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Welcome back to the discussion on The Reluctant Marquess by Maggi Anderson. Yesterday Maggi dropped by for a guest post. Please check out her thoughts from yesterday’s post and read on for my thoughts for the book.
The Reluctant Marquess by Maggi Anderson
ISBN: 978-1908483096
Release: Mar 8, 2012
Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing
Source: I received a copy of this book from the author to read and review
Charity Barlow wished to marry for love. The rakish Lord Robert wishes only to tuck her away in the country once an heir is produced. A country-bred girl, Charity Barlow suddenly finds herself married to a marquess, an aloof stranger determined to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. She and Lord Robert have been forced by circumstances to marry, and she feels sure she is not the woman he would have selected given a choice. The Marquess of St. Malin makes it plain to her that their marriage is merely for the procreation of an heir, and once that is achieved, he intends to continue living the life he enjoyed before he met her. While he takes up his life in London once more, Charity is left to wander the echoing corridors of St. Malin House, when she isn’t thrown into the midst of the mocking Haute Ton. Charity is not at all sure she likes her new social equals, as they live by their own rules, which seem rather shocking. She’s not at all sure she likes her new husband either, except for his striking appearance and the dark desire in his eyes when he looks at her, which sends her pulses racing. Lord Robert is a rake and does not deserve her love, but neither does she wish to live alone. Might he be suffering from a sad past? Seeking to uncover it, Charity attempts to heal the wound to his heart, only to make things worse between them. Will he ever love her?
The Reluctant Marquess is an interesting book. I got a copy of this book to read as part of the Goddessfish Production tour that I sponsored yesterday. This book features Charity Barlow and Lord Robert, the new Marquess of St. Malin. Charity is a girl that has been brought up in the country and intends to marry for love. As we start the story, her godfather, the former Marquess of St. Malin has died and she has been summoned to meet the new Marquess. Although she is financially dependent on the Marquess, she doesn’t anticipate him making her marry Robert, the new marquess, as a condition of his will. She sees Robert as a cold, formal man, and not the type of man she has dreamed of marrying. However, she feels that she has little choice but make the best of this marriage.
Robert, the new Marquess of St. Malin feels thrust into his new role. He is annoyed at the condition in the will that basically forces him to marry a woman who is a stranger to him. Once married, he takes Charity to town to get some clothes and meet the members of society that she will associate with. Sadly, he doesn’t seem to realize that Charity is lacking in the sophistication necessary to swim in this pool!
Although this book isn’t long, it is an emotional read! For most of the story, I really didn’t like Robert. He kept a mistress, he was cold and unhelpful to his new wife. He was unwilling to help his new wife adapt to her new station in life. I found myself cheering for Charity and the maturity she exhibited, and the grace with which she carried herself regardless of how difficult things got. It isn’t often that I read a book with a character that has me reacting with such emotion. I really wanted this book to NOT have a happily every after because I didn’t feel that Robert deserved Charity. This opinion did change by the end of the story, however.
I feel that this story is well written and marches along quite quickly. It can be finished in an afternoon. I’d be interested in hearing other’s thoughts about this book and I look forward to reading more of what this author writes!
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- Guest post & Giveaway – Maggi Anderson, author of The Reluctant Marquess (sugarbeatsbooks.com)
Maggi Andersen is an Australian author. She lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales with her lawyer husband, their cat and the demanding wildlife. Maggi has two degrees, a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. Georgette Heyer, Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart were strong influences on her writing. She began her career when her children left the nest and writes in a variety of genres. Her historical romances are set in the Georgian, Regency and Victorian era.