. I would have liked to have seen them share in Dom's happiness.

I also had a bit of a problem with the cover. It's really beautiful, but the depiction of the hero was not accurate. Though you can't see the right arm (or lack thereof) the man on the cover does not have an eye patch, nor does he appear scarred in any way. show less