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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS REGENCY ROMANCE, December 11, 2005
This review is from: Lord Grafton's Promise (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)
In order to save her family from financial ruin, comely Lucinda Bronwell sets aside the yearnings of her own heart to wed Sir Alaric Darrow, an kind elderly gentleman with a tidy estate. Though she dreads the marriage bed, Lucinda is even more horrified to find herself a widow mere hours following the wedding ceremony.
When Lord Douglas Arden, Earl of Grafton, happens upon the scene of the crime, he discovers his long-time friend and neighbor Sir Darrow dead in an upturned carriage. The new Lady Darrow professes her ignorance of events, and innocence as well. While Lord Grafton immediately suspects Lucinda of foul play, he's too much the gentleman not to assist a lady obviously in distress - and Lucinda herself is obviously ill. Lord Grafton transports her to his own estate and delivers her into the care of his mother, who nurses Lucinda back to health. Once fully recovered, Lucinda is horrified to discover that someone had poisoned her late husband Lord Darrow - as well as having poisoned she herself. While Lord Grafton initially suspects Lucinda of having had a hand in her late husband's murder, he cannot help but change his mind when yet another attempt is made on her life. Using the guise of a Christmas Twelth Night House Party, Lucinda and Lord Grafton join forces to solve the mystery behind Sir Darrow's death - and in the process, find their hearts joining forces as well.
This Christmas romance has a blazing Yule Log, a cast of merry revelers and a fragile young heroine who ultimately learns she has more strength of character than she ever dared dream possible. Lord Grafton is a an arrogant aristocrat who learns to look deeper than merely face value, especially when it comes to beautiful young widows.
Again, Ms. Mindel has cleverly pulled together a cast of characters that will charm and delight on a cold winter's night. The mystery of "who done it?" will keep you guessing, as will the blossoming romance between the arrogant Lord Grafton and the beautiful young widow who brings him to his knees. Bravo, Ms. Mindel! Truly, LORD GRAFTON'S PROMISE is a Christmas present to all your readers, indeed!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lord Grafton's Promise, December 25, 2005
This review is from: Lord Grafton's Promise (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)
Yes, Lucinda is a fortune hunter, but not from greed, but as a simple survival method. However, her marriage to Sir Alaric may make survival a bit more difficult, even if she does die rich. From the first day of their wedded life, someone begins trying to kill Lucinda. In fact, they succeed in as much as they do manage to kill Alaric in a seeming carriage accident. Lord Grafton finds the wreckage soon afterward and realizes foul play has occurred, but suspects the bride, and so offers her protection, in the hope of keeping her close enough to trip Lucinda up and learn the truth. However, as it becomes plain someone wants her dead, Grafton begins to fall in love with this woman who is stronger than she herself ever imagined.
If you enjoy a bit of mystery with your romance, then this will fulfill your needs. I'd go as far as to say that historical fans who normally shun Regency novels as light in substance might enjoy this as well.
Amanda Killgore
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent, but a bit weak, December 10, 2005
This review is from: Lord Grafton's Promise (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)
Lucinda Bromwell can't deny the fact that she's a fortune hunter. Why else would she have married an elderly man like Sir Alaric? He's old enough to be her grandfather! On the day of their wedding, tragedy falls on Lucinda and her new husband. Their carriage is overturned, and Sir Alaric soon dies--perhaps from a poisoning.
Douglas, Earl of Grafton, is the first man on the scene. Having no one else to turn to, Lucinda accepts his protection... even though he doesn't trust her. Grafton thinks Lucinda is beautiful, but she might also be a suspect in her husband's murder. Somehow, he plans to uncover the truth... and to deny his attraction to the old man's widow.
"Lord Grafton's Promise" is the first book I've read in awhile. I decided to pick it up because I've enjoyed most of Jenna Mindel's books in the past. Unfortunately, this one didn't live up to my expectations. Whenever I stopped reading, I just wasn't eager to return to it. The story itself is interesting enough, but I think the characters lacked some spark.
Overall, it's not bad. I've read better, but it's decent enough to pick up and try.
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