Charmed by the Lord and his love

When Miss Eleanora (Norah) Winfield 's brother sends one of her 'ton' caricatures off to a publisher, a star is born. Albeit an anonymous reluctant star. Norah is horrified when she sees her drawing as a 'lead' in the scandal sheets.
Employed as the paid companion to Lady Rowntree, a distant cousin, Norah realizes that each caricature raises more than her companion income does, and that that extra money will save her beloved grandparents' farm.
What Norah doesn't count on is that Heath Grenville, the ton problem solver, the Lord of Secrets, is determined to find out who the traitor amongst the ton is.
Heath finds himself attracted to Lady Rowntree's companion, but as she is only a lass from a pig farm, what can he do? After all he has standards. His latest task is to track down the wicked caricaturist and expose them as the traitor to their class they are, at the same time keeping his attraction to the desirable companion stifled, if he can!
Mmm! More a conundrum than Heath imagines.
BTW I loved the inclusion of the pug puppy Captain Pugboat.

A NetGalley ARC

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which I received
through Netgalley. I really loved this novel

The fifth installment in Ridley’s Rogue to Riches Series, Lord of Secrets is another delightful entry to the series. Filled with Ridley’s trademark wit and easy style, the story follows Heath and Nora who have the potential to destroy each other without knowing it. While Heath may be of peer of the realm and used to benefits of his class, Nora is but a hired companion, the poor relationship and daughter to a pig farmer. Despite this, Nora uses her artistic talents to make money to support her family.

Lord of Secrets may not have the most original plot, but the writing and characters make it a delight to read. Despite the reader already knowing what will inevitably happen, it is an enjoyable journey. However, there are some repeated ideas that become tedious as well as some scenes that felt out of place.

Overall, Lord of Secrets is another enjoyable installment in the series.

I started the book, set it aside, started again, and actually read another Ridley novel before finally completing this one. As I have read other books in this series, I was excited to see Heath's story. Oh, but what a disappointment! Heath, our "hero", was anything but! He was so focused on his hair and clothes that I thought that I was reading the musings of a teenage girl, rather than the comments of a grown man! Seriously, there was one scene where Heath actually bemoaned the choice of carriage because the wind blew his hair out of place. Definitely not my type of man. The female lead, Nora, was a likable character who deserved so much better than Heath. The story just went on too long and the longer it went, the more boring it became. There were some humorous scenes with Heath's sisters. But even those were so far-fetched as to be unbelievable, especially the sister who ran an orphanage in St. Giles. Really, a young, unmarried lady would be allowed to traipse back and forth from St. Giles? Probably, my favorite scenes included a pug pup named Captain Pugboat.

I will read the other books in the series, but would not read this one again. Definitely glad that I received it through NetGalley.

Through her original series, the Dukes of War, Erica Ridley has created an entire world in Regency London whose background continues with the current series, Rogues and Riches. Lord of Secrets (Book #5) runs concurrently with the other novels where past events are now revisited as the couples attend a ball hosted by the Earl of Carlisle with references throughout to the Grenvilles as older brother Heath, heir to the baronetcy, is in search for a bride to please his demanding mother who also wants to marry his sisters to eligible gentlemen in The Ton. She’s doomed to fail since oldest daughter, Camellia, dreams of a scandalous singing career and middle daughter, Dahlia, spends her time running a girls school in the rookery, hardly a pastime to endear her to the aristocracy, while the littlest sister Bryony – well, let’s say that she’s the wildest of the bunch.

Brother Heath so wants to please his mom, yet the simpering youngsters barely out of the school room do not appeal. While looking for a slightly older potential mate, he doesn’t neglect his duty to scan the room for any wallflowers who would like to dance. He meets one lovely vision with red hair dressed in pink whose conversation peaks his interest, but she slips away. Once he discovers that she is simply a paid companion, that should end his interest, but instead he finds excuses to spend time with her, all under the guise of his friendship with Lady Roundtree . Even as he realizes that anything beyond “friendship”, and even that, is unacceptable, he still can’t stop himself.

