Review: This novel covers all the Regency bases
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2013
I don't remember reading a historical novel before that includes nearly every Regency situation: the military, war with Napoleon, the peerage, one loving family, one dysfunctional family, the crazy mother, the vindictive ex, the (almost) vindictive wanna-be lover, the misused and neglected heroine, the coldly arrogant but reforming hero, the fickle Ton, the kidnapping/murder/mayhem subplot, etc.  This novel covers it all, and the author has a talent for writing that keeps the plot moving and coherent, the reader drawn in and invested in the characters.I do have three complaints, but they are personal opinions and not related to the quality of the novel.  One, the heroine has been deserted by her husband for three years and living with a shrewish and verbally abusive mother-in-law.  The stuff she put up with 24/7, 365 for three years would have left me immune to my returning husband's charms, at least for longer than the first day of his arrival.  She trusted too quickly and too often, I don't care that she'd loved him since she was five. Two, I don't think the hero ever really understood/acknowledged/owned up to all the heroine endured during his absence and even after his return.  He didn't like his mother or his family - never had - but then believes his mom wouldn't do this or that to the heroine.  I kept wanting him to have this epiphany and realize that one "I'm sorry" and a little loving might not make it all immediately better.  Three, the cursing in the book consisted of taking the Lord's name in vain.  No "blasts," "damnations," or "bloody," just words that many consider not just cursing but blasphemy.  It wasn't necessary for the time period or authenticity, and it caused me to cringe repeatedly.  I found myself wishing for a good old "s****" to appear, even.  As a sidebar, this novel does contain explicit material so be aware if that isn't your cup of tea.I enjoyed the plot, thought the characters were both likeable and hateable where the author intended, and the story pace was spot-on.  I plan to read another novel from this author (hoping against hope the next hero won't need his mouth washed out with soap quite so often).