I discovered Julie Anne Long in 2006 when I purchased a copy of Beauty and the Spy, the first book in her Holt Sisters trilogy. I enjoyed her writing and bought the next two Holt Sisters books but it was the 2008 publication of The Perils of Pleasure, the first book in her Pennyroyal Green series, that vaulted her from "I like this author's writing" to "OMG! I love this author, will shout her name from the rooftops, pre-order every book she writes, tell all my friends, and establish her own keeper shelf in my bookcase" status. Yes, I loved Colin Eversea's story that much and for the past seven years I have greeted the release of each successive book published in this series with a sense of anticipation and joy typically reserved for Belgian chocolates or NYC cheesecake. And, of course, with each book I crossed my fingers in the hope that JAL would drop a hint here or a clue there to the mystery surrounding the Romeo and Juliet romance between Lyon Redmond and Olivia Eversea. On September 29th, we will finally learn the whole story. As we count down to the release of The Legend of Lyon Redmond, let's take a step back and relive Lyon's and Olivia's story up until now by following the Avon Pennyroyal Green Excerpt Tour.
Excerpt #4
From What I Did For A Duke by Julie Anne Long
The Duke of Falconbridge
converses with Olivia Eversea
“Good evening, Your Grace. Have you been sent to court me?”
Well.
“No one sends me anywhere I do not wish to go,” he replied easily. “I’m
delighted to have an opportunity to speak with you.”
“She’s immeasurably kind, my sister.” Her mouth was wry at the corner
and the words ironic. She sounded as though she was making a mental note to
pinch Genevieve by the ear for setting a duke upon her. For clearly she thought
this was why the duke was here.
“She is indeed kind.” He was certain there would be no disadvantage to
flattering Genevieve to her sister. “She knew I would enjoy your company and
conversation. And she assures me that you are kind, as well.”
“I’m not,” Olivia disagreed. “I’m committed. But not kind.”
“She assured me of that, as well,” he said smoothly. “Committed is an
admirable thing to be sure. I’ve been accused of a similar quality.”
He was certainly committed to a course of action, anyway, with regards
to Genevieve Eversea. Though he doubted anyone would call it admirable.
Across the room he noted, the way a predator notes prey, the presence
of Ian Eversea.
“You’re committed to flattery, of a certainty.” Acerbic, though one
would tolerate an acid tongue for a time when the owner of it was so very
pretty. Like being pecked by a songbird.
“On the contrary. I’m not merely committed to flattery. I’m a positive acolyte of flattery.”
She smiled at that, and waved her fan thoughtfully beneath her chin,
cocking her head, deciding whether he interested her.
Careful, Miss Eversea. You might
slip up and flirt.
He considered whether he found Olivia’s directness appealing. It
certainly simplified conversation. But simplification wasn’t necessarily always
an improvement. Directness often
disguised as much as it revealed, and was a marvelous defense. He could imagine
suitors slinking away upon having frankness batted
at them by the lovely Olivia Eversea.
Primarily he suspected Olivia Eversea quite simply didn’t care what he
thought of her, while Genevieve Everseas’s Impulses were…well, they were in truth…kind. She cared whether he was comfortable even when she was
uncomfortable. She was, in her way, more of a challenge and less of one.
And her kindness was what he would inevitably be able to exploit to
achieve his ends.
Wiley she might be. But he was building his strategy.
He looked for her again, as she was indeed
committed. Genevieve was now in conversation with a Mr. Adam Sylvaine,
Pennyroyal Green’s vicar and a cousin on their mother’s side. He was long-boned
and easy of manner. A striking man, what with the height and silvery-fair hair.
All of which darkly amused the duke. He was certain bums were packed tightly on
the Pennyroyal Green’s little pews every Sunday, and that most of them belonged
to female. Clever decision on the part of the Everseas, taking such a cousin as
the vicar.
And knowing their proclivities, certain to result in a scandal
involving some poor unwed village girl and that vicar being run out of
Pennyroyal Green on a rail or tumbling out of some woman’s window.
“Perhaps you’d be kind enough to share a dance with me later this
evening, Miss Eversea?”
He suspected he received precisely the same amount of attention and
charm as every other man who approached her. She appeared indomitable. He suspected she was something like the
opposite.
He, like everyone else, knew the story of Lyon Redmond’s disappearance,
and how she had allegedly driven him
away.
The loss of love took everyone differently, he knew. Perhaps she’d
spent all of the love she had and was left with clever deflection to protect
her wounds.
~~~~~~~~~~
Note from PJ:
Friday evening I received a copy of The Legend of Lyon Redmond. Here's what I posted after turning the final page at almost 2:00 am Saturday morning.
UPS delivered a review copy of THE LEGEND OF LYON REDMOND to my doorstep this evening. It's now 1:40 am and I just turned the final page with a deep and heartfelt sigh. When you long for a story for more than six years there's always a concern that it won't measure up to expectations. I needn't have worried. Julie Anne Long has outdone herself with a book that is exquisitely written, achingly romantic, heartbreakingly poignant, and supremely satisfying. It is everything I could have hoped for. And more.
