No Earls Allowed (The Survivors #2) by Shana Galen

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is the second instalment in Shana Galen’s Survivor series.  I have read the first instalment, but the author has crafted a story that stands perfectly well on its own. Shana Galen again displays her talents as a master wordsmith with evocative descriptions that transport the reader to another time and place.

The men in this series served together during the Napoleonic Wars under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Draven in a unit that was given dangerous and most often suicidal missions. What was once a company of thirty ended with twelve, nicknamed ‘Draven’s Dozen’. The focus of this book is Major Neill Wraxall, the leader of Draven’s unit. Guilt ridden over the deaths of so many of his men Neill has become dependent on gin to dull the nightmares he experiences.

Lady Juliana, daughter of the Earl of St. Maur, is striving to keep a ramshackle orphanage from falling around her ears. Battling against a devilish slum lord, Lady Juliana hands are full, not to mention having to care for twelve rambunctious boys.  Lady Juliana’s father is preoccupied with his own concerns, but he has suddenly decided that Lady Juliana must marry. He sends Wraxall to return his wayward daughter to his home.

Once again, Ms Galen captures our heart and minds with this captivating tale of two lost souls struggling to survive the pain of their past. I cannot recommend this book enough to any Regency lovers. I eagerly anticipate the next in the series.