It is the dawn of a new century and Olivia Stewart is heiress to an empire. Her family numbers among the Four Hundred - those considered the wealthiest and most distinguished in America.
Unfortunately their wealth has nearly disappeared, and now their security rests upon the Stewart daughters' marrying well.
Olivia's sister, Eleanor, was engaged to Harrison Bennett, one of the nation's wealthiest men, but has since died. Now the pressure is on Olivia to take her place, despite her suspicions about Eleanor's fiance. Using her family's long-forgotten English title, Olivia travels to Mercy Falls, California, as Lady Devonworth, hoping to learn more before committing to marriage. There she finds that Eleanor's death was no accident. And Harrison is not the man she thought he would be.
When Mercy Falls holds a charity ball masquerade to raise funds for the new light-house, secrets-and truths long hidden-will be revealed. But can Harrison really love Olivia when he finds her true identity? Can she live with the repercussions of failing her family, or will she finally realize that nothing - not money, family or romance - will ever compare to God's unconditional love?
I can describe this book in one word... FANTASTIC!
Kudo's to Mrs. Colleen Coble! All throughout this great novel I had fun, I laughed, I cried (not literally), and I was suspicious... ;)
And I send a word of confidence out to all of you, I think that any girl (or guy) who likes romance and/or suspense will most likely like this book. More romance lovers than not. But I do tell you to take heart and not be deceived if you think the description I just gave (I got it off the back of the book) makes it sound like a bad book, it's NOT!
Colleen Coble did a wonderful job with this book and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Olivia is a strong character, and honestly unlike most heroines in novels they are weak and even spineless at times - but Olivia has a strong opinion about things and is good at expressing them even if it is only in her mind.
Because mind you, back then ladies were pretty much to be seen- and not heard.
The inner conflict with both Harrison Bennett and Olivia Stewart is amazing, I'm not going to give anything away but the way Colleen Coble keeps on stringing you along waiting for that magical moment, it's worth the reading.
You learn so much about them in only a 288 page book.
And the twists and turns she weaves into the story is great to, I was constantly wondering and suspecting two very main characters (one of course Harrison and the other I won't mention in order not to give the plot away) that might have killed Eleanor and caused other ruckus in the book.
And the big climax was pretty great. =)
And the big thing I really like is how it encourages the readers of the book to grow in their relationship with God subtly, it's not all about God, but it has lots of things here and there about Him. And it's not pushy or in your face about it, and the book isn't revolved around faith either. I like that - because I don't know many Christian authors that have good books that aren't in your face about God.
This book grabs you from the start, at least for me. I was immediately interested in what was going to happen next to Olivia, and even more interested when Harrison's point-of-view came into the story.
The dislikes I have for this book, however, aren't as many as my likes for this book. A few times the words were a bit mixed up I think, and I couldn't quite understand what Mrs. Coble was trying to tell me through Olivia.
I did sigh with contentment at the end of the book, but I do I feel like certain things that I can't say in order not to give it away, were very unexpected but not so satisfying....
I think what I'm trying to say is that I couldn't quite grasp the idea that she put near the end. (AKA, the big climax) I felt like it was the wrong person, and I hadn't gotten inside the head of that person enough to suspect that person, and that I couldn't see the real motive for their evil actions.
But all in all I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Seeing how the dislikes I have for this book aren't that really significant, and to me don't really matter, I love this book indeed like I've written it myself.
To the readers of this blog, and if Mrs. Coble ever reads this, I look forward to reading more of Colleen Coble!
~Jazmine
**NOTE: I am not obligated to write a good review; only an honest one**
**Thank you to Booksneeze.com for providing me with this free copy for reviewing on my blog =) **
**I do not own the cover image of the book I have just reviewed**
And the big climax was pretty great. =)
And the big thing I really like is how it encourages the readers of the book to grow in their relationship with God subtly, it's not all about God, but it has lots of things here and there about Him. And it's not pushy or in your face about it, and the book isn't revolved around faith either. I like that - because I don't know many Christian authors that have good books that aren't in your face about God.
This book grabs you from the start, at least for me. I was immediately interested in what was going to happen next to Olivia, and even more interested when Harrison's point-of-view came into the story.
The dislikes I have for this book, however, aren't as many as my likes for this book. A few times the words were a bit mixed up I think, and I couldn't quite understand what Mrs. Coble was trying to tell me through Olivia.
I did sigh with contentment at the end of the book, but I do I feel like certain things that I can't say in order not to give it away, were very unexpected but not so satisfying....
I think what I'm trying to say is that I couldn't quite grasp the idea that she put near the end. (AKA, the big climax) I felt like it was the wrong person, and I hadn't gotten inside the head of that person enough to suspect that person, and that I couldn't see the real motive for their evil actions.
But all in all I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Seeing how the dislikes I have for this book aren't that really significant, and to me don't really matter, I love this book indeed like I've written it myself.
To the readers of this blog, and if Mrs. Coble ever reads this, I look forward to reading more of Colleen Coble!
~Jazmine
**NOTE: I am not obligated to write a good review; only an honest one**
**Thank you to Booksneeze.com for providing me with this free copy for reviewing on my blog =) **
**I do not own the cover image of the book I have just reviewed**
