The Reluctant Duchess (#02 in Ladies Of The Manor Series)

I loved this book! \\nThis author is definitely one of my ultimate favorites. I've read her Culper Ring series and just bought the last book in Ladies of the Manor series. \\n\\nThe story of Rowena and Brice is probably my current favorite. Roseanna M. White's books have a rich storyline. In this series, the plot which carries on throughout, is that of the Fire Eyes. Rare red Diamonds that are worth a fortune. In this book, Brice has taken them out of Brook's care and is intent on keeping them from the wrong hands. Rowena, coming from the Highlands, is terrified of the """"curse"""" that accompanies these diamonds. Will the diamonds come between their budding romance? Or will they be able to trust each other and God, and let Love prevail.

The Reluctant Duchess, book 2 in Ladies of the manor Series, follows Lady Rowena Kinnaird, and her story of discovering who she is as a person and who she is to God. I enjoyed the mystery in this book but I found it a little bit darker than the normal style of books I read. I really appreciated though the way the main male character Brice, really relied on God a lot throughout the book and the focus on God throughout.

The saga of the Fire Eyes in Book 1, of this series continues in this tangled story of family secrets within a historical setting; with old and new characters that develop and grow along with the story-line. The Author has once again delivered a well written novel with the right amount of suspense, drama, revenge and romance to get you turning the pages with anticipation to find out what happens. Loved how the Author interweaves the supernatural things of God and captured the power and love of God in our lives through this story-line. This novel was a delight to read.

This author is fast becoming one of my absolute favourites! Reading her books is like being transported for hours to another world - the sights, smells, language and culture all come alive as you read. But more than that, her characters feel so real. They have such depth to them that it's hard not to fall in love with them, or hate them, as it may be. \\r\\n\\r\\nI really appreciated the way the characters wrestled with the issues of worth, the supernatural, love, the effects of abuse and cultural differences. They weren't glossed over or given a pat answer but rather really delved into before finding answers, taking the characters - and me - on a journey. \\r\\n\\r\\nCouldn't recommend this book more highly and cannot wait for the next one!\\r\\n

I soooo did not want this book to end. It has earned a place as one of my all-time favourite historical romances - for the writing, the plot, the characters, and because it was so much more than just a romance. It really deserves to be called a 'love story', because when Brice Myerston offers marriage to Rowena Kinnaird in order to protect her, he commits to loving his wife by his actions and trusting that his heart will catch on in time. But the overall plot is actually much more complex than this; a rich layering of circumstances that threaten their physical safety and test and refine their commitment to love and trust one another. I loved the way Brice and Rowena confronted the misunderstandings, challenges, and threats they encountered, rather than ignoring them. They grew together through them rather than letting them drive them apart. This was in large part due to Brice's willingness to examine his actions objectively and obey the Lord's prompting when every instinct was to do the opposite, and made for some of the most memorable and beautiful scenes I have read. More than any hero I have ever come across, he really modeled Christ's sacrificial love for His bride. This novel is the second in the series, and although it can be read as a stand alone, the story related to the Fire Eyes begins in the first novel in the series