COTILLION - MUSIC MASTER
BARBARA MILLER
ISBN# 9781419911811
October 4 2007
Cerridwen Press
www.cerridwenpress.com
E-book
Price: $5.95
163 Pages
Romance - Traditional Regency
Rating: 4 Cups

Leighton Stone, the Earl of Longbridge, has just returned home after an absence of six years. Having successfully concluded his duties with the Foreign Office in London, he is eager to resume his acquaintance with Madeline Westlake, the daughter of the local vicar. Indeed, he intends to marry her.

Maddie Westlake is unaware of Leighton’s feelings for her, but she has always dreamed about a future with him, she just never believed that it was possible. Trouble arises when Maddie’s father learns of their plans. He not only forbids the marriage, he sends her away so that Leighton will not be able to find her.

Leighton manages to track Maddie down at her sister’s house in Bath, where she learns he has been keeping secrets from her all this time. She begins to wonder if she can trust him or if he even takes her seriously. Leighton realizes that he and everyone else have taken Maddie for granted and he does his best to convince her that his love is true, using his music to communicate his feelings for her. Scheming relatives and a spy plot add to the difficulties facing this couple.

Music Master is a well-crafted story, with very engaging characters. The added backdrop of the Napoleonic war helps bring this story to life, adding depth to the characters and color to the story. Leighton is very charming and likeable, especially in his desire to keep a low profile. Maddie is engaging and real, a woman with an independent nature living in a patriarchal time. The added plot twists that come between Leighton and Maddie only serve to develop these characters and the story. Readers will quickly find themselves rooting for this couple to succeed and for the author to write a sequel.

Alex
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
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