Blackmoore
By: Julianne Donaldson
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-18-13
Language: English
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Historical Regency, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall, Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
Publisher's Summary
Kate Worthington knows her heart and she knows she will never to marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead - if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured - and rejected - three marriage proposals.
Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore determined to fulfill her end of the bargain sooner rather than later and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless and plans are changeable. There on the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?
Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart.
©2013 Julianne Clawson Donaldson (P)2013 Shadow Mountain.
Review:
Kate made a decision at age 14 that she would never marry. Instead, she plans to travel, with her restless spirit and her aunt, to India. She particularly wants to get away for her toxic household where her father ignores the family and her mother flirts with any man, young or old, and ties to teach her daughters to do the same, and to trap an appropriate husband.
Before Kate goes to India she wants to visit Blackmoore, the estate of her childhood neighbor and friend, Henry Delafield. She has wanted to visit the estate for years, but their mothers despise each other. Henry and Kate were only able to spend time together because Kate was best friends with Henry’s awkward sister. But Lady Delafield had made it very clear that Henry will never marry Kate. In fact, Henry has an arranged fiancé waiting for him.
Kate finally makes a desperate bargain with her mother. She must receive and reject three proposals to get the right to go to India. Plus one other stipulation that Kate doesn’t think through. Kate convinces her mother to allow her to make the visit to Blackmoore with the expectation there will be available matches to meet at the house party.
Kate arrives at Blackmoore to find that Henry’s future bride is there with his mother. The young woman is beautiful, refined, and already preparing to take her place as the mistress of the manor. And Lady Delafield is far from pleased that Henry invited Kate.
Henry continues to seek time to walk and talk with Kate in between the scheduled dinners and tête-à-têtes with his intended. When her first few attempts to engage the interest of other men are unsuccessful, Kate comes up with another plan. It becomes clear she may succeed but at the cost of her heart.
It was hard to like Kate at first as she seemed rather self-absorbed and cold. Only further into the story does it become clear the horrible household she has had to endure and the sacrifice she has determined to make for the one she loves. Henry is a wonderful, proper young gentleman. I appreciated that this contained a lovely romance with no need for sexual innuendos. The undercurrent of love builds even as the conflict for Kate and Henry builds. I have no idea why this is dubbed ‘a Proper romance.” It is heart wrenching to get to the point where they recognize their love. I recommend this to readers who enjoy the struggles of a thwarted romance.
Audio Notes: Cassandra Campbell does a beautiful job with the narration. She manages to put the right edge to the characters to help bring the story more intensity. I am glad I listened to this.
Source: December 2016 Audible sale. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook Goals.
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