This is the first book in the new Forgotten Castles series, and the author's first Regency-era romance. This was the first book, and likely also the last, I've read by the author. It shouldn't even be called a romance. Alex and Gabriel exchange snarky letters throughout the story, meet very briefly near the end of the book without realizing who the other person is, and then don't meet again. Absolutely nothing is resolved.
To make matters worse, the book is peppered with inaccuracies. Alex shoots Gabriel's secretary, Meade, with a shotgun, and then Gabriel uses the phrase "alright" later in the book. Stuff like this kept yanking me out of the story and made me want to throw my Kindle across the room. Better Regency stories are available from authors like Julie Klassen and Linore Rose Burkard. Save your time and read those instead.
Thanks to B&H Publishers and NetGalley for my review copy.
The Guardian Duke released yesterday, and is available from Amazon and Christianbook.
To make matters worse, the book is peppered with inaccuracies. Alex shoots Gabriel's secretary, Meade, with a shotgun, and then Gabriel uses the phrase "alright" later in the book. Stuff like this kept yanking me out of the story and made me want to throw my Kindle across the room. Better Regency stories are available from authors like Julie Klassen and Linore Rose Burkard. Save your time and read those instead.
Thanks to B&H Publishers and NetGalley for my review copy.
The Guardian Duke released yesterday, and is available from Amazon and Christianbook.
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
There are some other reviews on this site. I find I am on the side of this is a good book and worth your time. I was drawn in real quick with the Duke, Gabriel. He has some set backs in his life due to a medical condition. This comes upon him immediately as he is reading a letter from the PRINCE Regent that the DUKE must take guardianship of Alexandria Featherstone of Holy Island. Her parents are declared dead by the Prince. She believes them to still be alive. She leaves to find them before the Duke can take guardianship of her. I found the adventures to be fun, and the whole story kept my interest. I found the descriptions of the places they visited to be so life like and colorful.
I want to also add that I don't often read Christian Fiction, or Christian Historical Fiction. I find it lacking sometimes, too full of scriptures and prayers that don't really add to the plot, just fill up the pages, and well that bores me sometimes. So for me to say that this book kept my attention and I cant wait to read book 2, that does say something.
I want to also add that I don't often read Christian Fiction, or Christian Historical Fiction. I find it lacking sometimes, too full of scriptures and prayers that don't really add to the plot, just fill up the pages, and well that bores me sometimes. So for me to say that this book kept my attention and I cant wait to read book 2, that does say something.
Shelley A. (shell6834) reviewed The Guardian Duke (Forgotten Castles, Bk 1) on + 95 more book reviews
I have loved this authors previous books, but found this one lacking. There were several inconsistencies and the writing was just not what you expect to find from an award winning author; it seemed much more like a struggling debut novel. The plot and character development fell short and I found it difficult to believe and the ending was just terrible. I'm not sure if I will waste my time and money on the others in this series
{This series is not for Teens and is not clean!}
About this book:
"Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King's ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.
When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them."
Series: Book #1 in the "Forgotten Castles" series. {Book #2 and #3 are not clean, our reviews are here on as well.}
Spiritual Content- Prayers and Mentions of Prayers; Mentions of monks and a monastery; H' are capital; Scriptures are quoted; Gabriel is upset at God; A Scripture is quoted in the Dear Reader.
*Note: a "who the devil" and two "what the devil".
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a drat', an idiot', a shush', a stupid', a "how the deuce" and two blast's; A skull (semi-detailed); Blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking; Going into a pub (no alcohol is drunk); A mention of a hanging (barely-above-not-detailed).
Sexual Content- a hoyden' and a harlot'; Two semi-detailed kisses and almost kisses; Flirting and Flirts; Mentions that Vikings normally came to rape and pillage; Two boys tried to watch Alexandria swimming (barely-above-not-detailed); a man tries to get closer to Alexandria and grips in upper thigh (he removes it slowly "with sensual intent"); Love, falling in love through letters, & the emotions.
-Alexandria Featherstone, age 20
-Gabriel Ravenwood, age 32
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1818
304 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
So, moral of this review: Stay away from this series, it leads to sexual details which you DON'T need in your head.
*BFCG does NOT recommend this series. Just don't even bother with it.
*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}
About this book:
"Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King's ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.
When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them."
Series: Book #1 in the "Forgotten Castles" series. {Book #2 and #3 are not clean, our reviews are here on as well.}
Spiritual Content- Prayers and Mentions of Prayers; Mentions of monks and a monastery; H' are capital; Scriptures are quoted; Gabriel is upset at God; A Scripture is quoted in the Dear Reader.
*Note: a "who the devil" and two "what the devil".
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a drat', an idiot', a shush', a stupid', a "how the deuce" and two blast's; A skull (semi-detailed); Blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking; Going into a pub (no alcohol is drunk); A mention of a hanging (barely-above-not-detailed).
Sexual Content- a hoyden' and a harlot'; Two semi-detailed kisses and almost kisses; Flirting and Flirts; Mentions that Vikings normally came to rape and pillage; Two boys tried to watch Alexandria swimming (barely-above-not-detailed); a man tries to get closer to Alexandria and grips in upper thigh (he removes it slowly "with sensual intent"); Love, falling in love through letters, & the emotions.
-Alexandria Featherstone, age 20
-Gabriel Ravenwood, age 32
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1818
304 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
So, moral of this review: Stay away from this series, it leads to sexual details which you DON'T need in your head.
*BFCG does NOT recommend this series. Just don't even bother with it.
*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}
Loraine N. (momrain) reviewed The Guardian Duke (Forgotten Castles, Bk 1) on + 205 more book reviews
Ahhh! A Cliffhanger! I am torn between loving this story and hating it because of that. I highly recommend that you have the second book in this series available to you so that you can see what happens. Full review at my website.
Hope you read this trilogy in order to get the full story. In this first book ["The Guardian Duke"] you fall in love with our hero, Gabriel. With all of the problems he is constantly facing--and now having to be a guardian to a young woman who is anything but compliant--had me cheering him on throughout the first book in the trilogy. Gabriel is revealed in so many layers... through frustrations and conflicts. The idea that he and Alexandria may get together also grows gradually. There's no insta-love. Alexandria is revealed slowly through her love for her parents, her care for her island, her old castle and the people that live there. (Oh yea, she lives in an old castle!!!)
Book 2 "The Forgiven Duke"
Book 3 "A Duke's Promise"
Book 2 "The Forgiven Duke"
Book 3 "A Duke's Promise"
