Tremaine's True Love

June 1, 2015
Burrowes’s first True Gentlemen Regency is as thoughtful as it is romantic. When Tremaine St. Michael visits Nicholas, Earl of Bellefonte, he insists that he can only spare a few days away from his business matters. But his stay extends as he becomes enthralled with Lady Nita Haddonfield, the earl’s sister. Nita is pleasantly surprised that a gentleman such as Tremaine is willing to assist her with providing medical services to some of the area’s poorest residents. Though Tremaine and Nita are quick to act on their attraction with very little courtship, she’s less willing than he is to tie the knot, concerned that marriage will hamper her cherished independence. Burrowes (the Windham series) develops a multidimensional cast of characters amid rich depictions of rural aristocratic life in the early 19th century. The protagonists are brilliantly drawn, with plenty of romantic drama and witty repartee. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Literary Agency.

Starred review from May 15, 2015
A gently bred spinster scandalizes her family by providing medical care to the poor people in the local village, and even falling in love with a handsome businessman can't dissuade her from her mission. Lady Nita Haddonfield learned basic midwifery and first aid from her late mother but has taken her medical knowledge to the next level with years of experience and rigorous study. She spends her evenings reading medical tracts in Latin and German and subscribes to forward-thinking techniques like washing surgical tools between patients. But Nita's siblings, especially her older brother, the Earl of Bellefonte, worry about Nita exposing herself-and them-to contagion or wearing herself out laboring to help others. Then Tremaine St. Michael, a Scottish and French businessman who doesn't use his title of comte, visits the family in order to buy a herd of rare sheep from the earl. He's captivated by Nita's intelligence and selflessness. But he too thinks she's foolish to risk her own health caring for the poor. He hopes marriage to him will occupy her so she won't be tempted to hare off in the middle of the night delivering babies. But he underestimates Nita's dedication and must find a way to accept her desire to protect her native village and its inhabitants from the incompetent local physician. The second installment of Burrowes' (The Duke's Disaster, 2015, etc.) new True Gentlemen series is a tightly woven story that deals with many of the world's timeless moral issues-poverty, domestic violence, professional recognition for women, and animal rights. The characters are complicated and compelling and experience enough personal growth during the course of the novel to keep the reader enthralled. Burrowes is at the top of her game, and this latest offering is not to be missed.

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2015

With his itinerant lifestyle, wool mogul Tremaine St. Michael has never considered marrying, that is until he meets unconventional Lady Nita Haddonfield while visiting her brother's estate on business. With her straightforward manner, surprising medical skill, and determination to care for the sick regardless of risk, she's unlike any woman he's known, and suddenly marriage is an option. Lady Nita is equally enamored of his helpful, caring ways--until she learns that he expects her to give up her healing work, a condition she can't accept. VERDICT An intrepid heroine who guards her independence and a shrewd businessman with a gentle heart struggle to find compromise and reclaim their love in a tender, passionate story that features an assortment of beautifully developed characters, an eloquently realized rural community, and a wealth of spirited banter and wry humor. Burrowes (The Duke's Disaster) lives in rural Maryland.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.