part of the aldbey park series which I like, although it's uneven - I liked this one a lot. Horses and horsebreeding take a lead role in these books

Heartwarming Regency Romance

This is a delightful story about love, healing, and redemption. Lula did not think she had a chance for love and marriage like any young lady, so she went to Graestone Castle to take care of horses. However, she ended up helping everyone there, including Captain War, who resisted having her take care of his horses in the beginning. Lula would end up capturing his heart and those of his staff. They could not resist her kindness for long. In addition, her knowledge about horses was clear.

Graestone had a mystery. Lula’s curiosity would lead her to uncover the family secret, which would help to heal old wounds. However, not everyone is who they seem, and there would be danger ahead. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance with wounded heroes with a heart of gold.

Loved this book! Lula and War are exciting leads. With both internal and external scarring, these two antagonistic adversaries find a meeting of the minds while at the same time realizing there's much to love in each other. Originally wonderful read! So much more than your usual Regency Romance.
Thank you Chantry Dawes, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

When I first picked this book to review I was fascinated by the characters and the setting. When I looked a little more I found that it was the third to the Aldbey Park series. I read the other two and fell in love with everyone in all three book. The woman are strong independent who love animals as much as their family. Each book has found one of the ladies finding love. The romance part of the story is fitting of the time that the story is set in. The behavior of all the characters are also appropriate for the setting. I would say it is a love story as well a story of healing and recovery. Lula stubbornly begins to set about healing not only the horses but of the men and boys who also live at the castle. She is able to expertly show each person they are valued and cared for. I found it quite easy to feel like I was there in the story watching it as it was happening. As much as War tries to push away anyone who may love him, there is Lula showing him the reasons to be loved. I am eager to read more by this author. Her respect to the history of the time she is writing about is refreshing.

There is so much I loved in this story. I always read stories about military soldiers and the scars and guilt they bring home with them as they transition to regular lives. Captain Warwick's (War) character really appealed to me when I was reading this book. I am also a horse lover, so having War save the injured war horses made my day. When Chantry Dawes included the wounded returning soldiers at Graestone Castle, my heart melted.
Miss Lula Darley has papers to prove she has studied veterinary medicine. I absolutely loved Lula's character. She sings sea ditties when nervous or afraid, heals the big horses injured in battle, and provides the necessary cream and lotion to the injured men to help them heal!
Then there are the amazing secondary characters in this story - Tuedy, Todrick, Aunt Eggy, etc.
My favorite line from the book is "I am keeping her!" Totally loved it!
Please don't miss this amazing story by Chantry Dawes.

This is Book 3 of the Aldbey Park series, and like the title says, it had me thoroughly captivated! Captain Warwick de Walton is a responsible person but sees himself as a failure. He was not able to safely bring home all his men from war and he takes that guilt on himself. Lula is completely in love with horses and has accomplished the task of earning a veterinarian certificate. She brings herself to War's castle to tend to his wounded war horses, but War is rude to her and sends her on her way, except with the bad weather he delays her expulsion. His wounded war soldiers are also with him, and as Lula takes care of the horses, she also ends up caring for his men. She is also not without her own scars, being attacked in Hyde Park and rescued by none other than War himself. The attack left her terrified of all men, yet she slowly overcomes that as she cares for War's soldiers and gets to know War himself. War is also captivated by her and as they spend more time together and grow closer, they just may having a chance of healing and learn to trust again. This is a beautifully written story that had me completely engaged. A lovely addition to the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

The Baron of Graestone Captin War, is shocked to find that the girl he previously rescued in Hyden Park (in book 2) when she was under attack, has arrived to tend to his wounded war horses. He was expecting a man, who his uncle recommended. War is less than polite to Lula and threatens her with expulsion, "just as soon as the weather improves". Despite her fear of War, Lula nevertheless puts the horses before her own misgivings but very soon discovers that her remedies are welcomed by many others who are dealing with scars and inflammation as a result of the terrors they had faced war. Just about every person or animal on the estate is suffering the after effects of battle. That is why War wanted someone who could help with the medical side of things What he doesn't need is a girl with a bit of paper disrupting his male domininated world.
This is an incredibly touching and emotional historical romance filled with wonderful characters. We do have humour in the story as well thanks to three naughty boys and other Ithis is the 1st book I read and now I must read the 2 previous books.
I loved it.

