Review & Giveaway - - The Earl That Got Away

The Earl That Got Away

by Diana Quincy

Sirens in Silk - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

American Naila Darwish always regretted calling off her engagement to the man she loved because he wasn’t successful enough for her family. Eight years later, she travels to England for her sister’s wedding and gets the shock of her life when she runs into Basil again. Overjoyed, she wonders if the fates have given her a second chance at love.

But Basil Trevelyn is not the same carefree young man Naila rejected all those years ago. Having unexpectedly inherited a noble title, he is now the Earl of Hawksworth, one of England’s most sought-after bachelors. Still bitter after Naila’s heart-wrenching rejection all those years ago, Hawk is cold and distant, suspecting Naila is after his money and position.

When the two lost lovers are repeatedly thrown together, they discover that the chemistry between them burns brighter than ever and that some feelings are too strong to deny. Will they allow pride and lingering resentment to keep them from seizing their last chance at happiness?  

PJ's Thoughts:

Diana Quincy is an author I turn to when I'm in the mood for Victorian romance brimming with layered characters, complicated family dynamics, and rich cultural representation. She never fails to take me on an emotional journey with a hard-won happy ending. 

The Earl That Got Away is a second-chance romance featuring an Arab-American spinster and an English earl. They met once before in Philadelphia, when he was a commoner and she, a young woman heavily influenced by the restrictions of her Arab-American family. Mistakes were made that separated them but are regretted to the day, several years later, when they unexpectedly meet again in London. However, their reactions to that reunion could not be more different. 

The journey on which Quincy takes Naila and Basil is a roller coaster of ups, downs, conflicts, attraction, and deep emotions. It's clear they both have feelings for one another but there are a boatload of feelings that need to be handled with forgiveness and understanding before there's even a hope of reconciliation on the horizon. If you like your romances with angst, you're going to love these two. 

Naila's family members play vital roles in both the separation and reunification of this couple, as is to be expected in a Persuasion retelling. Let's just say some of them elicit very strong feelings. 

As with the first book in this series, The Duke Gets Desperate (click to read Santa's review), Quincy imbues this second story with the traditions, challenges, and rich cultural representation of her own Arab-American heritage. I enjoy learning more about the author's culture through the characters of her books and am looking forward to whatever she has planned next. 

Have you read any of Diana Quincy's books yet? 

Do you enjoy reading about other cultures?

Do you enjoy Jane Austen retellings? 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, October 18 will receive a Mass Market Paperback copy of The Earl That Got Away.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - The Duke Gets Desperate

The Duke Gets Desperate

by Diana Quincy

Sirens in Silk - Book 1

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 26, 2023

Reviewed by Santa

Anthony Cary, Duke of Strickland, inherits his spendthrift father’s title and can finally restore the family castle to its former glory. But at the reading of the will, Strick is stunned to learn that his father has secretly disentailed him, leaving the family manor—home to twelve generations of dukes—to Strick’s American stepmother. Everyone knows Strick detests the dowager duchess, and when she dies mysteriously, damning rumors start to surface. 

When Raya Darwish unexpectedly inherits her glamorous late cousin’s castle in the English countryside, she clashes with the charismatic young duke who insists the castle is rightfully his. The estate is practically bankrupt, so she must find a way to work with the duke in order to save both of their futures.

The two cannot stand each other, but mutual disdain soon gives way to desire. When questions arise about how her cousin died, Raya cannot help wondering if Strick’s sudden unbridled passion for her is part of a scheme to get his castle back...  

Santa Says:

I am a huge Diana Quincy fan and have enjoyed every book I have read. The Duke Gets Desperate has quickly become a favorite read of 2023 for me. You can’t help but fall for Anthony Cary, Duke of Strickland. A duke in love with his lands, tenants and with his beloved castle. There is just one problem - the castle isn’t really his. Upon his death, his father gave it to his American wife. Adding insult to injury his step mother left it to another American cousin. Sorely lacking in funds, he is desperate to set things to rights. Once this American interloper arrives, he will move heaven and earth to gain back the castle.

While Anthony does expect to meet another brash American heiress, he is stunned to face a formidable foe. Raya Darwish is a beautiful Arab-American woman who does not understand why her cousin would have left her a run down and crumbling castle. What could she have been thinking? Having helped run her family’s business in Boston, Raya begins to see how she can make the castle into a showpiece that she can turn around, sell and leave England. Not on Anthony’s watch! They clash over each proposal, both passionate about their goals. That passion and their conflicts are what drive this romance forward. Yet all around them are mysteries surrounding her cousin’s death and the theft of ancient artifacts found on the grounds. Delicious intrigue, indeed.

