Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Great read! I love both Anna and Larkin, they are perfect together. Excellent first book, I can’t wait to read the rest.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher is the first installment to the Aurelian Guard fantasy romance series. Lady Aubrianne (Anna) is arranged to marry Lord Roger not long after meeting and while she tries to fulfill the role, it’s apparent she’d rather be left to her own thoughts with her horses that she raises than be in his company. His cruel nature eventually surfaces, and Anna realizes that he is not the man she’d hoped he would be. But Anna is a strong woman and is not going to let his treatment of her and Lord Roger’s people break her. But then Larkin, a man she had met during an interesting encounter only a couple of years prior and not seen again, is hired to do detective work on Roger. He has had Anna in the back of his mind ever since, but will she be found to be tied to the evilness of her husband?
This story was immaculately written, whirling with secrets and romance in a medieval setting. The author paints such a vivid picture for the readers without becoming monotonous and the plot builds at what I thought to be a perfect pace. It was very easy to get lost in the pages and difficult to put down. I am very intrigued to read the next installment and see what comes next.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was the best Fantasy Romance book I have read in a LONG time. I had not read anything by Nicole E. Kelleher before, but this knocked me right off my feet. Wild Lavender is the magnificent first book in the Heart & Hand Series and I cannot wait to read the next. The author has such a brilliant way of creating such an all-encompassing world, I wouldn’t pass this one up. It is a gripping, fast-paced read full of romance, danger, and lots of chemistry. Heading over to pick up the second book in this series because I simply can’t wait any longer! I highly recommend giving this one a chance and you’re sure to fall in love with the beautiful world and intriguing characters.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62093350-wild-lavender” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Wild Lavender (Heart & Hand, #1)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1661547481l/62093350._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62093350-wild-lavender”>Wild Lavender</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22724013.Nicole_E_Kelleher”>Nicole E. Kelleher</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5371383462″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I have to say that this book was a good one to pick up. I’ve never read anything by this author before but I will definitely be reading the other books in this series as well as be looking for other books written by her. The story keeps you engaged from start to finish with the great plot and character development. Aubrianne is determined to find out what her husband does when he leaves for days at a time. She was tough when it was needed especially when it came to her loved ones. Her husband, Larkin, is seeking adventure and jumps head first into investigating Lord Roger who deals with a rival realm. Will he be implicated as one of those that has committed treason? I’ve only started getting in historical romance books and read very few fantasy. These two genres mixed together was not what I was expecting and was pleasantly surprised. If you’re looking to mix up your book shelf a bit this would be a good book to add.
<br/><br/>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/106111308-charlisa-wahtomy-alba”>View all my reviews</a>
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable and engaging fantasy romance with an epic storyline spanning realms, mystical prophecy’s and royal intrigue. Healer and warrior Lady Aubrianne protects those she loves, so when she discovers that her frequently absent husband Lord Roger, maybe caught up in treason she must avoid them all being implicated. Meanwhile, Royal Guard of Aurelia and known rake, Larkin is investigating the increasingly wealthy Lord Roger, and what his dealings are with a rival realm. Craving adventure Larkin sets off, but is shocked to find the women who’s haunted his dreams ever since they met years before, Anna (Lady Aubrianne). Unfortunately the punishment for treason is death to all those involved, meaning that if Lord Roger is found guilty, so will his wife, unless Anna can prove her innocence. This is an exciting fantasy epic with a story full of ambition, drama, murder and sizzling romance, which had me hooked throughout. The characters and settings were brought vividly to life through the wonderfully detailed descriptive narrative, making me feel immersed in the story. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful read with steamy love scenes and a grasp on the historical fantasy genre. For me it is in the details and this book has them in spades! I loved them all, down to the map in the first pages of the book. I cannot wait to read more from this author. You definitely won’t regret this read!
https://www.amazon.com/review/R24QD8S0AYUDGR/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was my first time reading a book by this author. She did not disappoint 1 bit. After reading the first book, I can’t wait to read the others. There was so much suspense & action in the book. She had my attention the whole time! Great storyline, characters, and world building!