"With a Chip Chop! Cherry chop! Fol de rol de ray!"

A delightful story that surprised me greatly! I thought it might be sad, but actually at times got a little silly.

She wanted the job as animal practitioner to the Manor because there would never be a marriage for her so she needed to do what she knew and earn her way. She was scarred and had terrible memories of the night of her attack.

He was haunted by memories and his perceived failure to protect his men in battle. So he did what he could and brought the wounded men and animals to his home. But when she applied for the job... well he thought there was no way...

But then he kissed her.....

Miss Lula Darley has grown up on a horse farm and has a special gift for healing. Unfortunately in Georgian times, women can't be doctors, not even for animals. That will never stop her from doing her very best to ease the suffering of any creature on four legs or two.

Graestone castle and it's Baron Captain War are ver special. Just about every person or animal on the estate is suffering the after effects of battle. That is why our hero wanted someone who could help with the medical side of things. What he doesn't need is a girl with a bit of paper disrupting his male domininated world.

This is an incredibly touching and emotional historical romance filled with wonderful characters. We do have humour in the story as well thanks to three naughty boys and other colourful characters.

This is the third book in a fabulous series and while you could easily read it on it's own, I personally think it much more fun to read them in order. You will soon come to love all the special people. Aunt Eggy is so much fun.

I loved it.

A group of interesting characters include wounded soldiers and seamen, a sister and three nephews and horses wounded in war. Captain Warwick de Walton is a responsible person. It was his job to make sure all the men he lead in battle came back home, unfortunately it does not work that way. Those that are physically scarred and mentally wounded are welcome to his castle. Miss Lula Darley with her honorary certificate and certified papers show she is qualified as a vet. She has her own scars. War refuses to allow her to stay until she works her magic on a war horse named Buttercup. From then on he tells her she can't leave because of the weather. In the meantime she offers aid to the inhabitants of the castle. War saved yurther once, can she save him? A man full of guilt afraid of love and an unusual lady that overcomes her fear to love. Told with pain, humor and a big nudge from Aunt Eggy. I enjoy reading this series with a different twist.
4 1/2*STARS *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

In 1812 Graestone Castle has become a place of refuge and recovery for men who fought for their king. Coming home to Graestone does not mean refuge for the Baron of Graestone, however. He is a man otherwise known as Captain War. War realizes he must have help for the injured horses. Miss Lula Darley of Aldbey Park is an unusual young lady. Out of necessity due to the wars, she has been the veterinary practitioner for her family’s horses at her home of Aldbey Park. Lula has scars physical and mental left from an attack in Hyde Park after a night at a ball. With recommendations in hand, she pursues a position as an animal practitioner at Graestone Castle. War does not want Lula in his castle of injured men and horses. She irritatingly faints at the sight of him and manages to rile him like no other. However, he has no choice but to let her stay as a winter storm descends on Graestone. Lula works hard to help the injured horses while she is snowed in at the dour castle.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. Another well written captivating read I really liked both War & Lula & loved their rocky road to a HEA. Both of them carried scars both physically & mentally. I loved how Lula helped not only the horses but the injured men & boys & most of all War. The book could have become very dark but was lightened by War’s three nephews (I didn’t like their unpronounceable names) & of course Aunt Eggy. I loved how Lula & War both gradually opened their hearts. A very enjoyable read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Thoroughly Captivated by Chantry Dawes is the third of the Aldbey Park series and is focused on the next sister: Lula. Captain Warwick de Walton has returned home to become Baron and brought with him all manner of broken men and damaged horses. Through an agreement with the government, he gives them work to do and takes care of them. Lady Lula Darley has spent her life at Aldbey Park, raising and training horses. She is now ready to strike out on her own and has answered a call for a horse practitioner. Her interview is with the baron. He does not yet know that his appointment is with a woman. She is stubborn, but loving. She wears outlandish colors and loves them. She arrives in the middle of a thunderstorm disheveled, to say the least. She jumps in immediately to stop some men from mishandling a horse and after calming him, she stitches up his reopened wound. She spends her days doing similar things, dispensing her ointments and potions to the many injured men and horses. She makes friends with everyone, including the baron. He is attracted to her and they kiss, but her informs her he cannot love and will not marry. She adopts his three small nephews, who are desperate for the attention. She even tracks down his recluse of a sister, who hides in her rooms.

