A TARNISHED HEART
LESLIE DICKEN
ISBN# 9781897540091
March/April 2008
Enspiren Press
www.enspirenpress.com
E-Book
$13.99
146 Pages
Historical
Rating: 3 Cups

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Parker is the daughter of the Reverend of the Abingdon Parish. Her father is forcing her to go to London for the Season in the hopes of finding a suitable husband. Lizzie has little interest in London or finding a suitable husband, preferring to stay with her father and his curate and her current beau, Edmund.

Evan Fielding, the ninth Earl of Markham, is being blackmailed by Lizzie’s father into marrying her. Evan has already been married and has no interest in getting married again but he gives in for the sake of his son. As part of the deal with the Reverend, Evan has to court Lizzie and win her love, as the Reverend does not want her to be in an unhappy arranged marriage.

Lizzie and Evan start off as polar opposites but slowly each of them unbend a little as they get to know one another better. Lizzie’s needs are simple but she slowly becomes accustomed to her life in London, leaving her confused and uncertain about what she really wants. What begins as a simple deal for Evan deepens into something more. Lizzie’s uncompromising honesty and goodness stand out against the artificial constraints of London society. Lizzie and Evan grow closer but Lizzie’s former beau and Evan’s former paramour would prefer to see them apart. Will their attraction be enough to stand against the forces that would prefer to see them apart?

A Tarnished Heart is an enjoyable read. The characters of Lizzie and Evan are handled well, and their relationship develops naturally yet inexorably. It is amusing at times to see how they dance around each other, neither of them willing to admit the depth of their attraction. The plot line also works quite well and keeps the story moving forward. The only nit that I would pick relates to the physical relationship between these characters, as it doesn’t seem appropriate for this time period. While it does add spice, it also pulls the reader out of the story. If you can get past this flaw, you will find A Tarnished Heart to be an engaging and pleasant read.

Alex
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books