Review: An Elegant Facade

An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter is the second book in the Hawthorne House series. I was worried if I would like the main character in this book since in the last book she was portrayed as mean and selfish. But I figured there would be something I wasn't expecting to make it a good read.

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has a secret. As she prepares for her coming out, her best friend who also happens to be her maid, plot together to make sure Georgina makes a great match. She must get married as quickly as possible or her life will be ruined.

Colin McCrae is at most of the social gatherings but without a title he is not an option for these finely dressed ladies. But as he watches Georgina he can't help but be drawn to her.

I loved how the author skillfully wrote about Georgina and her maid. You felt Georgina's despair for her flaw and how she so desperately wished to be free of it. She was a master of hiding it from everyone she knew, but at what cost? She could never be close to anyone for fear of them finding out. I ended up really liking Georgina in the end, and I can't wait to hear more about her in the next books.

One of the things I really disliked in this book was the overlapping of story lines from the first book to the second book. I found myself bored and reading as fast as I could to get to a new section. As soon as I got to a new part of the story I was reading happily instead of irritated. Just something to keep in mind when you read this book because it was the worse part of the story to me.

I can't wait to read the next book because I want to hear more of the sisters!  ;-)

I was given this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: A Noble Masquerade

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter is an enthralling Regency book filled with characters that you don't want to stop reading about. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

Lady Miranda Hawthorne goes into her fourth season resigned to be a spinster especially since her beautiful, younger sister will be coming out this year. What she doesn't plan on is her brother Griffith's new valet, Marlow. When Marlow accidentally mails her journal page to Lord Marshington, she panics. No one was supposed to see that page. Ever! But when the duke writes her back, she begins to enjoy corresponding with him. Until she finds out who he really is.

The story wasn't that Christian compared to other Christian Regency I have read, but it was still a very well written story with great characters, plenty of action, and funny moments. Miranda was fun to read about, and I loved that she fought against the social norms. Griffith, the Duke of Riverton, was another favorite. He seemed like the perfect older brother, and I really hope he has a book soon. I want to see who he will end up with!

I waffled back and forth on whether or not I wanted to read this book because the synopsis didn't sound that interesting. But the cover kept pulling me back until I finally decided to try it. And boy am I glad I did! Ryland was my favorite character and the men's interactions had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. Even though all the etiquette and social rules were mentioned quite frequently, I do agree with other reviewers that it wasn't an accurate picture of that time period. I found it forgivable since it had such masterful writing, though. The mystery was quite easy to solve, but since the main characters didn't catch on till much later, I did begin to doubt my deductions. I definitely recommend this book to any Regency fan, and I immediately got the free novella written before this story. ;-)

I was given this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Country House Courtship

 

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard is the third book in the Regency Romance series. I found it to be written like the writers from that time period, and at first I was confused because her first two books weren't like that. But my irritation at the change in styles quickly turned to enjoyment. It was absolutely marvelous! It not only reminded me of Jane Austen but of Georgette Heyer. If you enjoy Regency you will love this story. :-)

Beatrice Forsythe is determined to make as good a match as her sister, Ariana Mornay. When Beatrice and her mother travel to Aspindon to visit the Mornays, she is hoping to convince them to take her to London for the season. The Paragon and Ariana have become homebodies because of their two children, and they aren't sure if they even want to travel to London.

Peter O'Brien is a curate at St. Pancras when he receives a note that he has been recommended for the Glendover parish and needs to report himself to Mr. Mornay. O'Brien has no hopes of getting it because of his past with the Paragon's wife, but he receives no discouragement so he travels to Aspindon for the interview. Once there he meets Beatrice again, the girl who five years ago proposed marriage to him. He is attracted to her, but she makes it very obvious that she wants a rich man like the new tenant of the manor house. A Mr. Barton.

I thought this book was even better than the first one in the series! I highly recommend it for all fans of Austen and Heyer. :-)