15795628Title: Blackmoore

Author: Julianne Donaldson

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

Publication Date: September 2013

Genre: Adult Fiction/Historical Romance

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Synopsis can be found here.
I received this book free of charge from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review:

Kate has her own plans, regardless of what her awful mother may think. From a very young age, she yearned to go to Blackmoore with her best friend Syliva and her brother Henry. But she was never allowed to go. Until now. With an invitation to live with her adventurous aunt in India, Kate thinks this is the perfect opportunity.

But spurning a proposal form a very undesirable man, Kate is forbidden to go to Blackmore and India. However, determination is one of Kate’s strong suits and she makes a deal, a very dangerous deal, with her mother. She must entertain and decline three marriage proposals during her time at Blackmoore. But what is going to India if she leaves her heart at Blackmoore?

There is so much deliciousness in this book, I can’t put it into words.

Kate is a wonderful heroine. She’s strong and stubborn and doesn’t fit in with the rest of her family. She reminds of a Lizzie Bennett, forward thinking, fierce and independent. Henry is her best friend, her partner in crime. He is too wealthy for her, too woven into his family’s plans. But none of this matter to them because they grew up together when all of the social class and expectations hung in the background. I love Henry, because he is sweet, and sensitive and gentlemanly. He is noble and proud and torn.

The story moves quickly, with a few surprise turns, especially in regards to why these two can never be together. A few flashbacks, and we see a young Kate and a young Henry and a young Sylvia and the world before them. Fast forward to the present and their relationships have all turned out differently, for better and worse.  I loved seeing the younger versions of themselves, and then the older characters as they struggle with expectations and others’ hidden agendas.

I’ve already re-read my favorite parts, and Blackmoore will be one of those books I re-read on a quiet day, loving every moment of disappearing into this lovely world and sweet romance.

This is part of Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line, which they are marketing as a clean romance line. Now, I love a good sex scene. But I love this story just the way it is. The characters are so full of life and the plot moves along so quickly, the book doesn’t feel like it misses anything. Most of all, the romance is so tender and sweet, real and emotional, there doesn’t need to be a sex scene. The interactions between Henry and Kate are full of passion and unrequited love, nothing is missing.

Wonderfully written, full of heart and romance, Blackmoore is  a love story to be savored slowly. And block out a few hours to read. I was heartbroken every time I had to put the book down.

Rating 10 One of The Best