Miss Eleanor “Nora” Winfield is a distant cousin who has been called into service as a paid companion to Lady Roundtree after the poor woman fractured her ankle. After living in poverty on a pig farm with her brother and grandparents, she suddenly finds herself in the lap of luxury even if she is treated like the hired help. With a luxurious place to sleep, gorgeous clothes appropriate for the social events attended by the elite, and sumptuous meals far beyond her simple tastes, Nora feels guilty knowing how her family is living hand to mouth. With the money she earns, life will be a little easier back home. To while away the time and give her brother a notion about her current lifestyle, she draws elaborate sketches along with funny caricatures based on her personal experiences and the scads of gossip which Mrs Roundtree loves to share with whomever will listen. To Nora’s chagrin, one of the pictures ends up in the local paper and becomes the talk of the town. Her caricatures are in high demand carrying a price tag which will give her family some stability. Yet, these same pictures have the potential to hurt others, an unintended consequence to a harmless activity.

Even worse, Grenville, known as the keeper of secrets and the fixer, is on the hunt to discover the perpetrator of these despicable drawings – one which includes his own sister. Nora must choose between her family and the man she is growing to love. Even though it’s a forgone conclusion, it was fun watching the two love birds find their way.

Full of witty dialogue, tender moments, amusing scenarios, and the comfort of old friends, this is the best book of the Rogues and Riches series so far. Yes, there was still a bit too much repetition, but it was manageable. My favorite scene was when Nora receives a warm reception from Grenville’s sisters while my biggest uncertainty is the question: “Where is the Baron?” He hasn’t once made an appearance even though his children are constantly requesting an audience.

Four stars and a thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review also appears on my blog, Gotta Read:

https://ellenk59.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/lord-of-secrets-rogues-and-riches-5/

Nora is a paid companion who needs the money to send back to her family. She is also a very skilled artist and draws infamous caricatures of the ton so she needs to stay anonymous. Being discovered would most likely get her fired and she needs that money! Heath is a member of the upper class and is also a very skilled and well known problem-solver among the ton. Heath does not like these caricatures and is determined to find out who is behind them. The two of them meet one evening when Nora accidentally spills lemonade on Heath, and then things start to get very interesting. Heath is very attracted to Nora, and Nora is attracted to him; however, each thinks that it would not be wise to pursue a relationship because of the difference in class. Will Nora's identity be discovered? Will the two of them be able to overcome the obstacles in front of them? Read this very entertaining story to find out.

This story was a joy to read. The characters were so lovable and interesting. The plot was sweet and enticing. It had lovely humor throughout which I love in my books. It also moved at a very nice pace. I enjoyed the story from start to finish. Very well done! Very lovely romance! I will be reading more from this author.

This is the fifth book in the series. You don't have to read them all to enjoy this book but I would like to add that it does make it so much more enjoyable. All the books in the series are well worth the reads. I love hearing about and seeing characters from other books in this one. Yay! It makes me happy. This book was a great addition to the rest. Great story! Great characters! And great writing!

Heath Grenville is the problem solver for London society, sorting out tawdry affairs etc that could embarrass his friends and relations. It also makes him privy to secrets that other people have, and which some people would pay anything to find out about.  One thing  he doesnt know is the identity of the person doing the caricatures that are cutting too close to the bone. It becomes clear that the person doing the drawings does not just hear about the events they draw, they were actually there when it happened.

Meanwhile he becomes enraptured by the red headed woman who appears at social events but seems remote and disengaged - till he realises that she is not in his class and therefore he shouldnt even be talking to her, never mind inviting her to dance. She has come to town to be a paid companion and her job relies on her not exciting any scandal. It turns out that she produces that caricatures to show her brother (who lives on the family farm with their grandparents) what's happening whilst she's away - it just so happens she cant read or write, so her only choice is to draw. 

Unfortunately, it turns out that her brother has sold some of these pictures and they have landed back within London society, and are causing trouble. She tries to rectify things, but what she does only makes things worse. Meanwhile she tries to keep her distance from Heath, but he keeps pursing her - she doesnt know whether he already knows what she's done, or for reasons more personal.

Anyway, we see some characters from previous books, shocks abound, and as per all good romances, things work out nicely in the end.

