Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

I can usually tell when I read a book whether or not I'm reading a fairly new author or not.  I'm shocked that Jessica Dotta has not written so many more books.  I'm glad to see that this is the beginning of a trilogy!  She had me liking even a mean old woman that I doubt many authors would 

have been able to get me to like.  I even liked Julia, who I couldn't believe that I did like.  She wasn't the typical person I usually like in books.

Julia has a sense of mystery around her.  Her mother has committed suicide, she's left alone, and top it off with she now will be moving to Scotland in two months to work as a servant--compliments 

of her new guardian who remains nameless and faceless.

That means that Julia has 2 months to find a man to marry.  At first that doesn't seem to hard since 

she is technically betrothed.  One problem, though.  Edward, her secret lover, has had a change of 

heart since she last saw him.  Needless to say, they don't quite see eye to eye on most things anymore because of one major issue.  That issue has driven a permanent wedge between them until 

Julia realizes what mistakes she's made.

I really did like Lady Foxmore.  She was a brutal woman, but I did like her humor for some reason.    

I found it funny that she would send notes at night and wake up the household.  I also found it funny how she spoke to Elizabeth and her mother. 

This book has romance, but it also has suspense and mystery.  It was a book that keeps you wondering until the very last page.  I can't wait to see what the next 2 books consist of.  It'll be hard to beat this book!

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This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Born of Persuasion Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2013) by Jessica Dotta

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in the wrong century–except for the fact that she really likes epidurals and washing machines–Jessica Dotta writes British Historicals with the humor like an Austen, yet the drama of a Bronte.

She resides lives in the greater Nashville area—where she imagines her small Southern town into the foggy streets of 19th century London. She oversees her daughter to school, which they pretend is an English boarding school, and then she goes home to write and work on PR. Jessica has tried to cast her dachshund as their butler–but the dog insists it’s a Time Lord and their home a Tardis. Miss Marple, her cat, says its no mystery to her as to why the dog won’t cooperate. When asked about it, Jessica sighs and says that you can’t win them all, and at least her dog has picked something British to emulate.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Born of Persuasion, go HERE.

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I received this book free from CFBA and Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.