Who's That Earl by Susanna Craig

Book Excerpt:

"Will scandalous secrets stand in the way of a second chance at love?

Miss Jane Quayle excels at invention. How else could the sheltered daughter of an English gentleman create lurid gothic novels so infamous someone wants their author silenced forever? Fortunately, Jane has taken steps to protect herself, first by assuming a pen name, and second, by taking up residence at remote Dunnock Castle, surrounded by rugged scenery that might have been ripped from the pages of one of her books. Her true identity remains a secret, until one dark and stormy night . . . After years of spying for the British army, Thomas Sutherland doubts the Highlands will ever feel like home again.

Nevertheless, thanks to a quirk of Scottish inheritance law, he's now the Earl of Magnus, complete with a crumbling castle currently inhabited by a notorious novelist. When the writer turns out to be the woman Thomas once wooed, suspicions rise even as mutual sparks reignite. As danger closes in, can Jane and Thomas overcome their pasts to forge a future together?"

Title: Who's That Earl
Author: Susanna Craig
Publisher: Kensington Books
Series: Love and Let Spy, #1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Who's That Earl" by Susanna Craig

My Speculation:

What will happen when Thomas Sutherland, who was a spy for the British, finds out that he has received an inheritance from his hometown in Scotland. Will he take up his title as an Earl? What will happen when a Gothic writer [Jane Quayle][Mrs. Higginbotham], who was writing under the name Robin Ratliff has taken up residency at Thomas's Dunnock castle? And what will happen when Thomas notices as well as Jane that they had once courted some seven years ago? Ok, now that Thomas as come back to Dunnock castle when will all of the secrets start to come out that both of these two held from each other and especially finding out that Jane is receiving threatening letters? Why will Thomas want to stay to protect Jane even though aren't these threats again the novelist? Also, what was all of the strangeness that was involved with Jane's parents?

Alright, you will have to keep up because I found the story a little bit hard to follow, but yet it did keep my interest in wanting to know what in the heck was going on. What will happen when Thomas and Jane began to fall again for each other? Yes, I will say it was steamy! Add all this with the threat that Jane has received, and you have a good mystery. I was somewhat surprised that it took Thomas a minute to figure all of this out, especially since he was a spy.

To get all of the questions answered, you will have to pick up this good read to see how well this author brings it all out to the readers. I did enjoy the novel "Who's That Earl," which turns out to be a fantastic historical romance. I found many characters from a hero and heroine who were relatable, the housekeeper, Agnes, gatekeeper, Dougan, the villagers [Thomas's boyhood friends], with all of their witty banter and let's not leave out Jane's endearing dogs [Athena & Aphrodite].
So, was this a second chance at romance for Thomas and Jane after all is said and done? Be ready for a read of the 'Scottish Highland, and its beautiful community.'

I thank NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.