Mad for the Marquess

A good solid historical romance with an excellent plot. Totally enjoyed!

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. I'd give this book 3.25 stars if that was an option. This is the first book by Jess Russell that I've read, but it won't be the last. The story begins at Ballencrieff Hall as Anne Winton is arriving to take up a position as nurse/companion to two women. She arrives to screams and a large man splattered in blood fleeing his keepers. After a brief encounter, Anne finds herself unable to put the man from her mind despite his behavior. Desperate to make herself useful in her new position, she volunteers to scrub the walls of the man's room that had been "painted" with his own blood. The pictures are disturbing and depict demons and the devil. The mystery man is actually the Marquess of Devlin, the heir to a dukedom. Devlin has been locked up for almost a year following accusations of murdering a young woman; he has no memory of what happened and was unable to defend himself. He's convinced that he is being drugged/poisoned by someone. He is troubled by demons that he can't get out of his mind and the result is behavior that supports his continued confinement. Anne is drawn to him despite his troubles and finds herself sitting for a painting that he will use to help convince his father he is recovered and should be released. When his father arrives, things don't go as planned and Anne announces she's expecting his child to help him obtain his freedom. The story moves to London where the mystery around the events that lead to his confinement lead to some unexpected truths and Anne and Devlin come to realize how much they each need each other. I liked Anne and enjoyed watching her slowly develop confidence in her own worth and grow into a strong woman willing to let Devlin go in the name of love. Devlin's growth during the story from a "madman" to remembering his wild past to realizing that Anne and a family of their own is all he needs to be happy is well done. Anne's past was briefly touched on, but wasn't explored nearly enough for me. That said, I am looking forward to the next book featuring Nora.

I really liked this historical read. James has been sent to Ballencrieff after he is found covered in blood with a dead girl. He has one year to recover his memories or he will be committed forever. Anne has the gift of healing and is the nurse and companion to James. Someone seems to want James locked up forever can they discover who is it or is he destined to remain the Mad Marques? The story really draws you in and the characters are amazing. James and Anne have amazing chemistry and their journey is a bit dark, drama filled. A very entertaining read.

This was a much darker book than I anticipated, but I enjoyed every minute of it! The first half is a struggle, if you're not used to books with serious subject matter. The reader gets a fairly detailed look at asylums in the late 1800s, which, if you know anything about how mental patients used to be treated, is very brutal and inhumane in many circumstances. I liked how the author took the modern-day PTSD and applied it to a situation outside of war as well. Many historical books only apply PTSD to war veterans, when in fact many people with PTSD have not gone through war but rather other traumatic experiences.

Anne Winton is a young, gifted woman who has been sent to Ballencrieff Hall to care for the the patients there. Upon arrival, she quickly find herself in the grasp of a madman who is introduced to her as the Mad Marquess, otherwise known as James Drake, Lord Devlin. Thought to be a madman in league with the devil, he certainly seems it at first glance. However, as Anne gets to know him, she finds herself falling in love with the tortured soul beneath the mask. While the circumstances aren't ideal for a romance, Anne and James find themselves helpless to stop their growing attraction. But the question remains: will James be able to fight his madness long enough to gain his freedom?

Anne was a fascinating character from the start. She was innocent but also seemed to be unafraid to act on her sensual impulses. In addition, the author added an element of the supernatural in giving Anne the ability to literally heal with her hands. It seemed a bit out of place, but not so much that the story lost flow or interest. Quiet, generous, and kind to her core, Anne was a character I had no problem supporting fully. James was a bit of a conflict for me at first, because I didn't understand where his madness was coming from. It was very disconcerting hearing the story from his point of view when he was battling his inner demons. However, as the story progressed and he became more lucid, I really liked James. He had a good heart and while he had made poor decisions in the past, he learned from them. His devotion and gentle handling of Anne was heartwarming and made the romance in the story blossom.

This was my first book by this author and I greatly enjoyed it! It was a unique, thrilling story that held my attention from start to finish.

Though I started this read initially thinking it was going to be a light hearted, sensual romance between a prim governess type girl and the dashing Marquess, this was anything but.

It came as a surprise that within the romance that evolved between an understanding woman and a much maligned man (Marquess though he was), the real story is about mental asylums in Britain where a soul could be thrown into and completely forgotton as it was an embarrassment to the family to have anyone even tainted with the slightest hint of madness as they called it.

Devlin was found covered in blood - and the murder was most gruesome. He has also lost his memory and so his father as a form of treatment has assigned him to Dr. Hives at his establishment to try to "cure" him and bring him back to sanity. In shackles, purged, bled and drugged Devlin does not know most of the time what he is, where he is or what he did.

