Already a big fan of
Victoria Vane’s and the Devil DeVere Series, it was only natural that I wanted
to read Simon’s story, JEWEL OF THE EAST, and I’m very glad I did.
***eARC provided by
author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review
Blurb for JEWEL OF THE EAST:
Book # 5 in the
award-winning Devil DeVere series.
May be read as a standalone
Maimed by misfortune… healed by love…
His wounds run deep… Having once lived his life only for larks, laughter, and ladies of easy virtue, Captain Simon Singleton has returned from war a shambles of a man. Although free from six years of captivity, he's still fettered by fears that confine him to a life of seclusion.
Her scars are well-hidden… Once the crowning jewel of the most lavish brothel in London, the exotic Salime finds her reputation and livelihood destroyed by a bitter rival. With a closely guarded secret stripped away, she fears no man will ever desire her again. Seeking aid from one who once saved her life, she accepts a proposition to become a companion to his war-scarred friend.
But love is the eternal cure… When circumstance brings these two damaged souls together, fate ignites a love story worthy of the Arabian Nights.
May be read as a standalone
Maimed by misfortune… healed by love…
His wounds run deep… Having once lived his life only for larks, laughter, and ladies of easy virtue, Captain Simon Singleton has returned from war a shambles of a man. Although free from six years of captivity, he's still fettered by fears that confine him to a life of seclusion.
Her scars are well-hidden… Once the crowning jewel of the most lavish brothel in London, the exotic Salime finds her reputation and livelihood destroyed by a bitter rival. With a closely guarded secret stripped away, she fears no man will ever desire her again. Seeking aid from one who once saved her life, she accepts a proposition to become a companion to his war-scarred friend.
But love is the eternal cure… When circumstance brings these two damaged souls together, fate ignites a love story worthy of the Arabian Nights.
(mature content warning)
* * * * *
Once upon a time, Simon
Singleton led a carefree life writing poetry and loving women. Then he was sent
to America to fight in the British Army by his father to become a man. There, he was injured,
taken prisoner, and lived six years in captivity. Although he survived, he didn’t
return unscathed but instead returned a broken and fearful man. When his
friend, Ludovic DeVere learned of his condition, he knew he had to find a way
to help his old friend back to the life he once knew filled with laughter,
smiles, and the appreciation of beautiful women.
Salime, known as the
Jewel of the East, has never failed to enamor the men who beg who favors yet
lately, her client numbers have fallen away, and when she discovers that another
is stealing her livelihood, she only has DeVere to turn to for help. DeVere has
another plan for her, one that will assist her and his dearest friend Simon, known affectionately to his friends as Sin.
But will Salime be able
to bring Simon back from the PTSD state that makes him wish to live life as a
hermit even fearing the touch of another human being? And what of Salime, can
she protect her heart from the charms of poetic Simon that even he no longer believes
he possesses?
Although I felt that
Victoria reiterated a lot of story already told in previous installments of The
Devil DeVere Series, it works because JEWEL OF THE EAST really does work well
as a stand-alone story. If you’ve never experienced any of this amazing
historical romance series, Salime and Simon’s story is a great one to start
with because although it carries the flavor and sense of the rest of the series,
it’s tame in comparison. Victoria accompanies the journey to a saving love with the most appropriately romantic poetic quotes. This story is a feast for the heart and the mind.
JEWEL OF THE EAST by
Victoria Vane is a sweet, romantic love story about two people scarred by their
pasts not only physically, but also emotionally. It’s about how love, honor,
sacrifice, and surrender can soothe the pain of heartache and heal the heart so
that it might open to a new love.
I highly recommend
reading JEWEL OF THE EAST by Victoria Vane, her tamest of The Devil DeVere
series but also her most romantically sweetest to anyone who loves historical
romance and a truly happily-ever-after ending.
Be sure to check out the
entire awesome THE DEVIL DEVERE SERIES:
A Wild Night's Bride #1
The Virgin Huntress#2
The Devil You Know #3
The Devil's Match #4
A Devil's Touch #4.5
Jewel Of the East #5
PREQUEL VIGNETTES:
Devil in the Making #1
The Trouble With Sin #2
Ned's Folly#3
Happy Reading Everyone!
JEWEL OF THE EAST, book
5 of The Devil DeVere Series by Victoria Vane, Vane Publishing, available now
in ebook formats at Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
***click on links or cover below for purchasing information
2 comments:
I have read some of Victoria's books, I like them. I happen to like romances that have scarred and damaged people, they 'feel' more human to me. That kind of book makes for an interesting story, I enjoy reading how they look for and find their HEA.
Thanks for you review Amy, another book to add to my growing pile. :-)
Always glad I contribute to your growing list of want to reads, Dalila. The DeVere series is always a delightful escape into history, isn't it?
xoxo
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