There is so much to unpack here: why does the sister spend the days crying; why does the youngest nephew not speak, why does Todrick, the butler, not seem to like her, and why does the baron believe he cannot love. This latter is the most important because she quickly falls in love with him. They are throwing a ball, and Tuedy, the other butler, comes to her for help. The biggest thing is to get the place clean; it has been neglected for so long. This is truly a heart-wrenching story. With so many stories of men injured during the war, she goes from treating one to the next as the baron observes from afar. He can love, he is just afraid of losing that which he loves. She is strong, though. If he doesn't want her, so be it. She never expected to be in love anyway. Heart-breaking. Her family shows up for the ball and her stepfather, the duke, is ready to pound the man who has hurt her into the ground. That is until he sees the size of him: a funny moment. This is a very different kind of story line but extremely well plotted and told. You have to read it for yourself to get the full story.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Thoroughly Captivated by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #dragonbladed #thoroughlycaptivated #chantrydawes

Oh, my goodness, I have found this book to be such a wonderful journey. I loved the characters, the castle and the plot that makes this quite the distraction from my daily life. I am a horse lover and found that the health and well-being of the war horses to be a great subject to speak about in your storyline. This creation defiantly is one of my favorites in this series. Thank you for your thought-provoking Aldbey Park Series as it has really become a favorite of mine.

I loved the premise of this story. Captain Warwick (War), the Baron of Graestone, came back from the war trying to save as many men and horses as he could. He invites them to Castle Graestone to live and heal from their emotional and physical scars. He's racked with guilt over all those he could not save. He lives his life to help others, but all that is upended with Miss Lulu Darley comes to the castle to take care of his injured horses. To have a woman at the castle full of men is not acceptable and War vows to send her home the next day until she saves one of his severely injured stallions. Now he can't stop thinking about her and her quirky ways. Lulu is skittish and doesn't like to be touched ever since she was attacked in Hyde Park. She faints when she meets War for he's a beast of a man and his size intimidates her. But, the more time she spends at the castle, the more she sees his gentle side. Can she ever love such a man?

I really enjoyed the way War is always trying to help his men and boys at the castle, but I couldn't get past all the ridiculous names of the characters. I couldn't pronounce half of them and just skipped over them. That really distracted me out of the story where more simple names would have sufficed. I understand the author was trying to bring out a quirky side to the story, but I thought it took away the flow of the story. Lulu was a likable and complicated character. Her innate goodness eventually overcomes her terror of being around men as she tends to the wounded horses. As she becomes more comfortable, she begins to see the men as individuals and offers them salves and poultices to help with their wounds. The slow-burn romance between War and Lulu was well done. While the story was heart-lifting, the author's writing style is not one I enjoyed. It took me too many days to read the story and I doubt if I'll be reading any more of her books.

