Review: Not One of Newman's Best, but still Good  ***3 1/2 Stars***
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 6, 2014
This was the first Holly Newman novel I read...I say was because I've since read two others, although I'm just now getting around to writing a review for this one.  Of the three books I've read, this is my least favorite.  That's not to say there's anything wrong with the book, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I did the other two.In this story the heroine, Leona Leonard, rescues Lady Christiana (Chrissy) the kidnapped daughter of the Earl of Nevin.  Subsequent to the rescue, Leona meets Nigel Deveraux, Chrissy's uncle.  Nigel is acting head of the family, while the Earl is away in Switzerland undergoing medical treatment.  The first meeting between Nigel and Leona is somewhat less than cordial, as Nigel is suspicious Leona may be involved with the kidnappers.  He very quickly abandons this ridiculous idea, but the suspicion has already set the tone for the couple's relationship.Nigel is ex-military, very much a man's man, and believes a woman's place is at hearth and home.  Leona is independent, feisty, and consumed by her need to do her "duty" to her family.  A more unsuited couple would be very difficult to find.  LOL  In any event, Nigel is concerned the kidnappers may return; he extracts a promise from Leona to come to his family's estate for protection, should the need arise.  Reluctantly, Leona agrees.  Thereafter, Leona receives a subtle threat from the kidnappers and is maneuvered by her companion, Maria, into traveling to Castle Marin--the Deveraux estate.  From there the story quickly develops to it's conclusion, complete with HEA.Despite his belief that Leona is too independent for her own good, Nigel can't help but admire the reckless beauty.  As for Leona, she resents what she sees as Nigel's attempts to undermine her independence, when really he is only trying to take care of her.  Being taken care of is a unique experience for Leona.  I have to say that reading about Leona's overblown sense of duty over and over became a bit tedious after a while.  By the time I got to the part where she says she has no plans to marry because she has a duty to her brother, I thought she was an idiot.  It's not until around 60% into the story that Leona's family history is finally revealed and I realized that the poor thing was given a legacy of slave-like duty to her brothers and father, by her mother no less!  Leona is the youngest of four children.  Her sister Rosalie, the eldest, was married by the time their mother died.On her deathbed, their mother told the twelve year old Leona that it was her duty to take care of her brothers and father until such time as they acquired wives to undertake that role.  The Leonard men were all selfish, vain creatures with no care for anyone, but themselves.  Leona's mother explained that Leona must accept them as thus, and endeavor to "guide them, stand up for them, and protect them...to the best of her ability."  Leona's mother devoted her entire life to the care and wellbeing of the men in the family to the detriment of Leona and her sister, both  of whom were pretty much ignored.  Once I was given this insight into Leona's past, I began to look at her in a new light.  Of course by then I had already endured much aggravation reading the book, so I can't help but wonder why Ms. Newman waited so long to reveal this bit of Leona's past to the reader.  Revelation at some earlier point would have, IMHO, made the reading of the book more pleasurable, at least for me.In any event, this tidbit explained a lot about Leona's attitude towards familial duty...which at times seemed ridiculous and overdone, especially when you come to realize the extent of her brother's selfishness.  It was wonderful to see Leona's character develop as she begins to realize the truth about her upbringing, her brother's selfish nature, and the fact that Nigel was only trying to take of her and was the only person who ever had.Similarly, Nigel's attitude towards women begins to change, as he comes to appreciate Leona's independent, fiery nature.  The relationship between the two is fractious, yet humorous and sweet.  The kidnapping of little Chrissy is a central theme to the story and provides intrigue and excitement to the plot.  I thought the ending a little too abrupt --from my experience with her other books, I would say this seems to be a trait of Ms. Newman's-- and overly dramatic.  IMHO, the ending needed to be fleshed out a bit more.Nevertheless, overall this is book makes for enjoyable reading.  If Amazon allowed, I would rate it 3 1/2 stars.  Happy reading!