A Suitable Affair

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Pub Date 06 Jun 2017 | Archive Date 30 Jun 2017

Description

Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister’s marriage prospects are rather lacking. Unwilling to let an opportunity pass her by, she decides a loveless marriage is better than spinsterhood, as it will allow her to continue her charities.

The life of Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott, has been overshadowed by darkness and guilt for the past decade. Having abandoned his family when he was eighteen, Ian’s position within a secret division of the government has provided him an escape from the guilt he feels over the death of his sister.

When the Earl's horse almost tramples Susanna in the middle of Hyde Park, Ian embraces the chance encounter as a possibility for redemption, for Susanna’s soon-to-be fiancé is the man Ian holds responsible for the death of his sister. Can this damaged lord hope to absolve the guilt he feels for failing his beloved sister by saving this vibrant, and unsuspecting lady from a similar fate? And will this charity-minded well-bred lady, who is not the perfectly bound book as Ian assumes, be willing to take a chance on the unstable earl, when something more dignified and permanent is well within reach?

Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister’s marriage prospects are rather lacking. Unwilling to let an opportunity pass her by, she decides a loveless marriage is better than...


A Note From the Publisher

Erica Taylor is a mother of two and military wife married to her high school sweetheart. Raised in the mountains of Colorado, she holds a BA in History from the University of Colorado. Erica has been writing stories since she can remember. She picked up her first romance novel while on a beach vacation as a teenager, and fell in love with falling in love, sexy heroes, and the feisty women who challenge their lives. A self-confessed geek, Erica loves anything Harry Potter, Doctor Who or Star Wars, can spend hours in Target with a Starbucks, and truly believes a cat makes a home. Currently living in South Africa, Erica can often be found writing during soccer practice or piano lessons and is not afraid to let dinner burn if it means getting the story out of her head.

Erica Taylor is a mother of two and military wife married to her high school sweetheart. Raised in the mountains of Colorado, she holds a BA in History from the University of Colorado. Erica has been...


Advance Praise

"What a fascinating mystery wrapped up in romance!  The author has written a fun, yet compelling story that is intriguing and will undoubtedly hold one’s attention until the villains are found and the mystery unraveled." - InD'tale Magazine

"Readers who like their Regency romance mixed with a little suspense and mystery will enjoy Taylor's debut. Her heroine is admirably forward-thinking, and her hero's work with the Home Office provides an interesting insight into the beginnings of the police force in England. A surprising twist at the end makes for a thrilling read. Several secondary characters look promising to have their own books in future installments of the Macalisters series." - RT Book Reviews

"The book is unputdownable. It is so incredibly well written and ever little chapter has its own twists. No, this is not your normal stupid regency romance, this is the marriage between an extremely well-written romance book and a great detective novel. Just what I like, love and need!" - Lieze Neven, The Write Way

"What a fascinating mystery wrapped up in romance! The author has written a fun, yet compelling story that is intriguing and will undoubtedly hold one’s attention until the villains are found and...


Marketing Plan

30-40 stop romance blog tour; comprehensive social media campaign; Goodreads ARC giveaways; ARCs available for trade and national media; traditional media and influencer outreach

30-40 stop romance blog tour; comprehensive social media campaign; Goodreads ARC giveaways; ARCs available for trade and national media; traditional media and influencer outreach


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781944995157
PRICE $14.99 (USD)

Average rating from 75 members


Featured Reviews

An interesting storyline for a book of this genre. The heroine was very refreshing, almost a modern take on a regency miss and the hero was no traditional man of the era. I was left wondering what the heroine's sister was up to. No doubt that will be revealed in the next book. It was easy to get involved in the story which was fast paced and easy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good regency romance with a bit of mystery involved and in many ways, a surprising ending.

