Review: Excellent plot! Interesting characters.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 21, 2014
Sabre does not understand how her friend Jack can seem so different (more docile) now that she's married and in love. Then she duals using swords with the Duke of Beloin and after he wins, she is totally smitten. I liked the development of Sabre's character. She definitely grows as a person throughout the story. Quince mostly stays the same, but his unique personality is revealed in layers throughout the book. He is gentle and nurturing but does not like to be pushed. It's a little hard to admire his laziness, but he's a dreamer and he does take action when necessary. He's a very interesting character and unique for a Regency romance which typically features an autocratic hero. Sabre is bossy, managing and high-energy. I've seen her character-type in many Regencies, but how Quince balances her was original and wonderful to read.The mystery of who is blackmailing Quince is very well done without overshadowing the romance. And pulling in all the secondary characters of Gideon, Jack, Robert, Charlie and others was excellent. I enjoyed reading about all of their interactions and the diversity of their relationships.This book isn't as good asTrials of Artemis: Haberdashers Book One (The Haberdashers)but it's a very solid book and I thoroughly liked it. There are a few editing issues (things like "of" instead of "or") and a few missing or random words. And do heirs get a courtesy title like marquess if they are not offspring? I don't think so - then they would lose the title when big brother has a son. It was a bit annoying they had sex with no intention of marriage on his part, but he doesn't seduce her (she throws herself at him) and he's so tender hearted I never felt any doubts he'd come through and marry her.  Other than that, there wasn't anything I disliked about this book and recommend it as a good romance/mystery for Regency readers.