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Barbara Monajem
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The Smuggler's Escape (Perilous Secrets Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Barbara Monajem (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 181 ratings
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After escaping the guillotine in her native France, aristocrat Noelle de Vallon takes refuge with her aunt in Sussex. Feisty, resourceful, and determined to make her own way, she takes over the local smuggling operations, doubling their profits. But when their plans are betrayed, a man from her past steps out of the shadows to save her. Too bad he’s the last man on earth she ever wanted to see again.

Years ago, Richard’s, Lord Boltwood’s, plan to marry Noelle was foiled when his ruthless father shipped him to the Continent to work in espionage. But with the old man at death’s door, Richard returns to England with one final mission: to catch a spy. And Noelle is the prime suspect.

Noelle is determined to finish the smuggling run and escape back to France. She needs Richard’s help to do it, but how can she ever trust the man who abandoned her? And how can Richard catch the real culprit while protecting the woman who stole his heart and won’t forgive him for breaking hers?
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Perilous Secrets
  2. Print length
    268 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    July 24, 2019
  6. File size
    2329 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review


"Barbara Monajem combines sizzling romance with masterful storytelling. Her stories keep me reading late into the night." - USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn"There is something for every reader in this tale of danger, distrust and determination--romance, adventure and intrigue that will keep you guessing up until the very last syllable. Another triumph from the brilliant Barbara Monajem!" - International bestselling author Elizabeth Keysian"A fun-filled smuggling romp involving misunderstandings, lustful pursuits, and scores of amusing asides." - Francine Howarth, Historical Romance Reviews"Smugglers, spies, action, humor love...what else do you needin a book? This author has a great way of spinning a very original tale." -Cyrene,Uncaged Book Reviews"This is a fun light-hearted Regency certainly worth the read!" - Booktalk with Eileen

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07SD7TXWY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Soul Mate Publishing, LLC (July 24, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 24, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2329 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 268 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 181 ratings

About the author

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Barbara Monajem

Barbara Monajem

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Winner of the Holt Medallion, Maggie, Daphne du Maurier, Reviewer’s Choice and Epic awards, Barbara Monajem wrote her first story at eight years old about apple tree gnomes. She published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young. When they grew up, she turned to writing for adults, first the Bayou Gavotte paranormal mysteries and then Regency romances with intrepid heroines and long-suffering heroes (or vice versa). Some of her Regencies have magic in them and some don’t (except for the magic of love, which is in every story she writes).

Barbara loves to cook, especially soups, and is an avid reader. There are only two items on her bucket list: to make asparagus pudding and succeed at knitting socks. She’ll manage the first but doubts she’ll ever accomplish the second. This is not a bid for immortality but merely the dismal truth. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.

** Learn more about Barbara at her website: http://www.BarbaraMonajem.com

** Friend or follow Barbara here on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/barbara.monajem

** Follow Barbara on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BarbaraMonajem

** Follow or friend Barbara on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1chhzpf

** Sign up for her occasional newsletter here: http://www.barbaramonajem.com/contact.html

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
181 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kaija
5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining book!
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book certainly is entertaining and hard to put down! Lots of surprises and twists in this story! I held my breath hoping the heroine would be safe! Some spice and a sexy story , but not constant , so there actually is a great plot. Noelle needed to learn to trust again. Suggest you read this for yourself.
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Carole
4.0 out of 5 stars Just a little too convoluted.
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
A very good storyline basis but a too many names and incidents. More bedroom scenes than I care for. None would be better. I thought the Heroine didn't trust the Hero enough. Still a worthwhile read.
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Parisfox
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT STORY
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written, with few errors, well-developed characters, and a fast-moving story line that kept me interested right to the end. This is the first book I have read from this author and I look forward to reading many more. I recommend this book and this author without hesitation or reservation.
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Rural Reader
3.0 out of 5 stars A well written, but frustrating read.
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2019
Set in Sussex, The Smuggler's Escape by Barbara Monajem unfolds during the volatile period of the late 18th century. This second-chance romance features interesting characters (both likable and unlikable) within a well woven, but complicated plot. This stand-alone novel is lengthy, but it is also well written. The author skillfully moves between the hero and heroine's points of view. Also, the thoughts and descriptions are balanced with the dialogues and actions.

