An Unexpected Encounter

Tall, practical girls might not be worth much in a man's world, but Miss Lisbeth Moreton knows she's worth more than the squire's prized heifer. To change her fate she's run off to a date with destiny at the British Museum. Her would-be suitor never shows, but an unexpected encounter with Lord Cotwell and his lonely ward might lead to altogether new prospects . . . and perhaps to love.

Good book. Lisbeth fled her home when her stepfather attempted to arrange a marriage for her in exchange for a prize bull. She agreed to meet a friend at the British Museum, but he never showed up, leaving her stranded with nowhere to go. Hestia Wright, a former courtesan who now helps other women, asked her to keep an eye on an unattended young girl until she can return to assist her. Lisbeth and the little girl, Aurelia, connect quickly. When Aurelia's guardian, Lord Cotwell, tracks her down, Aurelia is quick to engineer a way to keep Lisbeth as her governess.

Edmund, Lord Cotwell, is a big bear of a man, gruff and reclusive, who has no clue how to deal with his ward. She ended up with him when her original guardian refused even to see the girl. Aurelia's father was Edmund's best friend, and he wants to do the right thing. Hiring Lisbeth relieves his worries over her care.

I enjoyed the development of Edmund and Lisbeth's relationship. Tired of how Society treats him because of his size and social awkwardness, Edmund spends his time shut away in his laboratory working on his inventions. Lisbeth suffered years of her stepfather's constant denigration of her looks and abilities. They first become friends as they share their concern for Aurelia and her grief over her parents' deaths. Lisbeth also takes over as housekeeper, bringing order to Edmund's home and life. Edmund, who locked away his emotions years earlier, finds those feelings stirring back to life around the two females. Lisbeth also feels a growing connection to Edmund though neither feels that they are good enough for the other. A crisis with Aurelia creates the opportunity for some soul-searching, but it's a different encounter that opens Edmund's eyes to the truth. I loved his big moment at the end.

A Waltz in the Park

James Vickers once believed honor and family duty to be his life's work. Now he knows better--and he's appointed himself as silent witness to his father's sins. His greatest goal is to act as the continuously pricking thorn in his lordship's side--and scandal is his greatest weapon. He has no use for an innocent young miss.

Propriety is Miss Adelaide Stockton's most important asset. She must be all that is prim and proper if she's to live down her parent's misdeeds and have any hope of catching a husband. She must avoid scoundrels like Vickers at all costs.

Yet fate has thrown them together--and given each a key to the other's ambition. A bargain is struck...but together they find that gaining what one desires most is far more difficult than a waltz in the park.

Very good story. I liked this one much better than <i>An Unexpected Encounter</i>. The characters were more interesting and the story more complex. Addy is a young woman whose life has been upended by the death of her mother. Her father leaves her and her baby sister with relatives and goes off on a journey alone. Addy's great-aunt believes the best thing to do is marry Addy off as soon as possible, while Addy isn't so sure. She tries to be everything her aunt requires while wanting to be true to herself. It isn't an easy process, especially after she catches sight of James Vickers across a crowded ballroom.

James cultivated a scandalous reputation intentionally. Once proud of his family name, everything changed after he learned something horrifying about his father. Now he uses scandal to remind his father of what he knows. James appeared in the previous book, <i>An Unexpected Encounter</i>, as the friend who let Lisbeth down and rejected his guardianship of Aurelia. A conversation with his friend Hestia at the end of that book turned his efforts in a slightly different direction, still against his father but with a changed intent. While his scandalous reputation remains, his pursuit of it diminished, and a more honorable man begins to emerge.

I liked the first meeting between Addy and James. He is determined to speak with Addy's chaperone, her cousin Rosemond, who was one of his father's mistresses. Rosemond put those wild days behind her to help with Addy's season and wants nothing to do with him. Addy promises James that she will help him with Rosemond if he introduces her to Hestia. James hesitates because he can't see how an innocent can help him but decides to give her a chance. The attraction that flares between them complicates matters.

