Sunday, September 30, 2012

CBLS Promotionals Presents "Love's Debt" by Rachel Brimble Book Review/Giveaway (Ends 10/8) WW


Love's Debt
by Rachel Brimble
Published by The Wild Rose Press
Historical Romance

Available at:
The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:
To keep herself from the depths of poverty, Milly Shepherd needs to be appointed manager of the Red Lion Tavern. The elderly owner is in failing health and has promised her the job permanently if no one more suitable applies. Milly will fight with her entire being to make the job her own.

Joseph Jacobs needs to supplement his income to pay off his father’s creditors and save him from debtor’s prison. Though the job as manager of the local tavern looks promising, Milly is favored by both the owner and customers. Instead, Joseph swallows his pride and agrees to tend bar.

As they work together, their attraction grows, their goals cross, and both Millie and Joseph find they must face their fears …the question is whether they face them alone or together?

Excerpt


Joseph Jacobs closed the tavern door behind him and paused a moment to take in his surroundings. As a man used to looking over his shoulder and sensing trouble, experience taught him to be aware of others before they became aware of you. He narrowed his gaze. The meager number of patrons at the tables surprised him at an hour when he expected the bar to be fairly busy. He glanced at the clock; maybe it wasn’t time for the workers yet.

He shifted his gaze to the woman standing beneath the clock and his heart kicked. Her green-gold eyes held him where he stood. She stared and Joseph swallowed, willing some words to come forth from his frozen tongue or at least a smile to curve his paralyzed lips.

She lifted her eyebrows and slowly pulled a cloth from her shoulders. Her hair was a mass of fire-tipped curls around her oval face, her skin creamy-white and her parted lips, a soft delicate pink. Joseph cleared his throat and belatedly removed his hat.“Good evening, miss.”

Her smile slipped easily into place. “Good evening to you, sir.” Her voice was smooth, clear and full of confidence. “Are you looking to quench your thirst or just planning on soaking up the atmosphere?”

Joseph inhaled a long breath through flared nostrils as if trying to smell her. Something told him she’d smell of lavender…or maybe musk. Something to throw a man off guard, to lower his defenses.

He stepped forward. “Neither. I am looking for the landlord. Would you happen to know if he’s available?”

Her gaze lingered on his a moment longer before she looked to the four glasses at the table beside her. She grasped them expertly between her fingers and carried them behind the bar without answering his question.

Joseph couldn’t take his gaze from the natural sway of her hips beneath the deep burgundy dress she wore, the bustle a little too prominent for the current fashion showing her lack of money to afford better. Why else would a woman with the features of an artist’s model be working in a tavern unless necessity demanded it?

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a nice short and sweet historical romance, and it's a nice way to spend a cozy, fall evening.  The characters, story, and setting are sweet, and I loved almost everything about ths book.  I could have done without the brief profanity and sex scene, but thankfully both were short!  I love strong women, and Milly is definitely that.  And Joseph is the typical Victorian gentleman who is down on his luck.  Although the story was short and developed faster than I might have liked, it was nice. I would love to read more from ths author.

I always find Victorian England a nice escape in ths day and age.  While I know that illicit actions were still a part of the culture, they were veiled.  And morals were still alive back then.  In fact, I loved Milly's response as things blossomed between Milly and Joseph.  And I'm glad to know that marriage is expected--much nicer than just living together!  While the end is expected (no spoilers, but I bet you can guess the ending), it is still nice!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  She started writing short stories about eight years ago but once her children were at school, she embarked on her first novel. It was published in 2007. Since then, she’s had several books published with small presses as well as securing her first contract with Harlequin Superromance in May 2012.

Represented by US agent Dawn Dowdle, of Blue Ridge Literary Agency, Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family.  Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England. And in the evening? Well, a well-deserved glass of wine is never, ever refused…

Contact Rachel at:
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/rachelbrimble or @rachelbrimble
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441

For the duration of the tour (which can be followed here), ten e-copies of Love's Debt will be given away, and the giveaway is open worldwide.  Just enter below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 comment:

  1. I like the sounds of this novel! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete

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