A Historical Christmas Event with Sophie Barnes

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.

She currently lives on the East Coast.

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ARC Review: A Christmas at Thorncliff Manor by Sophie Barnes

This is the conclusion to Sophie Barnes’ Thorncliff Manor series where the Heartly Family have one by one fallen in love and tried to uncover the hidden treasure left there by their Great Grandparents. I loved this series and I am glad Sophie Barnes self-published this, I am probably one of many fans that would have been upset that we didn’t get an ending otherwise. I love Sophie Barnes writing style, and she balances the mystery and little bit of excitement well with the romance, the romance is the main focus but the mystery of the lost treasure helps progress the story along.

Dowager Duchess of Duncaster keeps Thorncliff Manor open as an exclusive holiday location for her friends in Society. This Christmas however she has invited her good friends Lord and Lady Oakland and their four remaining unmarried daughters, along with a select few gentlemen she hope will make a match with the girls. Fiona the youngest of the bunch is the one who started the treasure hunt in the first place. Their Great Aunt had sent the Heartly’s Grandfather to retrieve her jewelry box from Thorncliff after they managed to save it from the uprising in France, only something happened it went missing and Heartly was killed. In the three other books it has revealed parts of the mystery but Fiona won’t give up and since they are spending Christmas at Thorncliff she’s determined to find it.

Earl of Chadwick and Fiona have been friends forever despite their eleven year age difference. The last couple of years Chadwick has tried to stop loving Fiona. Which is kind of creepy if you think about it she’s only nineteen that means when he fell in love with her he was a man in his late twenties lusting after a girl in her teens, but this is a historical and I tend to be more forgiving about the creep factor. But after being friends for so long will either of them take the step in the direction they both want to go but are too scared to take. Rachel Heartly has a goal of being admitted into the Royal Academy, Viscount Belgrave has finally seen Rachel in a new light and now is trying to persuade her that maybe there could be more to life than just science. Laura Heartly the author of the family with one successful romance on the market already is set on marring for nothing less than love, Duke of Lamont thinks that Laura would be the perfect mother to his two young nieces and the perfect wife to him. Emily Hearty has hidden her art from everyone but when the Marquess of Montsmouth asks she doesn’t know why but she shows him; Montsmouth has always been seen as odd but Emily sees a different side to him.

Overall, with the four romances and the mystery you would think it was rushed but it doesn’t feel that way it is well paced and each couple gets a few chapters here and there and it very balanced. I loved the characters and story; the conclusion to the mystery was bittersweet, you’re all yay! And then aww it’s over. It’s a really good book to cuddle up and read.

**ARC provided by Author**

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A Historical Christmas Event with Sophie Barnes

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents.

She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor's degree from Parson's School of design, but most impressive of all - she's been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion - writing. She currently lives on the East Coast

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Feature and Giveaway: A Most Unlikely Duke by Sophie Barnes

He never thought he'd become a duke, or that the secrets of his past would cost him his greatest love...

Raphe Matthews hasn’t stepped foot in polite circles since a tragedy left his once-noble family impoverished and in debt. The bare-knuckle boxer has spent the last fifteen years eking out an existence for himself and his two sisters. But when a stunning reversal of fortune lands Raphe the title of Duke of Huntley, he’s determined to make a go of becoming a proper lord, but he’ll need a little help, and his captivating neighbor might be just the woman for the job…

After her sister’s scandalous match, Lady Gabriella knows the ton’s eyes are on her. Agreeing to tutor the brutish new duke can only lead to ruin. Although she tries to control her irresistible attraction to Raphe, every day she spends with him only deepens her realization that this may be the one man she cannot do without. And as scandal threatens to envelop them both, she must decide if she can risk everything for love with a most unlikely duke.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | iTunes | Kobo |

A Historical Christmas Event with Sophie Barnes

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor's degree from Parson's School of design, but most impressive of all - she's been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion - writing. She currently lives on the East Coast.

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ARC Review: His Scandalous Kiss by Sophie Barnes

I love Thorncliff Manor. I love the idea of it, I love that Lady Duncaster, a widow, turned her grandiose house into a vacation spot for the titled and wealthy. I love the concept of the story it is a retelling of The Phantom of the Opera except the phantom in this case isn’t a psychotic narcissist with illusions of grandeur. I love that the heroine has a secret identity, that isn’t an author but something more risqué. The underlining mystery that continues thorough out the previous books continues with this one and gives just enough to keep you interested in the mystery. The characters are well rounded and each have their own secrets that they hid behind and refuse to let themselves fall in love, that is until they meet each other. Sophie Barnes is wonderful when it comes to active setting, she weaves her words drawing you in the beauty and the elaborateness of the masquerade ball to the mystery and romantic setting of the underground Roman ruins. If I didn’t already love the series, this book would have synched the deal.

