Book Review and Giveaway: Love Engineered by Jenna Dawlish

This is a sweet romance story with likeable characters and an interesting element of engineering in Victorian times.

Love Engineered  

by Jenna Dawlish 

• Print on Demand (Paperback): 236 pages
• Publisher: Unknown (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 095611914X
• ISBN-13: 978-0956119148

     Genre: Historical Romance
     My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0
 

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

Shortlisted for the RNA New Writers' Award. It's 1855 and Louise Thomas, owner of a large estate in Devon is ready to fall in love, but only if she can find a man who will put up with her thirst for knowledge in the engineering and scientific world.

Charles Lucas is one of the country's top Engineer's, tipped to be the new Brunel. He is too busy with his work for love - especially with a member of the gentry. When he meets Louise, she interests and intrigues him like no woman before. But he must make some serious decisions when he hears disturbing rumours about her.

Review:

Louise is a wealthy, blue-stocking, heiress who is often pursued for her money. She has no other living family except for a single cousin who half-heartedly watches over her but is there for her when needed. Although they are affectionate they agree they aren’t interested in marrying each other. Neither of them is seeking a mate as Phillip is enjoying his bachelor life and Louise doesn’t think she will ever find a man that is interested in her and not her money. Besides she has never met a man who has caught her interest - until now.

Louise enjoys attending scientific and engineering lectures. Although some speakers are boring, her interest is sparked by the lecture given by the attractive Charles Lucas. Charles is an esteemed and sought after engineer. Louise is able to ask him some interesting questions and he is surprised by her knowledge. Charles is rather busy and not inclined to pursue a relationship yet he is drawn to her intelligence. His partner is eager to strike up a friendship to encourage Louise as an investor in their work. Plus Louise has a close connection to their mysterious investor, Robert Adams. Meanwhile, Louise begins a warm and sincere friendship with Charles' sister.

An old friend tells Charles some disturbing tales about Louise. Charles meets with Louise to confront her, but she has a totally different agenda in mind. The encounter leads to a large misunderstanding and hurt feelings. Charles forbids Louise to have any contact with his family. She is distressed by having lost not only the man of her interest but a close friend.

Will Charles discover the truth before Louise is exposed to more danger? Will they be able to reconcile their relationship?

I liked the discussions of the engineering projects and wished there was more detail about them.
Engineers and blue-stockings can be presented as aloof and unemotional. Unfortunately I felt the characters were a bit too cool and although I really enjoyed the story and the characters I just didn’t feel a strong warmth in this book. I can’t quite say why I think it was missing emotional depth but that is how I felt. The writing had a good flow and I liked the mystery and danger added to the romantic plot. Maybe a touch more detail would have made it richer.  Even so, I enjoyed the story and would try this author again.

This is a book I won a year or so ago. I will be tying this into my New Authors, Books Won and TBR challenges.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the personally autographed book:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there.  This is required for entry.

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3.  For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on January 27, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on January 28. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.