Review: A Sweet historical romance 3 1/2 stars
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 27, 2013
I liked this book, the first I've read by this author and the first in a series. The book was well written and well edited. There was not much of a plot, and that was one markdown for me.The author heaps all sorts of heartbreak on the hero, Stephen, as he returns from the Penninsular war with Napoleon. He's had to resign his command because of severe facial and body burns, the loss of an eye and the hearing in one ear. After months in hospitals, he makes his way home, stopping off at his uncle's because it's on his way, only to be told that his parents both died in a fire in the family home, and his uncle's house is full of guests. Stephen gets good and drunk and is found by the woman he's loved all his life who he makes a terrible proposal to, after listing all the reasons he would be a bad husband. She runs out crying, not sure who this stranger is. Of course, he doesn't remember it in the morning, but his cousins do and fill him in.Jane, the heroine, has convinced herself that Stephen has fundamentally changed and will turn into a mean drunk and therefore, she cannot marry him. Even though Stephen spends his time rebuilding his home and his life and courting her, Jane is convinced that she was in love with the idea of him and now after the war, they're different and won't suit.That's the whole plot. Stephen gets drunk one time, and he spends the rest of the story winning back Jane's confidence and love. Now I 'm not condoning drunkenness, but the guy had the troubles of Job, cut him some slack!  This is a clean romance for those who like their books without the parental warning label.Anyway, the rest of the cousins who will be in the upcoming books are attractive characters and the preview of book two looked interesting. Stephen's cousin and Jane's best friend , Hannah, will be in London looking for a husband, and her brother , David, will be dealing with thoroughbred racing and race fixing, and a stubborn young woman who wants to be a jockey.Heat factor mild.