Richard Heartly is a second son, he did his duty and joined the military, and he was captured and assumed dead, well to everyone but his family. Richard suffers from PTSD and views his scars worse than they actually are. As a result Richard has not reinterred society he has let everyone outside his family to think he’s dead, except Lady Duncaster. She manages to convince him to attend the masquerade ball, after all what better ways to hide your whole identity then with a bauta. Out of all the Lady’s in attendance he spots one and feels a connection to her. Lady Mary Bourneville has been fending off her aunt’s attempts at marrying her off even before arriving at Thorncliff Manor but he choice in costumes draws some unwanted attention. Humoring her aunt she goes along with it but there is only one man she wants to be with the mysterious Segnor Antonio. Their initial conversation consisted of books, music, and why she feels marriage is a bad choice. He is different from other men, he actually listened to her, treated her like her opinions mattered and didn’t try to change or argue with her about her feelings on marriage. The only problem is that her aunt refuses to allow him to pursue her because he hides his true identity behind the mask and refuses to reveal it. That doesn’t stop them they meet secretly at night and slowly reveal to each other their secrets and discovering the secrets of Thorncliff Manor. Lady Mary is receiving unwanted attention from an old family friend and it’s giving her the creeps, twice already Richard has had to save Mary from the man.

Mary is intelligent enough she figures out his real name and his family, but she waits until he trusts her enough to reveal it himself. She knows if she shows how much she trusts him by revealing her own secret he can do the same. Overall, I could not love this book more than I do. It is my favorite of the series so far and Richard and Mary are my favorite couple so far. I can’t wait for more.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: The Earl's Complete Surrender by Sophie Barnes

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.

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ARC The Earl's Complete Surrender by Sophie Barnes

I really enjoyed this book. I found that at the end I didn't want it to end I wanted more of Chloe and Woodford to know more about what happens to them after this grand adventure. I loved the H/h individually and together. They were both burned in the past afraid to love again and insecure with their emotions, but the harder they protest the harder they fall. Its funny to read how much they don't want a relationship yet can't stop finding themselves always in each other's company, you just chuckle to yourself and think it's only a matter of time. At points in the story when something would happen to hurt one character or the other it was easy to emphasize with them, to want to crawl into a hole and cry for them. I loved the spy aspect of the book it was very exciting and entertaining, I loved how dark it got points. I loved reading the little bits about Kip and Sarah, from the previous book, it's not necessary that you read the first book but, like in a good amount of series everything is more cohesive if you've read all the books.

When the book starts we find ourselves in the King’s chambers. The recently crowned King is worried that an old secret society, The Electors, that has had its fingers in every pie around might try to overthrow the monarchy by killing him. He charges the one man he trusts to find an old book, The Political Journal that contains all the names of the members. The Earl of Woodford, James, finds himself at Thorncliff Manor with the man who raised him the Marquess of Hainsworth. James had worked as a spy for most of his life, he was practically born into the job, he took after his father, who was murdered by The Electors when he was trying to track them down. James’ mother was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was murdered as well. James had a personal stake in finding out who is behind it all.

Lady Newbury, Chloe, is the widowed sister of the last story's hero, Kip. She is staying with her family since her late husband's heir had moved onto the entitled home. Chloe had been at Thorncliff Manor for two weeks and her search for The Political Journal has had no luck. She has recently discovered the The Electors were behind the death of her grandfather. She never expected to find help in the form of the intense Lord Woodford.

All the while James and Chloe fight their attraction and deny that their feelings run much deeper than either of them realizes; they find the book, survive several attacks, and discover some people are not who they appear to be. This book had everything I love in it; sexual tension thick enough you could use a knife to cut it, suspense, action, mystery, and a romantic couple who once they realize where they stand will never let go.

Sophie Barnes is a fantastic storyteller, this one had me all tangled up and enthralled. Thorncliff Manor is a great series so far with its eccentric host, The Countess of Duncaster, and its extraordinary past. I can't wait for more.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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A Duke Surrender's His Heart...with Sophie Barnes and Giveaway

Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

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ARC Review: Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes

Lady Sarah’s Sinful Desires is the first book in a new series for Sophie Barnes, The Secrets at Thorncliff Manor. I really enjoyed this one; it almost is a sweet romance the main characters don’t give in to their desires until the last part of the book, almost the ending. I don’t think I would have liked it as much if it was any different, if they had acted sooner on those desires it just wasn’t who the characters were. The story flowed smoothly from beginning to end, it was witty and sweet you can easily sympathize with the characters who have things in their past that have colored their current actions. I love the concept for this series, Thorncliff Manor is a large estate run by a wise and eccentric older lady, a widow who thought it was a shame to let such a big house go to waste and so she lets out rooms in the house for vacationing families who can afford it.

