Friday, August 28, 2020

Review ~ Bride by Blackmail by Debbie Lynne Costello

Coming Soon!!!


A broken heart, a controlling father, and an intrusive Scot leave Charlotte Jackson reeling. Accused of stealing an heirloom pin, she must choose between an unwanted marriage and the ruin of her family name. With the futures of her three younger sisters at stake, as well as her own reputation, Charlotte must navigate through injustice to find forgiveness and true happiness.


Eager to find the traitor that caused the death of his brother, Duncan Mackenzie comes to America and attempts to fit in with Charleston society. But when the headstrong Charlotte catches his eye, Duncan takes on a second mission—acquiring the lass's hand. After being spurned several times, he uses unconventional ways of winning her heart.

________________________________________________

My Review 
4.5 STARS!!!
Costello has penned an intriguing novel. I’ve read marriage of convenience and mail order bride stories but bride by blackmail? That’s a new one. And it’s funny. Not the circumstances surrounding the blackmail but the man doing it. Duncan has a great sense of humor but he’s also an overbearing Scot who runs roughshod over people sometimes. I loved him in the beginning of the book, then disliked him a lot for a while, and eventually came back to liking him because you know he has to find redemption. If there’s one weakness in his story that stands out it was that. I really would like to have been privy to his private confession and repentance before the Lord. The emotional element of that experience was missing. It would have made me fall in love with him all over again. 
(UPDATE: The author expanded Duncan's conversion scene and it's well done!)

Charlotte is the epitome of a  fictional debutante in that she has eyes only for a scoundrel, unbeknownst to her, of course. She is willful and forward-thinking for a woman of her time and yet remains submissive on a certain level. Her family is everything to her and she will go to great lengths to see that her sisters have choices in life, which she feels she doesn’t have, and rightly so. The lessons she learns about herself are brought through a harrowing experience and that is one of my favorite parts of the story. Costello brought me right into, and through the storm with her descriptions.

I enjoyed the cast of characters and see several who need their own books. Hopefully that will be the case. :-) Fans of historical fiction will be delighted with the drama and romance that ensues in 
Bride by Blackmail. It’s an easy, entertaining read.

I was provided an early electronic copy from the author. No compensation has been received.

________________________________________________

*As soon as I find out a release date, I will let y'all know. 
This really is a lovely story for Christian fiction fans!



No comments:

Post a Comment

I am so delighted that you've taken time to come by and comment. Blessings for a joy-filled day!

1 Corinthians 1:3 ~ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.