This was one of those books where I had to slug my way through it. I don’t know why I had to slug but I did. I started and stopped this three times and finally finished it. Woohoo. I feel very accomplished.

One of the parts about this book that bothers me is that it’s first cousin romance. I’m not sure why this had to be the case. They grew up for the most part away from each other – so could they not have been childhood friends or perfect strangers? I suppose it is historically accurate as first cousin marriages took place among royalty of the time so why not the gentry, but it was more than a bit off putting.

Elinor is a dowdy bluestocking spinster. She acts as her mother’s secretary and artist as a way to escape the endless parade of pointless ballroom attendance. On a trip in France to study religious houses Elinor runs into Theo Ravenhurst. At first she doesn’t recognize him as her cousin, but pretty quickly that is sorted out.

As the two fight attraction, Theo is on a mission to recover an artifact that he purchased from a late Duke in the area. Theo manages to get himself, Elinor, and her mother invited to the new Duke’s chateau and conducts midnight searches. A near brush with death and subsequent flight throw the two into a night of wild passion but of course everything between them is so screwed up they only hear the words the other is saying not the meaning.

Rating: 2.5 Stars

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• Artist Bears Dolls Bears

Kate Wells marries at the tender age of 16 immediately upon her mother’s death to the charming Luke Wells. He was wealthy, worldly, wise. He was also a sham. The face he showed the world was not the real Luke Wells. Kate suffered emotional and sexual abuse at his hands. He kept her sister “locked away” to ensure her “cooperation” both in bed and while he was swindling men from their money. His death frees her and 17 year old Kate vows never to enter marriage again.

Kernan does a pretty darn good job of bringing Kate through the emotional hell of trusting and loving again. It’s pretty much the only reason I kept going. I’m not a fan of the damaged heroine especially when it comes to rape—matrimonial or not. I skimmed over the passages when Kate was reflecting on her late husband.

Sam Pickett nearly gets murdered at the beginning of the novel. He’s saved from death by Kate’s good aim and fearless behavior. A shared kiss knocks the rest of Sam’s marbles out of his head and the next day he’s determined to find Kate and win her… as his mistress. Kate is forced to accept to keep the roof over her sister and her aunt’s head. It’s only as the two come together that their wounds begin to heal. Their reactions to each other really make the novel for me.

The end had a weird flip-flop in facts. I had to read it three times just to be sure I read it right. First I certain it was a typo as I thought Cole, Sam’s friend was mostly neutral/positive when it came to Kate. I was certain the name in the paragraphs was supposed to be Crawford the detective, who has been fairly nasty about Kate’s probable involvement in setting Sam up in the alley. Then a few pages later Cole is raking Kate over the coals. In the end I had to figure I missed something when it came to Cole and left it alone.

The happy ending was everything I could hope for and then some. Kernan even wraps up Sam’s childhood loose end. Why? I’m not certain, unless it was assumed readers would think she forgot. The childhood loose end didn’t really play a role in the novel except be a catalyst to send Sam out West in the first place. The HEA would have been fine without it and read a little less cutesy-perfect with baby, reunions, new home, new school, etc.

Overall, this was a pleasant and satisfying Western romance.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

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• Lady Death Superhero Modern Age 1980-Now Comics Collectibles