The mysterious Alex Archer returns to England in Book 3 of Mimi Matthews’ USA Today bestselling Parish Orphans of Devon series.
She Needed A Husband…
It’s been three years since Laura Hayes’s father died, leaving her and her invalid brother to subsist on the income from the family’s failing perfume business. But time is swiftly running out. What she needs is a husband, and fast. A noble gentleman who can rescue them all from penury. When a mysterious stranger arrives in the village, he seems a perfect candidate. But Alex Archer is no hero. In fact, he just might be the opposite.
He Wanted a Fortune…
Alex has no tolerance for sentiment. He’s returned to England for one reason only: to find a wealthy wife. A country-bred heiress in Surrey seems the perfect target. But somewhere between the village railway station and the manor house his mercenary plan begins to unravel. And it’s all the fault of Laura Hayes–a lady as unsuitable as she is enchanting.
From the beaches of Margate to the lavender fields of Provence, a grudging friendship slowly blossoms into something more. But when scandal threatens, can a man who has spent his entire life playing the villain, finally become a hero? Or will the lure of easy riches once again outweigh the demands of his heart?
AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND
~My Thoughts~
I want to start by saying that though this is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a stand-a-lone novel. However, if you read the previous books, it will add a depth and heart to this novel that you would otherwise miss.
For a romance novel, the chemistry between the hero and heroine was pretty stellar. It started with the first meeting, and was undeniable and almost palpable throughout. It’s a particular achievement considering the sex scenes are not explicitly written but left to the imagination.
The Setting was also fantastic. We go from the English countryside to the Lavender fields of France. Just an enchanting set of locales to tell a story.
The best part of Mimi Mathews’ stories is the writing itself. Her words just flow beautifully, while depicting the heart of the story perfectly. It’s so easy to get swept away in her books, and isn’t that why most of us read? To escape and get swept way?
I can’t wait for the final book of this series. It feels like this friendship has come full circle with a missing piece.
~Praise for the Parish Orphans of Devon series~
“For this impressive Victorian romance, Matthews crafts a tale that sparkles with chemistry and impresses with strong character development… an excellent series launch that will appeal to fans of Loretta Chase and Stephanie Laurens.” -Publishers Weekly (The Matrimonial Advertisement)
“Matthews has a knack for creating slow-building chemistry and an intriguing plot with a social history twist.” -Library Journal (The Matrimonial Advertisement)
“As always, Matthews’ attention to historical accuracy is impeccable.” -Kirkus Reviews (A Modest Independence)
“Mimi Matthews is an exceptional story-teller.” -Passages to the Past (The Matrimonial Advertisement)
“Matthews is a bright, shining star in historical romance…” -Austenprose (A Modest Independence)
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement) writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.
For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.
*Special thanks to Mimi Matthews, Perfectly Proper Press, and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of A Convenient Fiction in exchange for an honest review.
[…] ABL Review […]