Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight by Grace Burrowes

This is a delightful story and a great way to start my 2012 Christmas reads. :-)

Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight
by Grace Burrowes

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402268637
• ISBN-13: 978-1402268632

Genre: Historical Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description;
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Praise for RITA-nominated Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish: "An extraordinary, precious, unforgettable holiday story."—RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars, Top Pick of the Month, Best Historical Romance, RT Book Reviews 2011 Reviewers' Choice Awards 'Tis the Season for Scandal... Years ago Lady Louisa Windham acted rashly on a dare from her brother, and that indiscretion is about to come to light. She knows her reputation will never survive exposure. Just as she's nearly overwhelmed by her dilemma, Sir Joseph Carrington offers himself to her as a solution... But Sir Joseph has secrets as well, and as he and Louisa become entangled with each other, their deceptions begin to close in on them both...

Review:
Lady Louisa is the eighth of ten Windham siblings. The pressure is on for her to marry so her  younger sisters can find their mates. But Louisa has never been a ‘debutante’ type. She is more of a blue-stocking with her love of languages and ability to do complex math in her head. Louisa fears that a youthful indiscretion will bring scandal to those she loves.  Her older brothers are aware of the problem and are all quietly helping to gather and hide the evidence of her folly.

Sir Joseph is a wounded, honorable knight. He is a humble man who is happy  raising pigs and reciting poetry to his favorite, Lady Ophelia. Sir Joseph is in line to inherit a title which he’d like to refuse as he doesn’t want the extra responsibilities and obligations. Besides he already has his share of secret obligations. But Sir Joseph recognizes that it is time to find a wife to guide his sweet little girls who tend to baffle him.

Louisa and Joseph discover they enjoy each other’s company as they travel to London for the holiday festivities. They gently step in to protect each other from unwanted companions or embarrassing social circumstances.  Although Sir Joseph rescues Louisa from an unwanted compromising attack she still faces society scandal. He finds that he is pleased to propose a more permanent solution to her marital choices.

Louisa and Joseph discover a wonderful passion together but someone is sending each threatening notes to reveal their secrets. They are both insecure of the other’s feelings and they are frightened of the consequences of having to disclose their secrets.  Will their new found affection be able to survive their secrets?

These are two wonderful characters - an extremely intelligent and warm woman and a wounded war hero who is a romantic with a soft heart. The plot is sweet with conflicts, sensual tension and fear of exposure of their secrets. I love how Louisa’s parents and all of her siblings are willing to find ways to help her.  Sir Joseph is a perfect romantic knight sidling in champion Louisa. Grace Burrowes writes delightful historic romance and this entire series is wonderful. I look forward to the next stories. If you haven’t tried her books yet, this is a lovely one to pick up for Christmas cheer.

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Louisa’s father contemplates his daughters:

His Grace loved his five adult daughters and would cheerfully have died to protect them, but as for understanding them... He might as well have tried to grasp the mental processes of... another species entirely.  Page 37.

Sir Joseph describes his girls to Louisa, giving her a compliment in the process:

“Their little minds are at once devious and innocent.  They can be obvious in their emotions and also unfathomable. They are passionate and reserved.”.... “They are already like you, my lady. They have that fascinating, unknowable quality.”  Page 67.

I received this from Sourcebooks for an honest review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy.

ENTRY FORM HERE

For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit  the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

* This contest is open US and Canada.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 9, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 10, 2012.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.