Vanessa
Kelly
Mastering
the Marquess
Author:
Vanessa Kelly
ISBN:
978-1420106541
Genre:
Historical Romance
5
Hearts
Mastering
the Marquess is a nice debut novel for Vanessa Kelly. I was really impressed
with her writing style and the story itself kept me reading and entertained
until the end. That is saying a lot because usually I'm not really a fan of
historicals. The best part of the book was the feisty heroine Meredith and her
fight to keep her stepsister out of an insane asylum. I also liked the
development of the relationship between Meredith and the Marquess of Silverton.
I will definitely be looking for more from this author in the future.
The
time is 1815 when women didn't have any rights. If they had any inheritance or
money it was kept by the men in their lives. Meredith's stepsister Annabel is
still a child when both her parents die and it is left to Meredith to take care
of her even though her uncle is still in charge of Annabel's inheritance. Out
of the blue, Meredith's aunt tells her that she must marry her cousin or the
uncle will put Annabel away in an asylum. Feeling this would be the death of
her sister, Meredith takes the bull by the horns and braves taking Annabel to
London and seeking out Annabel's grandparents. The rich society family disowned
their daughter, Annabel's mother, when she married Meredith's father.
Annabel's
grandfather is not very welcoming, but she does find allies within the family.
Annabel's grandmother is happy to see the young woman and wants to help as much
as possible. Also willing to do what he can is Annabel's cousin the Marquess of
Silverton.
Although
Stephen, the Marquess, knows that his aunt, Annabel's grandmother, want him to
marry the young Annabel, he falls fast for the young girl's sister. Meredith is
everything he has been looking for in a wife, but Stephen has always looked out
for his family first and Annabel is in desperate need of his help against the
other side of her family who is out to get rid of her to get a hold of her
fortune.
Description
from the back of the book:
London,
1815—Country spinster Meredith Burnley will do anything to save her
half-sister Annabel, including risking her own life and sacrificing her only
chance for happiness. When Annabel's guardian threatens to lock her up in a
lunatic asylum, Meredith vows to find a husband to protect the girl, and the
arrogant and powerful Marquess of Silverton seems like the perfect man to keep
Annabel safe.
The
ton's most popular rake, Silverton hides a growing disgust with his inability
to feel any emotion for the beautiful girls thrown his way. But he needs to
marry, and Annabel will serve his purposes. Silverton is stunned, however, by
his fierce attraction to the unfashionable Meredith, whose quiet ways conceal a
passionate and sensual nature. He's determined to claim her, in spite of his
promise to woo her sister.
Meredith
knows she must never betray Annabel, or succumb to the charms of the
sophisticated
Marquess
of Silverton. Her willpower, though, is no match for his skillful and
relentless seduction, or the temptation of forbidden love. But her surrender to
passion soon puts Meredith and Annabel in danger, and only Silverton can rescue
them. The arrogant Marquess must be willing to risk everything--especially his
heart--or lose Meredith, and his last chance for love.
About
the author from her website:
...In
addition to all the great literature I was reading, I discovered Amanda Quick,
Stephanie Laurens, Jo Beverly, and so many other talented writers. I just loved
their ability to craft elegant, thrilling, and passionately sensual stories
about intelligent women and the big, strong alpha males who loved them. And I
wanted to be a writer just like them.
Fast
forward a few more years (after a period working in the public sector as a
researcher and writer), and I finally got my wish. I began writing Regency-set
historical romances, and signed my first contract with Kensington Books in May
of 2008.
And
like any good heroine, I did find my Happily Ever After. I'm married to a swell
guy (who is also a writer), have two great stepsons and a daughter-in-law, and
more good friends and family than any one person deserves.
And
I get to write passionate, sensual romances about my favorite period in
history. Just like Amanda, Stephanie, and Jo. It was worth the years in the
swamp. Happy reading!