View all my reviews
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3039587078
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When a young woman tries to sneak back into her family’s quarters undetected, she’s caught by a man in the shadows. Alone in the darkness, they lips are about to touch, but he is not a “ravager of maidens.” He asks for her name, before fleeing; leaving her. She also flees as to not be reported to her mother.
Wild Lavender is an engaging novel full of suspense, romance, heart break and love. The characters are wonderfully written, especially our strong heroine, Lady Aubrianne. This book was a page-turner from beginning to end; I’m looking forward to reading more in this series.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wild Lavender is the 1st book in an epic romantic fantasy trilogy and she’s a hefty one. I really enjoyed this read. This is not a genre I’m usually drawn to; however, Kelleher pulls you in right away and doesn’t let you go. There is danger and intrigue, twists and turns, love and hate…I could go on. It’s all there. She does an great job at building these worlds and making the reader feel like they are a part of them as well. I connected with the characters and can’t wait to see where they go. The love scenes were well done and perfectly sprinkled throughout the novel. I really enjoyed this author and this book and can’t wait to sit down with the next installment.
Reviewed by @meggs1717
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wild Lavender (Heart & Hand Series Book 1) by Nicole E. Kelleher. I loved this first installment in the Heart & Hand Series. Its the story of Aubrianne who has been married to Roger for a while but marriage is not all its cracked up to be. Roger has been disappearing a lot and while she enjoys the peace and quiet when he’s gone but she is still suspicious. Roger is not cheating on Aubrianne but he is doing some things that could have them all in serious danger. When Larkin finds out someone in their community is a traitor he’s determined to find out who it is. While on his search for the traitor he finds Aubrianne and is shocked because when he met her before he has thought of no one else. Could she be the traitor? Surely not. He will be heartbroken. He will have to follow thru with the punishment for treason and that is death. Will he find out its Aubrianne? This was a fast paced Medieval, fantasy romance. Can’t wait for the second book!
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the Heart & Hand Series. I really enjoyed being transported in time with this read. The author writing was captivating and really enveloped the reader in the world they had created.
This is a historical fantasy romance but it is full of action and adventure as well which make its different from a typical historical romance. There is danger, secrets and betrayal as well as a romance between 2 people who meet by accident but never forgot each other.
Anna has been married to Roger. However her marriage isn’t what she was expecting and when Roger goes missing for long periods of time she enjoys the peace. But things arent what Roger leads her to believe. He has a plan, a plan that would make him and everyone associated with him a traitor including Anna.
Larkin has been made aware of a traitor in their mists so he sets out to find and rid the kingdom of this traitor and their supporters. So imagine his surprise that when on his search he finds the woman that has never left his mind. Can it be true that she is part of this and being a traitor also or is she just an innocent pawn in a much bigger game her husband is playing.
Can Anna prove her innocence? Would Larkin believe her? And what happens the pair are reunited after all that time?
This is a very enjoyable read and i can’t wait to see what the author has next for us.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This first book in the Heart & Hand series is a fantastic start to this new series and you won’t want to miss it! I was pulled in quickly to the storyline and it kept me engaged the whole way through. It is a captivating read with plenty of action, adventure and so much more. I personally can’t wait for more from this great series and talented author!
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a great mix of historical romance and fantasy. It is a fairly exciting story and I found myself drawn to it. It is a pretty fast paced story, and once I had started reading it I found it hard to stop. I thought the characters were brilliant. Anna was such a strong character. For me, she carried so much of the book and it was her that kept me reading.
This is a pretty new author to me and I am still getting used to her writing style. I loved that she combined these two genres and she did it so well. There was some strong development throughout the story and it just made the book even better. I am very much looking for book two.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Aubrianne has recently wed Lord Roger in a marriage arranged by her parents. She knows little about this man but feels that in time that she can grow to love him. Aubrianne is determined to make the most of their marriage and be a good wife. However, married life turns out to be anything but bliss and Lord Roger only has coldness in his heart. He turns out to be cruel and is violent not only towards his wife but to his servants and help as well.
