Book Tour & Review: Lord Somerton's Heir by Alison Stuart

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of Lord Somerton's Heir in return for my honest review. This does not in any way reflect upon my review. All thoughts/opinions of this novel are 100% my own.    

 

Can the love of an honorable man save her from the memory of a desolate marriage?

From the battlefield of Waterloo to the drawing rooms of Brantstone Hall, Sebastian Alder’s elevation from penniless army captain to Viscount Somerton is the stuff of dreams. But the cold reality of an inherited estate in wretched condition, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his cousin’s death, provide Sebastian with no time for dreams, only a mystery to solve and a murderer to bring to justice.

Isabel, widow of the late Lord Somerton, is desperate to bury the memory of her unhappy marriage by founding the charity school she has always dreamed of. But, her dreams are shattered, as she is taunted from the grave, discovering not only has she been left penniless, but she is once more bound to the whims of a Somerton.

But this Somerton is unlike any man she has met. Can the love of an honorable man heal her broken heart or will suspicion tear them apart?

******************** Book Excerpt: 

Sebastian plunged his arms into the trough with a sharp exclamation at the water’s temperature. He picked up the soap and began scrubbing vigorously. Standing to one side, holding his shirt and coat, Isabel found her eyes fixed on his broad shoulders. His muscles rippled beneath the brown skin and once again her heartbeat quickened. She took a deep steadying breath.

As the sky lightened she could see that there were other scars marring the brown skin.

‘You seem remarkably careless of your life, Lord Somerton.’

He glanced at a long, white scar that ran down his bicep. ‘I’ve been a soldier a long time, Isabel.’

A flush of pleasure rose to her cheeks at this invitation to familiarity. Being alone with a half-naked man in the early hours of the morning did not call for formality, neither did it reflect well on her reputation. She glanced around the stable yard but they were quite alone.

He straightened and began towelling off. The grey light of the early dawn flattened the planes of his face, leeching the colour from his skin and eyes, but she could see the lift of humour curling the corners of his mouth as he caught her watching him and the heat rose to her face as she thrust his shirt at him.

He pulled it over his head and took the coat from her, his eyes not leaving her face. As he buttoned the coat he tilted his head to one side.

‘I’ve been trying to work out what is different about you this morning. It’s your hair.’

He reached out and touched the loosely tied, heavy braid that hung over her shoulder. His finger brushed her cheek, leaving a burning trail across her cool skin.

‘What about my hair?’ Isabel stuttered.

‘I like the way you have bits of it around your face,’ he withdrew his hand and looked away. ‘Now I am being personal.’

Given his previous state of undress and the fact they were alone together, a personal remark seemed the least of her concerns.

‘I’ll forgive you this once.’ She took a step back from him. ‘I must be getting back to the house.’

Before someone sees us together like this.

Sebastian looked at the sky. ‘It’s going to be another lovely day. I think I’ll go for a walk.’

Isabel lingered in the gateway to the stable, watching him stride away from her into the early morning mist. He moved with purpose and strength and she felt sure, had she been a soldier, she would have willingly followed where he led.

********************  My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

 My Review: I was drawn into this story within the first paragraph. The attention to detail was wonderful, immediately capturing the readers attention and  drawing them into the world that Ms.Stuart has created. 

Full of jaw dropping surprises and twists that I never saw coming, Lord Somerton's Heir was more than just a romance, and I found it incredibly hard to put this book down. It was one of those wonderfully written novels that makes you desperate to know what happens next. 

There was on aspect to the book that really perturbed me however, and that was one of the surprise twists at the end. While it was completely plausible to the story-line, I had the way that with one action lives were altered and friendships destroyed. Unfortunately, I can't say anything more without giving away some major spoilers. 

Overall, I would definitely recommend Lord Somerton's Heir to lovers of historical and regency romances. 

You can Purchase your very own copy of Lord Somerton's Heir from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ITunes, Escape Publishing or the Author's website.

********************

About the Author:

Alison Stuart is an award winning Australian writer of cross genre historicals with heart. Whether dueling with dashing cavaliers or wayward ghosts, her books provide a reader with a meaty plot and characters who have to strive against adversity, always with the promise of happiness together. Alison is a lapsed lawyer who has worked in the military and fire service, which may explain a predisposition to soldier heroes. She lives with her own personal hero and two needy cats and likes nothing more than a stiff gin and tonic and a walk along the sea front of her home town.

 Want to learn more? You can find out via: The Author's Website, Facebook, Twitter or GoodReads

ENTER TO WIN a $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

This awesome tour was hosted by: