My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing
Determined to help her father with his political career, Jocelyn sets aside dreams of love. When she meets the handsome and mysterious Grant Amesbury, her dreams of true love reawaken. But his secrets put her family in peril.
Grant goes undercover to capture conspirators avowed to murder the prime minister, but his only suspect is the father of a courageous lady who is growing increasingly hard to ignore. He can’t allow Jocelyn to distract him from the case, nor will he taint her with his war-darkened soul. She seems to see past the barriers surrounding his heart, which makes her all the more dangerous to his vow of remaining forever alone.
Jocelyn will do anything to clear her father’s name, even if that means working with Grant. Time is running out. The future of England hangs in the balance...and so does their love.
My Review
The characters in the Rogue Hearts series really come to life and Grant is no exception. As the dark and surly brother, he has physical and emotional scars that have him keeping everyone at a distance as he works to bring criminals to justice, even though the work is below his station. His point of view was fascinating as he struggles to stay indifferent to Jocelyn, a strong and poised daughter helping her father seek political election. She sees the good man he is behind his barriers of sarcasm and isolation, and humors him with wit and patience, and draws him out of his emotional isolation. I appreciated that the romance between them took time and grew slowly, they learned to like each other before they loved each other. The mystery of discovering who is behind the sinister plot to assassinate the prime minister keeps the plot moving forward swiftly and balances the emotional drama with action and excitement. There is also some subtle humor as Grant feels completely out of his element acting polite in society. My favorite of the series... so far! Can't wait for the next two books which will feature each of the Amesbury sisters!
(Thank you to Loving the Book Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
About the Author
Donna Hatch
is the award-winning author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series.” She
discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has
been listening to those voices ever since. A sought-after workshop presenter,
she juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, her six children (seven,
counting her husband), and still makes time to write. Yes, writing IS an
obsession. A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific
Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that
there really is a happily ever after.
Extras
"Gritting his teeth, he determined to survive the
painful ritual of tea with two ladies. He’d faced down enemy soldiers trying to
kill him, watched friends die, met danger head-on with his brothers—witnessed
one of them shot, and one of them hanged and then battle his way back from near
death. Grant had even endured torture and captivity. Surely he could emerge
unscathed from such domestic tranquility. If he hurried. And if he could burrow
more deeply into his role of earl’s son who frequented parlors and ladies and
tea."
"Mr. Amesbury ate silently, alert as a watchdog but offering very little comment. He moved his hands beautifully as if performing some kind of dance as he ate and lifted his glass to drink, each motion a study in seamless grace. His posture remained utterly still as if he were encased in a bubble and any sudden movement might pop it, yet poised to leap to his feet if necessary. Years of war must have made wariness a part of life.
Jocelyn tried to imagine the kind of
danger he must have endured, but all the stories she’d heard were likely
transparent echoes of the true horrors brave Englishmen faced. The thought
tugged at her heart, urging her to offer him comfort, a gesture he would, no
doubt, soundly reject."
Giveaway