Aubrianne is a fighter, and she is determined to not allow Lord Roger to break her. Along with a small group of servants, who have become her closest friends, they set out to find out why Lord Roger is frequently gone for weeks at a time. They suspect treachery and want to stop it before they become implicated in his treacherous acts.
Unbeknownst to them Lord Roger is being investigated by the Royal Guard of Aurelia. Larkin, a member of the Royal Guard, met Aubrianne by chance years earlier and has not been able to stop thinking about her. He is eager to set out on new adventures and investigate the dealings of Lord Roger and see Aubrianne again. However, if she is implicated in Lord Roger’s treacherous acts she will be faced with the same punishment as Lord Roger. Death will the punishment for all those involved.
This book was beautifully written, and it was easy to become immersed in the story as it unfolded. You could feel yourself being swept back in time and see yourself in each scene. You could feel yourself bounce along on the back of the horse and hear the clip clopping of the horse’s hooves as they traveled along on the roads through ancient forests. You could feel the pain Lord Roger inflicted on Aubrianne and doled out to his servants. The characters, whether you loved them or hated them, were wonderful. Aubrianne is a woman to be admired for her strength and courage to get through the horrific abuse that she endured. Lord Roger is a cruel, cold, and heartless man that deserved to receive the same treatment that he dished out so easily to others. Larkin was kind, sweet, and patient and easy to find yourself drawn to. Wild Lavender is a historical romance that is packed full of action, suspense, mystery, intrigue, murder, and romance. A must read!
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed reading their suspenseful romance story. This is a fast paced, engaging story that is hard to put down. A story where there murder and a woman who has been haunting dreams for a while. There are twists and turns that you don;t want to miss. They had me turning pages fast just to see what would happen next. This is a well written story where the characters pull you into their world and keep me coming back for more. There is great growth of the plot throughout which makes the story easy and entertaining to read. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
Review by @bjwagner
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a good four star read. This is a little different from the genre that I normally read but I’m glad I read it. The author does a great job with her writing and pulls you right in. This was a good start to the series and I can’t wait to read more. The characters were great. My heart went out to Anna and I only wanted to see her happy. I love horses so that was a bonus as well. We get action, adventure, steaminess and so much more. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was coming next. If you’re looking for a good historical fantasy romance this is the book for you 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
View all my reviews
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This first book in the series is a captivating historical fantasy romance with plenty of action, adventure, danger, and murder. The reader is pulled into the heat of the story right away and there are plenty of sizzling romance scenes. Anna is a strong heroine who can overcome unimaginable horrors to save the lives of her friends and family. The author made the story line and the characters come alive on the page!
Review by @bilberrysweet
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am not going to lie, I really thought I was going to hate this book due to the setting and plot but a few chapters in and I couldn’t stop reading. I’ve been reading for 6 hours straight. It’s 5 am and I just finished. Who needs sleep when I need to know if Anna will find Lark or be stuck with her husband. Will Lark continue his lifestyle or find the girl who haunts his dreams? Definitely worth the read. I’ll be looking for the second book!
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Amazing, this was my first from author. Very captivating story definitely had a hard time putting it down. Strong characters and loved the lead female character the most. This book has it all heartbreak, drama and adventure. I recommend this to more mature readers but anyone who love romantic, adventure stories and everything that comes with it.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Wild Lavender is the first book in the Heart & Hand series by Nicole E. Kelleher. It is a captivating historical fantasy romance with plenty of action, adventure, danger, violence, challenges, duty, murder, chemistry, steam, high stakes, prophecy, politics, agendas, and a touch of fate.