I loved the complex and complicated steps that James and Addy had to take to carry out their plans. Addy has quite the inventive mind, while James has plenty of experience in sneaking around. As their search for the proof James needs against his father throws them together frequently, James and Addy learn more about each other. The more they know, the greater the feelings that develop between them, but the obstacles in front of them grow too. The tension mounted as they came closer to finding what was needed. I ached for them both when using that information could destroy Addy's family. Both James and Addy had decisions to make after harsh words flew between them. James received some excellent advice and used it effectively to solve part of his problem. Meanwhile, Addy faced her role in their argument and realized she had a choice to make. I loved her big moment as she showed James how important he was to her. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the story.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were realistic and the plot was nicely paced. I will do my best to read more by Ms Marlowe!

I think that I appreciated the first story more than the second. An Unexpected Encounter was a lovely story where the characters, with a little help from an anonymous woman, end up in a situation where they can get to know each other and fall in love. It was very sweet. I enjoyed it.

A Waltz in the park was okay, not my favorite. While I enjoy the idea of people doing things for spite, when I read about it, I never like it as much as I think I'm going to.

Marlowe is a new author to me, and after reading these two novellas, I cannot wait to read more! She has such a way with characterization that makes me feel empathy with her hero/heroine. They are charming and misunderstood and delightful and carrying heavy baggage - and I want to spend more time with them and know more about them. I want to live in their world for a little while.

With my gushing complete I will say that these are two novellas in the Half Moon House series. They are my first introduction to the series and the author, so I can confidently say that you do not need to read other books in the series to enjoy these - they truly stand alone. Marlowe gives just enough exposition to reel you in and make you want to read more.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Encounters With a Rogue by Deb Marlowe is a book with two novellas in it.

An Unexpected Encounter -

Elizabeth Morton is in London after leaving home rather than being forced into marriage with a man she can't stand. Her liaison in London, Vickers, was meant to meet her and take her to his mother's house where she would be safe from her family. When he didn't turn up at their meeting point she was at a loss as to what she could possibly do.

Thankfully circumstances occurred where she befriends a young girl, Aurelia, on her own in the Natural History Museum, her meeting spot, and from that meeting she ends up meeting becoming Aurelia's governess.

Lord Edmund Cotwell is Aurelia's guardian after her parents passed away. He isn't your average nobleman, he'd much rather be engineering something in his laboratory than take part in society. He's only recently taken on the responsibility of Aurelia and is struggling. It's with great relief that he offers Lisbeth a governess position.

Lisbeth becomes a shining light in both Edmund and Aurelia's lives and it isn't long before she takes a place in their hearts. The feeling is mutual but Edmund not actually realising that he is in love needs a bit of a push if he is to stop Lisbeth moving on to a different position when she tells him she isn't experienced enough to be the best possible governess that Aurelia needs.

This was a beautiful story. I loved Aurelia, she was such a darling girl grieving for her parents and so much needing somebody to comfort her. Edmund and Lisbeth's romance leading to passionate encounters and their happy ever after was a joy to read. The three of them make a wonderful family and I loved reading how they interacted with each other, especially how Edmund showed his love for his ward in unusual but wonderful ways.

A Waltz In the Park -

James Vickers hates his father with a vengeance and it's his life goal to do all that he can to upset him. He creates scandals purely to aggravate him not caring that it's giving himself a bad reputation. Nothing matters except hurting his father.

Miss Adelaide Stockton, on the other hand, is trying to be all that is prim and proper in her attempt to live down her own parents' scandal and misdeeds. She isn't used to being so well behaved and when she meets James it is all too easy to fall into her habit of speaking her mind. They both have the ability to help each other gain what the other wants. Adelaide wants an introduction to Hestia Wright, James wants some time alone to speak to Adelaide's cousin. They agree to help each other and during their time of plots and plans, they also share some scintillating kisses.

A romance between them is something they both want, but with each of them believing that they are very wrong for each other will it ever be more than those fabulous kisses?

This is a very enjoyable story, and I really liked how Adelaide and James complimented each other perfectly despite seeming very opposite to each other. They were a healing balm to each other and made such a lovely couple. Finding out why James hates his father so much was very moving and as a reader you can easily understand why James has made it his life's plan to bring the man down.

Both stories in this book were a real delight to read, both because of the storylines and their characters, but also because of the settings of each story. I especially liked the use of the Natural History Museum and Vauxhall Gardens. The author describes the places so well you can easily picture yourself there which I love. Two quick but full reads that I absolutely recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers' Copy of this book.

