THE EARL'S COMPLETE SURRENDER by Sophie Barnes

"Sometimes Surrender Leads to Victory"

The Earl's Complete Surrender

Posted: January 19, 2016

Chloe, the widowed Lady Newbury, has learned her lesson about believing in love and romance. Almost immediately after their marriage, Chloe's husband began cheating on her and was soon followed by abuse. When he was killed in a duel over another woman, Chloe felt only relief. Wiser now about men, Chloe is determined never to marry again, but to maintain her independence.

She is currently helping search for a code book, The Political Journal, which contains the names of members of a group calling themselves The Electors, several aristocrats who are murderers, criminals, and traitors to the crown. The trail has led to Thorncliff Manor, where Chloe is a guest. She plans to perform a thorough search during her stay there. James, the Earl of Woodford, has also been commissioned to find the book, his orders coming directly from the King. James has a personal interest, because The Electors killed his parents when he was only a child, and he longs for vengeance.

James is a very serious man. His life thus far has been a solitary one, in service to the crown. He has no intention to marry, or even to have an emotional relationship. His reaction upon meeting Chloe surprises him, as he feels an interest he's never felt before. With each subsequent meeting, he finds he's not only attracted to her, but there is something "more." Since James and Chloe are both searching for the same book, it's only logical they keep turning up in the same places at the same time. Eventually, they find they're working toward the same goal and form a partnership. Their wariness soon starts to turn to trust, and Chloe finds herself becoming attracted to James, despite her resolve to steer clear of men.

THE EARL'S COMPLETE SURRENDER is my first book by Sophia Barnes, and I'm very impressed with her writing style. The simmering attraction between two people determined not to become involved is very well done. I particularly enjoyed seeing James lower his guard with Chloe little by little. I was delighted when James actually finally smiled, something he has not done much of in his life. His respect for Chloe, and his treatment of her is just the balm she needs to help heal her broken spirit, and to help her regain her self confidence in being a woman. Their intimacy is more alluded to than shown explicitly, which is a bit of a disappointment to me, as I would have liked to witness all their walls falling. Still, I found myself unable to put THE EARL'S COMPLETE SURRENDER book down, as the mystery is just as compelling as the romance. I found THE EARL'S COMPLETE SURRENDER, book two of Secrets at Thorncliff Manor to be an engaging and enjoyable read, and I'll be sure to check out previous books by Sophia Barnes.

Book Summary

An unexpected passion ignites as secrets are exposed in Sophie Barnes's captivating Regency-set romance

Despite the diversions offered at Thorncliff Manor, former spy James, the Earl of Woodford, has one purpose in staying there. He must find an encoded book that exposes a conspiracy within the British aristocracy. And he must do so without revealing his purpose to the clever, tempting Chloe Heartly. The lady has a knack for appearing wherever it is least convenient. In the library. In the salon. And, especially, in his arms . . .

Somewhere within Thorncliff's labyrinth of rooms lies the journal Chloe desperately seeks. When she realizes the brooding, handsome earl is hunting the same quarry, Chloe enters into an uneasy partnership. But in the face of public danger and enemies hiding in plain sight, both must decide how much they're willing to risk to solve the mysteries of the heart.