Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) - , reviewed on 4/14/2014 + 219 more book reviews

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book! Tamera Alexander is one of those authors you go back to again and again because you trust their writing style. And believe me when I say that this novel is excellent.

As the book opens we meet Eleanor Braddock working as a nurse during the war between the states. She has seen so much and had to deal with things many women wouldn't dream about, yet she is still a tender and compassionate heroine who makes a promise to a dying man. One she intends to keep, even though nobody else knows about it and in the years to come she isn't able to follow through. This is just a beginning of my falling in love with her.

Skip forward a few years and we see the world changed after the war. Men are few and far between and most are not interested in a woman who is almost 30, no money to her name and not what you would call beautiful. Oh, and don't forget her height. Eleanor towers above most of them. We find her placing her father in an insane asylum after he is diagnosed with dementia and has had fits of anger, endangering his daughter. She is also going to live with her aunt, owner of the famed and illustrious Belmont Mansion. Aunt Adelicia was a lot different than I expected her to be. Not quite as charming as Eleanor but not near as snobby as I thought she would be. Not to say that she was the best of people, but I did like her.

Now to get to the fun, Marcus Goeffrey. Boy he was a favorite! Of course, there weren't many people I didn't like:) Marcus is in the US undercover as an architect while in reality he is an heir to the throne in Austria. I totally loved the lessons in botany and flora. It was so interesting. I think he was deceptive when he shouldn't have been but I also see why he was doing it. Once he comes down from his high horse he is kinda nice. I don't normally like characters who are full of themselves and automatically expect women to fawn over them.

Some of my favorite parts in this would be Eleanor cooking for others. The little gatherings with her and her friends. Another funny part was the exploring in the tunnels. Kind of fun when Eleanor and Marcus spar with their words. Love the witty dialogue!

This was an excellent book that I thoroughly enjoyed. You also see mention of other characters from previous books. You did it again Tamera!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine. No monetary compensation was received.

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