Review: Just couldn't connect with the characters
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 3, 2013
First reviewed at Red Hot Books [...]This is the third book in Samantha Kane’s Saint’s Devils series. I enjoyed the first one for its banter between protagonists and hoped for the same in this book. Alas, I did not get my wish.Eleanor Enderby is on the run from her abusive husband. After hiding out for the last three months and dropping clues to throw off her husband’s goons, she finally makes it to the house of her sister, Harriet. Just as she’s about to knock on the door, a man brings her up short.Sir Hilary St. John has been searching for Eleanor ever since his good friend Roger asked him to find his sister in-law for his wife. When he comes upon her in front of the Templeton home, Eleanor strikes out at him thinking him one of her husband’s men. When the dust settles and everyone introduced, Hilary finds himself enamored of a woman who clearly has been through a lot but continued to fight.Eleanor feels Hilary’s appreciation but is determined not to be any man’s property again. Finally safe with her sister, Eleanor begins the process of healing. The lingering effects of her husband’s abuse manifest in many ways, such as the inability to handle confined spaces. Her story is heartbreaking, but her spirit is not. At times she may feel dejected about the outcome of her actions, but she doesn’t dwell on it for long. It’s think strength that Hilary is attracted to.After six months, they believe that Eleanor is in the clear and she comes out to society as Harriet’s widowed cousin. When things seem to be progressing positively and no sign of the husband, Eleanor decides it’s high time to engage in an affair with Hilary. Their affair becomes the thing to gossip about at parties. However, before they know it, their pasts catch up with the couple and Eleanor is accused of a crime. Determined to save his lady from the hangman’s noose, Sir Hilary must live up to his reputation as the country’s premier detective and find out who really committed the crime.Folks, I just couldn’t connect with these characters. The writing is smooth and the plot moves accordingly. Both Hilary and Eleanor were fine as characters. The love scenes were acceptable. I don’t know if it was just me, but I felt no spark. Everything was just OK. Even with the mystery to solve, there was no tension to spur me to turn the pages. The side characters were just as bland, save Wiley, who didn’t get much of a role. Sad to say, but I won’t be continuing with this series.Rating: C*ARC courtesy of Loveswept via NetGalley