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Excellent read

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I enjoyed this novel. The plot and the author's writing were good. The story contains romance and mystery. The mystery that was incorporated into the plot made the story very enjoyable. You needed to follow the plot to figure out "who did it" and why. However, I did enjoy the twist the author put into the mystery and liked the deduction of the truth of the murders.
The Earl of Westcott, Ian, works for the Home Office. He left his home at 19 to escape his father, who tried to control him. He left his young sister, Beth, with his parents. When he returned, Beth was engaged to man, but was kidnapped and a few days later found murdered. Ian has been searching for her killer for 3 years and has found several other related incidences.
Lady Susanna Macalister is a progressive lady who has her own secrets. She wants a home and family of her own. She is "seeing" Lord Riverton as a potential suitor when Ian nearly runs her over with his horse. Ian does not want the same thing to happen to Susanna as his sister. He indirectly warns her about Riverton. Susanna is very curious but cannot get the information from Ian. Ian keeps seeing Susanna, warning her and eventually tells her a few of his secrets. She begins to help Ian to see if Riverton is responsible for these crimes. She recalls times when Riverton appeared angry, but those actions were barely noticeable. However, she began to pay more attention with her meetings with Riverton.
Over time, Susanna and Ian begin to care for one another. Susanna tells Ian that he is avoiding his responsibilities. Ian blames himself for what happened to his sister and what his parents have become. He does not want to marry until her can solve his sister's death, but does not want to deal with his parents either. Susanna has her own secrets and she eventually tells Ian, which eventually provides some insight for his investigation. The more time they spend together, Ian realizes he loves Susanna and wants to become the man she deserves. Susanna realizes she wants more than a boring man as a husband and wants to help Ian. As they continue to investigate, the killer strikes another target. Will they be able to solve the mystery of the killer and both have their happily ever after?

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Lady Susanna Macalister is a lovely outgoing young lady who lacks for marriage proposals mainly because her brother the Duke scares them off just by giving them a "look" so she is still single. Lord Riverton seems to be interested but so boring. Along comes the Earl of Westcott who she is attracted to but he does not seem to want to court her. He works for the Home Office and is after the man who he feels was behind the death of his sister 3 years ago. That man is Riverton. He persuades Susanna to help him prove his theory. Lots of secrets exposed and mystery abounds.

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Absolutely Fantastic! This is the best story! WOW what a great mystery, romance, life affirming love! I highly recommend Today! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee

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Wonderful read and my first from this author. I loved how brave Susannah was.

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i loved it , cant wait until the next book from the author, would love to read about the duke and clara story.

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This is my first book from this author, it will not be my last.I really enjoyed this book a great romance with plenty of mystery.

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I have received the book A Suitable Affair of Erica Taylor as an arc. It was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb of this book:
Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister's marriage prospects are rather lacking. To avoid a life of spinsterhood, she decides a loveless marriage to the dull and unromantic Lord Riverton is better than none at all. But still, Susanna longs for true passionate love, the kind she grew up hearing stories about.

Enjoying a quiet walk with her insipid suitor one afternoon, Susanna is nearly trampled by the handsome Earl of Westcott as he rides through Hyde Park. Driven by his own guilt and despair, the earl embraces this chance encounter as an opportunity for vengeance, for Lord Riverton is the very man whom Wescott suspects is responsible for the untimely death of his beloved sister. But is his mission of seperating Susanna from Lord Riverton simply a desire to save another unsuspecting lady from his sister's fate, or something deeper?
As Susanna helps Lord Westcott investigate her future fiance, she realizes she might have found what she was looking for all along. Can the pair keep their budding romance a secret from everyone around them until the investigation is over? Or will the unsuspecting Lord Riverton win Susanna's hand in marriage before the truth comes out?


I love reading historical romance novels and it‘s been a while I read any of them, so I was really looking forward to reading this one. It did not meet my expectations which really came as a surprise to me, especially after seeing the high ratings and reading the lovely reviews on Goodreads.

The writing in the first part of the book felt off for me. Things were said in the book that didn't make any sense or didn't seem to serve any purpose, not even later in the book. Also, for example, I was annoyed by a remark of the hero of the book, the earl of Westcott. He was late for an appointment so he drove through the park fast. Because of that speed his horse almost trampled Lady Susanna in the park. When, later that day, he was thinking the situation over, his thought was that *it wasn't very gentlemanly of him to nearly crush a lady of quality with his horse, especially when that lady was the sister of a duke who was a friend of his cousin.* So, does that mean if it was some random poor flower girl in the park it would have been fine to crush her with his horse? Also he is annoyed he was late for his appointment and blames someone for no other reason than that he was present. Things like that make it very difficult for me to like a main character. They felt illogical and unreal.

