The title characters of THE BLUESTOCKING AND THE RAKE
couldn't be more different. Georgiana Blakelow is a
moral-minded miss on a mission to save her home. Robert
Holkham, Earl of Marcham, is a confirmed rake, who didn't
set out to win Miss Blakelow's home in a card game, he
just
got lucky. When the determined young woman arrives at his
home, demanding his help to rebuild her family's estate,
he
finds himself drawn to her strength -- and to the
mysteries
around her.
The supporting cast in THE BLUESTOCKING AND THE RAKE are
interesting and unique characters. Author Norma Darcy has
crafted intriguing main and secondary plots, and I quite
enjoyed the story through most of the book. As I came to
realize that Georgie was hiding a dark secret, it drew me
in
even more; I love a mystery with my romance.
Unfortunately, I became frustrated during the final
chapters. I found myself looking back for references to
minor characters that are more important to the story than
previously suggested. I feel that even Georgie's thoughts
about her family are misleading, that we readers are not
given the information we needed to grasp Georgie's full
situation. To me, the denouement felt convoluted, rushed,
and thrown together.
On one hand, I want to recommend the book, because I
enjoyed
the characters and the situations so much. Georgie's
brothers take drastic action at one point that is shocking
and funny at the same time. On the other hand, if you want
to be able to solve the mystery as you read, as I do, you
won't find the clues you need until it is spelled out in a
lengthy confession-style monologue.
THE BLUESTOCKING AND THE RAKE will be of interest to
readers
who enjoy Regency romance.
The Earl of Marcham has decided to put the excesses of his
colorful youth firmly behind him so that he may find a
wife
and beget himself an heir. But a straitlaced spinster may
stand in his way after she releases a morality pamphlet
exposing some of his most private misdemeanors. Determined
to have his revenge and teach her a much-needed lesson,
the
earl decides that his best course of action is to seduce
her…
Miss Georgiana Blakelow has long given up the hope of
marriage. Instead, she’s resigned to serving as governess
to
her siblings and saving the family estate from ruin. She
might succeed, if only the wretch of an earl who won the
estate at the gaming table would be reasonable.
As the sparks fly, and as Lord Marcham finds himself
unexpectedly attracted to Miss Blakelow, she becomes even
more determined to keep him at a safe distance. The closer
he gets, the more likely he is to discover that his
bluestocking isn’t all that she seems.
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