Review: Short and sweet in a complete tale of romantic love
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 6, 2013
A short story in the School for Heiresses historical romance series set in England. The couple focus is on Eliza Crenshawe and Colin Hunt, the new Lord Montieth.This is an ARC I received from the publisher. Although, I tend to think of an ARC as a never-before-published story. "Ten Reasons to Stay" was previously published inThe School for Heiresses (an anthology).My TakeVery nicely done. It's a complete story for all its short length, and Jeffries drops us into it immediately with just the right amount of background at just the right times. No info dumps here, thank god! I do love how Jeffries incorporates the wife's behavior in to explain away Colin's handling of Ellie.It's a nice introduction of the erotic as well through the prints Colin has brought to England, and I did enjoy Jeffries' use of those ten reasons...oh, my!It drops a point for me when Jeffries falls back on that old cliché of giving him up to save him. Particularly since her reasoning is so lousy. Oh, brother.The StoryHer uncle's betrayal finds Ellie on the run. She knows that if she can just get to London, to her friends, they'll find a way to help her.Unfortunately, Ellie doesn't know the latest news...The CharactersEliza Crenshawe is an orphan with a problem. And her only hope is in getting to Mrs. Harris, who runs the School for Ladies. Silas Whitcomb, the local magistrate, is her uncle and guardian since her parents' death.Colin Hunt is the new Earl of Montieth and newly arrived in England from India. He's not, exactly, going to be welcomed. He's, well, a half-breed... Rashimi is his murdered wife. And Rashimi is the reason Ellie doesn't appear as a desirable bride.Jacob Minyard is a brewer in Cornwall with an eye to Ellie and her fortune.The CoverThe cover is lavender and flesh with Eliza in her Regency-style gown.The title is too cute, as Colin uses Ten Reasons to Stay to convince Ellie into accepting him.