A Bottle of Betrayal for the Forgotten Duchess by Emma Linfield

A Bottle of Betrayal for the Forgotten Duchess Reviews

• 
  Emma

  This is an entertaining light drama. This is not a high drama book. Nor is it an action adventure. It is about a commoner and a Marquess. Ethel became an orphan at a very young age. She was taken in by her father's brother who was a very successful apothecary. He taught her everything he knew. When he became ill, she took over the shop. All through the years when thinking of her parents, she had a firm belief their death was not an accident. Without resources and connections there was little she could do to investigate. Ethel is a fine young woman. Beautiful but humble, honest and generous and she has a wicked wit about her. When Austin the Marquess of Kingshill walked into her shop he was shocked that a female was an apothecary. He had a wicked wit and taunted Ethel and she gave back as good as she got. Austin was definitely interested in Ethel. He had come to fill a prescription for his very ill father the Duke. When Ethel gave Austin her professional opinion on the script, he became wary. But when she explained why she felt the way she did he gave her the go ahead to make the modifications. Austin's father was his world. When he took a turn for the worse, he called on Ethel to aid his father. She did all she could to make him comfortable till the physician came from London. Austin had every faith in Ethel, as the modified script she made had a positive reaction in his father. Now Austin's mother was an evil diva who took every opportunity to put Ethel down and make her stay at the estate miserable. Between the physician and Ethel, the Duke began to improve. The physician could not stay so Austin begged Ethel to stay and watch over his father for him. She stayed. While there, Ethel and Austin would have many playful banters and they got to know each other. The evil Duchess could see the attraction between them and would not stand for it. In the meantime, Austin offered to investigate her parent’s death. It was the least he could do for the care she had shown his father. The results were devastating and revealed more than just how they died. A good story.
• 
  Space Cowgirl

  Touching Something Beautiful💘🌼
  
  Regency Era Romance💕 and Murder💀 Mystery
  
  Ethel Pates💃🌼 is an Apothecary, an Herbalist, taught the trade by her dear uncle, after her parents mysteriously suspicious deaths in a carriage accident.
  
  Ethel💃🌼 is happiest out in their herb garden or in The woods, collecting wild herbs🌱🌼 and being with nature🌼. The two of them barely scrape by, but are happy, until her uncle becomes sickly. There is no money for a real doctor.
  
  One day, Austin Woodmore🐺, the Marquess of Kingshill, comes into The shop with a request for a potent medicine. His father, the Duke of Dawntonshire👴, is quite ill, and needs more 💊medication. His regular doctor from London, won't be there for several days.
  
  Ethel💃🌼 and Austin🐺, hit it off immediately, he loves to tease and banter, and she gives it right back to him. A few days later he comes in again and requests she bring her herbs🌱 to their estate and stay until his father recovers.
  
  It's a long winter and the Duke👴 is slow to recover. In the meantime, Austin🐺 and Ethel💃🌼 get to know each other, becoming very close.
  
  However, Charlotte👵, the Duchess, a mean spirited, greedy woman who doesn't even like her husband, has other plans for Austin🐺.
  
  Without Austin🐺 or his father's knowledge, she invites the wife and daughter of the Duke's business partner to stay at the estate, in an attempt to get the daughter, Millicent, betrothed to Austin🐺.
  
  Then while Austin🐺 is out at a distant village overseeing the building of a new bridge, Charlotte👵 sends Ethel💃🌼 away, back to her little shop in the local village. The Duke👴 isn't even completely recovered!
  
  When he returns several months later, Austin🐺 finally sees his mother👵 in her true nature....
  
  ARC Received from Bookfunnel🌀
  I also got this ebook from KU.
  
  Wow! What a wonderful book! I loved this story and feel it's Ms Linfield's best yet! Highly recommend for lovers of sweet historical romance. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
• 
  Kaye

