Review
Amelia Greystone is in Cornwall when she learns the Countess of St.Just, her closest neighbor has died giving birth, leaving behind three little ones. Amelia realizes, Simon, the Earl of St.Just, the same man who broke her heart ten years ago when he left without a word, will be returning to Cornwall for the first time since then. A softhearted Amelia sees the grieving children and the changed and disturbed Earl, and takes the job as his housekeeper. Simon is suffering from nightmares and is paranoid that someone will hurt him and those he loves. He finds the attraction they once shared is still strong, and even though he knows he's placing her in danger, can't help but want her near. What is Simon hiding and why won't he look at his new daughter?
Persuasion is the second book in this series about men who are involved first hand in the British war effort in France during the period known as "The Terror". This book was enjoyable with a good story, however, I couldn't bring myself to like Amelia or Simon that much. While I admire Amelia's take charge attitude in seeing that the children needed love and care in that trying time after losing their mother, and stepped in to do so, there were many times when it seemed she had a split personality. While Amelia could be strong, she could also come across as very weak. Amelia ignored her gut feeling that Simon was involved in the war effort after getting numerous confirmations that something was wrong. What I found extremely disturbing was her reaction to discovering information, that if leaked, could harm England's war efforts both there and in France. She was asked by the spymaster Warlock, also her maternal uncle, to swear she would not disclose what she knew, and she refused. Her first response was to run to her brother, Lucas, and tell him everything, not realizing exactly how much danger she is in, until Warlock kidnaps her.
"She gasped. "How could you do such a thing?" But as she stared at her uncle, she realized he was right. She was in danger now, because she was Simon's lover and knew too much. French agents could abduct her, just like her uncle had."
Ms. Joyce's characters seem to be formulaic. If it's not broke, why fix it right? However, the hero's tend to be domineering and overbearing, and the women vary from being strong in one moment, to very weak, and doing things that seem extremely foolish in the scheme of things. Seduction also had this flaw. This behavior can be annoying. I am hoping that the character development in the next book is stronger. However, this is the only flaw in the book. It was good to see Julianne and Dominic from Seduction. I liked them much more in this book, even though their involvement and presence was minimal.
Brenda Joyce has been a published author for twenty-four years, this year. She's written mostly historical romance, along with a paranormal series and a romantic historical mystery series. The next and third book in The Spymasters Series, Surrender is set to be released this November, which will be about smuggler Jack Greystone. I'm hoping that my guess regarding whom Lucas will be paired with in the scheduled final book of the series is correct. I am really looking forward to reading both Jack and Lucas's stories.
Reviewed by Chanpreet