The middle part (by which I also mean the biggest part, say the middle 200 pages of 260 total) was better for me. I'm not sure if that's because I sort of shut my eyes for these things or whether the writing really was a lot better. It was definitely better than the beginning. But then I got to the point in the book where the mystery was supposed to be solved. The final part of the book. And that was, in my opinion even worse than the beginning. To me the plot of the murder mystery was highly unlikely. Then things got wrapped up really fast and the ending was sort of abrupt.

I definitely had some good times reading this book, mainly reading the middle part, but I would not read it again. My rating is 2,5 stars which I will round up to 3. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't my type of book apparently.

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Overall, I liked this story. It had a few interesting twists and some unusual characters. I'm always amazed at the frequency twins occur in regency romances. The h and H are quite likeable, and make a charming couple, with unmistakable chemistry. His work with the Home Office seems a little odd, but it works with the plot, as does her charity work. Pieces fall together well, and though I've not looked, this seems to be part of a series, though it stands alone well enough. Enjoyed the book.

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I normally don't read books like this, but thought I should broaden my horizons and try new genres. The story was ok, got a little bit more insight on how courting/standards were. Full of mystery and romance.

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4.5 stars

***ARC received in exchange if an honest opinion***

This definitely isn't going to be the last book by Erica Taylor I'll read. It was a very good read!!!

In fact it was very very close to a 5 stars rating, the only reason I deducted 0.5 is because I feel like this book was so good through the whole story that it needed a better ending, or an epilogue. I don't need an epilogue in every single book I read, like some readers, but I do need a more definite ending, or better, an ending that wraps up the story better, specially if the story is good. There's no cliffy, it was just too fast and seemed rushed and the story is sooo good and it's a long one, which I love, that I believe it deserved a better ending.

That being said, this book was HILARIOUS! I loved the banter. It was very accurate, historically speaking, without being stuffy or stiff. It all flowed very well and I really enjoy the story and the writing. The author's writing style is so good!!!

I love a good historical book and this one is a great one! So good I wish I could unread it, just so I'd read it for the first time again, I predict some re-reads of it, for SURE!!

A Suitable Affair has everything a good historical romance needs, in my opinion. A swoon-worthy, yet cocky hero, a sassy and funny heroine, great dynamic between the characters, great supporting characters, a good storyline, a plot twist that makes sense (and what a twist this one have!!!) and some romance! It has everything I look for in a good (historical or not) book!

I really hope the author writes the story of Clara and Andrew, because they were such amazing secondary characters! The same for Norah, I'm really curious about her secret and why she chose to afiiliate herself with a mean girl.

I know that I'm lready missing Ian and Susanna's story. I really fell in live with them, while they fell in live with each other.

I DEFINITELY recommend this book, even if you're not used to reading historical romances, this is the kind of book that could convert you into a historical lover like me!

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A good read and the characters were very likeable. I found one spelling error but otherwise the rest was fine. The love scenes seemed rushed and not as realistic as they could have been. There was no concern about her conceiving a child and not many thoughts on her part in case this happened. I would have like more hints about what her sister was up to but that must be the next book. I would have liked a little more discussion of why the doctor thought both parents had dementia and if it could be genectic. Thanks for the fun book.

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Erica Taylor has become one of my favorite Historical Romance authors. She easily takes to England 1800s....

Lady Susanna Macalister is wealthy and has already made her debut to the Ton a few years ago, yet her prospects are lacking.... not that she is desperately looking. However, she is being courted by Lord Riverton, but feels like something is missing in the relationship. He's a bore, unemotional, and there is no spark... until she's nearly ran over by the Earl of Westcott, but then Riverton only seems angry that it was him on the horse.
The Earl and Riverton have a history, and its not a good one, The Earl is investigating a rash of murder of engaged Ladies, just like what happened to his sister. He's also very attracted to Lady Susanna, but because of his investigation and worry about her courtship with Riverton he warns her but tries to stay away. He finds he can't, so instead he decides to stay close and form a friendship.
Susanna finds the Earl irritating and he strays a bit to far from whats proper when around Society. She's afraid she could be scandalized, but when they are in private things get heated.
Just read it... and prepare to be swooned.

