Thursday 17 November 2011

Review: The Virtuoso - Grace Burrowes

The series: The Duke's Obsession #3
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 416
Published: Nov 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Source: For review
The highly praised trilogy of Regency romances by award-winning author Grace Burrowes concludes with gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the Duke of Moreland. Val retreats to the country after an injury robs him of his musical ability, only to learn from impoverished widow Ellen Markham that he can be loved even when his music falls silent.

My thoughts;
Ever since I read about Val in book 1 I wanted to read his book, he just felt so different than other heroes. He just sat by his piano all day long and played. He sounded so sweet.

In this one he wins an estate and goes to fix it up, and to rest since his hand is red and swollen (poor Val, all he wants to do is play). There he meets his heroine, Ellen Markham, a young widow, a  nice soul who lives all alone in the woods. And she has got a secret, just like the 2 heroines before her. She does sit on her secret for quite some time, but then we get a few clues along the way what she is hiding. And you always think it is so much worse than it really is. Also, it is not Val is perfect either, because he keeps a secret too, he does not tell her that he is the son of a Duke. And she does tell him that she has a secret.

But mostly this book is about these two meeting and falling in love (lust first ;), they are nice to each other and gets along splendidly. He also works on getting his manor in order, and someone is sabotaging.  There is also that question, why is someone doing it? And of course the secret of what Ellen is hiding. It brings a bit of thrill to this romance and it is that which keep you going, because you just need to know what is going on, even when you have figured it out. 

And like the two other books she has written in this series there is always that romantic shimmer over it all, and the hero is the one who fights. And I am a sucker for a hero who fights for his love and is the one who wants to put things right and win her hand.

Conclusion:
A sweet romance with a hero you will fall for at once.

Cover:
Hm...ok

25 comments:

  1. This is the first I've read of her and really liked it :)

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  2. Do all these three books follow the same pattern? The cover is...well... characteristic for the genre. I am not a big fan of naked torsos.

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  3. I love stories that have a secret -- guess it brings out the nosy in me. Sounds like a nice read!

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  4. I'm not in the mood for romance at the moment - just finshed one and it wasn't very good! Still glad you liked it - that's what counts! :)

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  5. This has been on my radar for a few weeks so I'm glad to see you liked it :)

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  6. Mandi
    I am glad you liked it too :D I have her other book coming up soon so that will be fun


    Ana
    I do not say no to naked torsos, but mostly I want a head to go with them.

    And yes there is the plot of heroines with secrets but they are different still


    DC
    Lol, I know what you mean, I am so nosy

    Chris
    It did get better, fear not


    Mel
    Oh :/ Sorry to hear that, romance should be sweet and HEA filled, and not crappy

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  7. Mary
    I hope you enjoy it when you do start it :)

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  8. A new historical author for my list. sigh. Nice review, and I do like this premise.

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  9. Okay... music, romance in a historical setting. *swoon* And a hero to love? Oh yes... I needs this one!

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  10. I like sweet romances and maybe I need to give this author another chance?

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  11. I really liked this one too.

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  12. I love heroes like these! Val seems like my type of guy. Great review!

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  13. Sounds so sweet and of course they get their happy ending which is just what I like to see.

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  14. I don't think I'm familiar with this author at all. I'll have to see if I can find the first book in this series.

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  15. You always review books I haven't heard much about before and I get so many great ideas. I'm on a bit of a historical romance kick at the moment, so I'll be checking these out!

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  16. Haven't read Grace's book before. I've heard good things about them and she's on my list of authors to check out. Nice review. Val sounds like the sensitive kind of hero.

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  17. Just as you said, this one sounds "sweet". I think I mostly want to get it because the hero and heroine like each other. Normally there are ridiculous reasons to keep them apart and create tension, I don't usually encounter stories where they like each other right away.

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  18. Melissa
    Music, romance and a good hero, all these things I give ye :)


    Staci
    Well, I can't really answer that, they do follow the same mold so if you did not like one...


    Nise
    It was a good one :)


    Carole
    He is the perfect hero, awwwwww, gotta love him


    Jenny
    Of course :) If they would nto get that HEA I would be devastated and most likely throw the book at the wall


    Simcha
    Not at all? She has two previous books in this series and more to come

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  19. Vivienne
    It was :D


    jenny
    That is what I am here for, and I am glad to bring books to your attention that you might have missed.

    I am alwys on a historical kick ;)


    Ing
    Val was a great hero, and yes there is a lot of positive things ebing said about her, so check them out ;)


    Jennifer
    Lol, I hear you. Sure it is not smoth sailing all the way, but they do like each other and even if the secrets are there they trust each other

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  20. I do like this genre. I'm a fan of Regency Romance, and anything with a Duke in it captures my interest :) This sounds like a nice series.

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  21. People with a secret always make for good plot elements.

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  22. Naida
    Lol, yes to have a duke of my own would be wonderful

    jenny G
    I agree, and I am so curious so I always wanna know

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