Straight Reading from the Library: Alaina Claiborne by MK McClintock

Thanks to Goddess Fish Promotions for sending me this book to read.  I don’t typically read a lot of historical romances, but Alaina Claiborne sounded different and unique enough that I was intrigued. And I’m glad I chose to review it. And, in addition to a review, you also get the chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.  Just leave a comment here and/or on any of the other stops on this review tour. You can find them here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/01/virtual-review-tour-alaina-claiborne-by.html

READ THE BLURB

How far would you go to avenge your family and save the one you love?

In nineteenth-century England, Alaina Claiborne had a loving family, a cherished friend, and devoted servants. She spent her days riding across the grassy hills of the English countryside, joyful and at peace.

Then tragedy strikes and her world is forever changed. Searching for those responsible is her only focus . . . until she meets Tristan.

Tristan Sheffield, a man of many talents, searches out those who don’t want to be found. His past is filled with secrets and deeds he would rather leave deeply buried. However, when his life unexpectedly entwines with Alaina's, he soon discovers they share more than a mutual desire to catch a murderer.

On their hunt for a man driven by greed, Tristan and Alaina find that love is the greatest weapon against evil, and they'll stop at nothing to survive.

READ THE REVIEW

The story starts off with a great tragedy that affects every aspect of our heroine, Alaina’s life. She loses her family and her best friend and apparently has erased the details of that day from her memory.  Life goes on, and she’s taken under the wing of her aunt and uncle who raise her to adulthood.

She has no real desire to marry or do all the typical things a girl of her stature should.  She just drifts along in life, doing those things that make her happiest.  And then she meets Tristan, a man who’s purchased the estate next to hers.  And everything changes.

I really enjoyed reading Alaina Claiborne. Though we get a touch of the typical in some ballrooms and dances, the story really focuses on the mystery of her parents’ and friend’s mysterious death, and strange happenings that were occurring anew. 

The heroine is smart and strong and capable, though occasionally has a few “too stupid to live” moments.  Even with those times I rolled my eyes and wondered what she was thinking, I still really liked her.

Tristan is a great guy, and has a good heart.  Perhaps I didn’t entirely believe they could fall in love so quickly and irrevocably, but theirs was a touching and sweet romance.

If you’re looking for a cute couple who is out to solve a years’ old mystery while building a relationship that’s unbreakable, and if you like series (because this clearly is one … I loved meeting Tristan’s friends!) set in the past, I can very much recommend this book.  I very much enjoyed the read.

MEET THE AUTHOR

McClintock is an over-worked entrepreneur, baker of decadent desserts and all things chocolate, photographer of beautiful places, and most importantly, a writer.

She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

McClintock is a member of Romance Writers of America, Montana Romance Writers, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and Women Writing the West.

MK McClintock Website: http://www.mkmcclintock.com

Official Blog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com 

Goodreads Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5438837.M_K_McClintock 

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/mkmcclintock

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