Review: Sweet, fast paced novella.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 2, 2012
The story is set in the Regency Era, just before Christmas. Jane Tate is not simply a scullery maid at Somerville Manor. She is also the by-blow of Lord Somerville. Ever since Jane began to resemble the earl's legitimate daughter, Lady Sybil, Jane has not been allowed upstairs or around the family. Jane is not totally unhappy in her position. She often volunteers to venture out, into the cold, to collect the eggs. This is when she can steal a few minutes with Ian Michael MacGarrett, the head groom. Ian's Scottish accent is music to Jane's ears and his kisses make her knees go weak.Lord Somerville charged his solicitor, Mr. Roskin, with the task of getting Sybil safely betrothed by Christmas to a gentleman of no small means. Should Roskin fail, his lordship would have him transported to a penal colony for embezzlement. Lord Somerville is in need of funds to shore up his debt-riddled estate. Roskin arranges a match between Lady Sybil and Viscount Eddleton. Lord Eddleton is due to propose to Lady Sybil tonight, at Lord Hartwell's Christmas Ball.Things go wrong when Lady Sybil runs off with an artist. To save his skin, Roskin blackmails Jane into impersonating her half sister, attending the ball, and accepting the marriage proposal on Lady Sybil's behalf. Meanwhile the few in-the-know would hunt for the lordship's daughter.To keep an eye on Jane, Ian pretends to be a footman and is part of Jane's escort to the ball. Jane deserves more than the life he could give her, but Ian refuses to let a toad like Viscount Eddleton claim her. Especially not when Ian intends to keep Jane for himself.**** FOUR STARS! Though the plot has been done before and most of the tale is predictable, I still found this novella to be a delight to read. All the characters in the story toss lies around like confetti. Little white lies of deception, grey lies of omission, and the black-hearted lies of greed seem to sparkle as they are spewed up. The pieces glitter as they shift, tangle, and flutter on the way down. But eventually they all settle on the floor for everyone to see clearly.Mia Marlowe's novella has an unexpected twist or two as well. I was never allowed to become too comfortable though. There was always something going to on to keep the story interesting. A fast paced novella (with a low price) that is a great read any time of the year. ****Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.