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This was such a wonderfully well written story that I could not put it down! The characters were well developed, and perfectly suited to one another. In fact, when compared to Riverton, I often wondered what Susanna had seen in the man in the first place.

I loved that while we got to watch Susanna's romance with Lord Westcott bloom, there was also that air of mystery happening in the background. Were his claims against Riverton's character true? Or were they merely the imagination of a man who had been hurt by the other's actions? Was Beth's murder random or was it a part of a much larger scheme?

The entire story comes together in a complexly woven story that will draw you in and keep you reading well into the night. I do wish there had been an epilogue giving us a glimpse into their wedding, or another aspect of their future together, but all in all this is a do not miss story for those who enjoy historical romances!

I will definitely read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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Wow, what a story. She is the sister of a duke. He is an earl and a marquess when his father dies. He ran away from home and went into the army He left behind his parents and younger sister. During one of his few visits home, his sister had become engaged. Two days later, she was dead. There is so much going on in this story, betrayal, lies, deceit, and murder to name a few. There are some good things going on as well, laughter, love, consideration, respect, and kindness.. It is an amazing story, the author is very detailed and her characters are so full of life. I truly enjoyed and hope you do too. I was given this book free for an honest review.

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I quite enjoyed this book and would definitely read the stories by this author again. I agree with other reviewer who thought that multiple sets of twins (in this case, 3) was slightly implausible, but I still enjoyed the book. The heroine was smart with just the right amount of spunk. She didn't always seem to be understanding of his quest to find justice for his sister's killer, she did but then she would doubt why the H wouldn't commit to her first. It was a good read and the perfect way to spend a lazy Saturday morning.

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This is a good read with enough mystery and angst to keep the story moving along. Susanna is settling for a possible marriage proposal when she meets a seemingly enemy of her beau. She doesn't understand her attraction to him nor will he tell her why he hates her suitor. Eventually the story comes out with a mystery being solved about horrific murders that may or may not involve her suitor.

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I loved the book The Suitable Affair, these days I am reading a lot of regency romance novels but this one was totally different. The relationship between Lady Suzanna and Lord Ian Wescott was a pleasure to read with the investigation of the missing girls. It added a thrill to the romance and the love scenes are so well written that you actually feel something deep while reading.

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The book was very good, the story was quite good, rather then the run of the mill romance novel we all read, The romance was fantastic, and solving the mystery was fun. I just wish it went on a faster pace. That I didn't get bored in between. I would read another book by this author. Its worth a read

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An unexpected excellent read in the genre.. A romantic story with suspense added to it. An unexpected climax as well to the story

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A very enjoyable story. I connected well with the main character. I liked that she had weaknesses as well as strengths. There were some predictable aspects to the plot, but it was a very well written story.

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A Suitable Affair was my first book by Erica Taylor, but it definitely will not be my last. I believe this is her first book, so I look forward to seeing more. I don't know if this is part of a planned series, but -- I think it would make a great series. However, I would have liked to see the story of Susanna's brother, the duke, and his wife as a first story in the series. The author alluded to it a number of times, but never really spelled it all out. I think it would have been a great first book in a series, followed by this book and then Susanna's sister's book.

I could have easily made this a 5-star rating except for the ending. It just ended too abruptly and didn't really 'finish' the story. If the author were to write an epilogue taking place about a year in the future where we see Ian and Susanna married and maybe expecting, him taking responsibility for the Marquessate and loving his new job with the Home Office, etc. that would have gotten it a 5-star.

The two main characters are fully developed and complex. We get to know them well and come to understand why they are the people they are today. Ian feels so much guilt for failing to protect his family, particularly his sister so he feels totally inadequate and unworthy of love. Susanna has taken her grief in another direction - she's started her own orphanage for boys. Both are flawed, but very loving and caring individuals.

I love Susanna's relationship with her family -- particularly her brother and his wife. They are such a loving and supportive family.

Along with a wonderful love story is a murder mystery that sure has a twist at the end. We sure didn't see that one coming!!!

