Provoked

Enlightenment

By: Joanna Chambers

Narrated by: Hamish McKinlay

Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

David Lauriston is struggling to build his reputation in Edinburgh's privileged legal world. His humble origins are enough of a hurdle, never mind his recent decision to defend a group of weavers accused of treason, prompting speculation that he may harbour radical sympathies. The last thing he should be doing is agreeing to help the brother of one of the convicted weavers find the government agent who caused his brother's downfall.

David's personal life is no more successful. Tormented by his forbidden desires for other men, and the painful memories of the childhood friend he once loved, David tries his hardest to live a celibate existence, castigating himself whenever his resolve slips.

But then into David's repressed and orderly world bursts Lord Murdo Balfour.

Cynical, hedonistic, and utterly unapologetic, Murdo could not be less like David. Whilst David refuses to entertain the prospect of entering into a loveless marriage for propriety's sake, Murdo is determined to wed one day - and has no intention of giving up the company of other men when he does so. But as appalled as David is by Murdo's unrepentant self-interest, he cannot resist the man's sway.

Murdo tempts and provokes David in equal measure, distracting him from his promise to find the agent provocateur responsible for the weavers' fate, and forcing him to acknowledge his physical desires.

But is Murdo more than a mere distraction?

Is it possible he could be the very man David is looking for?

©2013, 2017 Joanna Chambers (P)2017 Joanna Chambers

Entertaining

Note: Review is for all three books in the series.
I totally enjoyed this trilogy. The couple are equal points hot, frustrating and engaging. Historical facts seemed right in. Narrator was perfect.

I was given these audiobooks in exchange for honest reviews.

history!

"You never did take the easy road. It makes me want to weep for you sometimes."

Story: 9
First MC: 9
Second MC: 8
Secondary characters: 5
Mystery: 5
Sexual tension: 4
Humor: 5
Hotness: 5
Product placement:
Ridiculousness: 2
Annoying: 1
Audio: 10 (5h 52min)
To re-read: 10

I love awesome parents, warms my heart..many books with horrible parents pisses me off

Amazing Story!

Wow, what a story!

Completely different in tone from the Mr. Winterbourne books, but (honestly) Provoked is even better.

From the opening scene, to the last moments with Davy and his family I was completely spellbound. The characters, the story, the pacing... it was fantastic.

Any fan of historicals needs to put this at the top of their list.

Also, a huge nod to the narrator, Hamish McKinlay, who did an amazing array of voices. He even did an American woman, and pulled it of splendidly.

Can't wait to listen to Beguiled and it's already downloaded to my MP3 player.

Very good! I must finish the series!

What made the experience of listening to Provoked the most enjoyable?

The story was engrossing from the very beginning. I never felt bored or wanted to stop listening.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Provoked?

The end floored me. I don't typically read (or listen to) much in the way of historical romance, so I didn't realize this was the first book in a series. While the end wasn't exactly a cliffhanger, I felt disappointed. This feeling changed once I realized there is more to this story.

What about Hamish McKinlay’s performance did you like?

Everything! This was my first audiobook with this narrator, and I found him very easy to listen to, especially when he was speaking as David.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this during my commute, but there were times when I arrived at work or home and found myself sitting in the car longer so that I could hear a little more of the story.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. I'm someone who doesn't often enjoy historical romance, but I was interested enough that I will make sure to get the other books in the series. I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent!

I cannot wait for book 2. Please bring it to Audible soon. I haven't enjoyed a story this much in a long time.

Loved it.

The story was so different from others I’ve listened to. The story starts with something predictable. I found myself wanting the two to become a couple. The end made me sad. I want to hear more from this author.

Incredible narrator and compelling story

Hamish Mckinlay is so expressive—one of my very favourite narrators I’ve listened to. I adore this series. It’s the perfect mix of compelling story with a vibrant historical setting, characters to root for, and a swoony, slow-build romance. The emotional slow burn between David and Murdo is a delight. Brilliant series!

Loved it very much

4 Blue Roses
4 Blue Flames

Narrator Hamish Mckinlay delivered a lovely beautiful regency romance. His authentic Scottish brogue made the experience so much more enjoyable, causing me to submerge myself in the first three books of the series in one sitting. As I traveled back in time with David and Murdo. The longer I listened the harder I schemed and came up with a master plan.

