Sandy M’s review of Stroke of Genius by Emily Bryan
Historical Romance published by Leisure Books 25 May 10

I read the back cover blurb of this book and groaned. Haven’t we read this before? But then when I got into the book, there’s a couple things in the blurb that are just plain wrong. So if the same thing happens to you when deciding to try this book or not, read it anyway. Someone didn’t do it justice when they wrote that darned blurb.

Grace and her family are visiting England from Boston, and her mother has decided that having a sculpture done of Grace’s hands by premier artist Crispin Hawke will help place her high among the season’s ton, making her chances of snagging a titled lord much easier.

Grace would rather stay among her books than deal with such things, but she does meet with the artist, who is rude and too familiar for her tastes. He also intrigues her, so at her mother’s insistence Grace finds herself in Crispin’s studio the next morning.

And then starts Grace’s education in matters of pleasure in between their banter and Crispin’s unexplained bouts of guilt when it comes to seducing Grace. They are total opposites and in the beginning they don’t attract. Sparks fly instead, Grace not giving in to Crispin’s hauteur even though he’s a commoner, though one in high demand. Of course, they finally do attract and things take off, more sparks of a totally different nature, but then Crispin has to make a difficult decision for himself when that wanted titled lord that he, himself, brings on the scene does take an interest in Grace.

There is a side story with Wyckham, Crispin’s valet, and Claudette, Grace’s French maid. At times this element seems to go a little overboard, but over all it works well enough with the rest of the story.

I really like the snippits we see of Crispin’s growing-up years, just enough to know why he’s turned out the way he has, like his life has been waiting for Grace to liven and lighten things up for him, to show him how life should be lived.

A good story that has its moments but is weighted down at others. The main characters, however, are worth the read in the way they overcome their differences and do what is best for them, instead of what everyone else wants.

Grade: B

Summary:

CAN AN ARTISTIC GENIUS . . .

Crispin Hawke is revered by the ton.  His artistic creations are celebrated in every fashionable parlor,  tales of his fiery bed skills whispered behind every fashionable fan.

TRANSFORM AN AMERICAN HEIRESS . . .

Grace Makepeace is determined to wed a titled lord, but her Bostonian bluntness leaves her least likely to succeed. To be accepted by the ‘high-in-the-instep’ crowd, she has her hands ‘done’ in marble by the incomparable, Crispin Hawke.

INTO THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER ORIGINAL …

Crispin schools Grace in flirting and the delights of the flesh.  But when she catches the eye of a marquess, Crispin regrets her transformation.  An artist isn’t supposed to lust after his own creation but how can he help Grace . . .

WITHOUT FALLING FOR HER HIMSELF?

Read an excerpt.