Genre: Romance
/ Historical
World Wide Release Date: December
18, 2013
Happy Friday, everyone! Today I have the pleasure of being a stop on the Alone No More virtual blog tour! This is a book I really enjoyed. Please make sure you scroll all the way down to take part in the giveaway the author is offering.
Book Blurb:
Dismissed from her job as a scullery maid and
cast aside by her lover, pregnant Cara Morland has no choice but to return to
her father’s farm. While lies of widowhood keep her from disgrace, Cara is
faced with a local landowner’s unwanted attentions. Without the social status
to do much more than avoid the vile man, she loses hope of ever finding
happiness.
A friendship based on mutual loneliness blossoms between Cara and James Elliot, a young farm hand hired by her father. He offers his protection, and one shared kiss reveals his heart, but propriety and her feigned grieving period hinders what they both desire.
When Cara’s stalker learns the truth of her circumstances, he gives her an ultimatum—submit to his possession or he’ll ruin her second chance at love with James.
A friendship based on mutual loneliness blossoms between Cara and James Elliot, a young farm hand hired by her father. He offers his protection, and one shared kiss reveals his heart, but propriety and her feigned grieving period hinders what they both desire.
When Cara’s stalker learns the truth of her circumstances, he gives her an ultimatum—submit to his possession or he’ll ruin her second chance at love with James.
Excerpt:
Mr. Collins stood in the opened doorway.
I gasped, my hand flying to my throat. His smile drained the heat from my face and with a shudder, I backed against the wall.
“Cara.” He stalked forward, his lascivious examination traveling from my neck, to boots and back up again.
I wanted to ask what he wanted, but a choking noise escaped instead.
He stopped an arm’s length away. “Cara.”
Although somewhat handsome with his light hair and dark eyes, his voice filled me with disgust. My body trembled. Another step and the reek of onions brushed against me. I squeezed my eyes shut and turned my face into my shoulder.
Hot breath caressed my neck. “I’ve been longing for this moment. I’ve been mad with yearning the past year.”
Throat dry, I struggled to swallow.
Fingertips brushed down my cheek before cupping my chin.
Revulsion swamped me, threatening to bring up my breakfast.
“Someone else may have beaten me to your spoils, but I’m going to have you regardless. Just like I’ve always—”
Two footfalls moved across the barn floor and Mr. Collins’ hand was ripped from me.
Wind rushed. Grunts encouraged my eyelids to open.
Alone No More on Goodreads:
***Nona’s Review***
Cara, the young heroine of this short historical romance, is not the typical virgin one might expect in a
story of this type. When the book opens, she’s already pregnant—and unmarried.
Far from home and lonely, she fell in love with a married co-worker and
foolishly believed his promises that someday they’d be together. Reality
crashes in on her all too ruthlessly when her employers discover her situation.
Poor Cara loses both her job and her lover and is packed off home in disgrace. Her dilemma gave the story an interesting twist and pulled me in.
The author gave a realistic view of the cheerless life of a scullery maid, with long hours of hard work and very little free time. It’s not hard to see why Cara would have fallen under the spell of a cad who offered her a little affection. The story also doesn't gloss over the dire predicament of an unwed mother in those times. If her parents don't take her back, all that's left for her is prostitution or the workhouse.
Luckily, her parents agree to pretend she's a widow to save her and themselves from local gossip. Even so, Cara still must endure her father’s silent disappointment and her mother’s bitter wrath.
It's not all gloom, though. When farmhand James appears, he brings happiness and hope into her life. As they fall in love, Cara's secret torments her. Will James still care for her if he learns she’s not a
respectable widow, but an unwed mother-to-be?
This is a touching story. I enjoyed the sweet romance between Cara and James. Mr. Collins, threatening Cara with his unwanted advances, was a truly despicable villain.
When Cara’s faced with the
possibility of losing the only person who brings her happiness, it’s a
heart-rending moment. Though she begins as a naïve young woman, as time goes
on, Cara matures emotionally and begins making wiser choices. I enjoyed seeing her grow. Her hardships only make the
happy ending sweeter (come on, you know there has to be a happy ending, it’s a
romance!)
Alone No More is a very satisfying choice for anyone who enjoys
sweet historical romance.
Terri
started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her
brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a
long love affair with storytelling.
Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Follow Terri at:
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Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.
Follow Terri at:
What an awesome review, Nona! Thank you so much - for IT and hosting me today. :)
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