Veena’s review of Surrender to the Earl (Brides of Redemption, Book 2) by Gayle Callen
Historical Romance published by Avon 28 May 13
This is another instance where I picked up a series in the middle and just ran with it. Three friends and officers made a decision that cost three men in their command their lives. Now back in England each one seeks redemption by visiting the family of the slain officer to make some form of reparation. Audrey Blake is blind and leads a secluded life in the bosom of her family. When Robert Henslow, Earl of Knightsbridge, comes calling on his mission of redemption, she seizes the opportunity to carve out a life that she has always dreamed of living.
Audrey’s father is a typical overbearing Victorian gentleman of his time, determined to suppress any notions of independence expressed by his blind daughter and keeping her hidden within his household. Her other two siblings take their cue from their father and also treat her as a second-class citizen. I find her courage and determination outstanding and want to cheer with her as she fights for and wins each victory.
Robert finds her playing the piano when he first meets her and does not even realize that she is blind, because she moves so seamlessly within the room. He quickly notes the attitude of her family and so when she appeals to him for help in gaining her independence and living at her husband’s property, he is determined to help her out. In order to win over her family and to maintain the strict propriety of the times, they enter into a sham engagement.
As Robert gets to know her better and she starts to blossom in her new independence and creates a place for herself in her new home and neighborhood, Robert’s admiration deepens into love. There is some intrigue as she discovers that her husband married her for her money but left behind a child, grandchild to the family that manages her house and grounds. Her sister comes to visit and tries to undermine the newly blossoming love affair.
It is heartening to see how love triumphs and Robert is able to finally win his lady love. All in all, the book is pretty low key and uneventful. There is really no explanation on why her father was so determined to suppress her independence and keep her hidden. If you are invested in the series, then, by all means, you should read this book, and you also get to meet with the characters from that first story here. It’s not a great book and it’s not a bad book. The story holds together and flows, but at the end of it I just shrugged my shoulders and said, “So what?”
Grade: C+
Summary:
She wanted a favor, not a fiance…
Audrey Blake’s impromptu plan–asking a visitor to help her take ownership of her rightful property–is unraveling in spectacular fashion. Robbed of her sight by a childhood fever, Audrey has been kept in virtual seclusion by her family. And now the enigmatic Robert Henslow, Earl of Knightsbridge, has complicated her scheme to gain independence, insisting they pretend to be engaged.
Duty brought Robert to Audrey’s doorstep. As for what makes him propose marriage…it might be guilt. Compassion. Or something far more urgent and unexpected. Their counterfeit union was supposed to be for Audrey’s benefit. Yet it’s Robert who yearns to prove to the intriguing Audrey how much they both have to gain by making it real–and convincing her to submit to the most blissful passion.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
