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!

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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