Lady Sarah has a secret and it’s not the hamster hiding in her reticule, it’s a secret that can embarrass her family and ruin her sister’s chances at finding good matches. In a way to remedy this, her selfish and uncaring parents have arranged for her a marriage. Sarah is deeply sorry about her indiscretion and bears all the guilt for it, something her parents make sure she doesn’t forget to feel sorry for so she is resigned herself to her fate and together with her family she has traveled to Thorncliff Manor to meet the man she is suppose to marry. Unfortunately then man, Mr. Denison is old enough to be her father with two daughters her age and is absolutely horrible.

Christopher, the Viscount Spencer, and his family are vacationing at Thorncliff Manor while the family house is being renovated. He is being pressured by his family to finally settle down and get an heir but that is the furthest thing from his mind. In his past he was betrayed by a woman and he hasn’t quite gotten over it. Looking to avoid any and all matchmaking, napping in the Conservatory changes all that.

It was easy to start a friendship with Sarah, what isn’t easy is denying they could easily make something more of it. Sarah as caring as she is, as fun as she is to be with, Christopher respects her plans to marry Mr. Denison. He knows there is another reason she is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want and confides in her his past in hopes she reveals her own. Holding out as long as she can she finally is forced to explain what happened. But will her past ruin the desire and the friendship they have created or will Christopher love her enough to look past the past.

Overall this was a great read, I think on my list on favorite historical for the year this easily falls in the top five. The name is misleading but if you can forgive that you’ll like it.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Guest Post with Author Sophie Barnes and Giveaway

Meet Sophie Barnes, author of Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires.

Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

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A Royal Affair...with Sophie Barnes and Giveaway

A Royal Affair on Christmas Eve - Sophie Barnes

Born in Denmark, Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

Find Sophie at:

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Guest Post with Author Sophie Barnes and Giveaway

Meet Sophie Barnes, author of The Danger in Tempting an Earl.

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian.

She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.

When she’s not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

Places to find Sophie:

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Caught in a Snowstorm...with Sophie Barnes and Giveaway

Caught in a Snowstorm on Christmas Eve - Sophie Barnes

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian.

She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.

When she’s not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

Places to find Sophie:

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ARC Review: The Trouble With Being a Duke by Sophie Barnes

The Trouble with Being a Duke was a nice book. It is the first book of Sophie Barnes’ new series, At the Kingsborough Ball. Nice is the most accurate word I can think of for this pleasant story. The writing was not inspired, but it was nice. The story was not unique, but it was nice. The characters were not special, but they were nice. This was not the best book I’ve ever read, but it was a nice Regency Cinderella-themed book.

Ever since his father died and he became the next Duke of Kingsborough Anthony Hurst has worked hard to abandon his rakish lifestyle and become a responsible leader of his family. He convinces his mother to hold another Kingsborough after a five-year hiatus. At the ball Anthony falls hard for a beautiful girl. She is Isabella Chilcott, an impoverished girl from the neighborhood. Isabella is practically engaged to man she does not love, but needs to marry him to help her family. She borrows a mysterious gown from the attic, dons a mask and heads out for one special night. Complications are many as Anthony pursues Isabella and she tries to stay true to her commitments. There is a bit of a mystery and a major resolution before the book is done.

I enjoyed The Trouble with Being a Duke because it was a nicely done story, but there were some shortcomings. Anthony was almost too good to be true. As a result, I didn’t quite buy the fact that he was supposed to be such a rake. Isabella clung to her chosen path even though there really wasn’t much reason for her to do so. Her parents were resistant to Anthony’s suit for no apparent reason (OK, the reason was later explained, but it wasn’t totally satisfying to me). The ending was somewhat dragged out without a clear climax. I liked that fact that the plot for the next book was introduced very subtly and it did not interfere with this story. The book certainly didn’t break new ground, it was an interesting twist on an old theme. I liked it and it will appeal to Regency readers.

**ARC provided by Edelwiess**

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Interview with Author Sophie Barnes and Giveaway

Author Sophie Barnes is celebrating the upcoming release of her newest book, The Trouble With Being a Duke and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give her a warm welcome.

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian.

She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.

When she’s not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

Places to find Sophie:

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