A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes

A WOMAN WITHOUT A PROSPECT.

A MAN WITHOUT A HOMELAND.

Back Cover: Honore Bainbridge has been courted by two men, one of whom turned out to be a traitor, the other a murderer. Banished to her family's country estate, where she will hopefully stay out of trouble, she finally meets the man she is sure is exactly right for her: Lord Ashmoor. Tall, dark, and handsome - what more could a girl ask for?

But he too is under suspicion because of his American upbringing and accusations that he has helped French prisoners escape from Dartmoor Prison. If he's to keep out of a British prison himself and secure his place in British society, Lord Ashmoor needs a wife beyond reproach - something the vexingly beautiful Honore certainly is not. Though they find themselves drawn to each other, family obligations may conspire to keep them apart forever.

For the sake of her heart, Honore determines to prove Ashmoor's innocence - even if doing so risks her own life.

Review: This is the third book in the series, "The Daughter's of Bainbridge House." I'm completely delighted with not only, "Reluctant Courtship", but with the entire series. These books are elegant, charming, suspenseful, and swooningly romantic. 

Each of the Bainbridge sisters is so different from the next that it has created three very distinct and unique stories as each young woman meets and falls in love with her husband-to-be. 

Honore appeared to be rather wild and crazy - a bit of a scandalous lady for the first few pages of the book. She had a horrid reputation for going out with dangerous men and a knack for risking her life. However, as the book went on, it turned out that Honore was actually very sweet underneath her scandalous reputation, and possessive of a heart as big as the ocean her estate bordered. Yes, she'd made some mistakes in the past, but her heart is surprisingly sweet and touchingly gentle. Honore Bainbridge is a darling you will quickly fall in love with.

As for Ashmoor…. WELL….he is dashing rake - of the honourable sort. Similar to Honore, his reputation is sullied by simple bad luck, but he is a remarkable man. Together, they make quite the pair. As with all books of this genre, Honore and Ashmoor fall in love. As predictable as this is, the story is still touching to read and worth every minute. Between the romance and the excitement of pirates, collapsing cliffs, midnight boat rides at knife point, and a quiver-full of shoulder-tensing excitement, this book is a must read. 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group"