Veena’s review of A Sinful Deception (Breconridge Brothers, Book 2) by Isabella Bradford
Historical Romance published by Ballantine Books 24 Feb 15
This is a delightful regency romance with a touch of mystery deftly woven into it. The characters are well developed and the story flows at a great pace. Serena and Geoffrey both have ties to India at different levels, and this is actually the factor that brings them together and contributes very nicely to the intrigue flavored with some Hindi phrases and love words to add a flair to the story. It’s a nice touch, but, unfortunately, it is the one that turned me off because the grammar is wrong and the author constantly refers to the Indian people as Hindi. Even given for ignorance of the times, I feel that if one is going to use cultural nuances and language, then they should be correct. Hindi is a language, Hindu is a religious affiliation, and the people are Indian since India is a melting pot of many different religious and cultural flavors of which Hinduism, while predominant, is still only one. Perhaps other readers won’t find this an irritant and they will get the maximum enjoyment from this story.
Serena is a well-bred English lady who has spent her childhood years in India with her father. Rescued and brought to England upon the death of her father, she has harbored secrets that have led her to keep herself aloof from society at large and the young men who are attracted to her for her exotic beauty and fortune.
Geoffrey is the second son of a duke and heir to the dukedom, second to his older brother. He is bowled over by Serena when he first meets her. Perhaps if she had just succumbed to his charm in the first instance, that might have been it for their romance, But for the first time Geoffrey has to work to get through to a young lady. When they are caught in compromising circumstances, there’s no help but to propose marriage, regardless of whether he’s ready or not.
It’s beautiful how their love affair really takes off once they’re married. At the same time the secrets that Serena has been hiding seem to be on the lips of English society. I admire Geoffrey and his family and how they work through the circumstances. This is one case where love definitely triumphs. I couldn’t really figure what to make of his father the duke, whom I first disliked in his treatment of his granddaughters because they were not the male heirs he desired, and which dislike changed to admiration in how he handles Serena’s story.
All in a all, definitely a good read. I ended up downgrading this only because of the Hindi phrases with their bad grammar and wrongful use.
Grade: C
Summary:
Lord Geoffrey Fitzroy leads a charmed existence. As the second son of the Duke of Breconridge, he has none of the responsibilities of his older brother and all of the advantages, leaving handsome Geoffrey free to enjoy his rakish pursuits. And pursue them he does, leaving hearts fluttering all over London. But one night, at a ball brimming with high society’s most sought-after beauties, only one truly intrigues him: the regal, aloof, and mysterious Miss Serena Carew.Magnificently dressed and wearing jewels befitting a queen, the lady is considered the prize of the season: a noble-born heiress raised in India. But even as Geoffrey’s fascination grows, Serena deflects his curiosity—and with good reason. Serena’s exotic past contains a perilous secret that could destroy her. Yet her plan to live in safe solitude is thwarted by her hungry heart, and soon Geoffrey’s passionate seduction finds her blissfully bedded—and wed. Will her deception destroy her chance at happiness as Geoffrey’s wife? Or will the devotion of her new husband bring out the hidden truth of her undying love
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