I highly recommend this five star read. Diana Quincy writes beautiful dialog and wonderful imagery. I enjoy her books from a historical perspective as I learn about the lives and history of Arabians during Victorian times both in America and England. So run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore or let your fingers do the waking and order your copy today! Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~

PJ, here. I hope you enjoyed Santa's review of Diana Quincy's The Duke Gets Desperate. If I hadn't already read it, I'd be hightailing it to my favorite book buying site to download a copy. Like Santa, I adored Anthony and Raya. I'm already excited to discover what book two in this new series will bring.

Have you read Diana Quincy yet?

Do you enjoy multi-cultural historical romances?

What do you think of romances set during Victorian times rather than the Regency?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 27 will receive a print copy of The Duke Gets Desperate.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - The Marquess Makes His Move

The Marquess Makes His Move

by Diana Quincy

Clandestine Affairs - Book 3

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: March 29, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

The new footman doesn’t seem to know his place… 

London’s most renowned mapmaker is a woman...but nobody knows it. If anyone discovers that Rose Fleming is the power and talent behind the family business, the scandal could ruin them. Rose’s secret is tested by the arrival of a handsome new footman who shows far too much interest in his new mistress. Rose battles an intense attraction to the enigmatic servant, but maintaining a proper distance isn’t easy when you and temptation live under the same roof. 

She makes him forget he has a score to settle…

Few have met the reclusive half-Arab Marquess of Brandon, who is rumored to live with a harem of beauties among his mother’s people near Jerusalem. Brandon couldn’t care less what society thinks of him, or that his fellow peers are disdainful of his common blood, but he won’t stand for being robbed. That’s why he's disguised himself as a footman in the home of a respected mapmaker who cheated Brandon out of his land. But the nobleman's plans for retribution are complicated by his growing attraction for the secretive lady of the house.

When Brandon uncovers the shocking truth about Rose’s role in his stolen birthright, can a love born of deception really conquer all?

PJ's Thoughts:

I didn't discover Diana Quincy until 2020 when Her Night with the Duke, book one in her Clandestine Affairs series was released (click to read my review). Since then, I have eagerly awaited each of her books, stories that have further reinforced her standing as one of my go-to historical romance authors. 

I love stories where the hero has a singular goal from which nothing will deter him. Until the heroine appears on the scene. Suddenly, that clear-cut goal is a little...well...maybe not quite so clear cut. Such is the case with Alex and Rose and I lapped it up like a kitten with a saucer of milk. These two were so good together. And the swoony, sensual heat they generated. Yes, please! 

My heart ached for Rose's situation. The villain and what he did to her! Oh, the curses I rained over his head! It was wonderful to watch her evolve and take control of her life. The kindness, friendship, and support Alex offered had me sighing with so many good feels. He wasn't perfect - because, reasons - but I was still in his corner, cheering him on. I had no idea how these two would ever find a way to be together that was honorable and right. But the author had a few twists up her sleeve that, wow, I did not see coming. 

As with the first two books in the series, this one is rich with cultural representation, honoring the author's own heritage. I enjoyed how the characters' Arab culture was woven seamlessly and naturally throughout the book, featuring the joy of language, food, and traditions that were an intrinsic part of their culture. But I also appreciated the fact that the author did not hide the biases these same characters faced within English society, or the internal conflicts they caused, even to those (like Alex) with a title. 

The supporting cast of this book is filled with characters who add humor, heart, and realism to the story. I loved the relationship between Alex and his sister (heroine of book one) which overflows with realistic, sometimes humorous, always "tell it like it is" siblings vibes. The scenes featuring his three-year-old, scene-stealing niece are adorable. And then there's the staff at Rose's home who often had me laughing out loud. Quincy is quite skilled at creating fully-developed characters who come to life on the page. 

If you have not yet discovered Diana Quincy, I enthusiastically recommend The Marquess Makes His Move. The couples from books one and two do appear in this book but I don't think you lose anything if you should decide to read the books out of order. 

Review & Giveaway - - The Viscount Made Me Do It

The Viscount Made Me Do It

by Diana Quincy

Clandestine Affairs - Book 2

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: July 27, 2021

Reviewed by Santa

A seduction that could ruin everything... 

Hanna Zaydan has fought to become London’s finest bonesetter, but her darkly appealing new patient threatens to destroy everything she’s worked so hard for. The daughter of Arab merchants is slowly seduced by the former soldier — even though she’s smart enough to know Griff is after more than he’ll reveal. Whatever it is, the bonesetter’s growing desire for the man just might tempt her to give it to him. 

An attraction that cannot be denied... 

Rumors that he killed his own parents have followed Thomas Ellis, Viscount Griffin, practically since he was a boy. More than a decade after the tragedy, Griff receives a tip about his parents’ killer… one that takes him straight to a captivating bonesetter. Griff is convinced Hanna is a fraud, but the dark-eyed beauty stirs deep feelings in him that he thought had perished along with his family. 

Hanna has a gift for fixing fractured people, but can she also mend a broken heart? More importantly, will Griff let her?