I highly recommend THE LEGEND OF LYON REDMOND. It sits atop my Best of 2015 list. I can't wait to read it again...and again...and again.
Did you know that today is Julie Anne Long's birthday? Did you know it's also mine? To celebrate, I have two giveaways for you today: an autographed paperback copy of Like No Other Lover, the second book in the Pennyroyal Green series and a Kindle copy of The Legend of Lyon Redmond (to be delivered 9/29).
To be entered in the draw, leave a comment, a birthday greeting for Julie or tell me about your favorite Pennyroyal Green book. Winners will be posted Monday night.
(US only for Like No Other Lover)
Pennyroyal Green Excerpt Tour Stops:
9/17 Avon Romance–THE PERILS OF PLEASURE
9/18 All About Romance–LIKE NO OTHER LOVER
9/19 Coffee Time Romance–I KISSED AN EARL
9/20 The Romance Dish–WHAT I DID FOR A DUKE
9/21 Smexy Books–HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON
9/22 Ever After Romance--A NOTORIOUS COUNTESS CONFESSES
9/23 RT Book Reviews–IT STARTED WITH A SCANDAL
9/24 Heroes and Heartbreakers–THE LEGEND OF LYON REDMOND
Bound by centuries of bad blood, England's two most powerful families maintain a veneer of civility . . . until the heir to the staggering Redmond fortune disappears, reviving rumors of an ancient curse: a Redmond and an Eversea are destined to fall disastrously in love once per generation.
An Enduring Legend
Rumor has it she broke Lyon Redmond's heart. But while many a man has since wooed the dazzling Olivia Eversea, none has ever won her—which is why jaws drop when she suddenly accepts a viscount's proposal. Now London waits with bated breath for the wedding of a decade . . . and wagers on the return of an heir.
An Eternal Love
It was instant and irresistible, forbidden . . . and unforgettable. And Lyon—now a driven, dangerous, infinitely devastating man—decides it's time for a reckoning. As the day of her wedding races toward them, Lyon and Olivia will decide whether their love is a curse destined to tear their families apart . . . or the stuff of which legends are made.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BOOKS IN THE PENNYROYAL GREEN SERIES (in order) with links to those reviewed here at TRD:
THE PERILS OF PLEASURE
LIKE NO OTHER LOVER
SINCE THE SURRENDER
HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON
A NOTORIOUS COUNTESS CONFESSES
IT HAPPENED ONE MIDNIGHT
THE LEGEND OF LYON REDMOND (29 Sept. 2015)
never read the series, so no fav
ReplyDeleteThere's some wonderful reading ahead of you, bn100!
DeleteHappy Birthday to you both!!
ReplyDeleteI have the books on my reading list, but have not begun yet.
Thanks, Mary! I hope you enjoy the series. I highly recommend it!
DeletePoor Olivia. It has broken my heart to read about how miserable she has been. I can't wait to read about her and Lyon finally coming together and to find out what really happened.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is actually Like No Other Lover. But I have had The Legend of Lyon Redmond preordered in my kindle since March. I'm so excited!
I know, Emily. Broke my heart too. I can't wait for everyone to read The Legend of Lyon Redmond. I only hope you and everyone else will enjoy it as much as I did!
DeleteThe happiest of birthdays to both you and Julie, PJ!
ReplyDeleteI started reading Julie's books with her debut, The Runaway Duke, in 2004, and she has been one of my auto-buy authors ever since. I remember when Julie visited the Eloisa James/Julia Quinn bulletin board after The Perils of Pleasure was released but before Like No Other Lover was out. Even that early we all knew the Pennyroyal Green series was going to be something special. Each book in the series has reaffirmed that knowledge. My favorite is A Notorious Countess Confesses, with What I Did for a Duke a close second, but I have loved all ten. I preordered The Legend of Lyon Redmond in January as soon as it was available, and I plan on staying awake tomorrow night so that I can start reading as soon as it downloads to my Kindle. I. Can't. Wait.
Thanks, Janga! Like you, I loved all the books but I also have a few special favorites including I Kissed An Earl, A Notorious Countess Confesses and It Started With A Scandal though The Legend of Lyon Redmond eclipses them all.
DeleteUh, that would be next Monday night. You see how eager I am to read this book. :)
DeleteWhat I Did for a Duke is one of my favorites. Happiest of birthdays to you both!
ReplyDeleteThank you for birthday greeting, Sheryl! What I Did For A Duke was a wonderful story!
DeleteHappy birthdays and especially to you, PJ. Hope it's a wonderful one. I've not read this series as yet - there are sooooo many I want to read!
ReplyDeleteThank you, catslady! This is a wonderful series. I highly recommend it!
DeleteHappy Birthday to both you and Julie! My favorite (so far) is It Started With a Scandal - that one just blew me away. Bonnie ( bonnieblue at wowway dot com )
ReplyDeleteIt blew me away too, Bonnie but not as much as The Legend of Lyon Redmond. Hope you enjoy that one too.
