Brazen in Blue by Rachael Miles
The Muses Salon #5

Second chances to get it right in love don’t come as often as we might like. Lady Emmeline Hartley is willing to try again and leave a man she admires, but does not love passionately, at the altar to pursue her true happiness while allowing Colin to do the same.

What I liked:
* Emmeline: a woman that overcame so much to become all that she did. Giving, kind, and true she does have injuries that impede her in some ways but don’t impinge on her ability to run her estate, provide for those that count on her and love truly and deeply. Her skill with voices is…interesting, too.
* Adam: a great man but I did get tired of his woes about station and not being good enough for Em. Otherwise he was charming, able, a chameleon, etc.
* Queen Bess & Persis: canines that added a great deal to the story
* Jeffreys: I good friend and mentor to Emmeline
* The sisters and cousins of Adam – I can see them starring in books of their own in perhaps a spin off series
* That Colin & Lucy get their HEA
* Wondering about Mr. James and Joe Pasten – wonder if more will come out about them in the future.
* The concept of the stories revolving around The Muses Salon but also dealing with Agents of the Home Office
* That the series is not over even though Emmeline and Adam have found their HEA.

What I did not like:
* Cousin Stella: spoiled rotten woman who was mean in the way spoiled stepsisters in fairy tales are. Would have loved to see her get her comeuppance and seen her reaction.
* Charters & Flute: evil men that were identified but not dealt with finally
* Having to wait for more books in the series.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Brazen in Blue is a fun story about a woman named Emmaline who is about to enter into a marriage of convenience when her old lover, Adam, comes to the wedding and Em convinces Adam to help her run away from her wedding. Adam is a secret agent for the Home Office and Em gets involved in a job he has to take while they’re waiting for her fiance to stop looking for her.

I liked the intelligent, definitely different spin on the typical romance heroine and I liked that she had a disability. The main plot was easy to follow. However, the description of this novel specifically says that it will read as a standalone and I’m just not sure if that’s true or not. I felt like I was getting dropped into the middle of a story—I kept getting snippets of things that I felt like I was already supposed to know, but I didn’t. This made it very difficult to feel invested in the story at all and to be honest I kept wondering if there were parts of my copy that were missing.

The dogs were a great addition and overall I would have loved to feel more invested in the story because it was a unique and fun read. I just felt like I was either missing something or this definitely is not the standalone it’s supposed to be.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my opinion.

from what I managed to read the setup in the initial chapters were great and I loved the main character having a walking stick. the love interest seemed interesting and I like the idea or the story. i love the cover and the animal companion in the story.

Brazen in Blue is part of the Muses Salon Series. I feel that not having read the earlier books in the series put me at a disadvantage. There were a lot of characters and backstory I was not clear on and some impacted the actions of the characters in this book.

The hero, Adam Montclair is an agent for the Home Office and in one of his roles he and Em met and fell in love.
He had infiltrated some farmers with revolutionary inclinations and Em feels that he betrayed and used her when people she knew were hung for their part. She also believed that Adam was hung for his part.

Some time later, Em agrees to marry Colin, who she loves but more as a brother. Her cousin, Stella, calls Colin out on a long ago promise to marry her and he feels he needs to go along. Adam is invited to the wedding-he and Colin both work at the Home Office and he can't keep away and Em realizes he hadn't died after all. Colin still loves another woman but he insists on marrying Em so she decides to run away from her wedding so Colin can marry her. His brothers support that decision and ask Adam to find her and keep her away from Colin until he comes to his senses. They do not know that Em has already asked Adam to help her escape. The Home office is also involved-Colin had bragged about Em's ability to identify people based on their voices and they wanted her to help identify the man who was instigating the people to revolt.

Thus begins a road trip to Adam's estate, meeting his family and learning of his/their situation and then back to London to try to identify the villain. They've always been in love, but Adam's pride prevents their being together. But eventually there is an HEA.

.I'd rate this a 3.5. I enjoyed it enough to go back and read others in the series and feel the author is talented at telling a story, but it was a bit convoluted as a standalone.

