Review and Blog Blitz for The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride by Virginia Heath ~with Giveaway @rararesources

Welcome to my stop on the Publication Day Push for The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride by Virginia Heath. What an enticing historical romance this is.

Marriage…To the highest bidder
Lady Lydia Barton cannot seem to avoid Owen Wolfe since he returned after being wrongly transported for stealing her family’s jewels! But Lydia has more pressing problems―like her impending arranged marriage. Until Owen makes her father a counter-offer for her hand. Is Owen purely after her society connections? Or does Lydia dare hope that the charming stable boy she once loved is still within her ruthless, wealthy new husband?

Purchase Link: http://www.getboook.at/scoundrelsbride

An enemies to lovers historical romance story that’s guaranteed to make you swoon… I did!

One thing I absolutely have to say about this novel is that it has piqued my interest in the transfer of condemned criminals from England to the Antipodes. I’d never really thought much about that piece of history. But… as a total aside, I do love the 19 Crimes wine from Australia (named for the 19 crimes for which convicts could be sent to the Antipodes – each bottle carries photos of real convicts transported to Australia). From the brutal ocean voyage, which gives Owen flashbacks and makes him weary of small spaces to the relative ‘freedom’ prisoners were offered as there was simply nowhere for them to escape to, this novel offers an intriguing peek into the history of the penal colonies there.

Speaking of Owen, he’s quite a dashing hero whose desire to be more, do more and earn more respect is quite a driving factor. He’s proud, a touch arrogant, loyal, determined and underneath it all vulnerable and loving. All these elements are on display depending on with whom he interacts and all these parts make for quite a rich character.

Lydia is a sweet heroine. Admittedly, I expected her to have a far more compelling reason for believing Owen would be guilty and found myself wondering if she was in fact good enough for him! That said, the intricacies and ugliness of her family are certainly brought out and it becomes easy to understand how she was so desperate to believe in her loved ones at the expense of almost all else. How she learns to apply that loyalty to people who actually deserve it is delightful.

There is a little mystery to be solved in the truth behind Owen’s supposed crime. Who really committed it and why? The resolution of that situation is quite satisfactory and very entertaining.

Supporting characters are charming in the form of the vertically challenged Randolph and his larger than life wife, Gertie. Their vibrant personalities contrast and complement Owen and Lydia perfectly.

Overall, a delightful read that teaches a history lesson even while tickling your heart.

I give The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride 4/5 wicked espresso shots.

Giveaway to Win 2 x e-copies of The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494374/?

About the Author

Author Bio – When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Despite that, it still takes her forever to fall asleep.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_

Blog Tour organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.