Santa Says:

The Viscount Made Me Do It by Diana Quincy is a five star read for me. This Regency based romance takes the reader to a different part of London that most readers are unaware of and into the lives of the Arab communities of those times. It also brings to light a mystery that has darkened the life of our hero for most of his life. Our heroine, Hanna Zaydan, and our hero, Viscount Griffin, would never have met under normal circumstances. This book proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that circumstances aren’t always what they seem.  

Hanna Zayden is a bonesetter at a time when not everyone trusts that profession especially when a woman is the one setting dislocated or poorly set bones. Hanna is striving for legitimacy and hopes to one day operate in offices she owns. The daughter of Arab cotton merchants, her family does not really support her endeavors. After all, her one goal, like any young lady growing up in Regency England, is to marry and marry well. 

Thomas Ellis, Viscount Grifiin, is haunted by the violent death of his parents when he was a very young man barely in his teens. He has no memory of the invasion and death of his parents. He has been accused of killing his parents because of this. He is shunned by his sisters and raised by a guardian.

On a lark, Thomas visits a seedy tavern where some acquaintances call on Hanna to ‘heal’ their friend who pretends to have a broken wrist. They just want to prove her to be a charlatan. Thomas notices that she is wearing his mother’s necklace which has been missing since the night of the murder. He tracks her down and visits her place of business using an old war injury to his shoulder as an excuse. Hanna does help his shoulder and their consequent involvement sparks off an attraction they can’t deny. It also spirals Thomas into discovering what happened that fateful night so many years ago. 

This book is the second book of a series that brings readers to a Arabian segment of Regency England.  Diana Quincy's writing is fast paced as both a mystery and romance are unraveled. Hanna and Thomas have obstacles to overcome on all sides. Their road to their happily ever after is gripping and immensely satisfying. Once you pick up The Viscount Made Me Do It you will not want to put it down.

PJ here:

Have you read Diana Quincy yet?

Have you ever read a romance featuring a female bonesetter? (I hadn't and I was fascinated!)

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 3 will receive a print copy of The Viscount Made Me Do It. 

*U.S. street addresses only

*Must be 18

*Void where prohibited

Review - - Her Night With the Duke

Her Night With the Duke

by Diana Quincy

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 29, 2020

Reviewed by PJ

 

Desire knows no reason...

When Lady Delilah Chambers finds herself stranded at a country inn on a rain-swept evening, she’s forced to fend off a group of ruffians with the help of a handsome gentleman. Irresistibly drawn to each other, Leela and the stranger spend one reckless night in each others’ arms—and then go their separate ways. But the very next day Leela receives the shock of her life when she meets the duke who is set on wedding her beloved stepdaughter.

When it finds two destined hearts...

One night isn’t enough with a woman as fierce, fiery, and brilliant as Leela. Elliot Townsend, Duke of Huntington, cannot believe his good fortune when their chance encounter leads to an unforgettable evening of passion. Yet Hunt’s luck runs out when he is introduced to his prospective mother-in-law. Dowagers aren’t supposed to look like this... 

Leela and Hunt are determined to keep each other at arm’s length, which should be easy enough for two intelligent adults with reputations to uphold. The problem is all logic is lost when it comes to a passion that refuses to be ignored.

PJ's Thoughts:

What a breath of fresh air this novel is! With vividly depicted characters, emotional depth, fiery passion, and enough twists to keep me guessing until the very end, Quincy has penned a novel that captured my interest and kept me involved from start to finish. 

Leela is a treasure. She is the heart of this book and one of my favorite romance heroines this year. I love her strength, her intelligence, and her hard-won independence. I love her adventurous spirit, her confidence in her value, and her refusal to accept less than she is worth. I especially enjoy how Leela embraces the heritage of her Arab mother that was denied her while growing up. This is an "own voices" novel with Quincy exploring the history, culture, and cuisine of the heritage she shares with her heroine. 

I also love how Leela embraces the passion between Hunt and herself during their agreed upon night together, but places a higher value on the bond of love and trust she shares with her stepdaughter, Tori, once she discovers Tori is to become Hunt's betrothed.  

Hunt is stunned by the passion he shares with Leela but bound to her stepdaughter by his honor, even though he barely knows the girl, as well as his determination to outrun his family's reckless reputation. His heart knows what it wants but his head, and stuffy English bias, disagree, especially after certain facts come to light. He has quite a growth arc in front of him if he has any hope of being worthy of Leela's love.

There are several colorful secondary characters who enrich the story but my favorite is Tori. What a surprise she is! Her relationship with Leela is not that of a typical fictional stepmother-stepdaughter. Instead of an adversarial relationship, these two share deep love, deep liking, and mutual respect. I love how they support one another, no matter what. It's not hard to see from whom Tori gained her unexpected independence and strength of character. I enjoyed her journey almost as much as I did Leela's.