I absolutely love the "Half Moon House" series and these novellas are a wonderful addition. Ms.Marlowe pulls her readers into her stories and keeps them turning pages.
The characters are believable, understandable and well developed. The storyline certainly captured my attention.
Another must read Regency by Deb Marlowe!

Great book. I could not put it down!
In the first book I hated Vickers! I fell in love with him in the second!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgallery.com, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This book is part of the Half Moon House series, in which Hestia Wright has dedicated her life to helping women in distress, usually caused by a man. She has made Half Moon House a refuge for young women who want to leave the life of prostitution, but also aids any woman who is forced to fend for herself on the streets of London in the early 1800’s.
In this book there are two novellas.

The first is “An Unexpected Encounter”: The year is 1810. Hestia takes a day off from the pressure of her work to go to the museum and lose herself in the magnificent displays. But today she keeps seeing the same two females over and over and her instincts tell her they need her help. One is a well behaved, scholarly looking young girl, and the other is a young woman who has been watching the people in the museum rather than the displays and frequently checks her watch.

Lisbeth Moreton, is the young lady with the watch. After waiting all afternoon, she finally has to admit to herself that he isn’t coming; the Honorable James Vickers, heir to Lord Bridgeford, was supposed to meet her at noon, but three hours have passed and there is no sign of him. She has nowhere to stay in London and can’t return to her home where her step-father has made unwanted plans for her future. Hestia introduces herself as a concerned stranger, and suggests Miss Moreton keep an eye on the unaccompanied young girl while Hestia goes to an appointment. She will check back and see if anyone has claimed the girl after her appointment. Lisbeth befriends the girl, Aurelia, and soon they are sharing their stories of loss of a father, and of both parents respectively. Aurelia’s angry guardian comes storming up the steps just as the museum is closing. He is furious with Aurelia for coming to the museum by herself for the fourth time in as many weeks when she promised not to do it again. I have a feeling he is going to be very interested in Lisbeth and help her out as well.

The second novella is “A Waltz in the Park”: In this novella country lass, Miss Adelaide Stockton, has been sent to London in the care of her Great-Aunt Delia, and Delia’s widowed daughter, Aunt Rosemond, whose mother refers to her as “an alley-cat”. Her aunt is supposed to be teaching her how to catch a husband from the members of ton, since in her family’s opinion her mother lowered herself by marrying a man in trade. Her mother has since passed away and her father accepted a post in India with the East India Company leaving his daughter behind. Delia is too old to be of much help to Addy, but Rosemond is rude to her and criticizes her constantly. The slightly evil rogue from the first novella is the hero of this one. Hestia is helping him be more successful in raising his pompous father’s ire since that has been the reason for his roguish behavior for years. She is teaching Vickers to be subtler and live a less self-destructive lifestyle. So far it is working, and his father is right where he wants him, in a rage. Addy’s mother had told her on her deathbed to find Hestia Wright and seek her help. We aren’t told why yet, but Addy is at her first ball and searching faces for the woman. Then her eyes fall on the most handsome man she has ever seen, and of course it is our hero, James Vickers. Rosamond interferes immediately and tells her she is embarrassing her and must stop staring at him, especially since he is the worst rogue in London and exactly what Abby shouldn’t be looking for in a future husband. It looks like there is going to be fun ahead.

I loved both of these stories. They are uplifting, heartwarming, and only have a few scenes of mild pornography. I prefer clean stories, but these were tolerable. I can’t recommend them for teen readers, but from what my grand-daughter hears in the middle school lunch room, most of the 8th grade girls are already way beyond this behavior, which IMO is very sad. Anyway, the stories are great as are all the Half Moon House books I have read (seven so far). I’m always excited to find one that is new to me. This book has been out for a while, but it feels new, and I enjoyed it very much. I would take off half a star for the sex, but that isn’t a choice on the rating scale, so 5 stars it is. For those who find editing errors irritating, I must give a warning. The book has quite a few typos, extra words, missing a simple word or two, etc. It wasn’t bad enough to bother me since I focus on the story, but I know some people have a problem with bad grammar and typos. I had to reread a sentence or two to get the right meaning a couple of times.

These two books are great reads! Each one can be read in one sitting if you wish. It was easy for me to do.

