Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Book Description
Captain Simon Harcourt returns to England with one purpose: to breed rare horses, keeping his vow to his dying friend. The last person he expects to aid him is the ruthless Earl of Ravenscroft, who enacts a devil’s bargain. Ravenscroft promises to finance the stables if Simon razes the village that ruins the earl’s view from the manor house-- the site of Simon’s most horrific childhood memory. Only one person stands in Simon’s way—the resolute bluestocking determined to resurrect the conscience Simon thought died on the battlefield with his men…
Spirited Penelope Waverly has never fit into society’s mold, to the despair of her mother. But someone has to keep a roof over her family’s heads. Even so, she has no idea how fragile the foundation of her life is. A web of lies binds the Harcourts and Waverlys, buried long ago in everything Simon Harcourt has pledged to destroy.
As two defiant spirits uncover the dangerous truth that could destroy them both, they face an impossible choice—keep their vows and betray the people of Everdene or join forces in a gamble that could cost them everything… even the love that might heal their wounded hearts.
About Kimberly Cates
When Kimberly Cates was in third grade, she informed her teacher that she didn't need to learn multiplication tables. She was going to be a writer when she grew up. Kimberly filled countless spiral notebooks with stories until, at age twenty-five, she received a birthday gift that changed her life: an electric typewriter. Kimberly wrote her first historical romance, sold it to Berkley Jove, and embarked on a thirty-year career as an author. Called “a master of the genre” by Romantic Times, her thirty-three bestselling, award-winning novels are noted for their endearing characters, emotional impact and their ability to transport the reader to the mists and magic of the British Isles.
Kimberly has also penned historical romances as Kimberleigh Caitlin and contemporary romances under the pseudonyms Kimberly Cates and Kim Cates.
She writes historical fiction as Ella March Chase.
A graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, she spends her free time reading, hiking and continuing her quest to find a recipe for the perfect scone. Her favorite activity, however, is playing dragon with her grandchildren whose imaginations never fail to amaze her.
My Thoughts
This book was filled with mystery, painful memories, and a beautiful reminder that life is what we make it and not what people think we should be.
When Simon returns to his childhood home that is filled with painful memories we see him struggle not only with the memories of his childhood but those from his time at war. When he meets Penelope, our heroine in a rather unique situation he never dreams she could be the one to help him heal and find closure.
Penelope has spent years forging her own path. She is determined not to marry and give away her freedom. She wants to travel, read and do things that women aren't supposed to want to do. She wants to be her own person. So when she starts to fall for Simon she thinks she has to choose love or freedom. But can Simon prove her wrong? Will he show her she can be free with him and be in love?
What I loved the most about this story outside of the twist and turns it took was that neither our hero nor our heroine was written to follow a certain path. I enjoyed seeing Penelope be a strong, independent woman as well as intelligent. I also liked that Simon was willing to let her be herself,
This book took me on a journey of mystery, love, and of self-healing. It showed that just because the world around you believes you have to follow a certain path to find happiness doesn't mean you have to. It allowed both our hero and heroine to discover what made them happy and allowed them to heal and become the true person they were meant to be while finding love that could last.
I found this book to be very well written with characters that had depth and who I enjoyed getting to know. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a good weekend read or anytime really this book is a great one to enjoy.
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