ARC Review: Through the Smoke by Brenda Novak

-->

Title: Through the Smoke

Author: Brenda Novak

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: n/a

 
Published: Oct 15, 2013

Source: From Author for honest review

My Rating:  

***5 Stars***

Book Blurb:   

A shocking betrayal... 

Riches. Power. An ancient heritage of pride. The Earl of Druridge wanted only for an heir. So when he learned that his wife was carrying another man’s child, he was filled with a thirst for vengeance.
But he wasn’t the one who caused Katherine’s death. Or was he? To his horror, he remembers nothing of that dreadful night, when their last confrontation ended in scorching flame and cold blood.

A forbidden love...
 
Rachel McTavish, the beautiful daughter of a coal miner, knows something about the fire that took Lady Katherine’s life. In secret, the strong-willed girl strikes a bargain with the desperate earl: he must send his physician to help her dying mother or he may go to the devil—and the scaffold. He agrees, but she is still unsure that her revelation will be enough to save him when so many wish him dead.
Passionately drawn to the nobleman, despite all the doubt and mystery that shrouds him, Rachel wonders if he can really be a murderer. Or if he is the only man who will ever own her heart…

My Review:

As always Brenda Novak KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK!!!  As much as I LOVE Novak’s work, I don’t think I ever read any of her historical work until now.  I was slow with actually starting to read this and couldn't put it down once I did. I don’t recall reading a historical novel where the main characters were not from the “upper” class. The way she wrote the story it definitely works. 

I will most definitely look back for her other two historical novels, Of Nobel birth and The Bastard (also titled: Honor Bound). According to comments I’ve read on her FB page, Novak will have another historical out next year. While we are waiting for that to appear, we can devour a few of the contemporary romances that she’s recently put out and also releasing later this year.

Visit Novak at www.brendanovak.com or www.facebook.com/brendanovakauthor

You can also find out about her annual online auction for diabetes research.