Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Less Than a Gentleman – Kerrelyn Sparks

Genre: Historical Romance
Publication Date:  July 2, 2013
Event organized by: Literati Author Services
Reviewer:
Rating:

Synopsis

In this never-before-published historical romance, New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks returns to the 18th century, where the fight for freedom is as dangerous as the fight for love.

Between searching for the missing Munro sisters and South Carolina being all but lost to the British, Captain Matthais Thomas has more important things to worry about than finding a bride. But his mother has other ideas. When Matthais finds a beautiful woman in his bed who claims to be his betrothed, he is suspicious of her identity…and determined to discover the truth.

Caroline Munro had few options. The British burned down her home, and now, traveling with her very pregnant sister, Caroline is pretending to be someone she’s not so they can have a safe place to rest. But she didn’t count on a matchmaking matron or her rogue of a son…and certainly never dreamed she would fall in love with a spy.

Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Caroline Munro is trying to ensure the safety of her pregnant sister, niece and nephew as they flee from their home as the British burn everything to the ground.  When they seek refuge at a plantation home, she assumed the identity of a woman the mistress of the house hoped would marry her son.

Matthias Thomas has been fighting in the Revolutionary War, but finds himself close to home trying to find the daughters of one the colonial majors.  When he encounters a woman at his mother’s home and then uncovers her true identify, Matt finds himself doing the one thing he was fighting his matchmaking mother on.

I discovered that I’m more of a regency era historical romance lover, however, this story was entertaining and intriguing (even if I didn’t particularly care for the time period).  Caroline was a heroine that did what she needed to do to ensure her family and the people who took them in were safe from the British.  I could even understand her need to not become involved with anyone who has anything to do with the war, since her fiance was killed and her father, brother and brother-in-law were all missing in action.  But I did question how quickly she developed feelings for Haversham/Matthias.  Even in the horrific circumstances of a war, that seems incredibly quick (it was practically right after their first kiss).

My sentiments are the same for Matthias.  He was very honorable and did what he needed to do for Country and family.  But pretending to be a deceased servant to determine why Caroline lied about her identity and then continue to lie while their unlikely courtship continued was odd.

All in all, it was an OK read.  I liked the characters, for the most part, and the storyline moved along.  I just wasn’t in love with anything in particular with the story or swept away in a grand romance.  But that could just be me, since I discovered this era isn’t really one that I enjoy.  So while I’m giving this a three cocktail rating, take that with a grain of salt.  I’ve found I like the British, but not with a red coat, but rather a nice black one, with maybe a tail, a waistcoat, and a fancy neckcloth.

PURCHASE LINKS

(Paperbacks available August 6, 2013)

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

There is a tour-side giveaway of a Paperback of The Forbidden Lady by Kerrelyn Sparks (the first book in the series).  To enter, complete the Rafflecopter form below (if the form doesn’t appear, click the link to be taken to it).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kerrelyn Sparks is the New York Times bestselling author of a series that mimics its sexy heroes by refusing to die. Now up to book thirteen, the Love at Stake series spreads laughter worldwide in thirteen different languages. In spite of a tendency to nibble on necks or howl at the moon, Kerrelyn’s vampire and shapeshifter heroes are still wonderfully romantic.

Please visit www.kerrelynsparks.com where you can read excerpts, play vampire games, or join the forum. Kerrelyn loves hearing from readers, even those who howl at the moon. Letters may be sent to P.O. Box 5512, Katy, TX 77491-5512.

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