  ONE FANTASTIC ADVENTURE!!!
  Outstanding! Emma aces yet another enthusiastic, sensational, tantalizing, chart topping, nailbiting, prize winning, masterpiece that hooks you from the start and reels you in for the duration. Boasting all the feels, thrills and stunning spills, striking the match, lighting the fuse and blowing this little fella asunder, tossing it into the eye of the storm, thrusting it into a tailspin with shocking results. A raging tempest of daunting circumstances and surprising mishaps, propelling this baby to staggering heights. Seizing the reigns, weaving a cocoon so intricately and tight, drawing you deeper into this tangled web until nothing else exist. Struggling with the drama, deceit, uncertainty, intrigue and soaring suspense, blasting this baby into a tailspin with a stunning culmination. Add distress, tension and turmoil along with a boatload of trouble, blasts this little fella to life beautifully. Stumbling through the trials and tribulations, sharp twists, crisp corners and sleek lines, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. The chemistry and attraction builds as each layer is peeled back exposing an undeniable bond and amplifying affections, binding them to one another perfectly. The characters are authentic and original with qualities and traits that blend into amazing personalities. The scenes are so colorfully descriptive to give you a full understanding and realism that balance and flows smoothly. Remarkable job Emma, thanks for sharing this little fella with us.
• 
  Debbie B

  Great Read
  
  A chance meeting with a Lord for an apothecary, is exciting and filled with tension. Lord Kingshill, Austin, needs herbs that will continue to help his father. He’s very worried as his father has been ill a long time.
  Hearing about a skilled apothecary in a neighboring village he hastens to obtain what’s needed for his father. Entering the apothecaries hut, he meets Ethel and asks for her husband or father so he can discuss a matter of importance.with the apothecary. This statement irritates Ethel and sends a message that only men can be in this important position. Calming herself she explains she in fact is the apothecary he seeks. Taken aback, Lord Kingshill decides to test Ethel’s knowledge by handing her the list of ingredients he needs. Angered by his inability to accept a woman as a healer, she sets about collecting and preparing the potion needed for his father. It’s to early to know if they might become friends.
  So much more to the story. The author gives the reader insight into a young girls life and into the family of nobility. Twists and surprise bring an interesting light to the story. All the characters were well defined.
  Great read!
• 
  Sharon

  Austin Woodmore, Marquess of Kingshill stops at a village apothecary to get healing herbs for his father. He's surprised to find a female apothecary. Ethel Pates Learned from her uncle. Austin's father does much better on Ethel's medications than on the Doctors. He invites her to come and stay at his home and care for his father, the Duke. Ethel's parents were killed in a carriage accident when she was a young girl. She never believed it was an accident. This is a story filled with intrigue, drama, suspense, romance, twists and turns that will keep you turning pages.. Characters are fleshed out, well constructed plot and well written story. I especially liked the ending. One of Emma's best stories.
  I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
• 
  Elizabeth Connor

  It's a good read with a few surprises, although they were rather predictable. Character development was solid, though not terribly complex, and the plot, for the most part, was intriguing. I was bothered by Austin's, and then Ethel's, willingness to be railroaded by the duchess. I fully expected to find out that she was slowly poisoning the duke, so when I found out she wasn't, I realized she wasn't quite as bad as I thought she was. Nevertheless, she was pretty awful.
  
  I give this book 4 stars because it's good storytelling. It's not poetic and it's not thought-provoking, but it is fun. It's not something I'll rave about, but I enjoyed it. Sometimes that's enough.
• 
  Wendy Tavenner

  Loved the book! Ethel has been trained as an apothecary by her uncle since she was little. When a handsome Lord (Austin) enters her shop and asks for a remedy for his father. When his father gets worse he asks Ethel to come stay with them and help his father the Duke! Never would she have guessed that she would fall in love with Austin. When she is threatened by the Duchess she has no other choice but leave. A beautifully written story.
• 
  alfawolf1 ~Sherri K

  Another wonderful book by Emma Linfield! This story about Ethel and Austin is full of intrigue, mystery, betrayal... but also trust, romance and love. I have never been disappointed by any book from Emma Linfield! Must read!
• 
  Phylis Collins

  An amazing story, entertaining, enlightening, heartfelt and lots of emotional conflict and soul searching with unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises and misunderstandings. loved reading.
• 
  Deborah

  Loved the mystery.
  
  Wonderful display of enduring love through hate. Great insight into the mystery of herbal remedies. Cold case solved. Ability to look past physical appearance.
• 
  Delbora

  A Delightful Story
  
  This story begins interesting and remains so throughout. It was not what I anticipated but much better. I love the intrigue and included romance.
• 
  Joanne

  This book had it all...a wonderful, strong, smart heroine (Ethel); a handsome, true, ethical hero (Austin); a wicked, evil character (Charlotte); sickness, health, happiness, sadness and mystery. The story was fast-moving and I enjoyed it immensely. I was also glad to read the extended epilogue. Good Job!