Read Axel The Jaded Gentlemen Volume 3 Grace Burrowes 9781941419205 Books

Product details Series The Jaded Gentlemen (Book 3) Paperback 252 pages Publisher Grace Burrowes Publishing (December 15, 2015) Language English ISBN-10 1941419208

Axel The Jaded Gentlemen Volume 3 Grace Burrowes 9781941419205 Books Reviews

• We recently relocated our household and because I've been absolutely worn out, instead of writing reviews in my down time, I've been reading, reading, reading - mostly catching up on Burrowes. In the past, I've bypassed most of her "lord" and "gentlemen" books, which gave me the opportunity to enjoy several of these books for the first time.
  
  Axel Belmont's wife, with whom he had a great relationship, passed a few years previously leaving him alone with two sons who are away at school. He's nuts over things that grow and finds it difficult to leave his plants and his greenhouse. But... somehow he's been chosen to fill in as magistrate of his surrounds. In this role, he is called upon when one of his neighbors is shot dead in his home. Although Axel obviously knew the family, I suppose one could say he didn't know them all that well based on how the story plays out.
  
  This murder brings Axel into close range of the victim's widow - Abigail Stoneleigh. Over the course of time Axel is drawn to Abby, although he must of course consider her a murder suspect. Little does Abby know, her life is fixin' to change, but not before some very unpleasant untruths are revealed about exactly what her marriage and relationship with her husband actually involved. I felt for Abby, but there is of course a brighter day coming into her life, because if anything is absolutely true of Ms. Burrowes' male lead characters, they will make things right for their ladies. Plus, along the way toward making things right, there will be lovely hugs, even lovelier kisses, food and teas with well thought out descriptive wording and on and on.
  
  As usual, there will be male friends who aren't afraid of being transparent with one another, including being touchy-feely on occasion. I really liked Axel.
• Ah! (That is a long sigh of delight.)
  
  Grace Burrowes can write beautifully. I have highlighted phrases in her books that are high poetic. To find almost poetry in romance novels is a unexpected surprise. Her vocabulary is wonderful (I am learning new words that are extending my own vovabulary). The lovemaking between her heroes and heroines is so inspiring (as in "I shall try this with my husband").
  
  Then there are her heroes. They are yummy. I do love her heroes so. I yearn for them. Her heroes are special, in the very nicest way that is also, to me, so attractively sexy. Axel Belmont has stolen my heart. How could Abby not fall in love with this man? Especially after living so long with her selfish husband, who is thankfully dead before the opening sentence of this novel.
  
  I like this author excessively. I intend to read and savor every romance novel she has written.
• What can I say about Grace Burrowes and her wonderful way of writing about gentlemen and the women they love. In this third addition to the Jaded Gentlemen series we come across Axel Belmont, widow, professor, famed botanist, skilled violinist, father, magistrate and friend. As magistrate he is called in to investigate the death of his neighbor. While asking questions, Axel is drawn to the widow - he knows what it's like to lose a spouse and he is worried about her. Moving the new widow, Abby, into his house, he vows to take care of her - let her gets some rest and pampering. While doing this an attachment begins to grow.
  While investigating the murder, he comes to care for the widow more and more but doesn't think anything of it until his friend Nicholas comes to visit and flirts with the widow. I love the character of Wee Nick - he seems to show up frequently in Ms Burrowes' books. This giant of a man with a heart of gold cares for his friends and isn't afraid to show it. One of the things I really like about all of Ms Burrowes' books is the relationships between all the men. They have a gentle and mannerly side to them while still remaining masculine and manly.
  Axel comes to a crossroads in his life - he has the chance to become a don at Oxford (a lifelong dream but one which will require that he not marry) or admit his feelings for Abby. Luckily for us - Axel and Abby have their Happily Ever After once the murder is solved.
• I loved this book and stayed up late to finish. Axel is a widowed botanist hoping for a fellowship at nearby Oxford University when his nearest neighbor is shot and murdered. As the magistrate, Axel must determine who the murderer is. He fairly quickly determines that it probably isn't the widow, Abigail, who is barely dealing with life after her husband's death, not because she particularly liked him, but because she is in fear for her own life. Axel takes her home to protect her and the story goes from there.
  Though I had my suspicions I found that it wasn't until the end that I really knew who the murderer was and why. That makes this a thoroughly enjoyable mystery to read. Axel and Abigail are also a very likable couple, never boring, and their romance adds some spice to the story.
  Of course, there are some old favorites. Wee Nick and Matthew play their parts and there are even references to the Windham family which always makes me happy.
  I love Ms. Burrowes books and this is one of her best. I heartily recommend it.
• This book, as all the books of Ms Burrowes that I have read is beautifully written. It is not typical in that it is also a murder mystery. While I did figure out pretty early on who-dun-it, I always do. The murder element was a lot of fun though and became almost as important a plot element as the love story. I like that Ms Burrowes has the people who were main characters in some stories pop up as supporting characters in other books. I also like that the murdered person was not likeable.
  
  I'm old enough that I don't remember my English classes very well, but I believe the book is written in third person.