Book Review & Giveaway: The Baron's Honourable Daughter by Lynn Morris

The Baron's Honourable Daughter
by Lynn Morris'
Copyright 2014
FaithWords
ISBN: 9781455575596

The Story:
Bestselling author Lynn Morris weaves an inspirational Regency era romance rich in period detail. 

When her stepfather suddenly dies, Valeria Segrave finds she must take charge of her grieving mother and the vast estate which now belongs to her six-year-old half brother, the new Earl of Maledon. Though capable, Valeria is frustrated to find each day brings a new struggle as she tries to establish her authority with servants, stewards, and solicitors-all men. As a young woman with no blood relation to the earl, they are all too ready to dismiss her.

Much to her chagrin, she must rely on the assistance of her stepfather's distant kinsman, Alastair, Lord Hylton. He is handsome and noble, and Valeria senses under the veneer of his gentlemanly behavior that she never measures up to his expectations of a refined lady. In light of that, accepting his help and feeling under a burden of gratitude to him is almost unbearable. Even when Valeria leaves the country estate for the glittering London Season, where she gets into a series of escapades, Lord Hylton is always there to witness, criticize, and correct her behavior. But if Alastair insists on engaging in a battle of wits and wills with the lively Valeria, she'll stop at nothing to prove that he's met his match.


My Thoughts:
Regency romances and novels by Lynn Morris are some of the very best stories you can get if you're looking for entertaining and enthralling reads. If you're a Morris fan you know it's been years since we've last had the chance to read new material from the author. It's always exciting when authors we love start writing again and I was counting down the days until The Baron's Honourable Daughter. Maybe it's because the bar was set so high for me after having read the spectacular Cheney Duvall series all those years ago, but The Baron's Honourable Daughter didn't live up to my high expectations. It's always difficult to write a negative review for a book, even more so for one whose author I highly respect and admire. Unfortunately, I did not connect with this story in any way and have to be honest in my critique.


First thing's first the pros, the setting, regency England is always interesting. Morris portrayed the ballrooms, Piccadilly Circus, and Hyde Park in such a way that I felt the crush of the crowded rooms or the rain dripping from the trees. I can't complain about the lush imagery and vivid scenery. However, I did not feel any chemistry whatsoever between the hero and heroine. I've read more than a handful of novels which featured characters who butted heads constantly and mixed like oil and water. There was always a romantic tension implied between the lines or we even got to see inside the character's own heads when they were alone. It made the idea of a romance between two people who were so dissimilar seem more authentic. I didn't see very much of that until the last few pages of the book with neither Valeria nor Alastair. Valeria was VERY naive and had a strange fixation with men's calves while Alastair was just plain stuffy. I was worried for his health! Let loose, Lord Hylton before you have an apoplexy!

Even though this story wasn't for me, other fans of regency fiction may enjoy it. I've enjoyed almost every other story I've read by Lynn Morris and I won't hesitate to pick up her next book. She is uber talented and I believe that (*fingers crossed*) I'll fall in love with her stories again! If you don't think this book will be your cup of tea, I can't say enough about her brilliant Cheney Duvall series. Give it a try!

~ My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars ~

*I receive complimentary books for review from the publisher. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I express are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Giveaway:

Thanks to FaithWords (a division of Hachette Book Group), I have one copy of The Baron's Honourable Daughter to give away to one reader of this blog! Open to US & Canada residents ages 18+ only. Complete details listed on the Rafflecopter form below. To be entered in the giveaway you MUST use the Rafflecopter form. If you have any issues accessing the form, please let me know.  Form may take a minute to load, so give it time. :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading!