Title: A Minor Inconvenience

Author: Sarah Granger

Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Release Date: 14^th January, 2014

Genre: M/M      Historical Romance

 

 BLURB  :                    

 Duty, honor, propriety…all fall in the face of love. 

Captain Hugh Fanshawe returned from the Peninsular War with a leg that no longer works properly, thanks to a French musket ball. Now his fight against Napoleon is reduced to quiet, lonely days compiling paperwork at Horse Guards headquarters.

His evenings are spent dutifully escorting his mother and sister to stifling social engagements, where his lameness renders him an object of pity and distaste. But his orderly, restricted life is thrown into sudden disarray with the arrival of Colonel Theo Lindsay.

Theo is everything Hugh is not-a man of physical perfection and easy yet distinguished address. Surprisingly to Hugh, Theo appears to be interested in making his acquaintance. Lindsay turns out to be a most convivial companion, and Hugh finds great pleasure in his company. Their friendship deepens when they become lovers.

In spite of himself, Hugh falls desperately in love. But when a French spy is suspected at Horse Guards, Hugh discovers nothing is as it seems.and the paper he shuffles from day to day could be the instrument of his lover’s death.

Warning: Contains gallant English officers in love, dastardly French spies, skintight pantaloons (sometimes on the floor) and gleaming tasselled Hessians.

 

Praise for A Minor Inconvenience

“…this romance is one of the best period pieces I’ve ever read.” Rainbow Reviews

“Sense and Sensibility meets A Minor Inconvenience ~ I just loved the way this book read; like reading a gay Jane Austen.In the best tradition of a sweeping historical background, Sarah sets the scene for a great romance with all the trimmings and style of the regency era…. The story is intricate and beautifully written.” Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews  (A Minor Inconvenience was one of the site’s Hotpicks for January)

“The writing is beautiful, some of the wry, clever speeches laugh-out-loud funny, and throughout the whole there is such a sense of time and place that you forget that this mundane world of ours isn’t one of breeches and Almacks, Vauxhall gardens and opera dancers.” Anna Butler

“.the humor in this story is a treat!… I applaud the author for delivering a fresh, captivating plot and such wonderfully unique characters as Hugh and Theo. If you are fancying a highly entertaining historical story – you can’t go wrong here.” Live your life, buy the book 

“I loved this book..I think anyone who loves historical romance written in the style of its setting and who likes a plot based story will love it too.” Mrs Condit & Friends Read Books

EXCERPT:

Hugh was so turned about by the time the next set of dances ended that he had lost sight entirely of Lindsay. He retreated to the edge of the room, seeking a wall to stand against, only to find a hand placed in the small of his back and Lindsay’s voice close against his ear. “Escaping already, Fanshawe? I cannot permit that. We must present a united front if we are to prevail.”

Smiling, he turned his head. Lindsay looked even more handsome than Hugh had remembered, the silver buttons on his uniform coat sparkling in the light and his grey eyes filled with warmth along with the lazy amusement they so often showed.

“Does your united front permit a strategic regrouping?” Hugh asked.

“Music to my ears, Fanshawe. What have you in mind?”

“I was thinking a glass of punch and perhaps some cool air in the hall.”

“With a tactical brain like that, I can’t think how you have not yet been gazetted as general.”

Procuring a glass of cold punch each, they escaped to the hall that ran the length of the house. It proved to be a busy thoroughfare, used by those seeking to move to the card room or the dressing room, or simply to take some cooler air. In unspoken agreement, they moved to the far end and the large window onto Grosvenor Square, where they would not be disturbed. As Hugh turned to speak to Lindsay, he spied a familiar and extremely unwelcome figure reaching the top of the stairs. Stanton was here, and although Hugh thought he cut a most peculiar character in his striped waistcoat, he was fairly sure Sophia would be less discriminating in her taste.

“Damn it,” he said, momentarily forgetting he was in company.

Lindsay followed his line of sight. “Ah,” he said. “I had the impression the other night that Stanton was dangling after your sister.”

“In a manner of speaking,” Hugh concurred grimly.

“I suspected as much. Perhaps what gave me the first clue was when he likened her eyes to the beauty of stars sparkling like bright diamonds in a sky of black velvet and her smile to the sunrise that graced the dew of Eden’s first dawn.”