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

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A Suitable Affair is a book that really captures your interest immediately. Lady Susanna Macalister is out for a walk with a gentleman, Lord Riverton, who she is courting and hoping to marry. She does not love Riverton and finds him to be quite boring but it is her desire to marry and have a family. They are almost trampled when a speeding horse comes through the park. The rider of that horse is the very handsome Earl of Westcott, Ian. It is obvious that there is no love between Riverton and Ian. When Ian warns Susanna to be careful of Riverton she is intrigued. He does not tell her why she is to be wary of Riverton just that she should be. She understands that it is of a legal nature and she agrees to help Ian investigate Riverton. As they investigate him, sparks fly between Ian and Susanna. Ian begins to realize Susanna is much more than the typical Lady of the ton. Susanna begins to realize that there is so much more to marriage than just to settle for a loveless one. Ian begins to open up feelings in Susanna that she thought were impossible.

Ian is dealing with his own demons. He has parents who are suffering with dementia and he is still trying to come to terms with the murder of his younger sister. He works for Home Office and does not feel he is capable of having a family and the love of a woman. As he begins to fall in love with Susanna, he realizes he has put her in danger by asking her to help investigate Riverton, but by arresting Riverton, it may close chapters in his life that may allow him to move on. Susanna works to help Ian realize that he can have what he desires if he will just try.

What I liked about A Suitable Affair was the characters and the setting. I enjoyed Susanna and Ian but I also enjoyed Susanna's family and Ian's family. The book is filled with romance, suspense and adventure. I was shocked to see this was Erica Taylor's first novel because it was so well written. I am anxious for book two so we can continue the Macalister adventure.

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You won't be disappointed! <b> A Suitable Affair </b> is a light-hearted and entertaining read. Lady Susanna Macallistar, the heroine of the story, finds herself with a large dowry but she is falling short in her search for eligible suitors. The one gentleman who has offered to court her is too compliant and boring, a stark contrast to her own vibrant and adventurous personality. After a random and potentially dangerous encounter with a stranger in Hyde park, Susanna finds herself drawn to the newcomer, Ian Carlisle, the handsome Earl of Westcott. Ian has trouble ignoring the magnetism between Susanna and himself but his affection is clouded by his troubled past and his quest to bring a murderer to justice. Susanna turns out to have a few secrets of her own as she struggles between society's expectations of a Lady and her own ambitions.

The writing style at the beginning of <b> A Suitable Affair </b> is verbose in my opinion. The author uses too many words in the characters dialogue and some of the sentences and descriptions are awkward. Susanna does not need to describe in length her motivation behind everything and she often repeats the same thing in two different ways in one conversation. After the first few chapters the writing style becomes less forced and the characters conversations flow more smoothly. The plot is entertaining from the beginning with the murder mystery keeping the storyline complex and engaging. And of course the romance isn't too bad either! I appreciate that Susanna's character is not just adventurous and witty but she is also brave and intelligent. The more the plot progresses the more interesting and developed Susanna's character becomes.

I would definitely not hesitate to recommend <b> A Suitable Affair </b> to my friends and I think if some of the wordiness in the first few chapters could be edited out I would definitely raise my 4 to a 5 out of 5.

I also want to thank Amberjack Publishing and NetGalley for a chance to read an advanced copy of <b> A Suitable Affair </b>.

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This historical romance had a lot of intrigue and a gorgeous couple at its heart.

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A wonderful, well-written story. Looking forward to reading more of Ms Taylor's work.

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Susanna Macalister is being courted by Lord Rivington and, suitors being few and far between, she imagines she will accept his proposal when he finally makes one. That is, until the Earl of Westcott rides into her life. That’s when things begin to get complicated in this highly entertaining romantic mystery. Susanna and Westcott are wonderfully complex characters and the chemistry between them is believable. Rivington is very much the enigma he is supposed to be. Was he involved in the murder of his fiancée, Westcott’s sister, as the Earl believes? Is he involved in any of the similar murders? Discerning readers may pick up come clues to the mystery along the way. There are two major backstories that are alluded to significantly throughout "A Suitable Affair." The most significant one involves the marriage of Susanna’s brother, Andrew, Duke of Bradstone, and his wife Clara. The other concerns Susanna’s sister Norah, whose friendship with another character is apparently a puzzle to everyone. Readers will have to wait for the “prequel” to be published for at least some of the answers.

