Catherine M. (Catherine1) reviewed The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Rothwell Brothers, Bk 4) on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I have been looking forward to this book for what seems like forever. Throughout this series I have been intrigued by Lord Easterbrook. He was so different from all the other characters and I couldn't wait to see what made him tick. Unfortunately it didn't meet my expectations.
I think the statement that Easterbrook makes to Leona, "I am Easterbrook" really defines the entirety of his character. He's troubled yes, but the issues he has are overshadowed by his arrogance and belief in his own superiority. On one hand I think this is a refreshing attitude. It's hard sometimes to suspend belief when nobility act like they don't have a sense of entitlement. I think it's more realistic to show a nobleman secure in his belief that people should do what he says just because of who he is. On the other hand it makes him aggravating. His arrogance starts to grate and you have to wonder why Leona is letting him walk all over her.
When I learned the reason for Easterbrook's reclusive habits I was intrigued. I was eager to see how the author would handle this disability. I never felt like that was explored though. There was no need to get a handle on it because it seemed like it surfaced in fits and starts. We're told that it's a constant battle for him to deal with it, but it wasn't an issue when it would be inconvenient to the story and only appeared when the author wanted to show Easterbrook's angst. I wanted consistency and a real look at what a struggle life must be for him. We got vague memories of a hard childhood and the bitter realities of being able to see into an unhappy home, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help but feel that everything skimmed the surface and nothing really had any depth.
Leona was a flat character for me. I think she was supposed to be multifaceted with being torn between her longing for Easterbrook and her belief that her brother needed her, but it didn't work for me. When she decides she wants to be with Easterbrook forever she easily dismisses the earlier difficulties she had with leaving her brother to manage things on his own. The opium plot had the potential to be interesting, but it didn't work out. There were too many plots going on that there was no depth to any of them. I don't have many good things or bad things to say about Leona. She was just... there. Like furniture. There was nothing interesting about her.
I had a problem with Leona's character consistency. When Easterbrook makes the big reveal to her about his disability she's surprised. I find that very odd when multiple times before she gave the impression that she sensed him trying to probe her mind so she hid her thoughts. If she has felt that before and comments to herself on it, then why would it be shocking to find out the truth? Wouldn't it be more of an "aha!" moment to her? It seemed inconsistent.
The ending went out with a whimper instead of a bang. When the characters find out whom the villain is it's kind of disappointing. Instead of, "Wow, really?" it was, "Oh... really?" I think my problem with the book was the fact that so much was told, not shown. I wanted to be able to see the characters develop and fall in love. Instead I was told they were developing and that they were falling in love. Also, if there were fewer plots I believe I would have been able to focus on them more and become invested in the outcome.
Madeline Hunter is definitely a hit or miss author for me. I keep buying her because when her work is on for me I absolutely love her writing. I fall into the story and read for hours. Even though this book was meh for me I still admire the way Madeline Hunter turns a phrase. I think that she is a very skilled writer even when I am unable to become engaged by the characters and storyline. If this is your first book by Hunter and you weren't into it you might want to try another. She's very skilled; unfortunately it's only hit or miss.
I think the statement that Easterbrook makes to Leona, "I am Easterbrook" really defines the entirety of his character. He's troubled yes, but the issues he has are overshadowed by his arrogance and belief in his own superiority. On one hand I think this is a refreshing attitude. It's hard sometimes to suspend belief when nobility act like they don't have a sense of entitlement. I think it's more realistic to show a nobleman secure in his belief that people should do what he says just because of who he is. On the other hand it makes him aggravating. His arrogance starts to grate and you have to wonder why Leona is letting him walk all over her.
When I learned the reason for Easterbrook's reclusive habits I was intrigued. I was eager to see how the author would handle this disability. I never felt like that was explored though. There was no need to get a handle on it because it seemed like it surfaced in fits and starts. We're told that it's a constant battle for him to deal with it, but it wasn't an issue when it would be inconvenient to the story and only appeared when the author wanted to show Easterbrook's angst. I wanted consistency and a real look at what a struggle life must be for him. We got vague memories of a hard childhood and the bitter realities of being able to see into an unhappy home, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't help but feel that everything skimmed the surface and nothing really had any depth.
Leona was a flat character for me. I think she was supposed to be multifaceted with being torn between her longing for Easterbrook and her belief that her brother needed her, but it didn't work for me. When she decides she wants to be with Easterbrook forever she easily dismisses the earlier difficulties she had with leaving her brother to manage things on his own. The opium plot had the potential to be interesting, but it didn't work out. There were too many plots going on that there was no depth to any of them. I don't have many good things or bad things to say about Leona. She was just... there. Like furniture. There was nothing interesting about her.
I had a problem with Leona's character consistency. When Easterbrook makes the big reveal to her about his disability she's surprised. I find that very odd when multiple times before she gave the impression that she sensed him trying to probe her mind so she hid her thoughts. If she has felt that before and comments to herself on it, then why would it be shocking to find out the truth? Wouldn't it be more of an "aha!" moment to her? It seemed inconsistent.
The ending went out with a whimper instead of a bang. When the characters find out whom the villain is it's kind of disappointing. Instead of, "Wow, really?" it was, "Oh... really?" I think my problem with the book was the fact that so much was told, not shown. I wanted to be able to see the characters develop and fall in love. Instead I was told they were developing and that they were falling in love. Also, if there were fewer plots I believe I would have been able to focus on them more and become invested in the outcome.
Madeline Hunter is definitely a hit or miss author for me. I keep buying her because when her work is on for me I absolutely love her writing. I fall into the story and read for hours. Even though this book was meh for me I still admire the way Madeline Hunter turns a phrase. I think that she is a very skilled writer even when I am unable to become engaged by the characters and storyline. If this is your first book by Hunter and you weren't into it you might want to try another. She's very skilled; unfortunately it's only hit or miss.
