Book Review: The Forgiven Duke (Forgotten Castles #2) by Jamie Carie

Summary: 
Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon - the path of least resistance - Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart. A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton - the path less traveled by - on Dublin’s shore still haunts her.

Will he come after her? Will he drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: “Faith for Duty,” the St. Easton motto. The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens: “Willing and Able,” beats in her heart and thrums through her veins. She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.

The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward’s name. Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him. Only time and God’s plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.

Release Date: July 1, 2012
Age Group: Young Adult
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Source: NetGalley
Other Books in the Series: The Guardian Duke

Review:
I was so thrilled when I saw that the sequel to The Guardian Duke was available on NetGalley!  I really enjoyed The Guardian Duke (read my review here) and was on pins and needles with the way Carie left the ending.  I just had to know what happened, if anything did happen, between Alexandria and Gabriel.

My main complaint with The Guardian Duke was the very, very open ending.  It was much more open than most cliffhanger endings in series novels.  I felt like the book ending was suited to a chapter ending, not an ending to a novel.  Anyway, I am happy to report that The Forgiven Duke  did not have that problem.  There was definite closure, while keeping things open enough for the next installment in the series.

I just loved both Alex and Gabriel as characters.  They were both strong, yet stubborn, and to see them change and grow was very satisfying.  I loved the tenderness of the love story---kudos to Carie for keeping it clean.  The main issue of the book was Alex's search for her parents.  That part of the story remains largely unresolved, which is keeping me very interested and ready for book three in the series.  

I loved reading about Alex and Gabriel's faith in God.  Both have a very strong faith, and have learned to lean on God and trust in Him throughout their struggles.  Gabriel, especially with the loss of his hearing, and Alex, who must withstand so much negativity towards the search for her parents.  They never wavered in their beliefs.

I highly recommend this series to fans of historical fiction and fans of Christian fiction.  Jamie Carie is a new favorite of mine and I am going to seek out more of her work while I wait for the next book in the series!


1 comment:

  1. I gotta read this one and the first one. I loved her Christmas book.

    ReplyDelete

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