Saturday, January 12, 2013

The Misbehaving Marquess by Leigh LaValle

Catherine Raybourne, Marchioness of Foster, tried to help a friend two weeks after her wedding to Jamie and in the process, got caught in what looked to be a comprising position and it sent Jamie away for five long years.  Jamie refused to look a fool just weeks after his marriage and thought it best to leave than bear the gossip but has decided to return home and try again with Cat, to have an heir.  But after Jamie left after their horrible fight and with no word from him during his five year absence, Cat is not ready to let Jamie back into her heart as it is quite broken and hurt.  Jamie and Cat try to find a way to talk and move forward but sometimes it is hard to let go of the past.  Will they be able to focus on their happier moments and find the love that is still burning between them?

This was an absolute delight of a novella featuring a side character from Leigh LaValle's debut novel, The Runaway Countess (but can easily be read as a stand alone).  It had just the right amount of emotion, turmoil, action and heat to make this a must read for historical romance fans.  The writing is lovely and watching Cat and Jamie find a resolution to their problem was handled well and not overdrawn.  You could really feel for Cat and all her fears for being left high and dry again, especially as she reveals a painful secret, and at the same time you really feel for Jamie and his reluctance to be made to look a fool again.  Tender moments are wrapped together with a little dash of heat and I really enjoyed watching this couple find their way back to each other as you could just see their strong love for each other.  So even though this is only a novella, the story was well developed and thought out and I really enjoyed it.  Yes, I did think it odd that Jamie would just take off and leave for five years with no word at all, but it just worked for me in this setting.  An engaging, romantic tale of forgiveness and love.  4 stars

Naughty in Nottinghamshire
Novella works as a stand alone
The Runaway CountessThe Rogue Returns (Naughty in Nottinghamshire)
                               Coming in 2013
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4 comments:

  1. BeebsJanuary 13, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    I read this one in the Three Weddings and a Murder anthology and enjoyed it too, so glad we got Catherine's story because I had wondered about it through much of Runaway Countess.

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    1. UnknownJanuary 15, 2013 at 8:36 AM

      I was too! I love the cover she did for this :)

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  2. ConnieJanuary 13, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    This sounds really good, Lisa, and am looking forward to reading it. I'm pleased to see more authors writing novellas because the shorter length can be just right if a reader doesn't feel as though they have to dive into a full length novel. I would think it would be easier for the author as well in that they don't have to plan for and write a longer novel.

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    1. UnknownJanuary 15, 2013 at 8:37 AM

      Yes, it is a great taste of her writing. And I think it is still free right now so even better :)

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