The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Munro
Historical Romance
September 20, 2010
E-Book
Carina Press

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote:”After she freed her husband, she’d smack him over the head with a sharp object. That would knock some sense into his addled brain.”

Roseland Chandler is on the shelf, a poor relation, and thought to be a witch. Marrying Lucien, Viscount Hastings, was the best she could hope for in her situation. When she arrives at Castle St. Clare she is rudely told by Lucian that this marriage is not wanted. But Roseland wants security and a family of her own so she goes through with the marriage; only to discover that Lucian truly meant what he said.
Lucian has just recently returned from the continent mad for revenge for the men who murdered his first wife and unborn child. He has amnesia and doesn’t even believe he is Viscount Hastings. He hasn’t the time or inclination to marry Roseland but the marriage was contracted years ago. He may have to marry Roseland, but he will never love her. As accidents and close calls plague Roseland and threaten her life, Lucian will have to set aside his animosity and fear and find out who wants her dead and why.

Roseland comes off at first as easily intimidated and a bit silly. Never saying boo, she keeps her opinions to herself and does what she’s told. As time progresses and she is swept up in to Lucian’s problems, she begins to blossom and we see a more determined strong willed woman who does what she wants while paying lip service to Lucian and the rest of the family. I liked how Ms. Munro fleshes out her personality. It’s was a slow and believable emergence. Roseland gift is handled well and we see her use it through out the story. We are shown the good and the bad that results from it and it gives us insight into Roseland’s personality.

Lucian comes off very autocratic and aloof. In fact, he’s rather mean in the beginning. He has no time for Roseland and even goes as far as to think she is trying to seduce him into bed when she begins to tell him of the strange happenings at the castle. Rather then listen to her, he just orders her to stay home and quit getting into trouble. Lucian’s metamorphoses from cold and unfeeling to warm and attentive is nicely done. As you get his background story, you understand why he is the way he is and it goes a long way to forgiving his attitude.

Lucian and Roseland’s love for one another develops slowly over the course of the story. They aren’t forced or rushed in to bed and that makes the ending much sweeter. I also liked how Lucian is not forced to choose between his love for his first wife over his second wife. Often these stories will take the first wife out the picture completely; leave the hero to be with heroine guilt free. Ms. Munro allows Lucian both his loves.

A nice historical romance with a hint of paranormal and a suspenseful mystery. It has a Gothic overtone reminded me of works by Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. Smoothly written with a flair for dramatics; I found the characters and their actions to be in keeping with the era of the times. Well written with a fast paced plot.

The mystery is convoluted and Ms. Munro does a fabulous job of keeping you on your toes and guessing as to the villain till almost the end. I didn’t see it coming but it works out wonderfully and ties up neatly. The secondary characters play small parts and aren’t deeply developed but do help make smooth transitions between scenes and characters.

I did feel there were a few small story lines that lacked depth and could have been developed more or just deleted. Roseland’s constant comments about babies does get a little redundant after the 5th time though. It kills the romance a little.

A nice read that held my attention till the end.

Rating: 3/5

Recent Reviews:
Demon Lover’s Books & More– 3/5
Book Faery – 3.5/5
Book Binge – 4.75/5
Goodreads

Author’s Website.