The arrival of Anne Winton is the turning point in both their lives. She herself has had a very raw deal. Orphaned and then in an orphanage where she bore the brunt of bullying just because she was different she is aware that the slightest bit of showing that she is "different" would mean that she will be thrown out of this establishment as well. She has to tread very carefully amongst many treacherous staff and also try to effect some form of healing for its inhabitants. Her gift of healing can be a two edged sword and despite healing many, she can also be called out as a witch with its own horrors.

The story outlining treatment of the insane, the mentally depressed and also the homosexual was very depressing but factual. Sadly you realise that so many would have just faded away in these institutions forgotten by all and ultimately becoming raving mad through no fault of theirs.

The romantic part of the story however was quite interesting and very sensual which added a certain amount of piquancy to an otherwise brutal story.
Goodreads and Amazon reviews are up on 20/7/2017. Review on my blog are up on 6/11/2017. Also linked to my FB page.

I was really surprised by this story, first of all it is not your usual run of the mill romance. James Henry Nathanial drake, Marques of Devlin, was sent to a rich mental asylum (Ballencreif) by his father. Anne DeVere Winton was an orphan, and went to a poor school because no one knew who she was. She goes to Ballencreif to serve her contract and hopefully help heal.
This is a very complex tale of emotion, cruelty, death and still have the ability to have friendship, and laughter. I don't know how the author did it, but she wrote one superior book. The characters are marvelous and some are very endearing. The plot takes all the twist and turns and makes them logical and keeps you focused on this very immersive story and there are a couple of surprises. She handles the delicate subject of mental illness with her expertise and knowledge of the late 1800's. I loved this book and am glad I got a chance to read it. It deserves the highest recommendation.

This book and the style of writing reminded me a little of Victoria Holt. Not only was it a romance book,but the subplot of intrigue and why. It had me from the beginning to the end. Usually half way thru, i have figured out the who done it part. But this one eluded me to the end.
This book starts out in a asylum. Its not your typical insane asylum. Is a high class one where everyday the patients come out of their locked rooms to take tea (even though some are in chains).
I always like books that take place in something other than "ton" events. Those 'events do come later though.
Ann, the heroine, is a timid little mouse to start out. You see her grow and become stronger and more self confident. She also has a secret gift.
Devlin, the Marquess, is a rogue of the first order. He experiences a life altering event that lands him in the asylum. There he is digged and tortured. Anne becomes his light. She helps him come back to himself, thru her caring and his love of painting.
The development and changes the 2 main characters go thru, the change of settings and the twists and turns off the sub plot, all keep you involved in this book right to the end
Well done, Jess Russell. I look forward to your next book!

Publisher's Description:

James Drake, Marquess of Devlin, had everything—until he was found covered in blood, standing over a dead girl. Now locked away in a madhouse, he has one short year to recover his memories and prove his sanity, or be condemned for life. But the demons inside Devlin’s head are far easier to battle than the evil surrounding him at Ballencrieff Asylum.

Anne Winton hardly expects to find her calling—or love—while working in a lunatic asylum. But despite all warnings, the “Mad Marquess” proves dangerously fascinating to innocent Anne. She vows to save him not only from his adversaries, but from himself.

Initially, Anne is only a pawn in Devlin’s bid to gain his freedom, until he begins to see her not just as a means to an end, but as a beautifully passionate woman. He must choose: compromise the woman he loves, or languish forever in hell.

My Thoughts:

This is the first time I have read this author's work but hopefully not the last.
It is amazing at times how far society has come with their conception of mental illness. In the past people with mental instability were locked away and treated very badly. Their mistreatment often lead to their death or was detrimental to their health in general.
This heart rending tale of a man with only a slight affliction accused of a murder he has no memory of committing is an excellent example as to what society did to these unfortunate people.
I realize the author has toned down the "treatment" that people received in the past by using the mildest forms in this story but it does give the reader an excellent glimpse of the bias of society in those times.
James and Anne's story is a very moving, sometimes funny but more often sad tale.
Will Anne's passionate need to help this lord turn into an undying love or a tragic ending?
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4.5 of 5.0 flames. The underlying characters in this story are very interesting and essential to the plot. The sensual nature is very heated even though not so much physically, it has an undeniable sensuality.
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.

