The Romance Studio, 5 Hearts

Before An Autumn Wind by Katherine Smith

Jonathan Wakefield has urgent business in France and the last thing he needs is to become entangled in the troubles of the very lovely—and very exasperating—daughter of an important British official. Rescuing her from certain disaster, he finds himself fleeing across a volatile war-torn country, his reluctant charge in tow.
Seething at having to endure the company of an arrogant stranger, Brittony Ashland cannot find a balance between gratitude and fury. Her tall, dark savior might just be the most irritating man she’s ever met … and also the most intriguing. Once they are back in London and he storms out of her life, she is extremely relieved …
Or is she?
An English beauty and a Scottish lord take their story from Paris to London to a wild English coast, fighting not only convention and a deadly enemy bent on revenge … but also each other.

Available for purchase at LionHearted Publishing, Inc.

EXCERPT:

click here to read first 3 chapters for free

REVIEWS:

Katherine Smith weaves a tale of romance and intrigue with Before An Autumn Wind that sings to the soul and keeps the reader entranced until the last page.
Lori Soard, author of Housebreaking a Husband, Thorndike, 2003.

Before An Autumn Wind is a compelling tale of drama laced with passion that will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end. The love affair between feisty Brittony Ashland and dashing Jonathan Wakefield is tumultuous and unforgettable.
Betty Jo Schuler, author of EPPIES finalist, WINNING CHANCE, Treble Heart Books

This was a newly discovered author for me, and after reading this book, I’ll be looking for more. Highly recommended for fans of historical romance. The story takes place during the war between England and France.

Brittony is the daughter of an important British official. She’s a strong and very independent heroine--very stubborn, too. She goes for a long visit to her aunt in France before her parents can manage to marry her off. She becomes friends with a young French idealist and becomes passionately involved with the movement against the French government. Her friend is badly wounded, and makes it to her bedroom window, where he dies in her arms. She is later arrested as a spy, questioned by one who becomes her enemy since she had turned down a marriage proposal for him.

Jonathan is half English, half Scot, though he considers himself an Englishman and feels unwelcome by his Scots relatives, leaving the estate he inherits there to be run by his cousin. He’s in France on a secret mission for the Crown, and has to abandon it feeling compelled to rescue Brittony and get her out of France and back to safety in England. The story progresses as they travel across France to find passage on a boat to England, having to walk to avoid those searching for Brittony. Danger and intrigue along the way, with Brittony resenting his taking charge since she feels capable of taking care of herself. She exasperates him to no end, yet he admires her spunk and becomes attracted to her, as does she to him despite her resentment. They become closer during their travels, and eventually she wonders if they might not escape and decides she wants to experience loving and to seduce him. He tries to resist, not wanting to marry and knowing that she’s not the sort to be trifled with, and that his honor would demand marriage if he succumbs, but they end up coming passionately together.

They do eventually make it back to England, but there’s still more to come; and they part angrily soon after their return. Jonathan is called away to his estate in Scotland and later finds she is in danger and need of rescue again. The plot moves right along, keeping your interest, with surprises along the way. Their building romance is not an easy one being that both are very independent and used to having their own way, Brittony more so, resenting her limitations as a woman in that time. I liked both characters and thought them a well matched couple, rooting for them to find love and happiness together.

Pam P., a Reader