This book was set in the seventeenth century and when it started with the great fire of London I was really hopeful, but I think it was a little sparse on historical detail.

The Chase family were an interesting set of individuals and like all aristocratic families they had a castle to upkeep. Amethyst as a lady jeweller was interesting, as this would have put her in the rising bourgeoise. Her fiancé who was promised both her and the business added drama. Her kidnapping points to the problems of forced marriage during this period where wealthy heiresses were abducted. This was the only real drama in the book and it would have been nice to have a stronger storyline.

Like all good romance stories it had a happy ending but it was mediocre at best. ( )

I really enjoyed the book and the historical aspects added to the fact ( )

GENRE: Historical romance

SETTING: 17th century London

CENTRAL FEMALE CHARACTER: AMETHYST aka AMY GOLDSMITH - a Talented and skilled goldsmith; Betrothed; Appreciates the small things in life.

CENTRAL MALE CHARACTER: COLIN CHASE, EARL OF GREYSTONE – also Betrothed; Comes from a family of practical jokers; Great sense of humor; Will work below things that people would do in his class.

SYNOPSIS: They caught each other’s eye when they were much younger. A birthday brooch brings them together. Her fiancée did not like the way he looked at her nor the way she looked at him.

WHAT I LIKED: Nine orphans and maintaining a chest as secret is more than enough.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE: Robert did not know what to do with a knife? Seriously?

OVERALL RATING: (5) stars because the differences in central characters’ lifestyles. Not a slow moving book. Romance can always use characters with a sense of humor. ( )

Amethyst is the first book in Lauren Royal's Jewel Trilogy. One of the things I enjoy about her books is the clever way she weaves the plot around historical events and people in early English history. Amethyst is set during the Great London Fire of 1666, and she does a nice job allowing that catastrophic event to drive her plot and her main characters together. Amy Goldsmith and Colin Chase first meet when he enters her family's jewelry shop to purchase a gift for his sister, and that chance meeting sets the rest of the book in motion. The details of the time are so well-written that I can forgive the cheesy dialogue and eye-rolling decisions from both Colin and Amy as they find their "happily ever after". Fans of historical romance should first read the Jewel Trilogy, then read her Flower Trilogy, set a bit in the future and cleverly ties in these characters as well. ( )

A very enjoyable historical romance. The characters were easy to love and believable. The chemistry between Colin and Amethyst was very well-written. ( )