"Mad for the Marquess" was a very interesting book with an interesting plot line. The book did move a little slow in the beginning, but picked up speed and became very interesting.
Anne goes to work as a nurse/companion at an asylum. Right when she steps through the door she meets the mad marquess - James - who had broken loose from his room and touched her. Anne doesn't faint or scream, she handles herself well, and actually feels sorry for him. She helps clean his chambers where he has painted ghastly devils all over his walls. Anne has special healing abilities that have garnered his a label of "healer" and "witch."
James has been in the asylum for almost a year. He was found standing over a dead young woman with a knife in his hand. James' father is distressed because James is the heir and he wants him to carry on the family line, but not carry on the madness. It is pretty apparent that James has PTSD from a traumatic event and may even be on the spectrum - hard to say.
But James is drawn to Anne. He likes her large eyes and calls her his "owl." She brings him peace, part of her healing abilities. He wants to paint her portrait, he is inspired by her and he sees her differently than the outside world.
Anne is also drawn to James. He is attractive, talented and she wants to help him. She agrees to sit for him to paint her, but is apprehensive, she isn't beautiful and she knows she isn't the type of woman he would fall in love with in the outside world.
Circumstances throw them together and they end up married and living in the outside world. There are many obstacles for these two to overcome to be together.
The plot is really interesting and the characters likable and they feel real. There are some steamy scenes between James and Anne that move the book along nicely and draw them closer. Some of the scenes in the asylum are hard to read, very sad the way mental health patients were treated years ago. Good book, would recommend to others.

4.5 Stars

Anne Winton is the orphaned daughter of a gentleman, who has spent the last fifteen years of her life at Ardemoore School, a charitable institution. Anne has the gift of healing, which provided the excuse for another girl at the school to accuse her of witchcraft. Now Anne is being sent to Ballencrieff Hall to act as a nurse and companion to two of the hall’s residents. Ballencrieff is, in fact, an asylum, but for those who have some hope of recovery as opposed to those who are committed for life. Anne enters to a chaotic scene of a handsome young man, covered with blood, being pursued by caretakers. The man approaches Anne, and the two appear to be spellbound by each other for a few brief moments, until he is taken away. Anne learns that the man is James Drake, known as the “Mad Marquess.”

James, Marquess Devlin, was committed to Ballencrieff for the period of a year by his father, the Duke of Malvern, after James was found covered in blood with a dead serving girl and no memory of what had happened. James is a gifted painter, but lived a life full of drinking, drugs, and debauchery. Now James is confined, all but starved, sometimes tortured, and drugged – although not with the recreational drugs he used to indulge in. Though James struggles to remember, everything is working against him. The year’s deadline is just a few months away, and if James is unable to prove his sanity, he’ll be confined forever.

It’s obvious that there is more going on behind the scene. James has an enemy, someone who doesn’t want him to recover, and will do anything in his power to see James institutionalized for life, or dead. Things appear to be looking up when James’s family provides a new personal caretaker, one genuinely concerned with his wellbeing. James is also allowed to paint again, and he chooses Anne to model for him. Anne soothes James, while at the same time rousing his passion, and she is far from indifferent to him. As James makes favorable progress, his father, and another doctor come to evaluate him, to judge if he’s fit to be released. The interview goes well, until James’ unknown enemy sabotages things, making it appear that James is, indeed, mad. A frantic lie told by Anne in an attempt to save him does get him released, but also forces them into marriage.

While Anne and James have a definite chemistry, as well as a genuine liking for each other, neither was planning on marriage. Now they are both uncertain and vulnerable, and they definitely tugged at my heartstrings. The once self-assured James now has to prove his artistic ability, and he’s struggling. He desperately wants his wife, yet feels he trapped her. He’s also trying to be strong, and not fall into his old pattern of drugs, though he’s sorely tempted. I admire the new man he’s becoming so much, and I felt his struggles along with him. Anne has been thrust into a whole new world, and a society she’s not accustomed to. She feels that she is the one who trapped James into marriage, and she desperately wants to win his love and fit into his life.

MAD FOR THE MARQUESS is a beautifully written love story, but it’s so much more. The secondary characters and the scenes at the asylum are so vivid and realistic. The horrible things done to James took my breath away. The suspenseful part of the story was exciting to read, and I did consume this book in one sitting, as I couldn’t wait to see who wanted James destroyed, and why. All the pieces began to fall into place in a way that made perfect sense, and led to a very satisfying outcome for two very deserving people. Jess Russell has written a fantastic book, which held me captive through the whole journey, and which I’m recommending most highly.

