Thursday 2 December 2010

Review: The Heir - Grace Burrowes

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 480
Published: December 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

In this Regency era battle of wits, wills, and the sexes, a wily old duke is determined to see the succession of his line secured, and his three headstrong sons are equally determined to resist the bonds of matrimony. In The Heir, the first in the series, the Earl of Wyndham, weighed down by responsibilities and determined to avoid the rounds of country houses of and matchmaking mamas, decides to summer in London. There he discovers a potentially perfect duchess in his lovely, mysterious housekeeper...

Plot:
Gayle, the earl of Wyndham stays in the city over the summer. He is tired of his father trying to find a woman for him, any woman. But then he notices his pretty housekeeper, or more like she makes him see stars when she knocks him over the head. Anna Seaton is not all she says she is and her secret will lead everyone into danger.

My thoughts:
I was a bit worried when I started because I had read two reviews that wasn't thrilled over this book. But the more I read the more I liked it, and I put those doubts behind me.

Gayle, or Westhaven as they also call him is your typical lord. He has his mistress, he attends all the balls, but the difference is that he does not want some girl right out of the schoolroom that his father throws at him. He wants something more, but mostly he just seems angry at his father. Anna on the other hand is a total enigma, she works as a housekeeper, her deaf sister works there too. She speaks many languages, writes beautifully and speaks way too good not to be hiding something.

Yes there were times when I wanted to hit her over the head. She was just so stubborn, that stupid woman, but luckily Westhaven was a man who knew what he wanted and would not let go. He wanted to win her over and I did like that side of him, because he knew she loved him, but she was just too worried about others, which is a good thing, but she should have taken care of herself too.

The thing that kept me reading and reading was the mystery part. It was just killing me not knowing who she really was, what she had done and what she was running from. So that was the best part of this book.

The romance was also good, it seemed like they could not have each other, she wanted to keep running, he wanted the truth. And some good side characters, especially with his brother, I would want his story, and her sister's story too.

Final thoughts and recommendation:
She kept the plot going for a very long time, I am glad she did not spill the beans and told the reader why Anna was running, because it just made it impossible for me to put the book down. I am too curious for my own good. By saying that I will give the book a 3,5 because of the mystery part, a great way for me to drive myself crazy by reading and reading to find out the truth. And it was a good reason for running too, can't say more than that.

Reason for reading:
Sounded good

Cover:
I wish I could see the rest of his head too.

review copy from the publisher


30 comments:

  1. I really REALLY like the sound of this one. Something about the time period just gets to me. I think I was born in the wrong generation haha Great review!

    P.S. Your cover comment about wanting to see the rest of his head cracked me up ;)

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  2. LOL! I think I have cover examples of that guy with more of his head showing. :)

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  3. Hey Blodeuedd!

    LOL! I've so been there with a heroine where all you want to do is smack her upside the head for her stubborness. In fact, I just finished a book that gave me that urge over and over again. :)

    Love this cover though.

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  4. Melissa
    Regency, my fav, dunno why really, it might just be the clothes they wore ;)
    Lol, well I do miss the upper half, poor man

    Chris
    Ohhh he has a head, how enchanting

    VFG
    Hiya girl :)
    I did understand why she was so stubborn but then there was something else, and I just wished he would go there, throw her over his shoulder and carry her to the church

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  5. Sounds enjoyable. And getting to the happy ending can't be too easy, right?

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  6. I love romances set in the Regency period. This one sounds good.

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  7. Oh a bit of history and historical romance? Sounds pretty good!

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  8. Sounds like the author did her job well! I love mysteries. I'll be looking for this one!

    Hugs
    Hawk

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  9. This sounds good and haven read anything on Regency period. Pretty cover!

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  10. Okay... now I am curious as to why she was running. I also like it that I'm not the only one wanting to occasionally hit the characters over the head. :)

    Speaking of heads... I agree. I mean a half naked bod is great, but curiosity makes you want to know what he looks like. ;)

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  11. The mystery part sounds really good but the cover is a cliche of the cliches...Regency is really a good period for a romance story! Nice review, thanks!

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  12. Carol,
    That would sure make the whole book pointless, I can just see it, a couple meets, fall instantly in love, marries, the end, lol.

    Irena
    It is just something about that era, perhaps too much Austen on my part

    Amused
    One can never go wrong with that.

    Hawk
    I am so very curious, I just could not let go ;)

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  13. elyisum
    Nothing, you must be kidding, you seem to read everything historical. You have something to look up now

    Melissa
    I know, like what if he had this really big wart in the middle of his forehead, or a third eye!
    Ahem, ok back to business ;)
    The running part, oh it is explains, but it takes its sweet time hehe.

    And you are not the only one, I often want to hit people lol

    Ana
    But then I do love HR cover clichés :)

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  14. I'm not sure this is one I'd enjoy but I'm glad you did.

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  15. Nice review! I haven't read a Regency romance in a long time, but this looks good.

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  16. >>I wish I could see the rest of his head too.<<

    *snickers* That tickles me. I *really* liked your review on this book. I, too just recently had a heroine of a book who was similar to the heroine of this one. I wanted to shove Mira through an airlock at her behavior.

    *shakes head* But this book sounds like a good one to add to the list of historicals I plan on reading. =)

    Thanks muchies!!!

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  17. awesome review, Blodeuedd!! i just saw this one at borders today and almost bought it :)

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  18. And if YOU folks want to smack these characters upside the head, imagine how the author feels when they're being so obtuse! Thanks for the wonderful review, and I'll see what I can do about showing more than just the swainly dude's smile on the cover-well, more than just his smile and his bod. Grace

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  19. I'm not sure if I would have the patience to read through the end to find out... I'll most likely cheat and read the ending first :)

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  20. Darlene
    I am happy too :)

    Yvonne
    I always need a bit of regency loving now and then

    Redd
    Lol, shove her out of the airlock, she would certainly learn her lesson then ;) But at least I am glad it was the woman that was stubborn cos of he had been, not the same thing

    Carrie
    Oh come by on Monday i have a giveaway :)

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  21. Grace
    Thanks for stopping by :)
    Not that I do not mind him without a shirt and smiling ;) Lol, but I like eyes, not a big fan of the chopping of heads trend. But some really like that.
    Aye she must have driven you insane while writing, must have fun

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  22. This sounds so good!!
    I enjoy Regency Romance and a good mystery also.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  23. So glad you liked this one..just not my cup of tea. She is going to write one with the brother!! You're in luck!!!

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  24. Naida
    There is just something about regency :)

    Staci
    I was not sure after your review, and lol, the first 150 pages I kept thinking, will I stop liking it? Which was so silly, so after that I enjoyed the ride :)

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  25. I swear, you crack me up with your reviews sometimes! This is one of them. I don't normally read historical romances but I may just try this one.

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  26. Lilly
    Lol, thanks you! I try my best :D I am so happy you found it amusing

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  27. woohoo, i'll definitely be here for the contest :)

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  28. Sounds pretty good. Favorite quote of the review "...that stupid woman..." haha

    Definitely interested in knowing the mystery of the plot!

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  29. Mishel
    Lol, glad you liked that ;)

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