I love the cover of this book and the plot is good too. However, I did have difficulty figuring out how to respond to this novel as it swung through every trope from gothic to comedy, tragedy and romance, slapstick and back again. The Baron of Graestone is shocked to find that the young lady he previously rescued when she was under attack, has arrived at his derelict castle to tend to his wounded war horses. Expecting a man, War is less than polite to Lula and threatens her with expulsion, just as soon as the weather improves. Despite her fear of War, Lula nevertheless puts the horses before her own misgivings but very soon discovers that her remedies are welcomed by many others who are dealing with scars and inflammation as a result of the terrors they had faced fighting Napoleon. As with previous novels in this series, Aunt Eggy once again makes an entrance, bringing an element of humor to the book that borders on bizarre. The novel does come to a very good conclusion and most of Lula's questions are answered. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I did not want to put Thoroughly Captivated down. War, the Baron of Graestone, or Captain War, as he is known to his men, has been given the precious Lula Darley of Aldbey Park to care for his horses. We find out fairly quickly they have both been tricked by her aunt and his uncle, who are fast friends. Their love story is one of healing and forgiveness. All around them the men and boys who work at Graestone Castle are just as ‘damaged’ and War and Lula. Yet, when Lula comes to the castle life changes quickly for everyone. Healing begins and love comes to live.

I loved this endearing romantic tale with its strength of character and delightful secondary characters who decide to ‘keep’ Lula as one of their own. And, I appreciated the ‘clean’ aspect of War and Lula’s relationship. Chantry Dawes is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers!

A beautiful story of love & healing. Baron Captain War leads all manner of men & boys, injured in wars, allowing them to work and heal in Graestone Castle. His ragtag group of men live by his rules, That is until Lula Darley shows up to care for his injured horses. She too, is scarred and traumatized from an attack in Hyde Park, an attack War rescued her from, but she does not remember anything but the pain and terror of that night. Terrified of all men, especially this large Captain who confuses her mind & body. She learns to trust again as she does what comes naturally. She cannot keep from taking care of the injured and in so doing learns to trust.
This book is full of so many characters that you can’t help but care for. Lost, lonely & broken each of these characters stories eat into your heart. The emotion of this book compels you to believe in the healing power of love. The battlefield that War insists is everywhere is most deadly in his heart. So much despair to overcome, but love wins our above all. Beautifully written and hauntingly remembered.

'Thoroughly captivated' follows Captain Warwick (War), the Baron of Graestone, and Lula Darley. Lula has been sent to Graestone Castle as an animal practitioner, to assist with the recovering of the horses injured after battle. If she can save the horses, then the wounded soldiers, may also mentally and physically benefit. War is determined to rebuild Graestone Castle in order to assuage his guilt. Yet as Lula and War spend time together, the more they both realise that together, they might help each other heal, from their past hurts.

Another good addition to this series; however, i must admit that i did love book 2, so it was a hard act to follow. Yet characters such as Aunt Eggy do help make this a great read. An engaging romance with a touch of mystery, had me entertained until the end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing. All thoughts and opinion are my own.

I Was Thoroughly Captivated:
My first time reading this author's stories.
The description of the book intrigued me with the cover, the plot about
the men from war, and wounded horses
I was thoroughly captivated with this story just as the title says.
An emotionally based story filled with an exceptionally unique cast of characters.
You can't help but fall in love with the characters. Especially Aunt Eggy.
The slow building of the romance between Captain Warwick and Lyla is
thrilling, witty, and had many heart-throbbing tender moments and then
some not so tender.
The last few chapters bring forth some terrifying moments, along with a few
surprises, a heartfelt confession that brought the story to the end.
This is simply a gripping and wonderful love story I am so glad to have read.
A story that makes you feel good at the HEA end.
A clean story with some beautiful kissing situations.

I did receive an ARC copy for my honest opinion.

What a beautiful book cover . She is an amazing young lady who loves everything about horses and she has earned a diplama as veterinarian and she travels alone to his castle so she can take care of his horses . When he learns what his uncle has done he is upset but he is also captivated by her . Her arrival not only heal his horses but his men who were wounded soldiers . His nephews and sister loved her . Will he give them a chance to be happy together . Will his word be true ?
I received this book from netgalley and the puclisher as an arc . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .