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A new series that keeps the blood boiling and hearts pounding, you’ll hang on every word.
Heiress in Love is the first book in the M.O.M. (Ministry of Marriage) series by Christina Brooke.
The series follows the intimidating Duke of Montford, head of the Westruther family, as he pairs his 6 wards with eligible peers of the realm. The marriages of course are arranged to increase the wealth and renown of his extended family; love and romance are the least of concern for Montford.
The story opens with the recently widowed Lady Jane Roxdale receiving the awful announcement that her husband’s fortune is bequeathed to her, while the property goes to his scoundrel cousin, Constantine Black. Lady Jane wants nothing to do with the dark and rakish Constantine. Yet her only way to save the estate she has come to call home appears to involve making a pact with this handsome devil.
Constantine Black is truly the black sheep of his family. He lived a society scorned life, raking his way through London, until the untimely death of his cousin Frederick. Now the newly appointed Roxdale finds himself in a bind—tons of property minus the funds to take care of it. Lady Jane holds the money, a convenient marriage is the solution, but it’s not just riches Constantine finds himself desiring.
Constantine is by a far the best name for rakes that sweep ladies away. The hero is dark, and his pains are deep. I absolutely loved the way Constantine was wicked and honorable at the same time. Honestly, I really didn’t know what would happen next and that’s what made the story so wonderful. Constantine and Jane’s actions were unpredictable throughout the entire book, which kept the pages turning. As in this one scene:
“You seem distracted, my lord.”
He glanced into the distance, then transferred his gaze to her. “Might we put an end to this foolish and quite unnecessary formality? We are cousins by marriage, after all. Jane.”
She’d always thought her name prosaic, but it sounded quite different when he said it. Warm and intimate, like a caress. The thrill that single syllable produced shocked her.
She ought not to allow the familiarity, not from a man of his reputation. In ordinary circumstances, she’d refuse him.
Yet, was it not her objective to promote goodwill between them? As long as that goodwill didn’t extend too far..
She temporized. “I admit, it is a little confusing to call you Lord Roxdale, after Frederick. And we are related by marriage, as you said.” She gave a crisp nod. “Very well, then.”
He halted her by placing a hand on her arm. “And still, you have not said my name.”
Of course, he wouldn’t let her elude him so easily. Jane stared up at him for some moments. In a clear, deliberate voice stripped of emotion, she said, “Constantine.” She wondered if he experienced a thrill similar to hers. His darkened expression told her he had. Or perhaps that look signified satisfaction at so easily getting his own way. What did he want with her? Suddenly, she felt as if the two of them were very much alone out here. Jane’s blood rushed in tune with the fountains playing behind them. The breath hitched in her throat. Before she knew it, he’d reached out and brushed a crooked finger down her burning cheek.
“You’re doing it again,” he said. “Regrettably, I have business to attend to this morning or I’d find a thousand more interesting ways to make you blush.”
The book had excellent pacing and by the end of it I desperately wanted to know every single one of the Westruther family in more detail. The plot is twisty and curvy, but keeps you hanging on every syllable. What made the story so entangling was the way the story unfolded and I didn’t experience information overload during the read. Truly a book with the proper balance of sensuality, romance, action, and the right amount of back story for the main players sprinkled in between. Overall, The Ministry of Marriage series definitely opened on a strong front, with engaging characters and subplots that make this reader demand more!
For readers who like Anna Campbell or Carolyn Jewel
~ Landra |