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An enjoyable regency romp!! Full of fun, mischief and intrigue, this is a rather modern telling of a regency tale. Although the descriptions of London were clearly well thought through and confident, there were a number of American English phrases which jarred and didn't quite fit with the style of the novel. Other than that, I liked the characters and the twists and turns! It's been a while since I read a Regency/ historical book and it reminded me how much I liked this genre...

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4.5 stars
Despite being beautiful and wealthy & sister to Andrew the Duke of Bradstone, Lady Susanna Macalisters marriage prospects are rather lacking probably because of her protective brothers especially the Stone Duke. Unwilling to let an opportunity pass her by, she decides a loveless marriage is better than spinsterhood, as it will allow her to continue her charities. The life of Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott, has been overshadowed by darkness and guilt for the past decade. Having abandoned his family when he was eighteen, Ian’s position within a secret division of the government has provided him an escape from the guilt he feels over the death of his sister Beth. When the Earl's horse almost tramples Susanna in the middle of Hyde Park, Ian embraces the chance encounter as a possibility for redemption, for Susannas soon-to-be fiancé, Viscount Riverton is the man Ian holds responsible for the death of his sister.
Riveting first book I found it so hard to put down & read until well into the night to finish it. The characters are so well developed, Ian & Susanna are very likeable. Susanna is not a simpering miss & her true strength of character is revealed throughout the book. Ian is troubled & riddled with guilt, however his problem solving genius gets him to the solution in the end. The minor characters are also well portrayed. I was intrigued by Andrew & Clara & would have loved to have a book about their story. Norah is also ‘up to something’ which I look forward to finding out exactly what she is up to. The plot is fast paced, I love a book that has intrigue, mystery & romance & this story certainly delivered all three. The attraction between Ian & Susanna is so hot & they deserved their HEA, their verbal sparring is so well written & so very entertaining.
My only quibble is that the ending seemed rushed & after such a good story I would have liked a better ending. That said I would highly recommend the book & I look forward to more in the series & from the author

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First of all, I need to point out that the fact I took ages to read this had a lot more to do with me than the story. In fact, I actually quite enjoyed the book when I managed to get into it.
A Suitable Affair is what I believe is considered historic fiction, set in London during a long gone.
It follows a very unusual heroine, particularly for the genre. I really like how daring, conniving and quick-witted she is. I also love that she is not afraid to do what she feels she must.
Her love interest is also a quick-witted man with that kind of pained darkness female readers love. Together, they star in all kinds of fun scenes to read and engage in the most charming dialogue. This is what I love the most.
The novel also features a crime/mystery plot, which I personally think was well-done, though I thought the conclusion was rushed. It's one of my very few complaints.

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Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister’s marriage prospects are rather lacking. To avoid a life of spinsterhood, she decides a loveless marriage to the dull and unromantic Lord Riverton is better than none at all. But still, Susanna longs for true, passionate love, the kind she grew up hearing stories about.

Enjoying a quiet walk with her insipid suitor one afternoon, Susanna is nearly trampled by the handsome Earl of Westcott as he rides through Hyde Park. Driven by his own guilt and despair, the earl embraces this chance encounter as an opportunity for vengeance, for Lord Riverton is the very man whom Wescott suspects is responsible for the untimely death of his beloved sister. But is his mission of separating Susanna from Lord Riverton simply a desire to save another unsuspecting lady from his sister’s fate, or something deeper?

As Susanna helps Lord Westcott investigate her future fiancé she realizes she might have found what she was looking for all along. Can the pair keep their budding romance a secret from everyone around them until the investigation is over? Or will the unsuspecting Lord Riverton win Susanna’s hand in marriage before the truth comes out?

Susanna “runs into” Lord Ian Wescott in an unconventional manner and is a bit infuriated at the man. When he approaches her to let her know that her fiancé is not a man she should be spending time with she pretty much blows him off as she thinks he just doesn’t like Lord Riverton. You see, Lord Riverton had been Ian’s sister’s fiancé at the time of her kidnapping and murder and then refused to pay the ransom. Not only that but then demanded her dowry for breach of contract when she was killed. (I could see why he would have concerns about the man’s character.)