I received an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Brazen in Blue by Rachel Miles is the fifth book in the authors The Muses Salon Series. I chose this book to read because of the cover; it’s gorgeous not realizing that it was the fifth book and while the author does do a reasonably good job of covering the backstory Ithink I would have enjoyed it more had I read the previous novels because there were a few times I felt just a bit confused. Lady Emmeline Hartley is about to get married to her best friend whom she loves but not in the right way when she decides that marrying without love would only lead to heartache for both of them especially when her betrothed will now have the opportunity to marry the woman he truly loves if she does not go through with the wedding.
She sends a note to home office agent Adam Montclair the man who broke her heart seeking a scoundrel to help her escape unnoticed. In a plot with lots of twists and turns where there are dastardly villains and even the good guys are not that trustworthy the only one Beth can count on is Adam but he’s been keeping secrets too. I enjoyed reading this book and now will have to go back and read the first four to answer the questions I still have. Medium Steam. Publishing Date: August 25, 2020. #BrazenInBlue #RachelMiles #KensingtonBooks #HistoricalRomance #bookstagram #bookstagramer

‘Brazen in Blue‘ is the fifth title in ‘The Muses’ Salon‘ series, and while I’ve read the earlier books (but not yet reviewed-I’d purchased and did a binge read of the series up to this point this past weekend, the reviews are still to come) – I still had some trouble with Adam and Em’s romance. I enjoyed the second chance romance aspect of this story. The special talent of recognizing any voice that Em has heard at least once before is, frankly, fascinating. Yet, for me, there were places that were left empty, questions asked but the answers not delivered.

So, I’m torn in many ways on ‘Brazen in Blue‘. It’s a good story, I enjoyed my time back in this world once again. It simply didn’t blow me away. There are a lot of familiar faces in Adam’s and Em’s story. This is a series that, in my opinion, really needs to be read in order. This was a 3.5-star story for me, and I’ll round-up on the various sites where I leave reviews. I’m going to leave this review at this point. A good story, an enjoyable visit with previous book friends… and perhaps those spots that gave me pause will be addressed in the next title in the series. As with any review, these are my thoughts – you should make up your own mind.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Kensington Books via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Lady Emmeline Hartley has overcome every obstacle life has thrown her way. A spinster, disappointed in love, Em is on the brink of a marriage of convenience, when the man who rejected her heart reappears in need of her help. It gives Em a chance to escape, put to use one her most unusual talents. Adam Montclair--one of the most successful agents at the Home Office--rubs elbows with the highest levels of society. Even so, he wasn’t to the manor born. No matter how much he desires Em, as a match he is completely unsuitable. While it pains him to be near her, it’s a punishment he richly deserves. Now on a mission to uncover a plot against the government, Adam knows Em's uncanny ability to recall voices will be essential.
This is the fifth book in the series & it could just be read on its own but to more fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading from the beginning. A well written book with strong characters. The pace was good & I was drawn in from the start. I really liked both Em & Adam & that they had their second chance. I also liked the recurring characters & I love a romance with a mystery, whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the book I wasn’t totally engrossed but I do want to find out what happens
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I love second-chance romances and this one pulled me in with high emotional stakes from the get-go. Em is on the brink of a marriage to her childhood best friend, a marriage that is set to move forward the day this book opens even though both the bride and the groom are in love with other people. When Adam, the undercover Home Office agent Em believes is a criminal, is unable to stay away from watching the woman he loves marry his best friend, the sight of him outside the chapel gives the nervous bride the courage she needs to do the right thing. With Adam's help, Em runs, setting the groom free to marry the woman he loves. But while Em's heart still belongs to Adam, she's a long way from trusting him enough to put her feelings on the line again and Adam knows full well he's not worthy of her love. Especially with those secrets he's still keeping...

One of the things I most enjoy about Miles' books are her multi-layered, complex characters. Fully formed and vibrantly depicted, they leap from the page, pulling me into their emotions, their fears, their hopes, and love. The passionate push and pull between Adam and Em is visceral, immersing me in their adventure, and their relationship, almost immediately. I liked them individually and I loved them together. Em is a character to respect and admire (I love how she stands her ground, going toe to toe with Adam as well as his Home Office superiors) and Adam is her heart and mind match, if only he's able to put his class worries aside long enough to realize it, and if Em's willing to forgive him once all his secrets are revealed.

Another aspect of this series that I've enjoyed is the ongoing search for the devious criminal known as Charters. The mystery continues in this book, with new leads to Charters' real identity and Em taking a pivotal role in the search. This is one nasty villain who keeps escaping the net of the Home Office. I am gleefully looking forward to him being caught and justice finally being served.