DeleteThanks for the birthday greetings! :)
Happy Birthday to you and Julie
ReplyDeleteThanks, jcp!
DeleteHappy Birthday to you both! I can't choose a favorite I love all of the series that I have read. Must say that I have only made it to How The Marquess Was Won. Which means that I have more of the series to enjoy during the winter when we are somewhat housebound.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lil! You have some wonderful reading waiting for the cold months ahead!
DeleteHappy Birthday to you both! I can't choose a favorite I love all of the series that I have read. Must say that I have only made it to How The Marquess Was Won. Which means that I have more of the series to enjoy during the winter when we are somewhat housebound.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Pennyroyal Green book and one of my all time favourite romances of all time, actually, is What I Did for a Duke. I absolutely adore Alex and Genevieve and seeing them again was the best part of Between the Devil and Ian Eversea. I pre-ordered Lyon and Olivia's book months ago, so if I win, I don't actually need a prize - unless I can gift it to someone else.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Malin! I'm always up for sharing the JAL love. If you're the randomly chosen winner you can most definitely gift it to someone else!
DeleteHappy Birthday to you both may you both have a wonderful day and sorry I can't pick a favorite I love all the books!
ReplyDeleteThey are all very lovable, aren't they? :)
DeleteHappy birthday, you two! Enjoy lots of chocolate and reading.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Pennyroyal Green book is What I Did for a Duke. It's so wonderful. Can't wait for Lyon and Olivia's story.
Thanks, LSUReader! I'm saving my chocolate for tonight's dessert, along with some salted caramel. Yum!
DeleteMany Happy Returns of the day to both you and Julie Anne. I did love her "How The Marquess Was Won" book, but having said that, I love all of her books, and have been anxiously awaiting Lyon's story. BTW, my maiden name was "Lyons". LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane!
DeleteYour maiden name is Lyons? In that case, I'd say you and this book are a match ready to be made!
I agree with you.
DeleteHappiest of Birthdays to you both!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to pick a favourite out of all them but I have a special place in my heart for "I Kissed an Earl" since it was the first Pennyroyal Green book that I read, and just loved the road trip (or rather ship trip) aspect of the novel so much! It was a such a fun read, Flint and Violet were really great :)
It was also so lovely to read about the relationship between Violet and Lyon, I'm looking forward to reading about when they first see each other! I already know The Legend of Lyon Redmond will make my heart ache, I can't wait!
I loved I Kissed An Earl. Gave it a 5-star review!
DeleteHappy Birthday to each of you!
ReplyDeleteDenise
Thank you so much, Denise!
DeleteHappy birthday, ladies! Hope you both have spectacular ones!! I absolutely adore this series. Each successive book becomes my new favorite although I do have a soft spot for Jonathan and Tommy from It Happened One Midnight. But I can't wait to finally read about Lyon & Olivia!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ada! Happy reading! Only 9 more days to wait! :)
DeleteHappy Birthday Julie and PJ!!! I have not read the series but is now on my list.
ReplyDeleteOh, Pamela, you have some beautiful stories ahead of you. It's a wonderful series!
DeleteHappy Birthday Julie and PJ! I've read the whole series up to The Legend of Lyon Redmond, and my favorite is still the first book, The Peril's of Pleasure.
ReplyDeleteIt's a special book, isn't it?
DeleteHappy birthday, PJ and Julie Ann! I have so enjoyed this series, and I can't wait to read Olivia and Lyon's story. My favorite book in the series has been What I Did for a Duke.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY ladies!!!!!! Here's hoping that you had an awesome day with lots of memories and cakes :) I actually haven't started this series yet, but it's high on my TBR list. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PJ AND JULIE ANNE!!!!!! Hope you both had amazing days full of your favorite things, people, and pets!! I'm one of those holding out to read the Pennyroyal Green Series until the end. Sadly, there are still a few books only on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you both! I hope you each got to have a wonderful day :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to both of you!! I hope y'all have had a really great day.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you PJ and Julie, my fellow September babies and hope you both had a fabulous day! I'm so anxiously waiting for Lyon and Olivia's story since I love this series so, so much. It's hard to pick a favorite Pennyroyal Green book out of the bunch but I have to go with What I Did For A Duke since it was my first Julie Anne Long book. I fell in love with Falconbridge and Genevieve's story and have been hooked ever since. This is one of my favorite series of all times and can't wait to read what Julie has in store for us with her beautiful writing. But judging by what you said, PJ, I know I won't be disappointed!
ReplyDeleteA very Happy Birthday to both you, P J, and Julie Anne Long. Every one is a gift.
ReplyDeleteI have several books in this series but have been waiting until I have them all to start reading the series. I know I am missing some good writing, but really like to read a series all at once to keep the continuity and the characters fresh in my mind. Thanks for the review and a reminder to get ordering so I can start reading.
Well happy birthday to two lovely ladies!!! Birthday twins are always fun people!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birhday!! My favorite book in the series is What I Did For a Duke.
ReplyDelete