'Mad for the Marquess' by Jess Russell is the First Book in the New Series "Reluctant Hearts". This is the story of James Drake, Marquess of Devlin and Anne Winton.
Anne is an orphan who spent most of her time at the Ardemoore School. But she was accused of witchcraft and now she is headed to be a nurse at Ballencrieff Hall where James is. Anne has the art of healing...but can she help James?
James was once an artist but fell into drugs and women then one day he was found covered in blood with a dead women near him. His father, the Duke, has sent him to Ballencrieff Hall for a year to clear his mind and to find out what happened. But James has not been successful and his years is coming to a close which means he will be a committed.
This is a historical romance but does have a dark romance undertone. This was my first book by Ms. Russell and I look forward to read more by her.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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I can't even say how much I loved this book. The H and h are remarkable and the story riveting. I was hooked by the opening and drawn into the story from there. The setting, a 19th century asylum, was intriguing, and this is not your typical historical romance. The support characters were interesting and added greatly to the story. A mystery weaves throughout, with a satisfying resolution, and throughout, my interest never waned. The h is an orphaned young lady, with a healing touch, sent to work in the asylum, the H, a marquess, sent to recuperate from a breakdown of sorts. He is a gifted artist, and has been given one year to recover by his father, time is running out. Their paths cross and neither is ever the same.

Mad for the Marquess is divided in two parts, the first one unusual, at the heart of an asylum, and the second more common in London.

James was locked up in this asylum after being found beside a woman’s gutted corpse. He doesn’t remember what happened, all the more so as we soon learn he tended to abuse opium and alcohol, and he’s very disturbed for a long time. He alternates coherent phases, where he’s very attracted to the heroine and plans to use her to be freed, while feeling guilty to consider it, with confused phases where he sees demons’ faces and hear voices.

Anne is an orphan who’s just been employed in this asylum to take care of two women residents. She feels inferior because of her education and tends to belittle herself physically too, but she wants to be helpful (she has a healing power in her hands) and to prove her worth. From the first meeting she’s not afraid of the hero, she even is fascinated by him. The soothing effect she has on him is well shown.

In this first part there are some glimpses of the period’s psychiatric cares, fortunately not much detailed but enough for us to be relieved that changed a lot since then. I found interesting the heroine’s idea to suggest the hero has to paint his nightmare to try and exorcize his demons, and the doctor in charge of the asylum takes ownership of it later in front of the hero’s father.

Following James’ father’s visit and a series if events, James and Anne find themselves married and back in London. Both feel guilty of the situation, considering having trapped the other, but there’s no communication between them so the misunderstandings last for too long. We see their feelings evolve but each goes on having doubts almost till the end, especially as James, afraid of what Anne could say to him, avoids her most of the time. However in order to become better for her he resists to his yearning to turn back to drug and alcohol.

The final revelation of the identities of the one cross with the hero and his accomplice was without big surprise in spite of the attempts to turn the suspicions on another person.
I thought the ending was a bit fast, and the epilogue is written like a slice of life several years later with just some details allowing the reader to guess what happened but without any explanation, which frustrated me a little.

had read an awfully lot of good things about this book, so I did go into reading it with a very high expectations of what it would be like, but what I thought it would be like was completely different to what I actually thought and felt about this book.

It is seriously good in every sense of the word, I do say this a lot but this is simply stunning, it is a heart wrenching and at times very disturbing but I couldn’t get enough of it.

James Drake, Lord Devlin after being discovered by the murdered body of a young girl was locked up n a lunatic asylum, where he has steadily got worse, his illness has got to stage where he is addicted to laudanum. He must prove his innocence or he will be forced to languish in the hell that he is in for the rest of his days, but how on earth can he do that when most of the time he doesn’t quite know who he is?

Anne has secrets of her own too which is why she is at the asylum working as a maid come assistant come dogs body, she doesn’t want anyone to know her past or anything about her life. She is a highly private person she does come across as a bit of a naive little girl at times, but she is strong, good woman who knows to get on with the job. She understand the concept of hard work and of loyalty and of respect to the resident’s. Which is why I think James is so drawn to her, he sees something in her that he hasn’t seen in anyone else. She doesn’t see a lunatic but a vulnerable, highly sexy man who has got a real gift, he is a real artist.

I have never read anything like this before the whole concept of the plot is surprising and brilliant. The detailing of James illness and his so-called treatment is harrowing and so brutally honest, and it is those details that get to me eve time.

Russell had created characters that you fall in love with and you urge them on through their own personal battles and tribulations. The two lead characters you genuinely care about, you go through so much with them as they go along their own paths.

I really, really like this it is so different to the regular Historical Romance it is new and fresh and at times difficult but it’s cleverly written and Russell has treated the characters who are suffering from various mental illness with the utmost respect and dignity.

This is a terrific book and I cannot recommend enough. But I do warn you that you may need tissues because there is some high-octane emotion going on here.