The secondary cast in this book are much more than window dressing, propelling the story forward in a variety of ways. Adam's Home Office superior continues to pull strings in his agents' lives while maintaining anonymity. His story has been gradually unveiled over the course of the series and I am very curious to see what Miles has in store for him as revealing himself would cause ripple effects far and wide. Miles also introduces a group of new characters, six women, relatives of Adam's, who live a secluded life on a piece of property surrounded by water and with whom I am very intrigued. They have me hoping for more stories. I adored Em's majordomo, Mr. Jeffreys, who has been more father than employee to her since she was a child. And I fell head over heels in love with Em's faithful canine companion, Queen Bess. How she discovers the puppy, Persis who joins their little entourage had me in tears. In fact, Bess had me in tears multiple times. She is one special dog.

If you enjoy well-paced and impeccably researched historical romance with witty dialog, a mystery thread, cross-class romance, and plenty of adventure, give Brazen in Blue a try. Keep in mind, however, that this is the fifth book in a series that has a large cast of characters and a continually evolving mystery. For that reason, there may be some confusion jumping into the series in the middle.

4.5 stars
*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

Love is a Fool’s Game
Brazen in Blue is a delightful spy romance, with a runaway bride. Rachel Miles blends spirited characters with an entertaining adventure. Lady Emmeline Hartley (Em) has had a challenging past, and all she wants is a quiet life tending her estate. But as a woman of fortune, marriage is what is expected of her, and Lord Colin Somerville is a good man. When she has second thoughts, the only person who can help is the scoundrel spy Adam Montclair. He broke her heart once, and she refuses to repeat that mistake again. Covered in so many lies and aliases, Adam wants nothing more than to make things right with Em. Together they find a way to work through their pasts, and remember who they are. Em and Adam are well matched, have quite a few similar experiences, and love a lot of the same things. There are a few references to past events that are not reiterated. So, it takes a little bit to get oriented into this story if you have not read the previous The Muses’ Salon books. It also takes a while for them to tell each other their difficult secrets. A great romance about remembering, forgiving, and falling in love.

I received a free egallery in exchange for a honest review.

This book is part of a series and really cannot be read as a stand alone.

Lady Emmeline is about to marry Lord Colin, knowing that Lord Colin is really in love with Lucy. When she espies Adam arriving for the wedding from her upstairs room, she decides to run away.

Meanwhile,, Adam and the Home Office needs Lady Em's help in catching a criminal mastermind - Charters.

Lady Em finds out who Charters really is.

There is a fire at a bookshop that was planned by the criminal mastermind. I was really disappointed by the ending of this book. I never was a fan of cliffhangers. I really wish that the author added a few more chapters when they catch and arrest the criminal mastermind.

Adam Ana Emmeline have a history together from an operation for the Home Office Adam pursued a year ago. It is the day of her wedding to Colin Somerville, brother to the Duke if Forester. But Em knows her heart isn’t in it nor Colin’s. She asks Adam to help her run away and he does. Their adventure together traverses many areas and disguises. Will Adam relent and marry Em even though she is a lady and he an agent for the home office? Great story with twists and turns!

Sweet and Full of Intrigue Historical Romance
Lady Emmaline Hartley was seriously injured in a carriage accident as a child, but overcame the odds and was left with few visible scars and a limp
Adam Locksley was an agent of the Crown, investigating rabblerousers in Lady Emmaline's area. They fell in love, bur he couldn't reveal the truth to her...and left her brokenhearted.
After she gives up on Adam and agrees to marry her friend Lord Colin, Adam comes back into her life as she jilts Colin at the altar. And so begins a series of intrigues, and the knowledge she will always love him becomes clear to her.
So much in the past controls what they do now, and danger stalks both of them. We eventually het to the happy-ever-after, but take an exciting, then perilous journey to get there.
Ms. Miles' tale is riveting and her story creates vivid images.
I requested and received a NeyGalley ARC to peruse and offer my opinion gratis.

