C2’s review of Between the Devil and Ian Eversea (Pennyroyal Green, Book 9) by Julie Anne Long
Historical Romance published by Avon 25 Mar 14
Ahoy The Pond! Have you missed me?? (I thought of slinking in silently but…pffft!) Sometimes life happens, so I’ve been away for a while. Also, sometimes reading slumps happen – ack! the dreaded S-word! – but I’m working through that. And books like Julie Anne Long’s latest, Between the Devil and Ian Eversea, help ever so much. Onward!
Captain Ian Eversea is a man with a plan. He has been offered a desk job in the East India Company’s London office, but Ian turns them down – he wants to see the world. He has been saving up for a long ocean voyage around the world – inspired, in part, by Miles Redmond’s well-known travels…inspired by a Redmond?! Who would have thought?
While Ian is waiting for his ship to be ready for departure, he is back home in Pennyroyal Green, visiting with his family. Almost everyone is there, including his sister Genevieve, her husband the Duke of Falconbridge, and his newly-arrived-from-America ward, Miss Titania Danforth.
Tansy, as she is known to her friends, recently lost her parents. Now she is home in England and hoping to find a husband. Since the duke hasn’t seen her since she was a little girl, Tansy presents him with a list of qualities she would like her future husband to have. Then Tansy sets out to charm the residents of Pennyroyal Green and the surrounding countryside – and largely succeeds. The only person who makes her lose her composure and seems largely immune to her is Ian Eversea. But Ian slowly realizes there is more to Tansy than big blue eyes and charm. And Tansy keeps adding newly important qualities to her list.
Oh, Faithful Reader, you know I love the Pennyroyal Green series. Honestly, though, I never paid much attention to Ian in previous books. BUT Between the Devil and Ian Eversea is SO GOOD. It’s almost my favorite of the series – What I Did for a Duke is still my fave, but this is a close second.
Does this book stand alone? I think yes. Reading the previous books (especially What I Did for a Duke) will make the experience richer and more meaningful, but isn’t strictly necessary, says me. But the series is so good! Why haven’t you read it??
If you’ve never read any of Ms. Long’s books (you make me so sad) and have been curious, this is an excellent place to start. You get a good feel for her writing style and the story is so sweet.
Grade: A
Summary:
She might look like an angel…
The moment orphaned American heiress Titania “Tansy” Danforth arrives on English shores she cuts a swath through Sussex, enslaving hearts and stealing beaux. She knows she’s destined for a spectacular titled marriage—but the only man who fascinates her couldn’t be more infamous…or less interested.
…but it takes a devil to know one…
A hardened veteran of war, inveterate rogue Ian Eversea keeps women enthralled, his heart guarded and his options open: why should he succumb to the shackles of marriage when devastating good looks and Eversea charm make seduction so easy?
…and Heaven has never been hotter.
When Ian is forced to call her on her game, he never dreams the unmasked Tansy—vulnerable, brave, achingly sensual—will tempt him beyond endurance. And fight as he will, this notorious bachelor who stood down enemies on a battlefield might finally surrender his heart…and be brought to his knees by love.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
