AUTHOR: Roseanna M. White
DATE: 2016
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
STARS: ****
Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.
Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?
Historical fiction is not my usual choice, but this one’s blurb and beautiful cover piqued my interest. While it took me a while to get used to the cadence of A Lady Unrivaled, its intriguing characters, so rich in layers, and sparkling dialogue kept the pages turning.
Lady Ella is a delightful heroine, and Lord Cayton’s brooding, sometimes surly, disposition is the perfect foil for Ella’s perpetual sunshine. I loved their banter as they grew to know and appreciate one another, and the mystery and menace brought by other individuals added greatly to this tapestry of relationships.
Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, I give A Lady Unrivaled four stars. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.