Jack of All Trades

I have received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntary reviewing it. While this is a part of a series, you can read this as a stand-alone and fully understand and enjoy it. I loved the dual POV format. Getting that glimpse into the character's thoughts really help me the reader to better connect and understand them. It makes them more "humanized" than just a mere character of a book. This was a totally different book for me from this author. I have not read the prior books of this series. I normally read her contemporary "western" romances. This was a refreshing change of pace. I was totally enthralled with the characters and the plot. Most historical romances are about the gentry class. These two were the total opposite of the autocratic, wealthy romance. Elijah Hepworth is a self-made man. He built his fortune the hard way of tough, gritty, hard back-breaking work. Alice Collins is the illegitimate half-sister to Captain Francis Grafton (the male protagonist in the first book of this series.) Alice seeks her half-brother out once her mother passes away and all their worldly possessions are taken away by the debt-collectors. It is in her brother's home that she is finally learning to be loved and accepted. From birth, she hasn't felt the safety of being loved nor needed. That is until she meets Elijah. The highs and lows of this book are ones that give a glimpse into what life and the hardships that were faced by many. I really hated to see this story end. It felt like I was closing the door to friends. This is a very sexy read so just that word of caution.

The first I have read of the authors historical books. I love her another genre and she doesn’t disappoint! This is book 4 in the Millcastle series, but I had no problem getting into the story. Elijah Hepworth is a self made man, a railway contractor who has some support from the Ton and also some resistance from others who doesn’t want change in their town. He meets Alice at one of his partners home and decides he wants her. And he always gets what he wants in his own brash way. Alice Collins is homeless and turns to her half brother for aid, surprisingly he welcomes her even though she is his father’s love child. All Alice wants is to feel safe a secure in her life and always is afraid that she will be turned out. Hoping for a marriage proposal from a friend of the family, has backfired and her friend marries the man she had her heart set on. In comes Mr. Hepworth on the rebound. A story of trust, growth and love. Wonderful to read about the working man….not everyone was Ton. Thank you for the ARC, the book was given to me by the author in return for a honest opinion. All opinions are my own. A enjoyable read.