TEST
I am sure that everyone has a certain process that they use to evaluate a new author. I tend to read the first chapter, looking at the way the author writes. Then I look at the characterization, and the plot. With the first chapter I was impressed with Ms. Maxwell’s writing. I had some qualms about the plot and characterization, but was willing to be persuaded. I’m not sure the author quite succeeded in doing that.
The book opens as Andres Ramigio is hiding in the Duke of Banfield’s study after escaping from Lady Dobbins. He made the mistake of sleeping with her, and now she is obsessed with him, pursuing him and making his life miserable. He doesn’t need the type of trouble that she is causing. His good looks and that fact that he is a foreigner already cause enough talk, but Lady Dobbins is making him notorious. He has come to terms with giving up his dream of raising horses, and he is hoping that the Duke will be able to help him with a career in government. Bored, he picks up his host’s dueling pistols, and points the empty gun to his head, thinking of how his father killed himself.
Abigail Montross has a secret meeting with Freddie Sherwin in the study with whom she has been in love forever. Her arranged engagement and their fathers’ opposition had kept them apart. Now, that is all in the past, and now she and Freddy can marry. As she enters the study, she sees a man with a gun pointed to his head. On instinct, only thinking of stopping a man from killing himself, Abby tackles him, landing on top of him. Andres is pleasantly surprised at the bundle of womenhood that is lying on top of him. She seems different than the other girls – more alive.
A few minutes later, Freddie Sherwin steps into the study for a private conversation with Abby. In order to avoid embarrassing her, Andres stays hidden – which results in him eavesdropping on their conversation. He hears Freddie tell Abby that he can’t marry her because he is engaged to her cousin and Abby pleading with him, stating that she loves him and she now has money. Showing himself to prevent Abby from further embarassing herself, he sweeps Abby off to the dance floor. Too intent on saving a life, Abby didn’t comprehend Andres’ physicial attributes until then. Andres was attracted to Abby right away, and hearing that she has money is an added bonus. When he needs to leave town, he ask Abby to marry him.
Abby is now 25 years old. She was engaged once, but stalled in setting a wedding date, so her finance broke the engagement. Since then she has been waiting for a proposal from Freddie. With Freddie out of the picture, her parents step in, encouraging a match with a acquaintance of her father who has 13 children. Abby is open to any match over the one her parents are pushing, so when Andres proposes, she says yes. The rest of the story centers on the developing relationship between the two, as they navigate family pressure, financial hardship, and a big misunderstanding.
The book is well written. However, neither the plot or the characters are unique. Plus, I never could decide if it was supposed to be funny or serious. The book is a combination of cutesy and commonplace scenarios, and none of them quite worked for me – from the opening chapter with the heroine falling on top of the hero resulting in his sexual arousal, to his satisfaction of being her first sexual partner, to the conflict of class difference, and then the neatly tied up ending.
For many readers this could be a perfect comfort read. We all have authors that we read even though their books don’t break any new ground, but give us a couple hours of reading pleasure. For those readers, I can recommend this book. Over all, though, I can’t say it’s one I’d seek out.
Grade: C
Book Type: European Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 30/12/10
Publication Date: 2010/12
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.