Helpful Score: 4
I'm normally a fan of Madeline Hunter's books, but this was not up to her usual standards. I found the story slow & tough to slog through. The characters were so one-dimensional, uninteresting, and borderline boring that it was an effort to finish the book. I was hoping for some spark of life in the final pages, but in the end the entire story was nothing more than a bedside insomnia remedy.
Helpful Score: 2
Don't get me wrong; I read all of Madeline Hunter's books but like other reviewers, I also found this story too slow. If you think watching paint dry is boring, try reading paragraph after paragraph of the hero MEDITATING. I didn't make it to page 100 before I had to toss this in the 'Post to PBS' pile. ZZzzzzzz . . . almost put ME in a trance.
Jill D. (jilld) reviewed The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Rothwell Brothers, Bk 4) on + 156 more book reviews
Rating: B
The Sins of Lord Easterbrook is the fourth book of Madeline Hunter's Rothwell Series. Madeline is one of my favorite authors and this is a wonderful series. In this book Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook discovers that Leona Montgomery is now residing in London. He first met her seven years ago in China, while escaping his father and his duties. Leona's family were English shipping merchants involved in trade with India and China. After discovering some unsavory things about the shipping industry and all but losing his life, Christian came back to England. He never forgot Leona.
Leona is on a mission to help her brother get the contacts he needs to keep their family's shipping business afloat. She has another ulterior motive and that is to find out what was truly going on between her father and Christian all those years ago. Unfortunately, she still has feelings for Christian and can't seem to keep her distance.
Christian is an unusual character in that he can sense other peoples' emotions. He can tell quite accurately how another person feels about him and whether or not they are telling the truth. This peculiar trait can be both a blessing and a curse. I found his struggle with this gift very compelling. He tends to distance himself from others and remain secluded. Leona is one of the few people whom he had difficulty reading and it's one of the reasons for why he is drawn to her and hasn't forgotten her all those years.
The Sins of Lord Easterbrook has a more serious tone to it than other books. It deals with some very hard subject matter, such as heroine addiction. The characterization was solid. Christian stood out the most, but Leona was able to hold her own. The mystery surrounding the shipping industry was well done and maintained a satisfying pace. It had a good balance of action and introspection. All around this was a good solid read.
The Sins of Lord Easterbrook is the fourth book of Madeline Hunter's Rothwell Series. Madeline is one of my favorite authors and this is a wonderful series. In this book Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook discovers that Leona Montgomery is now residing in London. He first met her seven years ago in China, while escaping his father and his duties. Leona's family were English shipping merchants involved in trade with India and China. After discovering some unsavory things about the shipping industry and all but losing his life, Christian came back to England. He never forgot Leona.
Leona is on a mission to help her brother get the contacts he needs to keep their family's shipping business afloat. She has another ulterior motive and that is to find out what was truly going on between her father and Christian all those years ago. Unfortunately, she still has feelings for Christian and can't seem to keep her distance.
Christian is an unusual character in that he can sense other peoples' emotions. He can tell quite accurately how another person feels about him and whether or not they are telling the truth. This peculiar trait can be both a blessing and a curse. I found his struggle with this gift very compelling. He tends to distance himself from others and remain secluded. Leona is one of the few people whom he had difficulty reading and it's one of the reasons for why he is drawn to her and hasn't forgotten her all those years.
The Sins of Lord Easterbrook has a more serious tone to it than other books. It deals with some very hard subject matter, such as heroine addiction. The characterization was solid. Christian stood out the most, but Leona was able to hold her own. The mystery surrounding the shipping industry was well done and maintained a satisfying pace. It had a good balance of action and introspection. All around this was a good solid read.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Rothwell Brothers, Bk 4) on + 1713 more book reviews
I have enjoyed this series and was thinking it would be along the lines of the other before it, but that was not the case. It was still a pretty good story, I like the characters somewhat and thought that it was a bit slow moving and at time dull. Not something I usually find in a Madeline Hunter novel so I was a bit surprised while reading this.
Karen R. - , reviewed The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Rothwell Brothers, Bk 4) on + 71 more book reviews
This is Hunter's best effort as far as I am concerned. I so appreciate her committment to fiction directed at women of intelligence without sacrificing those delicious, scintillating love scenes. In this tale, she plots a provacative story line with well-drawn characters we can understand and admire. I especially like her treatment of this hero as a flawed but strong person that one can actually believe, rather than an impossible ideal that so many romance authors put forward.....who often fail to suspend our disbelief. This hero could be the fantasy of most women. If you like a well-written, historical romance with a wonderful story that doesn't simply string itself between sexual encounters, I recommend this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Frances K. reviewed The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Rothwell Brothers, Bk 4) on + 31 more book reviews
Very nice conclusion to the Rothwell Brothers series
Powerful men who can be vulnerable..... irresistable
Powerful men who can be vulnerable..... irresistable
Michelle C. -
I also agree this book was slow. But I did like it. If you like Madeline Hunter you will like this book.
Only a desperate mission could bring Leona Montgomery face to face w/ the scoundrel whose dangerous sensuality once sent her fleeing from his arms. But she has underestimated Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook. As irresistible as ever, his past swathed in mystery, Christian has his own plans for the woman he has waited 7 years to claim. Yet once desire reignites, bringing a dangerous secret into the open, Leona will find herself bound to the seductive nobleman in ways she could never have imagined. 7 years have changed nothing: this man can tempt her to ruin w/ just one touch. With Leona's reputation and hopes for her family's salvation in tatters, she must follow the only course left to her...even as each step brings her closer to a shattering truth and a passion she can no longer live w/out.