Having stated all of the above, I must admit that I really didn't like the hero. Richard was, in one word, a jerk. He expected total loyalty, trust and obedience from Noelle without having earned it in anyway. He was arrogant, condescending, controlling and rude. The very qualities he “loved” about Noelle (smart, feisty and strong), were the personality traits he belittled. She really deserved better, but alas she was in lust/love with him. What really gnawed on my nerves was their constant bickering, hostility and angst in general. Way too much angst.

I was truly glad that the ending was happy. However, had the author opted to include an epilogue, the ending would have been more satisfying.

Content alert: In addition to secular and religious expletives, the sexual content is described in detail.

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
17 people found this helpful
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Margaret Watkins
4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced, adventurous and suspenseful
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019
In an era when friends could be enemies, Noelle de Vallon is cautious and mistrustful, especially when Lord Boltwood returns and claims her as his bride. Noelle has more gumption and feistiness than 10 men put together, but in an era when women entertained themselves playing the piano and doing needlework, she really did not fit in, especially as she is also a French emigree with strong views about equality! As a hero, Richard needed a Gibbs slap on the head as he is overbearing and unduly aggressive towards Noelle. However, the reader quickly realises that he is feeling his way, his emotions do run deep and he is as wounded as she is. I was a bit irritated with Richard's manner, as well as the constant mistrust and bickering between the pair, but then realised that this book took place over a period of a few days, and when there is so much hurt between a couple, it takes time to resolve those feelings. The book is generally well written, fast-paced and adventurous, and thankfully comes to a successful close. As with other readers, I feel that an epilogue to this book would not be out of place. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
5 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Smuggler or Spy
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
I couldn't wait to read Richard and Noelle's story. A game of cat and mouse with life hanging in the balance. Richard works for the government and returns home for his father's funeral. And then life gets complicated. Wonderful book.
2 people found this helpful
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linda
5.0 out of 5 stars another wonderful book by a wonderful author
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2019
REVIEWED BY: LINDA TONIS
MEMBER OF THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE REVIEW TEAM
Noelle de Vallon escaped France after her father was guillotined and she was sent to live with an aunt in England. It is 1794 a time when France was dealing with the revolution and where she was destined to end up like her father. Her mother wasted away and now she has no one.

Noelle took to smuggling and when she is called to the death bed of Lord Boltwood he advised her that the Home Office would be arresting her soon for being a spy. He advised her to run but she needed to finish a smuggling job to get more money.

She thought she had more time than she did because while getting ready to hide smuggled brandy the excisemen came knocking. With the excisemen at the door she had to warn the men who were coming, her only choice was to light a lamp and send a signal but she was caught red handed. Her first excuse was that she was out with her net to catch moths but that excuse was lame and unbelievable, her second excuse was that she was out there to meet a man but there was no man and even though she made a big fuss over him being late that excuse fell flat as well.

Then a man she once loved and now hates came to her rescue, Richard Boltwood backed up her story and even went so far as a kiss. Since meeting a man at night alone would be scandalous he told everyone that they were engaged but he was the last man in the world she would ever consider marrying. Almost two and a half years ago after Richard took her virginity and proposed marriage he disappeared without a word and when he left money in an account for her she was convinced he thought of her as a whore.

Richard loved Noelle and never stopped loving her but his father refused to allow him to marry her and drugged him and snuck him away on his yacht. Richard was forced into espionage and working for the government he did what was expected of him. His father made it very clear that contacting Noelle would lead to her death and he didn’t doubt his father at all since it would not be the first time he killed something that Richard loved.

To protect Noelle Richard undertakes smuggling along with her trying to change her mind about marrying him without revealing what he was actually doing. There was a spy and it was up to Richard to find him or her and prove that Noelle was innocent.

Noelle was a woman who didn’t hesitate to take risks and who has to fight with herself not to give into her feelings for Richard. She is forced to put on a front for all to see till she could get enough money to run away it was pretend to be engaged to Richard or the possibility of prison, and she finally accepted the fact that a fake engagement beat jail.

Another wonderful romance filled with betrayal, secrets, lies and a time when women had no rights and where only the Aristocrats mattered. What happens between Noelle and Richard is something I will not share in this review but I highly recommend reading this book and finding out for yourself.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

GYG
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
Noelle and Richard,
fun, and some very witty dialogue. well written, It’s a different kind of romance but one that I hope will have you cheering in the end. A simple love story? You be the judge.
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Wildfly56
4.0 out of 5 stars So many twists and turns.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
The tale involves a past lover, smugglers and spies, so many twists and turns. Found it a slightly confusing read. But love wins through and the spies for France are stopped
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Clive Robinson
3.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
Good read
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