An Unexpected Encounter
This was a very sweet love story about an unlikely pair brought together by fate and a certain lady. Well written with likeable characters.

A Waltz in the Park
A very different kind of love story. Very agreeable characters and was well written. I like the idea of "stories" coming to someone and how useful it can be. Read and find out what I mean.

These are two stories of couples who are helped by Hestia. She puts together people who need each other. The first story was about girl and her guardian who need someone to bring happiness to their life. The second story is about a girl trying to be perfect to get a husband and a wicked man trying to not be wicked. He wants to get his father for trying to murder his mother. Hestia helps both couples to find happiness. I read the book in one sitting.

Deb Marlowe is a fairly new author to me and I find her romance’s quite enjoyable. Ms. Marlowe’s favorite courtesan, Hestia Wright, seems to play a bit of matchmaker and family maker. Underlying her good deeds seems to be a loss of her own centering around a blonde, young male. He is only hinted at with more to come.

An Unexpected Encounter begins with a sweet, little girl who has become the ward of a reclusive, giant of a man. Ms. Wright points out little Aurelia to Lisbeth at the museum. Aurelia’s guardian comes along and Lisbeth is worried for the little girl. With a bit of a lie, Aurelia hires Lisbeth in a sneaky kind of way. Lisbeth turns Lord Cotwell’s home and Lord Cotwell’s world upside down with her changes to their home.

Lisbeth had been waiting for an old friend at the museum, James Vickers, who never showed. So, the meeting with Aurelia came at just the right time. There seemed to be a huge lack of communication between Lisbeth and Lord Cotwell, but isn’t that the case with many couples.


A Waltz in the Park contains Lord Cotwell’s rival for Lisbeth, James Vickers – all round bad boy, rogue and scoundrel. He lives to irritate his father. In the past, he has seemed to be on a downward spiral in a battle with his father. Enter once again, Hestia Wright. She carefully suggests ways for him to change without him taking offense.

Addy, the daughter of a former acquaintance is in London to repay Hestia for the good deed. Hestia was instrumental in bringing her parents together. Once contact is made, through James, Addy, asks Hestia to help her get her sister back so she can raise her with the same love and care she herself received from her parents.

Addy is almost comical in the way in which she befriends James. At the same time, he is continuing to bedevil his father. He needs Addy’s cousin’s help to do so since she was once his father’s mistress. These two build an unlikely friendship that develops deeper as they spend more time together.

Ms. Marlowe has takes two young ladies, both without mothers, and brought them two very different men to love. The interest of Ms. Wright brings about only good. You hope that whatever or whomever she is looking for is resolved in a good way, too. I hope to read more about Hestia and the Half Moon House.

This book just didn't catch my attention. I couldn't get into the characters or the story line.

Honestly, there wasn't enough going on in the first novella to motivate me to read the second novella. There were elements I enjoyed, but overall, I'm not sure I would pick up another book by this author.

“Encounters With a Rogue” by Deb Marlowe contains two short stories: “An Unexpected Encounter” and “A Waltz in a Park”. The first one is a beautiful novella that will make you cry (when you find out the story of Aurelia) and laugh (on multiple occasions!). The main heroin, Lisbeth, is a young girl who constantly doubts herself. She flees form home to London in search of help and then meets mysterious Hestia Wright. Meanwhile Edmund, after having his heart broken and enduring being ton’s laughingstock, now finds himself a warden of a young girl. He understands the science, he knows the machines, but young girls? Not so much… This moving tale is absolutely worth reading, even if you didn’t try (yet!) any of Deb Marlowe’s books, because it has it all: a good story, a good cry, a good laugh and a good romance!

The second novella “A Waltz in a Park” is much more dramatic, full of suspense and secrets. James Vickers whom we met in “An Unexpected Encounter” at his lowest moment in life, now knows that self-destruction is not the best weapon against his father. With Hestia Wright’s help he now fights with wit, scandal and collected knowledge. But there are still some puzzles he needs to find… So it’s a good thing that he has a help from The Celestial. The Celestial who is not as angelic as ton thinks, and turns out to be dangerously fascinating for Wicked Vickers… That story is a enchanting read with quite complicated plot!