This turned out to be quite an angsty adventure that pulled me in and kept me engaged the whole way through.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Nicole E. Kelleher!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62093350-wild-lavender” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Wild Lavender (Heart & Hand, #1)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1661547481l/62093350._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62093350-wild-lavender”>Wild Lavender</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22724013.Nicole_E_Kelleher”>Nicole E. Kelleher</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5352351273″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Lady Aubrianne and Larkin are in love . Great story line . You have to read the whole book to see what happens. I can’t wait to read more from this author.<br />
<br/><br/>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/40000500-lacy-mercado”>View all my reviews</a>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62093350-wild-lavender” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Wild Lavender (Heart & Hand, #1)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1661547481l/62093350._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62093350-wild-lavender”>Wild Lavender</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22724013.Nicole_E_Kelleher”>Nicole E. Kelleher</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5343797958″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I cannot say how I thoroughly got caught up in this book, it is one of the few ever that I felt I needed to finish as quick as possible (to see how everyone ends up) but also I did not want it to finish, as I did not want it to come to a stop, yes it is one of those books.<br />The world building and character development is extremely well done.<br />We meet Aubrianna 2 years previous to the main story, setting us up for the main story by her meeting an unknown man whilst trying to get back into the family area of the castle one night. Fast forward 2 years and the whole world changes for Anna.<br />An arranged marriage to someone she does not know, ends up showing Aubrianna just how strong she is, bringing forth the historical lineage of the women of her line.<br />Larkin is the playboy nephew of the queen, the fates have dictated and the stars have aligned for him to meet his Anna again. The horror that has befallen her and her family, can he help to bring her through it. <br />Love, Lust, Abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Treason, Kick A** lead female, This book has everything.<br />
<br/><br/>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/34425105-tracy”>View all my reviews</a>
Wild Lavender, Book One of Heart and Hand Series by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wild Lavender is the first book in the Heart & Hand Series. It is an historical romance fantasy/paranormal story that takes place in the Kingdom of Aurelia with various realms. I can take or leave Historical romances, but I was drawn to this book because I thought there would be more paranormal, more fantasy, more magical elements.
Anna finds herself in an arranged marriage to Lord Roger. He is a sadistic, cruel and evil man, a vile creature. She has found strength to overcome her fear when it comes to him. However, her life may just be taking a turn for the better when a stranger comes to town.
There is political intrigue, beautiful horses, castles and sexual violence. There is fear and loathing, angst and hope, heartache and heartbreak, passion and courage and much more.
If you like Historical romances read this book.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh my goodness! First, the cover on this book is lovely! Those colors just caught my eye. Second, this story is so enthralling. I found the historical touch to it to be just right. It gave the plot just the right touch. The storyline flowed like water. I am a fan of historical romance. A strong heroine in these romances are always a treat because they don’t happen often. I found the author’s writing just sucked me in write from the beginning. I’m looking forward to the next book.
‿~➳~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~➳~‿
Fate Promised Love, but Duty Had Other Plans
Wild Lavender, Best Fantasy Romance, The Golden Quill Contest
Both healer and warrior, nothing will stop Lady Aubrianne from protecting the people she loves. Together with her closest friends, she labors to find the reason behind her nefarious husband’s frequent absences. They fear the worst and race against time to avoid being implicated in his treacherous acts.
Larkin, a Royal Guard of Aurelia and second-born noble son, tires of his rakish ways. He craves adventure and jumps at the chance to investigate the increasingly wealthy Lord Roger and his dealings with a rival realm. In Aurelia, there’s only one punishment for treason: death to all involved—including the woman who has haunted his dreams for years.
With ambition, murder, and sizzling romance, Wild Lavender delivers! The first book of the Heart & Hand Series introduces a sweeping fantasy epic, one that spans realms, a mystical prophecy, and royal intrigue.
“The epic and sexy world of Wild Lavender is filled with castles teeming with secret passages, political intrigue, war horses, horrors and love. The story sucked me right in on the first page and didn’t let me go until the very last.” —Pat Esden, Author of the Dark Heart Novels
~ AMAZON ~
Author of the Heart & Hand Series, Nicole E. Kelleher’s first book, Wild Lavender, is a Golden Quill Winner for Best Fantasy Romance and was named a finalist in the New England Readers Choice’s contest for Historical Romance, NYC’s Kathryn Hayes “When Sparks Fly” contest, and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She has recently re-released both Wild Lavender and The Queen’s Dance with new and improved content. The third book in her Heart & Hand Series, The Naked Moon, is newly released. You can find out more on Nicole and her books at https://www.nekelleher.com.
