Review: Highly recommended historical
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 24, 2013
Josie's 5 sweet pea review appears at mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index.php/?p=13332Provoked Enlightenment by Joanna Chambers is the first book in a trilogy set in 1820s Scotland and is the story of David Lauriston, a lawyer from a humble background, and Murdo Balfour, an anglified Scottish peer.Advocate David Lauriston is in Edinburgh to witness the execution of the two men he failed to save from the gallows when he meets Lord Murdo Balfour. Lord Murdo, recognizing a kindred spirit in David coaxes him into a single furtive encounter. Weeks later, when David is caught up in a search for the English spy who betrayed the executed men, David and Murdo meet again. Just what is Murdo Balfour doing in Edinburgh, what secrets does he hide, and could he possibly be linked to the spy?David is in turn intrigued and bedeviled by Murdo, and after that first encounter he vows to stay away from the man, but as the hunt for the mysterious Spy plays out David finds himself drawn ever closer to Murdo which leads him to question his very own views and beliefs.The book is written from David's POV, which I liked. David comes across as a decent, honorable man caught up in events he doesn't like, and can't control. David is drawn towards Murdo from the moment they first meet but he is conflicted, struggling with his own sexuality in a time that made what he was, and what he wanted, a sin, he didn't want to be with Murdo, but he couldn't walk away either.Murdo Balfour was manipulative and self-serving, he always knew exactly what he was doing, and went for what he wanted, but I did like his direct approach, no mincing with words, he always made sure you knew exactly where you stood with him. Both men are struggling to find a place for themselves in an ever changing world, with Murdo the more pragmatic man, willing to play both sides of the game and walk the middle road. David is a black and white person, which is his downfall, and certainly makes his life much more difficult than it could be.The secondary characters are nicely fleshed out as well; particularly Elizabeth and Euan, both strong characters who I felt could cope with whatever life threw at them. The story of who betrayed the weavers, and why, is nicely told, the hunt for the spy ramps up the tension in the story and adds to the tortured conflict between David and Murdo, it made the book quite impossible to put down.I really liked this book, the story was well told, the characters very well developed and the writing extremely captivating and sensual. This is my first book by Joanna Chambers; in fact it's her first M/M novel which is extraordinary considering how hot the sex scenes are, and I look forward to reading more of her books.Provoked Enlightenment is book 1 of the Enlightenment Trilogy. Book 2 Beguiled, takes place two years later during King George's visit to Edinburgh and book 3, Enlightened, concludes the story. Beguiled will be released on the 23 December and Enlightened on the 6 May 2014.I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves plot driven historical stories with tortured conflicted souls and where M/M relationships are conducted more in line with historical accuracy than the HEA we often get in historical M/M romances.