In my opinion “Encounters With a Rogue” is a really good choice for a spring brake. The first novella is a nice, enjoyable story, even though it touches such hard subject as a grieve. It’s a quick and lovely piece to read and relax. The second one is more complicated with twisted plot and striking heroes. The atmosphere is heavy making it almost impossible to stop reading. All in all it’s a great journey and exquisite experience!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #NetGalley #EncountersWithARogue

Wonderful stories very entertaining and enjoyable. I liked the 2 stories, just the right length in each. Will be looking at other books by this author!

Well in the beginning I thought it would be one story but there are two - two somehow connected. I liked the idea of the first story but I so hoped that there would be more development. Unfortunately being a Novella it is impossible to do much ... No hot scenes or anything.

This book features two novellas from the Half Moon House series, An Unexpected Encounter and A Waltz in the Park.
Miss Lisbeth Moreton’s stepfather intends to trade her for a prized heifer. When an old friend offers aid, she goes to meet him at the London museum. Unfortunately, her friend proves unreliable and a chance encounter with a lonely child leads to her salvation.
Edmund Banke, Lord Cotwell, is desperate to help his orphaned ward. Agreeing to allow Lisbeth to act as her governess leads him out of his self-imposed exile.
I really enjoyed this book; three lost souls found each other and formed a family. The characters were well rounded, and the story was nicely paced.
In A Waltz in the Park, we follow James Vickers, the man who let Lisbeth down. He is hell bent on causing a scandal for his father and he needs Lady Rosalind to help him. Unfortunately, she has no interest. Miss Adelaide Stockton, is grieving the loss of her mother and her father has abandoned her to his cousin. Enamoured with James she helps him get close to her cousin in exchange for his help meeting the woman who once helped her parents.
While I preferred the first story, it was nice to follow James as he redeems himself for his past misdeeds.
Novellas often feel incomplete and rushed. In these two novellas the author finds a nice balance. The plot is well paced, and I was satisfied with story told. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a light clean romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What more can you ask for? Two stories in one book! These novellas are part of the Half Moon House series and together you will see one character pass over to the second novella.
An Unexpected Encounter- Elizabeth Moreton refuses to marry the man her step father has chosen. She will not be traded for chattel! She decides to take matters into her own hands and makes her way to London. But as things often go, she ends up alone and maneuvers herself into pretending to be a governess for a ward of Lord Edmund Cotwell. Edmund has become a recluse and has cut himself off from society. This is the story of two souls who need to be rescued but can they find happiness?
A Waltz in the Park - James Vickers and Miss Adelaide Stockton have their own agenda. James does anything to thwart his awful father and tries to act the reckless rake. Adelaide tries to act with the strictest of propriety in order to not create any scandal in her life. She has endured enough from her mother's fall. These two who seem the opposite meet and cannot help to be attracted. Can they aid each other? This is really a lovely romance and has a lot of humor and the story goes quickly
I loved both of these books and recommend you read these and the rest of the series. Prepare your heart to be warmed!!

Two novellas in one book!

An Unexpected Encounter
Miss Lisbeth Moreton planned to change the course of her life and sought the help of a would-be-suitor. They are to meet at the British Museum but he stood her up. By chance, she met the stunning courtesan-turned-philantrophist Hestia Wright; Aurelia, a lonely girl of 10; and the handsome Lord Cotwell. This unexpected encounter, altered her life for the better, and found love in the process.

A Waltz in the Park
James Vickers and his father loathe each other. James strives his best to be an annoying thorn in his lordship's side by being a disreputable scoundrel in every turn.
Prim and proper in the eyes of the ton, that's what Miss Adelaide Stockton endeavours to achieve. Her aunt doesn't want to remind the ton of her late parents' scandalous past.
But fate has intervened, James and Addy got entangled in each other's lives. With a subtle nudge from Hestia Wright, their waltz in the park was the beginning of more good things to come.

These two novellas of gorgeous, redeemable rogues are lovely. But I think, James' and Addy's story was better written. There's a mystery that kept me guessing.

This is an honest review of a complimentary ecopy from the publisher which I voluntarily read.

Encounters With a Rogue contains two novellas from the Half Moon House series, which I haven't read before. Both stories were lovely: Sweet and entertaining with very likeable and independent heroines. I especially enjoyed the character of Hestia who made me add the rest of the series to my bookshopping list :)

-Received an ARC via Netgalley for an honest review. -