While Ian’s and Susanna’s friendship grows so do their feelings for each other. They say they’re just friends but each knows how the other feels about them and keeps it to themselves. Ian works for the Home Office and does investigations – not that anyone knows that. Because of that he knows that he can never settle down. He’s on the go constantly and he can’t be a family man when he’s gone all the time.

When Susanna and Ian are falling in love, Ian is investigating Riverton. He knows that Riverton is involved in not only his sisters kidnapping and murder but the kidnapping and murders of at least 6 other women – he just has to prove it. Susanna agrees to be bait for Ian’s investigation but when it comes down to it he may not be able to save her.

What a great story. I loved that Ian and Susanna were friends before they became lovers. Their friendship and banter made me smile more than a time or two. I loved reading about them and their antics together. I think the thing I loved about it was on the outside everything was above board and I could very much believe that it all was happening. Well done on Taylor’s part.

The suspense part of the story was a good one as well. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in the way it all went down in the end as it seemed a bit abrupt – as was the general ending of the book. Those two issues were the only reason this got 4 stars instead of 5.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the story of Susanna’s brother – the cold duke.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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“Our choices in life do not define us… It is what we learn from our choices … that define who we are”. Ms Taylor had me spellbound by her ability to instil depth and complexity in her characters, aptly explained through this comment by Lady Susanna Macalister.
The sister of a duke, Susanna finds herself on the verge of a proposal by Lord Riverton. However, she is nearly trampled by Ian, the Earl of Westcott, on his ride through the park. It becomes quickly apparent that there are ill feelings between Riverton and Ian, with Ian warning Susanna to avoid any interaction with Riverton, if she values her life. Despite the usual nature of their meeting, Ian and Susanna are attracted to each other and find themselves constantly seeking the other whenever they chance to meet.
What was particularly fascinating about this story was the ease with which Susanna and Ian interact. The feelings that they develop for each other were plausible and well established and this was supported by the clever dialogue between the two.
Half way through this story, I found myself researching whether the author had written previous novels as the secondary characters were so well developed and integral to the storyline. I certainly hope that Clara and Andrew’s story appears in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed this “A suitable affair” and look forward to reading more from Erica Taylor.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Intriguing story of suspense and mystery! Loved how the author wove the elements of murder and mayhem along with a side of romance. Had me guessing who was the guilty party up to almost the very end.

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London - 1813

Lady Susanna Macalister is walking with Viscount Riverton when an out of control horse just misses trampling her. The horse is being ridden by Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott. Riverton acts more angry at having seen Westcott more than being angry at the possible injury to Susanna. At one time, he had been affianced to Westcott’s sister, Lady Elizabeth, before her untimely death. So upset is he that he abandons Susanna and her sister-in-law, Clara, to go home. Susanna is surprised at his reaction as he is now the man from whom she expecting a proposal.

Susanna’s brother, Andrew, the Duke of Bradstone, is not convinced that Riverton is the man for his sister and Andrew and Clara want her to find someone who truly loves her.

Ian has just returned to London. He and his cousin, Bexley, have been invited to a house party hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Bradstone. Although Ian does not wish to attend, he knows he must as he feels the need to warn Susanna about the true character of Riverton.

As Ian and Susanna meet at the party and begin to see more of one another, they form a good friendship which threatens to spark into more. Ian then confesses his work with the Hone Office and what all he’s involved in, including Riverton.

Susanna is a very strong young woman who has stepped up and secretly opened an orphanage for young boys. It is very successful and she is proud of her work.

Ian’s parents are in ill health and he continues to mourn his sister’s death. His government work is geared toward helping to find her killer.

Susanna is a very strong character and Ian is a man fighting many devils. Together, they make a good team. I found Susanna’s maturity to be exceptional and would like to see her in more books. I understand this is a debut novel for the author and I commend her highly for the great romance and mystery she has written.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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September 1813 and Lady Susanna Macalister has found that her family offer a barrier to potential suitors and although content in her choice of Viscount Riverton she knows this is not the 'grand passion'. Then she meets Ian Carlisle, the Earl of Westcott, a man with a dark past.
With its likable characters, a well-written easy style and a decent mystery to go with the romance it made for an enjoyable read.

