I just loved this book! Not your ordinary Regency Romance. Julia is a wonderful heroine and sweet Pasha, a.k.a. Prince Darius Kir Khan Qajar, is an added bonus that just makes the story more enjoyable. Supporting characters, Aunt Eggy and Pasha's mother, the Queen, had me cracking up at their pipe smoking and rescue antics. Definitely a must read.
Thank you Chantry Dawes, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

I had so much enjoyment reading this story! While this is Julia Darley and Pasha or Darius Kir Khan Qajar's love story, there were other equal memorable secondary character scenes. Aunt Eggy and Pasha's Royal Mother smoking the pipe at the ball was priceless and so easy to picture in my mind. Then it was so easy to picture the same two older ladies riding fat ponies to the rescue.
I highly recommend this fun story for your reading enjoyment.

An Entertaining Regency Romance

He is a prince, destined to become sultan. She is an ordinary woman. Do the two stand a chance? Pasha did not want to be a prince. He wanted Julia, but could he escape his destiny? This story had romance, mystery, suspense, and humor. It is an entertaining tale that will keep you turning the pages, wondering what will happen next. Killers are after the pair, but do they intend to kill Julia, or are they after the prince? Julia is not a simpering damsel. She is a fighter, and a woman of which Pasha could, and should be proud.

This is the first time I am reading something by Ms. Dawes and I absolutely loved it! She is definitely an author I am adding to my list of authors to follow. This was such a charming and delightful story, I had so much fun reading it. Along with humor and romance, it also includes a bit of mystery and suspense which added some intrigue. Julia has developed a close friendship with her stable hand Pasha. Finding out he is actually a Persian prince doesn't change her feelings for him. Pasha is completely besotted with Julia and wants to be more than just her friend. Julia feels the same way, but has been denying her feelings and she is keeping a secret of her own. After a searing kiss, she can deny her feelings no longer, but danger soon comes into play. Pasha has enemies and they have followed him to London and they are now both in danger.
This story was well-written and had me engaged from the very beginning. Just couldn't put it down! The characters were well-developed and interesting and I enjoyed following their story. I missed the first book in the series, but after reading this one, I will definitely remedy that very soon!

I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

4 1/2*STARS*
Julia Darley considers Pasha her friend, but their first passionate kisses are for lovers. When Julia and Pasha are attacked in Hyde Park, she doesn't hesitate to confront the attackers. Only she doesn't realize Pasha is fighting the attackers with her. He is the Persian Prince known as the Persian Assassin. So why the attacks? Pasha's mother arrives in London bringing a Circassian young lady to be his wife, but he refuses to consider any lady but Julia. More attacks at a ball brings more questions and finally answers. But will Pasha Darius Ardavan, Most Imperial Majesty Baba Khan, give up the throne for Julia?
For comedic relief,
Julia's Scottish great aunt and Pasha's mother bonding over a pipe is absolutely hilarious! Fast paced with a romantic hero quoting prose.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

****1/2 stars- Pasha Darius Ardavan is really Prince Darius Kir Khan Qajar of Persia. He came to Aldbey Park a year ago with Alexander Hawke, Duke of Leids. Pasha and Julia Darley have become good friends. Julia’s mother Amelia and Lorde Hawke recently married and are away on their wedding trip. Lord Hawke left Pasha in charge of the horse training. When Pasha’s mother arrives she brings Delaram as Pasha’s betrothed. Pasha will not be forced into a marriage. He will chose who he marries. Pasha has strong feelings for Julia. Julia does not realize her true feelings for Pasha until their first kiss. Julia is a strong and passionate woman. Pasha is captivated and protective of Julia. Paaha is in love with Julia. He is willing to give up being Sultan for her. Pasha is ‘thoroughly besotted’ with Julia. He is very romantic and whispers poetry to Julia. Will Julia realize he is her one true love? Pasha and Julia are very passionate together. They are made for each other.

The story has mystery, intrigue, and romance. It is action packed with some twists not expected. Julia’s sister Lula is rescued by War, Baron Warwick de Walton. He seems very concerned for Lula. Hopefully there will be a future book about the two of them. There are humorous parts that make you laugh. Julia’s Aunt Egidia (Aunt Eggy) and Pasha’s mother Empress Bibi are hilarious.

You do not have to read the first book to understand and enjoy this book. I enjoyed this book so much that I will be reading the first book in this series next. I look forward to reading future books in this series. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I was "thoroughly besotted" with this romantic, fun, humor filled story with a little suspense and amazing characters that fall out of the pages!

He is a prince, but thought, through a series of happenings to be a stable hand. Handsome and becoming friends with the eldest daughter, he definately wants to be more than friends.

When she finds out who he truly is, she still considers him a friend, that is until an explosive kiss makes her realize.... But danger seems to come into play. He is more than he appears as his enemies come after him and her.

When his mother arrives, hand declares he is to marry her ward, something seems off. But when she and her grandmother get together, laugh out loud moments happen!

Loved this fun story that leaves you with a long sigh and warm feeling. Cannot wait for more!

In Thoroughly Besotted by Chantry Dawes we return to Aldbey Park and the Darley family. Julia Darley is the eldest daughter and works with her two sisters and various members of their staff to train the thoroughbred they sell to members of the nobility. Originally mistaken to be a new hire stable hand, Pasha Darius Ardavan turns out to be the son of a wealthy Middle Eastern sultan who expects him to return home to assume his position of Imperial Highness, first son and heir. Pasha is not even his name; it is a military title. No one but his friend, the duke, now married to Julia's mother knows that. A member of his guard has come to tell him that his mother is in the country and will be arriving shortly. News he already knew and had managed.

This is a novel full of interesting personalities, primary being Aunt Eggy, the girls great aunt Egidia, from Scotland, who was here supervising the three girls until their mother and the duke returned from their wedding trip. She is beyond a character, although I think pairing her with Pasha's mother might be a little overboard. It seems some people have been sent to kill Pasha. Why, he is not certain, but he has people to protect and protect them he will, while trying to solve this mystery. It is a good story, well told and interesting. The pacing is excellent. By the time a scene is worn out it is long over. This is a cute series, but like the over usage of dukes, stories abut independent women might be just a touch over used as well. Nonetheless, this is an entertaining book, full of passion and interesting situations, and love. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Thoroughly Besotted by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #chantrydawes #thoroughlybesotted

4.5 Stars
Miss Julia Darley has come to trust her dear, gentle friend Pasha. Learning that he is actually Darius Kir Khan Qajar, a Prince of Persia and not just a stable hand, does not change her feelings of friendship for this man. Pasha does not want to be ‘just her friend’ much less be treated like a brother. He is besotted by the vivacious Julia. Julia has been denying her own growing feelings for this wise and gentle prince as she struggles with a secret of her own. An attack in Hyde Park has Julia questioning her impression of the quiet Prince of Persia. After a searing, sultry kiss from him her heart melts and she can deny her feelings no more. Little does Julia know that Pasha is also known as the Persian Assassin. And his enemies are already in London. Stalking the Prince and the woman he loves. Then his mother arrives
This is the second book in the series & another well written entertaining read, I loved the mix of romance, suspense & humour & I quite happily settled to read this enthralling read on a wet afternoon. The characters are well portrayed, my favourite being Aunt Eggy who’s definitely in Julia's corner & who is hilarious at times. I really liked both Julia & Pasha their attraction sizzled, I loved how their relationship developed & changed, he was toe curlingly gentle & tender with her
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Julia Darley, her sisters and dear Aunt Eggy are happy to carry on training the horses and running the farm while the girl's mother is away on a wedding trip with her new husband.

Pasha is a Prince in his home country, but was keeping a low profile while traveling with his friend. Now his identity is known and his mother has come to put pressure on him to return home.

This is a wonderful historical romance. Every character has at least one particular quirk. Our heroine has a fear that is affecting her work but is very fierce in her defence of those she loves. The hero is calm, controlled and has successfully hidden his true strengths, until they're needed. The older characters are extremely funny, especially Aunt Eggy and her new friend.

This is the second book in the series. While you could read it on it's own, I think you will enjoy it more if you read the series in order. Just so you can truly understand the characters.

I can't wait to read the next one.

I loved it.

Spoiler alert!!
While this was a very nicely written story, I felt that I had left reality behind.
This is the second story of a series and I did not read the first book. Since this was a stand alone story, there was not anything that I felt missing, except the age of the hero and heroine. I was very confused throughout the whole story as to how old the hero was and how old the heroine was. This is where is refers back to the first story. In the first story, the heroine's father is deceased and her mother's relationship with a duke in hiding takes place. The problem is that the hero in the first book is old enough to marry a woman with a child maybe 24 years old. And the hero in this book is described as 'his very young friend'. This would mean the the duke in hiding is in his forties and 'his very young friend' could be between 20 and 30. But then the hero in this story is described as the oldest son of a Sultan of Persia who has been the general of all of his father's wars since he came of age. And he is known as the 'Persian Assasin'. So just how old is the hero? Now, the heroine continually describes the hero as her friend. So is she a dim 19 year old? I think I saw that the younger, middle sister was 22 years old. So the heroine would be 24 years old? And her hero would be 30 years old?.
Well, that is not the only part I ponder. The story is that the hero, who will eventually become a sultan, has turned from his country and people. He is tired of wars, tired of always looking over his shoulder for a younger sibling to want to challenge him. The hero has almost decided to stay in England because he has fallen for the heroine, but he hasn't told his father yet. Now, I find that a man who has over 100 siblings and his father has 'I-dont-remember' how many wives. 68 wives, maybe? But, a man raised this way would only want to live on a horse farm with one woman, married, for the rest of his life.
So, the bottom line is that even though I had these questions, I really liked this story. I would read it again, just for the entertainment qss moment value. So, I give this book 4 stars and definitely recommend reading.

Pasha and Julia Darley appear to be good friends but there is no denying the attraction between them. However, Pasha is the Prince of Persia and Julia is simply one of the Darley sisters. Yet Pasha’s love for Julia would have him give up his title for her. Having left his home, wearied by battle, Pasha has been working with the Duke of Leids, husband of Julia’s mother. Together they breed and train Arabian horses at Aldbey Park, the home of the Darley’s. When Pasha’s life and those of the Darley’s are threatened, he soon finds that his life in Persia has now made its way to England. Soon his mother, the Empress, and his enemies threaten any future he may have with Julia.
I thoroughly enjoyed this passionate love story, which begins with such a sweet friendship. Pasha’s strength and tenderness are amazing to witness as this is what endears him to Julia and sees her grow as a young woman. To balance their romance that definitely threatens to ignite the pages, with Pasha’s amazing poetry, are the battle of wits between the Empress and Julia’s Aunt Eggy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this entertaining novel romantic, laced with suspense and a good dollop of humor. Left in the care of their rather ditzy great-aunt Eggy and Pasha whilst their mother is off on honeymoon, the Darley girls continue their unconventional pursuits helping to train their well-bred horses in men's clothing. The attraction between Pasha and Julia grows beyond friendship and is starting to blossom into something more. Unfortunately, Pasha's life and responsibilities catch up with him, bringing his tiny but overbearing mother and her ward into their orbit. With the Empress' arrival, the danger around Pasha starts to escalate and the Darleys are targeted as well. Having developed a fear of storms after the death of her father, Julia pulls back from pursuits that killed him, but as the incidents around Pasha increase, Julia will do what it takes to keep those she loves safe. I loved the romance that grew between Pasha and Julia, the tenderness and his gentle approach towards her being everything a girl could dream of. Aunt Eggy and the Empress have their own encounters which are hilarious if a little slapstick. The novel ends successfully, bringing lovers together. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.