Heath Grenville is the problem-solver for London's elite. Unmask the devious cretin skewering the ton with audacious caricatures? With pleasure. His success should keep the powerful happy. But when his work leads him to a young lady outside his class, surely he won’t do anything so scandalous as to fall in love...

By day, Miss Eleanora Winfield is a proper, unremarkable paid companion. By night, Nora’s skillful hands sketch the infamous penny caricatures rocking high society. Nora desperately needs the money…and her anonymity. But how can she keep them both, when she’s fallen for the one man whose livelihood and reputation requires him to expose her?
Another great story from Ridley. Our H is a fixer, sort of a Ray Donovan of the Regency era, but without the sex, and the violence, and the crazy celebrities. He finds himself attracted to the companion of a Lady, then seems to run into her repeatedly, accidentally on purpose. She also is attracted to him, but knows nothing can come of it. She has what seems to be dyslexia, but is artistic, and sends home caricatures of what she’s viewed in society. Unbeknownst to her, her brother has sent them to a publisher, and they are now the talk of the town. Our fiver is determined to expose the artist causing a ruckus around town, not realizing it is his favorite ladies companion .
Sweet story, with a great, likeable couple. I received a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

Lord of Secrets is the fifth book in the Rogues to Riches series by Erica Ridley. Although it can be read as a standalone story, my enjoyment of it was much enhanced from having read the other books in the series.

Miss Eleanora Winfield is a poor relation in London as a paid companion for her cousin, Lady Roundtree, who is recovering from an injured leg. Her ailing grandparents and her brother are left to struggle on the farm in the country. Nora hopes her wages will help to restore the farm and it’s profits to a point where they can afford to hire help and give her grandparents the much-deserved rest that they need. As a paid companion, Nora attends all the social events with her cousin. At one such event, she meets Heath Grenville.

Heath Grenville, heir to a baronetcy is renown for being a problem solver. If you are under the threat of scandal Heath is the man to ask for help. He will know your secrets, but he will never tell them, hence him being the Lord of Secrets. His family mean the world to him, and when an anonymous caricaturist targets his sister and makes her a laughing stock, he vows to find the man and ruin him.

When Heath and Nora meet there is an immediate attraction between them. Nora knows that he shouldn’t be paying her any attention, and has to admit to him that she is a paid companion, not an equal. That means, of course, that they shouldn’t mix, and definitely shouldn’t dance which is what he had asked her to do when they first meet.

These two are so obviously perfect for each other but there is more than just class distinctions to come between them. Unknown to Heath, Nora is the caricaturist that he despises and is determined to ruin. He can’t see that the cartoons don’t tell any secrets, that they are old news, not new gossip. He doesn’t know that her family’s lives depend on the money she makes from the cartoons. Can there be the slightest possibility of a relationship developing between them, or are the odds stacked against them?

This story captivated me from the very first pages. I loved watching a possible romance bud between Heath and Nora but couldn’t read quickly enough to see what would happen when Nora’s secret was discovered by him. I really enjoyed their non-courtship courtship!! I love the characters in this book and indeed the whole series. There is even an adorable pug puppy in a pivotal position in this story that you couldn’t help but want to reach into the pages to give a cuddle. Even the villains are perfect in as much as that you can’t help but despise them. This book definitely has the perfect mix of light and shade, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

She’s lower class and working for a rich cousin, gathering more money by drawing caricatures of the twits she sees at various events. He’s upper class but works as a fixer. He can’t figure out who the artist is. She didn’t think he would care. But then it gets personal. There’s a puppy pug involved.
This has some finely written characters and plenty of humor, but every scene is stolen by the appropriately named Captain Pugboat. There’s a great part with the two trying to teach the puppy to heel, followed by an even better moment of them dancing. This is where the romance blossoms, and is worth the read in itself. Another hilarious scene occurs when she meets his sisters for the first time. This author could be writing for sitcoms.
The plot is easily established; the point is how to get to the inevitable end, and that’s what I enjoyed here. For once it wasn’t a by-the-numbers romance; it wasn’t about obstacles they put on themselves, but rather the crap the society of the time loads on them. This wouldn’t have worked in a modern setting; they had to go against the entire social structure of the time and country they lived in, which means they truly earned their happy ending.
This is how this genre should be written.
4.5 pushed up to 5/5

Erica Ridley has written a well-balanced historical romance. Good solid characters and dialogue keep this book moving along nicely.

