Gwen’s review of The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (The Rothwell Series, Book 4) by Madeline Hunter
Historical romance released by Dell 3 Feb 09

This book has engendered such a wide range of reactions in the romance reading world, that I wasn’t’ sure if I should add my voice to the fray.  But I felt this book got short shrift by some reviewers and that I needed to stand up for what I enjoyed about it. 

This is the latest entry in the Rothwell series by Hunter.  You’ll remember that the previous book, Secrets of Surrender, was about a “spinster” wedding a “scoundrel” and several of the other books deal with scandal in equal measures.  So it’s no surprise that Hunter keeps our hero, Christian, and heroine, Leona, very much in the forefront of scandal with this entry.

There’s a delightful tendency of Hunter’s characters to want to TRY to avoid scandal, but perfectly willing to dive right into it if it’s unavoidable.  I love that in a historical – recognize it, and avoid if possible, or embrace it if there’s no other way around it.  The characters don’t force themselves into untenable situations just for the sake of proprietary.  I find that refreshing and it helps assuage my 21st century feelings of impatience with propriety.

Hunter has introduced an odd and mildly paranormal element to this book: Christian is empathic.  It’s explained as the main reason for his eccentricity in the earlier novels and for his seeming omniscience for all things to do with his family.  He struggles with this ability through this book and eventually seems to master it with the help of Leona – the one person who can block his ability, thus giving him respite from the deluge of another’s feelings.  He also comes to realize that his ability has flaws – something that is quite shocking to him since he proclaims “I am Easterbrook” in his oh-so-imperious manner.

Leona is more of a mystery to us.  Her personality and appearance is a mixture of East and West, as is her character and actions.  She accepts all parts of Christian, even if he did deceive her when they first met in Canton.  She’s also on a mission that Christian is determined to protect her from – finding out what really happened to her father.

This book, like several of those I’ve read lately, has a lot of historical intrigue and derring do in it.   It all spices up the plot, but doesn’t detract from what occurs between the main characters.  Unlike Secrets, that was all about the relationship between the hero and heroine, the historical detail in Sins takes a much more central stag.  We read more about what the East India Trading Company was doing in Asia and how many English noblemen made a fortune off of smuggling opium (among other things) under that company’s auspices.  It was all very interesting.

Nevertheless, the reason we’re reading the book is because of the romance and Hunter doesn’t fail us.  These two characters bring out the best in each other.  I enjoyed reading how they worked out the various misunderstandings and how they worked out how they could live together as man and wife.  It was fun to read Easterbrook come to terms with his emotions.  Some reviewers never were able to connect to him on this level.   I think I didn’t have any trouble since I, like the Easterbrook character, prefer to spend time alone, in my head as well.

This historical is not for everyone.  If you like your characters a bit odd and your romances non-traditional, then this is the book for you.  If you’re following the series, you definitely need to read it.

Grade: A

Read more reviews and information about this and other books in the series by following its tag.

Summary:

Journey back to a time of scandal, intrigue, and reckless desire in Madeline Hunter’s sensuous new novel, the tale of a man who will give up everything for the woman he’s determined to possess-even reveal his most sinful secret.

Only a desperate mission could bring Leona Montgomery face-to-face with the scoundrel whose dangerous sensuality once sent her fleeing from his arms. But she has under-estimated Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook. As irresistible as ever, his past swathed in mystery, Christian has his own plans for the woman he has waited seven years to claim. Yet once desire reignites, bringing a dangerous secret into the open, Leona will find herself bound to the seductive nobleman in ways she could never have imagined. Seven years have changed nothing: this man can tempt her to ruin with just one touch. With Leona’s reputation and hopes for her family’s salvation in tatters, she must follow the only course left to her…even as each step brings her closer to a shattering truth and a passion she can no longer live without….

Read an excerpt.

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