Hugh turned a revolted eye upon him. “No,” he begged. “No, for God’s sake, even he would not be so—so—”

“Lost in the poetical throes of passionate romance?” Lindsay suggested.

“I was about to say making a cake of himself,” Hugh said. “But Sophia—I am sure that no matter how handsome she might think him, she would never hear such nonsense without succumbing to giggles.”

“It’s possible I exaggerated his words a little,” Lindsay confessed. “Perhaps he merely mentioned how prettily her eyes shone and that her smile could light the room.”

“Well, that’s bad enough,” Hugh said indignantly. “What sort of a fellow spouts such claptrap?”

“I take it you have never courted a lady,” Lindsay said. “At least, not successfully.”

Hugh choked on his punch. And then something, whether honesty or some inner demon, prompted him to answer. “No, I never have.”

Lindsay fastened his eyes on Hugh’s suddenly, and the look in them was such that Hugh found it difficult to breathe.

 

REVIEW:

REVIEWED by Colette

TITLE:   A Minor Inconvenience

AUTHOR:   Sarah Granger

PUBLISHER:  Samhain Publishing

LENGTH:  204 pages

BLURB:

Duty, honor, propriety…all fall in the face of love.

Captain Hugh Fanshawe returned from the Peninsular War with a leg that no longer works properly, thanks to a French musket ball. Now his fight against Napoleon is reduced to quiet, lonely days compiling paperwork at Horse Guards headquarters.

His evenings are spent dutifully escorting his mother and sister to stifling social engagements, where his lameness renders him an object of pity and distaste. But his orderly, restricted life is thrown into sudden disarray with the arrival of Colonel Theo Lindsay.

Theo is everything Hugh is not—a man of physical perfection and easy yet distinguished address. Surprisingly to Hugh, Theo appears to be interested in making his acquaintance. Lindsay turns out to be a most convivial companion, and Hugh finds great pleasure in his company. Their friendship deepens when they become lovers.

In spite of himself, Hugh falls desperately in love. But when a French spy is suspected at Horse Guards, Hugh discovers nothing is as it seems…and the paper he shuffles from day to day could be the instrument of his lover’s death.

REVIEW:

Delightful – that is the one word I would use to describe this book.  As someone who grew up reading Georgette Heyer and Signet Regencies,  this novel was a treat – It was the perfect Regency romance: The Ton, the London Season, the Unsuitable Suitor, Possible Ruin, invitations to Almacks; clever and witty dialogue and a wonderful love story complete with happy endings for all.

Hugh Fanshawe is soldier in Wellington’s army who has returned from the front with a shattered leg and a heavy heart; he resents his injury and the pity he sees in others.  In spite of this, he is a good man, a dutiful son and loving brother and caring friend especially to his sister Sophia and his dearest friend Lady Emily – who is a truly wonder character.

Through the graces of his older brothers George, an MP and James, an officer on Wellington’s staff, he has secured a position at the Horse Guards, the offices of the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces. One day at his office he meets Colonel Theo Lindsey – Theo is handsome, charming, intelligent and comfortable in his skin, everything that Hugh is not.  Hugh has a hard time believing someone as handsome and vibrant as Theo could be interested in him and despite his best efforts he falls deeply in love.

It is a pleasure to see Hugh and Theo’s relationship develop and watch their feelings grow, to see Hugh regain his confidence and find joy in living again.  Of course things cannot proceed smoothly for our MCs and the discovery of a spy at the Horse Guards throws a wrench in their relationship, Hugh’s self-doubts and insecurities rise up and misunderstandings occur. Without giving away any spoilers I can say fortunately Hugh is surrounded by people who love him, especially Lady Emily, and in the end love triumphs over all.

I highly recommend this book – Sarah Granger did a marvelous job paying respect to this Genre.

RATING:  

BUY Links:

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

Goodreads

About Sarah Granger

Sarah Granger is a sucker for a happy ending. She believes, however, that characters will only fully appreciate their happy ending if they’ve suffered along the way.

Sarah lives in the Cotswolds, an idyllic part of the English countryside with gently rolling hills, dry stone walls of golden stone and fields dotted with sheep. She has shamefully broken with local tradition by not having a rose growing around her front door. When she isn’t writing, Sarah enjoys walking in the countryside with her elderly black Labrador.

Social Links: Website | Goodreads  | Facebook

Sarah will be awarding a $15 Amazon gift certificate and a copy of The Unforgiving Minute to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway