An Heiress at Heart

An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere
4/5 stars
Forever, 2012
432 pages
Adult Historical Romance

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The pretty dress on the cover is what captured my eye. I do adore a nice historical romance; they tend to be comfort reads for me and this one was not an exception although it does feature a story I don't think I've read before. This story is about look-alikes. Lizzie ran off with a gentleman who did not do the gentlemanly thing by her and then she sought safety in Australia along with her brother. There she met Ria, who looked extraordinarily like her. After the deaths of Lizzie's brother and Ria's husband, Ria herself fell ill and begged Lizzie to assume her identity and make amends in England for Ria's wrongs. She also guessed that the two were half-sisters and encouraged her to find proof of it.

This information (and a lot more) is slowly shared in manageable chunks over course of the book as we grow to love Lizzie. She lost her virtue to a man she loved but it jeopardized her entire future. Now she has the chance to make amends on behalf of her dearest friend while also claiming a family to replace those lost. I really loved Lizzie: her struggles over her mistake with the arrogant first guy; the real love she has to offer; and her reluctance to practice deceit warring with her commitment to her best friend.

Her love interest, as this is a historical romance, is Ria's husband's younger brother. Geoffrey was a clergyman, elevated to the role of baron after the death of his two older brothers and finding the transition difficult. He is now a very desirable match but he wants a real marriage, of love and companionship, not a society match. Although he and "Ria" clash initially, it is soon very clear that they are falling in love. Although I liked Geoffrey, I'm not sure we really got enough insight in to him to fully make him come alive.

Overall I found the plot points to be pretty predictable.  Not to get spoilery, but when certain pieces of information were revealed, I thought that certain events would happen and I was right. This is not a bad thing as it's part of the reason I expected a comfort read and this was a very easy read. But it didn't rock my socks off. Still I'm excited for the second book which will be connected but focusing on a different character in Australia.

To Sin With a Scoundrel

To Sin With a Scoundrel by Cara Elliott
Forever, 2010
349 pages
Historical; Romance
First in Series
4/5 stars

Source: Won from Monica at The Bibliophilic Book Blog

Summary: Ciara is known (quite unjustly) as a lady who murdered her husband.  Lucas is known (quite rightly) as an unrepentant rake and womanizer who revels in his reputation.  Yet the Bluestocking and the Rake can help each other, thereby dispelling those nasty rumors and reputations.  And there will be absolutely no romance because they loathe each other.

Thoughts: I really liked this! I enjoyed reading about an academic lady with a young child who she loved and had to overcome challenges to keep.  She is rumored to have murdered her husband-a reaction coming about because society can't handle a brilliant woman.  She also has those dead husband's greedy relatives prowling around, proving a very real threat.  Luckily she has a strong circle of friends who want to help her.  And while my twenty-first sensibilities are ruffled by their decision that she needs a man as a champion, my knowledge of Regency society as described in romance novels knows they are very right.  But the man the choose!

That man is Lucas, Lord Hadley (who has a rhyme attached to his name!) is considered probably the worst rake in Society (or the best depending on where you're coming from).  His days are full of sleep as his nights are full of debauchery.  But he has a soft spot for his guardian academic Henry and will approach the Murderess when Henry says that she is the most appropriate scholar to study a newfound manuscript.  Now they can help each other.

And help each other they do, far beyond the bounds of their original agreement.  She helps give his life a purpose, redeeming his poor academic record, giving him responsibility for a family and taking care of others and teaching him a great deal additionally.  He in turn helps her find herself after years of brutality from her husband and provides a good role model for her son.  They were a lovely romantic couple and I look forward to them having a long and happy life together.

Overall: Fun chemistry and a bit of suspense with real stakes! I definitely want to check out the second book, To Surrender to a Rogue, which is hinted at a bit in this book; we meet the hero and heroine and even see them interacting.

Cover: Eh-not a fan of chopped off heads.  And there is an awful lot of words.