The Secret of Studborne Abbey

The Lady's Guide...

By: Emmanuelle de Maupassant

Narrated by: Gareth J Davies

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Does something wicked lurk within the ancient walls of Studborne Abbey?

Find out in this historical romance duology!

The Lady's Guide to Deception and Desire

Disinherited debutante Rosamund Burnell is in a fix. Pretending she's still a wealthy catch, she sets out to ensnare the Duke of Studborne.

The only spanner in the works?

Her growing attraction to the duke's very proper, very honorable, and very penniless nephew, Benedict. The duke seems enchanted, but his motives for courting her are not what they seem, and Rosamund is caught in a trap. She must uncover the truth, and only one person in the abbey can help her.

The annoyingly principled Benedict!

The Lady's Guide to Scandal

Before archaeologist Ethan Burnell can return to his exploration of the Mexican jungle, his sister insists he attend her Christmas house party, filled with eager debutantes.

A fake engagement for the duration of the festivities sounds like the perfect plan.

With her name mired in scandal, Cornelia Mortmain's marriage prospects are nil.
Wild adventurer Burnell is exactly the sort of "dangerous man" she's sworn off, and posing as his fiancée can only spell trouble.

Or, make her so notorious she'll become irresistible.

But convincing everyone they're madly in love isn't the only challenge facing the ill-matched pair.

Exploring the Abbey's hidden passageways, they discover its crypt, and the secret of its chilling past.

Heat level: passionate

Discover more in The Lady's Guide series: historical romance brimming with adventure, mystery, and intrigue.

Each can be enjoyed as a stand-alone and in any order.

©2020, 2021 Emmanuelle de Maupassant (P)2022 Emmanuelle de Maupassant

Absolutely Wonderful!!!

Such a Wonderful Book , So thoroughly Enjoyable! I absolutely love the narrator,Gareth Davies and his capabilities!!
A definite Must Read or Listen to!!

Two audiobooks in one!

I enjoyed these books by Emmanuelle de Maupassant. They are not my normal romance trope to listen to or read. I'm glad I took a chance. They had great storylines and likable characters. There was some mystery and suspense as well.

Gareth J Davies is a new narrator to me. He did a great job narrating this audiobook. He was easy to listen to. I'd definitely listen to another book narrated by him.

Two wonderful novellas!

I loved both novellas! The first one has a much more gothic feel, while the second made me laugh out loud many times. Together they make a wonderful read, with the right amount of steam and much romanticism. The narrator was very good with the different voices. I enjoyed this audiobook very much!

Enchanting!

Rosamund Burell and her mother have come to Studborne Abbey as guests of The Duke and his nephew, Benedict. The duke is still suffering greatly from the loss of his wife and child. Benedict is drawn to Rosamund, but it's his uncle who interests her, so he thinks. There is something strange going on around the abbey and Rosamund is determined to find out what it is. There is a twisted mystery and equally twisted characters that give this story its intensity. After some deep sorrow, Rosamund finds her HEA with "the right man." 
Rosamund's brother, Ethan, has spent the majority of his adult life searching for antiquities and hidden treasures in Mexico. While he's in London for an exhibition, he meets a fascinating woman who shares his interest in relics of ancient times. Ethan's sister, Rosamund, is doing her best to find him a wife and to thwart her best efforts, he asks Rosamund to pretend to be his wife. When he finds that she can go toe to toe with him regarding love of the ancients, the ruse doesn't seem to be necessary anymore.
The narration is wonderfully done by Gareth Davies. His clear, dynamic voice gives each character a distinct personality and brings them to life with just the right emotion. 

Wonderful listen

I enjoyed listening to these stories. I was surprised how the stories unfolded. I do not think you will regret getting this book.

I was provided a copy

Just love this author's work!

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of the titles for this duology.

The Secret Of Studborne Abbey

A young American woman and her mother fall on hard times, so the mother could escape the abusive relationship with the overbearing oil magnate father, who cuts ties with the two.

So, looking to be introduced to local society, the girl seeks the young man's attention, that is the nephew of the local Duke.

An invitation is extended and so the two are moved to the local Manor house, where all is not what is as expected.

A dark and sinister situation is uncovered, mysterious disappearances are explained and true love prevails.

The Lady's Guide to Scandal
Ethan has returned from his archeological dig in the wilds of Peru.

He is intrigued by a young woman, that mistakes him as a thief, and brazenly tries to capture him. Although the misunderstanding is sorted, both are tied together by an early childhood encounter, that neither of them had forgotten., making their later day friendships pale in insignificance compared to the memories of their childhood encounters.
A Christmas party invitation gives them a chance to renew their relationship, although it doesn't always go as planned.

Really enjoyable - thoroughly enjoyed this

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and the two novels of The Lady’s Guide.
The first being The Lady’s Guide to Deception and Desire and the next The Lady’s Guide To Scandal.
From the narrators voice and the different sound effects, it made for a great listening experience. I loved the different characters voices, especially the older men and woman.

Both these stories were engaging.
The first novel in a dark, spooky way centring around Rosamund a disinherited debutante, The Duke of Studborne, his nephew, disappearing women and secret passageways.
The other novel being a continuation of the first story, but years later introducing us to Rosamund’s younger brother Ethan and the widow Cornelia who has had much scandal around herself, not of her doing.
Stories were at times funny with wonderfully written characters. I’m keen to listen to or read the rest of the series.

I received a copy of the audiobook for my honest review but had previously purchased the ebook.

Mysterious and Fun!

There are two stories contained in this audiobook!

“The Lady’s Guide to Deception and Desire”
In the first story, two women from Texas, end up in England husband-hunting for the daughter, Rosamund. Meeting one of the residents of Studbourne Abbey, they are invited to visit for several days. During their visit, Rosamund finds her “happily ever after”!

“The Lady’s Guide to Scandal”
In the second story, Rosamund invites her brother Ethan (who has grown up in Texas) to visit her in England. Rosamund has a house party designed to find her brother a wife. In spite of his determination to deflect the interest of the young ladies and their promoting mamas, he is captured by a woman who originally was as uninterested as he.

The Abbey is a “character”, in both stories, that is old, mysterious and rather creepy!

You’ll enjoy this it's a fun listen with interesting characters, setting and even sound effects!!

Gothic Passion at its Best!

This boxset contains 2 of the books from 'The Lady's Guide' series of stories ('The Lady's Guide to Deception and Desire' and ' The Lady's Guide to Scandal') and these are narrated by Gareth J. Davies.
He did this really well - his refreshing voice, splendid acting and sound effects perfectly elevating these two beautifully dark and romantic stories from this series.
I have just finished listening to the audiobook version and voluntarily leave my unbiased review.