When Colin, her best friend had shown up needing help, she had to help him. A few months later she got a note from Adam Locksley/ Montclair to meet at the old oak, He told her there was too much distance in the classes between them and he was not worthy of her. Emmeline Hartley had been getting ready for the wedding. She loved Colin but not enough and he loved Lucy. Em had decided to run. Em had scars on parts of her body and now she walked with a limp. She also lost that day, her mother and all of her sisters, in a carriage accident. Her leg was badly broken and they were not sure she would live. She had watched him cross the cemetery to the chapel, to say goodbye. Maybe, just maybe he could forget her. All Adam wanted was to hear her vows and realize that she never be there for him again. He worked for the Home Office and was a spy. His sisters, cousins, and children lived on a small property up towards the North of England. He had not exactly honest with Em. He knew she would not trust him.
This is a love and spy story. There are a few twists to the plot. The tale is excellent and well written. The characters are warm and engrossing. She was one of those people who liked to help out and felt it was their duty. He would do anything for country and duty.
I received this ArC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I really tried to get into the book. I found the introduction to the story choppy. The description of the characters wasn’t clearly explained. The story is a very slow start. The beginning used to much time of Em thinking of faults in her past. The book missed the catch the readers attention in ten pages or less. The story runs flat. <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/4c2082eade28a9b5297515683f15ceaa5f1ea57d" width="80" height="80" alt="10 Book Reviews" title="10 Book Reviews"/>

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in return for an honest review.
I liked the main characters Em and Adam. Em is the one who has run her estate for years. She's a no-nonsense likable heroine. Adam works for the British Home Office-master of many identities but has no confidence in his relationship with Em outside of his disguises.
This book is book 5 in a series and really can't be read as a standalone. That's the basis for my review. The story starts with Em jilting her fiance- of a marriage of convenience-knowing that he is actually in love with another character. We are never really introduced to either of these characters so it's hard to understand why Emmeline feels this way. Parts of the series' overarching storyline are touched on in this book with no real resolution and the main characters' love story gets wrapped up suddenly at the end.
As another reviewer commented-cute dogs in the story.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Overall, I liked this book. It took me a while to get into this book and I felt like there were pieces that I was missing throughout the book. The past relationship between Adam and Em wasn't fully explained and so I felt somewhat lost. This is the fifth book in the series and I belive that has a significant impact. There are so many secondary characters that the book seems to lose itself in parts. Again this maybe because I haven't read any other books in the series.
Adam was sweet but I felt like the book dragged on too long with him feeling inferior and not enough for Em. The plot about Em working for the Home Office also felt weak and not developed enough. Em was a strong character, having survive a life threatening accident that killed her family and being abandoned by her father. It did feel like Em forgave Adam to fast and jumped into bed with him. This is a good book but I think you might have to read the other books to really enjoy this one. (I'm not a hundred percent sure the bad guy was caught).

Brazen in Blue
Series: Book 5 in the The Muses' Salon Series
Rating:2.5 (rounded to a 3) stars
Thank you the the publisher for providing the ARC through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Brazen in Blue is the first book I read by this author and is the first book in the series I have read. It is a second chance romance that follows our to MCs trying to solve the mystery of finding a man who's caused trouble to the Home Office. Adam and Emmeline's story takes us on an adventure in the search for this man. Em is good at recognizing voices and Home Office believes this talent will help them find this man faster.
I don't know if it's because I have not read the previous four books in this series, I felt that I started this story in the middle. Characters appear that I have no idea how they relate to them and the case they are trying to solve. Another thing that I felt about this story was not much happened. Some parts were a little boring and dragged. The romance aspect was barely there. Throughout most of the book Adam feels he's not worthy of Em, because he's not on the same social standing as her. It took her a while to convince him otherwise. Their romantic scenes together were bland, especially since their sexy times were low steam.
Overall, it was just an okay read.

As with the previous books in the series, this was a book I really enjoyed even though there’s A LOT going on in it. It’s definitely not a book to read without having read the previous books since we’ve met most of the characters in those books and there’s a lot of information that may not make sense without reading those.

As soon as I saw Emmeline in this when she was going to marry Colin, it made sense that she was the runaway bride from his story. She enlists Adam’s help and their adventure and rekindled romance begins. Queen Bess was possibly my favorite “character!”

It was nice to get back into the story of these characters again and as usual with these books, the story isn’t necessarily tied up by the end of the book so with more story clearly to come, I’m looking forward to the next book!

This was a well-written, entertaining historical romance. Lady Emmeline Hartley was rejected by love in the past and is about to enter into a marriage of convenience. Adam Montclair knows he hurt Em in the past, but now he needs her help. The book was fast-paced and hard to put down. I enjoyed this romance and would read more books by this author.

Enjoyable book! I have read this author before and this book did not disappoint. Great plot and development between the main characters.