The Lady's Command
2 Stars

Lady Edwina Frobisher neé Delbraith has a particular vision of how her marriage to Captain Declan Frobisher, a scion of a seafaring family, should be, and it does not necessarily mesh with her husband's. While Declan is determined to keep his gently bred wife safe at home, she is just as set on accompanying him on his voyages. Thus, when Declan is required to sail to West Africa, Edwina sets her plans in motion . . .

Series note: This is book #1 in the Adventurers Quartet. Nevertheless, there are characters from and references to The Bastion Club and Black Cobra Quartet. As such, it is recommended that those be read first.

Readers of Stephanie Laurens' books will immediately realize that the format of Edwina and Declan's relationship is significantly different from previous works as the couple's actual romance (courting and wedding) is presented as a fait accompli. Thus, the focus of the book is divided between the pair coming to terms with married life, and the initial stages of investigating the mystery.

Unfortunately, the first aspect falls completely flat. Aside from the tedious repetition of Edwina and Declan's internal musings with regard to the changes wrought by their marriage and the future they envision for themselves, there is very little in the way of character development, and the sex scenes lack the chemistry and intimacy that characterize most of Laurens' other couples.

In contrast, the mystery is very intriguing and revolves around the disappearance of several British citizens in Freetown, Sierra Leone at the time of the British Crown Colony. The setting, including the descriptions of the town and English society therein, as well as the historical detail on the abolition of slavery, is well-researched and interesting. The investigation itself is quite straightforward with some tense and exciting moments toward the end. While some aspects are resolved, it is clear that this is only the beginning of the overarching plot of the series.

In sum, this is not one of the better examples of Laurens' storytelling and I hope that she returns to the tried and true format in the next installment. ( )

Declan and Edwina Frobisher are newlyweds and their planned honeymoon gets interrupted when Declan has to travel to Africa and the town Freetown where four men have disappeared. His mission is to discreetly find out what has happened to the men. Edwina, on the other hand, wants to travel with him to Freetown, but Declan thinks that that is not a good idea. Instead, he promises her to take her to Amsterdam or something safer. But Edwina has decided that she will know more about what Declan does now that they are married. And, that means to travel with him, no matter what!

First and foremost the cover is ghastly. The posing of the characters and the colors (pastel colors?), Declan looks really unhappy. I usually don't comment that much about the cover when it comes to reviews unless it's so gorgeous I just have to mention it. But this cover is just so bad.

The story is a bit unusual to the ones I usually read when it comes to historical romance. For one thing, the couple is already marriage. And, happily so. I more used to stories when people falling in love, not starting off in love and married. That was an interesting change. It's also a very equally marriage. Well, as equal it can be at the time. Declan still tried to tell Edwina what to do and try to keep her from danger, but she isn't the kind of woman that stays home and is told what to do. As Declan learns when he tried to travel to Africa alone.

I found myself with difficulties to really getting into the story and connect with the characters. Declan and Edwina were just not a couple I found that interesting to read about. He is head over heels in love with her and in him. The mystery of the missing men gets a bit lost in this big declaration of their love that is this book. He misses her when she isn't by his side and constantly thinks about how much he is in love with her and vice versa. It's just a fluffy love story, but not even a really good one since neither characters is especially interesting, it's just too dull.

But if the thought of reading a book about a couple that is already married and is facing some "difficulties" for the first time after the wedding seems appealing than this book is perhaps more suiting for you than it was for me.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a blog tour at TLC Book Tours. ( )

Stephanie Laurens is the best of both worlds. Her bold tenacity to give the readers what they want is shown in her characters and the stories she writes. The Lady's Command blends action, romance and suspense in order to create a story that appeals to more than the standard romance reader. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and found myself amused by the spunky no holes barred Edwina and spellbound by the fearless Declan. The road to happily every after proved to be a bumpy one for these lovers but was a delightful eye opener for me. ( )

I appreciate that the story takes place after the couple's wedding. I felt it was unique in that regard, and a plot I'd like to see more often. Laurens also has a beautiful way of describing situations and feelings.

But, sadly, it was also very slow, and for me, dragged. ( )

Captain Decland Frobisher is married to Lady Edwina Delbraith and she is determined to be as much of a wife as she can, including going with him on a mission whether he likes it or not (I did giggle over his reaction to finding her in a steamer trunk). He has to come to terms with the fact that she has skills and knowledge and she has to come to terms with the fact that sometimes his martial skills will keep them safe.

I think this was spoiled somewhat by my reading books 3 and 2 of this series (in that order by the way) and I knew a lot of what was going to happen in the story, still it was an interesting read. ( )