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I absolutely loved Ian and Susanna's story. They had such wonderful chemistry that slowly gets better and better as the story progresses. There is a natural progression in their relationship that's so easy going and steady, never feeling forced. They don't have any expectations for each other and I think that's what makes their relationship such an easy one. They both come to realize that they were initially wrong about each other. As they get to know each other and they're relationship grows, they adapt to the situation and don't really try to fight it. They both want to do whatever it takes to be with each other. While the story is filled with romance and sexual tension, there is also the perfect amount of mystery that really gives the story substance. I thought I had the mystery figured out but I was still surprised by the ending. A breathtaking romance filled with suspense-definitely a must read!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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A superb buy buy buy buy buy booK! I would of went four should of went four because it needed an ending that was deserving of the absolute superb writing! However, I could not bring myself to take off even a half of a star much less one whole one! This is not my normal author from reading prior to this, however, after this read she will be on my list of authors to watch for! What a wonderful book, the characters, the plot, the way it is written! I must say it was magical for me to be lost within its pages! So buy and enjoy! It is definitely worth your time. I was given this book in return for a honest review via NetGalley. Regards, Anna

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Publisher's Description:

Despite being beautiful and wealthy, Lady Susanna Macalister's marriage prospects are rather lacking. To avoid a life of spinsterhood, she decides a loveless marriage to the dull and unromantic Lord Riverton is better than none at all. But still, Susanna longs for true, passionate love, the kind she grew up hearing stories about.

Enjoying a quiet walk with her insipid suitor one afternoon, Susanna is nearly trampled by the handsome Earl of Westcott as he rides through Hyde Park. Driven by his own guilt and despair, the earl embraces this chance encounter as an opportunity for vengeance, for Lord Riverton is the very man whom Wescott suspects is responsible for the untimely death of his beloved sister. But is his mission of separating Susanna from Lord Riverton simply a desire to save another unsuspecting lady from his sister's fate, or something deeper?

As Susanna helps Lord Westcott investigate her future fiance, she realizes she might have found what she was looking for all along. Can the pair keep their budding romance a secret from everyone around them until the investigation is over? Or will the unsuspecting Lord Riverton win Susanna's hand in marriage before the truth comes out?

A thrilling romance story fueled by secrecy, A Suitable Affair will leave readers breathless and guessing at every turn of events.

My Thoughts:
I knew I had never heard of this author before, and found there was a good reason. This is her début novel and it's an exceptional start.
If you like your regency romance woven with mystery, then you are going to love this book.
Lord Westcott is desperately seeking the man who murdered his younger sister. Unfortunately for Lady Susanna Macalister the prime suspect is the man who is courting her.
Ian is also very attracted to Susanna, but at first refuses to act on his feelings. Finding and bringing the killer he is seeking to justice is currently the most important thing in his life.
Can Lord Ian and Susanna keep their mutual attraction a secret long enough to catch a serial killer?
This wonderfully romantic, sometimes humorous regency with more than a touch of mystery and intrigue is one you will not want to put down.
I was so very surprised to find that this book is this author's first published novel and look forward to more.
I almost didn't request it because the cover art wasn't the best, but I am pleased that I did.
The characters and storyline are well drawn out with sensual and sexy scenes and dialog between our hero and heroine.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I have voluntarily read and reviewed.

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Loved the chemistry between characters. Definitively a good buy.

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This was an interesting story. It is a romance with some action and adventure. The sexual scenes are explicit. The story seems to move a little slow at times but does pick up. The hero, Ian, is a founding member of what I imagine MI6 is all about. He does not characterize himself as a spy but, as someone that solves puzzles. The heroine, Susanna, is a Lady, has helped care for her brothers and sisters (her parents and oldest brother are deceased), and runs a charitable organization. Both, Susanna and Ian, have issues and baggage that need to be dealt with in order for them to move forward. There is a mystery with plenty of twists and turns. The end was the most interesting part of the book. There are a number of characters that I'd like to see get their own book. I would like to see this develop into a series about the Macalister family.

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Wonderful light read, perfect mixture of romance and mystery. I enjoyed this one very much.

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