Guest Review: The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Monro

Posted October 4, 2010 by Book Binge Guest Blogger in Reviews | 2 Comments

Judith‘s review of The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Munro

Cursed with the sight and rumors of witchcraft, Rosalind’s only chance at an ordinary life is marriage to Lucien, Viscount Hastings. She doesn’t expect love, only security and children of her own. Determined to go through with the wedding, she allows nothing she encounters at the gloomy Castle St. Clare to dissuade her. Recently returned from the Continent, Lucien has no time for the English mouse his family has arranged for him to marry–not when he is plotting to avenge the murder of his beloved Francesca. He has no intention of bedding Rosalind, not even to sire an heir.

Though spurned by her bridegroom, Rosalind turns to him for protection when she is plagued by a series of mysterious accidents and haunted by terrifying visions. Forced to keep Rosalind close–and tempted into passionate kisses–Lucien soon finds himself in grave danger of falling in love with his own wife.

In the early 18th century, England was as caught up in the prejudice again extra-sensory perception as were the American colonies. Witch sightings and rumors of all kinds of weird happenings often plagued persons who exhibited any small ability or talent deemed extraordinary. For someone like Rosalind who not only received visions of the future but who could read some minds as well when she touched those persons, her life was continually in danger. Any little slip of the tongue could give her fore-knowledge away and put her in harms way. Thus, the long-standing marriage contract to Viscount Hastings was a welcome haven for her and one she was absolutely bound and determined to fulfill. That her betrothed looked upon her with distaste and declared his aversion to their marriage may have wounded and saddened her. But she was a woman of her times and knew that most aristocratic unions were loveless. Her hope for friendship seemed even doomed when, to her dismay, her new husband remained behind closed and locked connecting doors on their wedding night. And so it continued for a matter of months.

What Rosalind was unaware of was the fact that Lucien, whose first name was George, didn’t even remember his father or his home. He remembered only his few years on the European continent, his life in Italy with his wife Francesca, his happiness with her as they awaited the birth of their first child, and the attack by briggands which killed her and snuffed out the life of their baby. At the time of his marriage to Rosalind, he was still deep in his grief and anger over Francesca’s death and he had no intention of remaining in England after he found the criminal who had murdered her. He told Rosalind that only unhappiness, loneliness, and eventual divorce faced her in the future. Rosalind was undeterred.

This is a very interesting–actually riveting historical novel that deals with the matter of society’s reaction to ESP and to those who can see beyond the present. It is also about lust for power, jeolousy, revenge, and murder. Add in the presence of smuggling, pirates, criminal oppression of good people, and you have a novel that is bracing, interesting, edgy, and keeps the reader enthralled until the very last word. There is raw evil present in this book along with the power of unbridled good which is the only force that can withstand it. Ms Munro has written her story in such a way that it is vitually impossible to read this novel without having an emotional response that is capable of putting one right in the middle of the goings on.

I love a good historical novel so I was anxious to read this book. What I found was so much more–mystery, a world beyond the usual, and characters that are believable and strong. Rosalind and Lucien are wonderful characters, the kind I would have loved to have known in real life–and that is one of my highest compliments. So historical romance fans, don’t let this one get past you. It is a great offering from a very accomplished writer, and worthy of our time and consideration.

I give it a rating of 4.75 out of 5.

You can read more from Judith at Dr. J’s Book Place.

This book is available from Carina Press. You can buy it here in e-format.