Nora and Heath are absolutely adorable together. Once again, Erica Ridley brings to life a wonderful set of characters and reunites us with some favorites from other books. Filled with humor and (of course) introspect of love verses what they hold as their personal values, we are challenged to consider our own thoughts of motivations and perspectives and how they play into our relationships with others. I love how Erica Ridley always brings more to the table than what is expected and I was once again satisfied by my time spent in her world.

Thank you to NetGalley, Erica Ridley, and Webmotion for the opportunity to read this story and share my thoughts and opinions with others.

Great read. How can you not like a person that will do anything for their family? I read this book in 2 days...it's that good! Enjoy!!

I just really love Erica Ridley! All her books and series are great! I always recommend her books to Historical Romance readers like me!! Can not wait for her next book!

What could be better - historical romance with mystery and intrigue! This was a very engaging book and a great read. While it is in a series, it does stand alone with some character overlap. I found Nora to be lovable and relatable and Heath was a fantastic protagonist.

LORD OF SECRETS is the fifth book in the Rogues to Riches series. They each stand alone, but there is a lot of cross over from other characters in this book. I believe it would be best if you had read their stories… you’ll enjoy them!

Oh, the irony – Heath Grenville is the keeper of secrets for the ton, but this time he’s trying to ferret out a secret - the secret that Nora needs to keep if she is going to help her family. This tug-of-war is the catalyst for this story. When do you let go of your secrets?

I loved that the relationship was slowly built. They both tried to deny the growing attraction, but it was a losing battle. As a former teacher, I appreciated the Nora’s plight as she embraced her artistry as a defense against dyslexia (a term not known or understood in those days). In fact, I liked a lot about Nora. She is a strong woman and I cheered as she stood up for herself as she held her place in a society where she is seen as “less than.”

LORD OF SECRETS is one of my favorites of Erica Ridley’s releases to date. She continues to delight and entertain and will always be one of those authors who leaps to the top of my TBR pile.

Note: While I was given this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

I dearly love this series by the talented Ms. Ridley. This one is superbly written and I liked the parallel timeline to the previous stories in the series. The Heath and Nora are perfect for each other and their stories are woven together with great care. I only wish there had been more of a subplot between Heath and his father. Laughingly, I keep waiting for the "fly in the ointment" of this series to finally get his comeuppance. I do love books with a happy ending and this is done nicely.

I've read several of Ms. Ridley's books and was looking forward to another good read. Unfortunately, this one wasn't one of my favorites. Miss Eleanora (Nora) Winfield is summoned to London to be a companion to her cousin who has broken her leg. While there, she unwittingly becomes the latest gossip when one of her drawings was sent to a publisher by her brother with the condition that Nora's name not be mentioned. As more of her scandalous caricatures are published, Nora becomes more nervous that her secret identity will be revealed. Mr. Heath Grenville has been hired by Nora's aunt to uncover the identity of the artist. This sets up the angst throughout the book.

I was not a fan of the content waxing back and forth from Nora about how she could never belong in Heath's world and him doing the same thing. This was mentioned in almost every chapter and it got old really fast. I understood the ramifications of any relationship between these two as being impossible without it being mentioned constantly. I also thought the ending was anti-climatic. It was resolved in a few paragraphs after the big secret was revealed. It just didn't seem to do the story justice.

While I loved reading more about the Grenville's, this book fell short of the other ones in the series. That's not to say that I won't be reading more of Ms. Ridley's stories.

I received a free copy from netgalley for an honest review. I was hesitant to read Lord of Secrets because the last book I read by this author wasn't my favorite however I'm glad that I read this one. Lord of Secrets shows the unexpected romance between a future Baron and a companion who comes from a sheep farm that her grandparents and brother take care of. There were parts of the story that I feel could have been better the development between the relationship felt very superficial and I don't feel like we saw enough interaction between the two of them but I did like the different class come together and falling in love aspect.