OMG, this man made me hot all over, where has he been hiding? If you see this man take the following steps:

1. Call me
2. Look for rope, with one eye while the other eye is still on the target
3. Keep the rope, don’t approach you might scare him off
4. I will bring additional abduction parafernalia like a net, stun gun and of course some duct tape
5 Monitor him until I tap you on the shoulder, that would be your left shoulder, you are my right hand man.
6. After the shoulder tapping, I will tell you when it’s time to take action (LOL, please know this is only a joke, if some dumb fucker try to do this, it’s because of your own stupidity, you are on your own)
Back to the author, I absolutely loved the world building denoting British architecture, clothing, and furniture of the Regency period. The language and characters were contemporary to late 18th Empire style and many of its features.

I liked the audiobook mainly because it’s not unending drama and dialogues, but rather intrinsic story lines by multiple secondary characters. Hence listening to all three books in one sitting.

I do recommend this series, it’s perfect for a lazy rainy day and big glasses of Port to sip on.

Happy Listening

One of the best MM books you will read

What made the experience of listening to Provoked the most enjoyable?

Hamish McKinlay was a delight! He has an amazing voice, with a great range od characters and fantastic accent that really made the story come to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Provoked?

i can't choose one, it was all very good and unlike the books i usually read

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending, I think it really sets it apart from most MM Romance books, and most historical romance books I read – and I have read many in the last 10 years, it’s one of my favorite genres. I think choosing not to make it a HEA in the classical way was so smart, emotional and true to the story and historic period the book takes place at. I was both happy to realize it and sad because I am a sucker for HEA’s.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it had smart funny banter and it made me laugh a few times.

Any additional comments?

This book is a MOST READ for any M/M and Historic romance lover. The characters are true to the era and their interactions are genuine as well. It’s a slightly tragic love story, not because it’s about two men in a time that relationship is taboo, but because of WHO they are. And to me this is the strongest point about the book, David made the right choice for his and not the easiest selfish one. It was so touching to me, David’s character and soul that were so apparent in the book and narration. It was an unlikely treasure in a sea of (albeit lovely) romantic fairy tale type M/M books.

Great allure of Scottish history & good narration!

This is my first book by Joanna Chambers and I was intrigued by the storyline especially because it has the same feel as K.J. Charles awesome series of "Sins of Gentleman". I was hoping for something similar along the lines, especially given the way the author has covered the unrest in post-Napoleonic wartime in Scotland. But, the character development left me a little lost. The story has a pace and the main protagonists have chemistry too, but not tempting enough for me to pick this book again and again. Granted, it is not a HEA yet because it is a continuation. I am bringing Ms. Charles style again because her continuation stories make you want to jump to the next book right away. I was too tempted to read them to put them down. Not so with this one.

The main leads are an upcoming lawyer David Lorestan and the son of a Marquess Lord Murdoc Balfour who does not have a lot in common when it comes to their lives. They mingle in very different circles but had a chance meeting on the execution day of two rebel radicals. They (of course) did not know each other's true identities when their first meeting ended with quite delicious results. While David defended the radicals, Murdoc has a father who supports the suppression of the weaver/labor class and believes in the class division. Murdoc does not share these sentiments, but this part is revealed at the climax moments of the book. On the other hand, David sounded like a guy who was struggling with his sexual orientation and mourning (sort of) a lost love. He's staunchly principled and believes that he will never ever marry a woman if he cannot love her the way she deserves to be loved. Their his opinion clash with Murdoc who is not at all sorry to enjoy his encounters with men because it's his choice. David is not able to understand his attraction to Murdoc and the values that he clings to justify the way he lives. Some jealous antagonism comes from Murdoc when he sees David with another guy in an assembly and they end-up spending another sizzling night with each other. But, Murdoc is stubborn in his thoughts and David sounds too self-righteous to admit that he wants something more. They know that there is no future for them and book climaxes in this manner. So no HEA and to be continued -.-

Narrator - Hamish McKinlay surprised me and I love a good Scottish burr voice style :D. His performance was really good and he brought out some well-orated voice distinction for all characters including female ones with his Scottish accent. I enjoyed the book more because of his voice acting and may consider listening to the rest of the series. All in all a 3.5 rating.