This morning, I am super excited to be presenting to you one of the loveliest, sweetest, "breath of fresh air" books I have read in quite a while. Some of you may know that when I was in college, the only type of book I really read outside of my classwork was romance. *gasp!!* I know, I know! People are always amazed. There is just something so wonderful about a lovely story with characters that you know are destined to find one another in the end.
I hadn't realized until I picked up Edenbrooke just how much I had missed that. Don't get me wrong I love all the books I've been reading, but, well this book just brought back that happy feeling that I only get when I finish the best romances. So, on to the book!!!
Edenbrooke
by Julianne Donaldson
Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.
From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke. (book blurb)
I LOVED this book!
It was sweet. It was lovely. The setting was fabulous. Edenbrooke sounds amazing. Marianne is fiesty, true to herself, and true to her beliefs. Our hero - oh, our hero... he is... he is just *sigh*. Absolutely swoon-worthy. Oh, and there is a love letter scene in this book, that made me blush!!
One of the best things about this book was that the author is supremely talented enough to convey all the best parts of burgeoning romance - the flirtation, the passionate glances, the unavoidable heated feelings - *without* the dirty bits. Now, don't get me wrong, I'll read the dirty bits, but it's amazing to be able to convey all the same urgency and depth of feeling without the dirty bits! I didn't miss them at all.
This book is the first in a new type of romance. The Proper Romance. A Proper Romance is Shadow Mountain Publishing's brand of clean, smart, engaging, romantic stories that will never embarass the reader. Now, as I just got done saying, I'm not one to get embarassed by the dirty bits...but I am certainly not going to pass up the chance to read another Proper Romance if it's as good as this one!
Every time I was forced to put this book down, you know to...I don't know, go to work or SLEEP, lol...I found myself smiling and just itching to get my hands back on it! SOooo good.
This, I believe is the first romance book to earn a gold star on my blog!
Now, for the best part. I loved this book so much, I can't wait to share it! How would you like the chance to win an ARC of Edenbrooke?? If you want to enter, please just leave me a comment with your name, email address (so I can contact you if you win!), and the title of the best romance you read recently before Tues, April 10th. On Wed. April 11th, I'll randomly draw one winner and then they will have until Sat. April 14th to get me their address info. Good Luck!!
