Persuading the Earl (The Country House Romantic Mysteries Book 1)

Amelia Beckett was injured by a horse few years ago. She has come to terms with being a spinster. She is invited with her friends to a house party. Richard the Earl of Douglas they were joking about him and his monocle, they didn't realize he overheard them.Aunt Patricia decided to host party to find wives for both Richard and her son Claude. Patricia picked Amelia for Claude as she feels will accept her offer do to her family.During a game Claude causes Amelia to get injured, Richard is beside himself. While the party is going items start to disappear. Amelia gets caught by Claude room by Richard She tells him Claude said he was taken what he could. Amelia goes and check room and Richard comes in when he hears Claude. Claude comes in change and leave.Richard ends up kissing Amelia and get caught by Claude. Claude puts announcement in paper saying they got married. Claude leaves taking his mother jewelry, money and all the paperwork for the property, he also leave with one of the young ladies mother.Amelia and Richard get married and go to see her parents. Will their marriage be in name only or do they work through their problems.

Amelia had come to terms with being a spinster, so she was annoyed when she was invited to a house party. She knew no one invited wallflowers, so she and her friends were there to even out the numbers. Little did she know that the hostess had a scheme up her sleeve—she intended her to marry her wayward son. Then, Amelia met the nephew of the hostess, an earl she thought she would dislike. However, her heart and curiosity had other plans. Amelia found herself attracted to Richard, but she did not think anything would come of her attraction. An accident in her past scarred her, so she did not think any man would want her. Then, in an attempt to solve the mystery of thefts at the house party, she was caught in a compromising position with the earl. The two would have challenging times ahead. Richard thought he repulsed Amelia, but Amelia was afraid for anyone to see her scars. Could the two finally share their fear and let love into their hearts?As the two navigate their tumultuous relationship, Richard's old flame would come on the scene. Then, someone gets murdered, and danger comes to their doorstep. This is an entertaining story. I recommend it to lovers of historical romance with mystery.

This is my second book by this author and I enjoyed it too. What I most liked about this story was the honest dialogue the h spoke. Especially when she was dealing with an old flame of the H. My gosh, I was practically jumping for joy the way she handled herself. How the h spoke to those who tried to pull her down, will stay with me. You don't find authors' who write the female dialogue like this author and it was appreciated. The h wasn't a "b" in how she talked, just brought up important issues others ignored.Romance builds slowly. Lovemaking within marriage, heat level with bedroom door practically closed.My heart ached for the h and the pain she endured 4 years previously. She didn't let her pain get her down or what life dealt her. One reviewer wrote the way she was injured would be unlikely. This didn't bother me, because it is fiction and I loved how I was swept away with the storyline, which had many unique aspects to it.Nasty villains, and one you will figure out, but one was a total shock! All the nasty people got what was coming to them that's for sure. Did I think the cousin of the H had a complete personality change quickly, yes, but I still enjoyed the journey.No cheating for our H/h. no cliffhanger, HEA which was not smooth, romance and basically kisses.I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some tidbits to decide whether to purchase. I do recommend this author and story. (ljb)

It's so nice to find a strongly plotted story peopled by interesting characters and with a clever twist at the end. This author knows what she's doing, and I look forward to teading more of her novels.

Well written and very romantic. The author is getting better and her stories are interesting and clean. I'm going to check into the next book on the series

This was a very cute story! It was wellworth reading. Not smutty at all.I would buy this authors books.

My first read of this author. This was a nice discovery. The beginning dragged a little but it worked it’s way to a nice HEA.Heat - 1Mystery - 2.5 if you were paying attention, you could guess who the villains and semi-villains were.I liked it being romantic without overdone over the top sexual scenes.It was good. I’m wondering whether crying cousin will get his own story (after he grows up a bit). In the meantime, I’ll check out one of her other books.

Enjoyed this story, could have had a bit more detail in especially about what happened to the hero's mother and the accident to the heroine.

I can really appreciate Ms Harrison's writing style. Yes, it's a romance, but not in the usual vein. Yes, it it has a happy ending (not for the evildoers, of course), but it is not hackneyed or saccharine. Yes, there are some things to overcome in the main relationship, but they are not belaboured or melodramatic. She has an easy style that seems effortless, but I don't doubt time and thought went into this engaging tale. Drama, suspense, and humour cleverly woven together all make for a story very easy for the reader to become invested in the outcome. Well done, and thank you for an enjoyable read.

Good to have the added mystery element to add depth to the story.Well written compelling characters with a fine range of foibles.Easily up to Audrey Harrison's usual standard.

I really enjoyed this combination of romance + mystery in Book 1 of Audrey’s new series - stayed up very late to finish it as I definitely couldn’t pick the villain (despite the very clear clues that I completely overlooked!)Audrey has once again given us a heartfelt view of two scarred & lonely people - Richard and Amelia -who believe that love is not meant for them.This is a house party with a difference -with a wonderful cast of interesting characters - (some you’d like to throttle!)The mystery is intriguing (& I wracked my brain - in vain - to try to solve it)Loved it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful, well written romance. The plot was entertaining and believable, with strongly drawn characters and an interesting setting. Looking forward to reading Ms. Harrison's next novel!