Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. Addy is the younger sister of Artemisia, the female artist who took on the Royal Academy in Portrait of a Forbidden Love. Unlike her sister, Addy is more laid-back, painting because she can, not because she is driven. Her interests lie more in art history. Addy also has a bit of a self-esteem issue, seeing herself as plain and uninteresting. She has a suitor who pops in and out of her life, full of flattery, big plans, and expensive gifts. Addy's dreams for her future don't include marriage; she'd rather travel and learn about the art she's only heard about. In the meantime, she teaches at her sister's new art school for girls and practices her painting skills.
Hazard is a Bow Street inspector investigating cases of art forgery. He enjoys solving puzzles, and tracking this forger challenges him. He traced the latest painting to a small seaside town, where he lost the trail. His only lead is the girls' art school and its students and teachers. His only possible suspect is Addy, but how could someone so sweet and open be involved in something so wrong?
The mystery of the art forger is pretty clear-cut, and I liked that it didn't take long to figure out who the real villain was. The challenge came in carrying out the apprehension. I appreciated that Hazard helped Addy see the truth without threatening her or her sister. Once he knew the truth, he also knew that Addy was in danger and took steps to keep her safe. I did start to wonder when the bad guy would show up, but when he did, the action became intense very fast. I wanted to shake Addy for being so gullible and fall for his lies. I ached for Hazard, who wasn't sure if he'd be in time to save her. The final confrontation was intense with a satisfying end.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Addy and Hazard. The sparks flew between them from the start, though both tried to resist. Addy feels that she should be loyal to her suitor, though he doesn't have the same effect on her, and she isn't ready to marry anyway. Hazard resists because he fears that anyone he is close to could become a target of the criminals he pursues. Because of an event in his past, Hazard also believes that he doesn't deserve that kind of happiness. I liked seeing Addy and Hazard spend time together. Their shared interests in art give them much to talk about. Addy's bright nature also breaks through some of the darkness that haunts him, and Hazard finds himself wishing to make more of it.
I liked how keeping Addy safe led Hazard to take her to his family's home. Hazard rarely saw his family because of his fears for their safety and the guilt that haunts him regarding his brother's war injuries. Hazard's work during the war fascinated me, and I could see why he was so good at it. I liked how Addy's influence and Rafe's persistence finally helped Hazard face his past. Seeing Rafe and Hazard repair their relationship warmed my heart. Hazard and Addy spend much more time together, and as their attraction grows, so do their feelings. I ached for them both because it looked like, to be together, each of them would have to give up something important to them. Nearly losing each other made them realize what was important was being together. There was a nice twist at the end that made both their dreams come true.
Hazard is a Bow Street inspector investigating cases of art forgery. He enjoys solving puzzles, and tracking this forger challenges him. He traced the latest painting to a small seaside town, where he lost the trail. His only lead is the girls' art school and its students and teachers. His only possible suspect is Addy, but how could someone so sweet and open be involved in something so wrong?
The mystery of the art forger is pretty clear-cut, and I liked that it didn't take long to figure out who the real villain was. The challenge came in carrying out the apprehension. I appreciated that Hazard helped Addy see the truth without threatening her or her sister. Once he knew the truth, he also knew that Addy was in danger and took steps to keep her safe. I did start to wonder when the bad guy would show up, but when he did, the action became intense very fast. I wanted to shake Addy for being so gullible and fall for his lies. I ached for Hazard, who wasn't sure if he'd be in time to save her. The final confrontation was intense with a satisfying end.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Addy and Hazard. The sparks flew between them from the start, though both tried to resist. Addy feels that she should be loyal to her suitor, though he doesn't have the same effect on her, and she isn't ready to marry anyway. Hazard resists because he fears that anyone he is close to could become a target of the criminals he pursues. Because of an event in his past, Hazard also believes that he doesn't deserve that kind of happiness. I liked seeing Addy and Hazard spend time together. Their shared interests in art give them much to talk about. Addy's bright nature also breaks through some of the darkness that haunts him, and Hazard finds himself wishing to make more of it.
I liked how keeping Addy safe led Hazard to take her to his family's home. Hazard rarely saw his family because of his fears for their safety and the guilt that haunts him regarding his brother's war injuries. Hazard's work during the war fascinated me, and I could see why he was so good at it. I liked how Addy's influence and Rafe's persistence finally helped Hazard face his past. Seeing Rafe and Hazard repair their relationship warmed my heart. Hazard and Addy spend much more time together, and as their attraction grows, so do their feelings. I ached for them both because it looked like, to be together, each of them would have to give up something important to them. Nearly losing each other made them realize what was important was being together. There was a nice twist at the end that made both their dreams come true.
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
Low key but an enjoyable read, with a slowly developing romance. The heroine was charming and the hero was stalwart.
