Book Review: The Reluctant Countess by Wendy Vella

This is a light, fun historical that I really enjoyed.

The Reluctant Countess: A Loveswept Historical Romance
by Wendy Vella

• File Size: 1989 KB
• Publisher: Loveswept (January 14, 2013)
• Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008WOUNIK

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: January 14, 2013
From rising romance star Wendy Vella comes a Cinderella story of whirlwind passion between a dashing earl and a beautiful countess—and the secret that threatens to tear them apart.

Regal, poised, and elegant, Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is everything that a highborn lady should be. But Sophie is hiding a past that is far from royal. When Patrick, Earl of Coulter, realizes that her story doesn’t add up, he resolves to find out the truth of what Sophie and her sister-in-law are concealing. Although Sophie has every reason to avoid him, the handsome and charismatic Patrick awakens something wicked deep within her soul . . . a powerful need that Sophie must stifle in order to protect her place in society.

Despite Sophie’s humble background, the raven-haired beauty has won Patrick’s heart. But what Sophie needs now is an ally. Viscount Myles Dumbly, the disgruntled former heir of Monmouth, is determined to expose Sophie as a fraud to recapture his lost inheritance. Soon Patrick is drawn into a fight for both their lives. Somehow he must find a way not only to rescue Sophie from poverty once and for all, but to keep her in his arms forever.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: The Escape Diaries, The Devil’s Thief, and The Magic.

Review:
Sophie is thought of as an ice maiden. The truth is she is a former maid trying to be accepted as a Countess. She has to concentrate on dancing and small talk and staying in control. Sophie, with her young child Timmy, and her sister-in-law, Lady Letitia Carstairs, are protecting their interests and positions as widows.

Patrick suspects something isn’t quite right with Sophie’s behavior.  He is determined to break through her walls to discover her secrets.  Sophie tries to resist Patrick’s charms but he upsets her composure and she loses focus every time he’s near.  But she brings emotions to him that he has never felt either – warmth, craving.

Sophie is threatened by Viscount Myles Dumbly who would have inherited Monmouth if it weren’t for Sophie and Timmy.  Now she is receiving blackmail threats that she thinks are from the power hungry and evil man she rejected before she moved to Monmouth.

Although Sophie tries to handle the blackmail on her own she has to seek Patrick’s help when Timmy is kidnapped.  Patrick, his good friend, Stephen, and Sophie manage to rescue Timmy and his maid. Now Patrick knows her secrets and she knows some of his so they feel safe with each other. But Sophie is still threatened and Patrick has taken on to be her protector and more.

This is the sort of historical romance I really enjoy. There is mystery, conflicted attraction, a dangerous threat and ultimately an acknowledged love and safety. Ms. Vella immediately begins to build the physical, sensual interest and the mystery between the primary characters. There is a fun side kick in Stephen who gets his own romance interest in the story too.

The writing flows very easily making this a quick read which I practically read in one sitting. There are strong descriptions of setting and attire that create a vividness to the action. The plot moves along well and the romance is warm and sexy without being too much.  If you enjoy historical romance with mystery and a strong, protective hero, you should like this one.

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Sophie’s sister-in-law, Letty, describes Patrick:

“Calls to mind a large jungle cat, all feral grace and beauty,” Letty whispered. Location 211.

Patrick’s friend, Stephen, teases him:

“Why don’t you just throw her over your shoulder and be done with it?” Location 778.

I received this for an honest reviewing from Random House. Please see the next post for Author Q&A and Giveaway!