Full Review can be found over at Chick’s Rogue’s and Scandal’s blog

This book had a really unique and refreshing story line. I loved how different it was from most of the other historical romance books on the market. The characters were quirky, interesting and compelling with multi-layered complexities and great depth. I liked how James' character evolved over the course of the book and came to see the true beauty of heart and loving compassion in Anne. I adored Anne's sweet innocence coupled with her unabashed desire to explore her sensual nature. The chemistry between James and Anne was absolutely electric. The plot displayed just the right balance of dark intrigue, passion and romance. I found myself not wanting to put this book down.

The Reluctant Hearts series is one that I am going to be quite eager to follow!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & The Wild Rose Press, Inc./Backlit PR in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2107265598

This is the first book i have read by this author and it won't be the last a super read that you won't want to put down.Well written with fantastic characters a must read

This book was okay. It dragged on in parts but all in all it was a good read

A book with a very different storyline and makes you laugh and cry. I enjoyed it. The writing is terrific and made me realise how mental illnesses used to be treated. I really loved the characters and rooted for their happily ever after.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley.

This was a very enjoyable read-- the idea of a romance in a lunatic asylum isn't going to appeal to everyone, but I thought it was a really interesting and enjoyable premise, and I was on board from the first page!

“I love you. Who could not love you? You are so full, full to bursting – with humor, with grace, with curiosity, with talent. You are an embarrassment of riches, Lord Devlin. I am so very lucky to have you to love.” – Anne Winton

A historical romance much needed, with several doses of suspense and intrigue, and hot enough to make your corsets melt all by themselves, ladies!

Anne Winton is the new employee at Ballencrieff Asylum. She expected heavily troubled people within its walls, and hardships from day one in her new job. What she didn't expect was James Drake of Devlin, a Marquess and a patient of the Asylum, to appeal to her inner desires so much and awaken feelings she never knew she could have. The mad man also finds himself at a loss when this owl-like, fragile creature worms her way into his heart - as well as his art. As she begins to unravel the mysteries that are locked inside his chaotic mind and soul in order to help him heal, the two come ever so close. But there are forces against Lord Devlin's healing procedure - forces that will do anything to keep him conveniently locked in his cell, accused for a murder Anne soon starts suspecting may not have been of his own doing after all...

I'm telling you, this book was a lot darker than I thought and yet so much lighter than I expected. It focused heavily on emotional impacting scenes, and played really well with the reader's psyche through imagery and words. I loved it! Not to mention how adorable and well-put the main couple was. The whole theme of not knowing if James really was the culprit or not - courtesy of all those experiments and medicinal crap he was being fed - as well as the psychological warfare from some of the Asylum employees, gave an even more realistic touch, too.

I can't wait to see what other surprises Mrs. Russell has in store for us with the rest of this series!

“I love you, my beautiful Owl.” – James Devlin

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

There's something about James Drake that instead of being afraid, Anne Winston's heart goes towards him. Despite James' title 'Mad Marquess', Anne seemed to be longing for his kiss, a kiss she thought he'll give him the first time they met. Anne went to Ballencrieff Asylum to work as a general companion to a couple of lady inmates but she never thought she'll like it there. Or that she'll fall in love with the Mad Marquess. James, on the other hand wanted to use her as a means to his freedom. But his unwanted desire for her keeps growing. Suddenly he couldn't decide what matters more, his freedom or compromising the woman he loves.

I was intrigued by the blurb of this book that's why I requested it from Netgalley and got sad when I didn't download it when I still could. But a copy suddenly popped up in my Netgalley Shelf so I was able to download it.

This book was very well-written. I was captivated by the writing as early as chapter one. And then as I read, the plot juts kept getting more intriguing. I was hooked. The author did a good job at showing how PTSD patients or other mentally ill people were treated in 1800s. It is so realistic. Everything is. James' character, for me, is very well-done. An artist with a painful past he can't seem to let go to the point of seemingly losing his mind. It was shown so realistically. That's why, it was a fascinating experience to read about him and his complex thoughts.

On the other hand, it took me a while to like Anne. At first she was shown as too innocent. I especially dislike that part where she mistook James manhood to a freakin' weapon?
I know, I know… The era. But still it's too much for me. I mean she said she'd seen a manhood before in a book, how could she not guess what it was when she felt it? Right? Anyway, she has this special ability of healing which earned her a bad experience from where she came from. This makes her a little more interesting character.

The romance took a while. Sure, there was an insta-attraction but still the characters took their time to get on with their feelings and I liked that. :)

Overall I highly recommend this book. I even think this book deserves more. It's so underrated and the author's writing is really amazing. I like it.