AN IMPOSSIBLE ATTRACTION – Brenda Joyce
The de Warenne Dynasty, Book 7
HQN
ISBN: 978-0-373-77460-9
March 2010
Historical Romance

Outside of Greenwich, England – 19th Century

When her mother died, Alexandra Bolton gladly took on the care of her two younger sisters and her father, even though she had to give up on marrying the man of her dreams. While she may look back on her life and mourn the romance she shared with Owen St. James, she will never regret the time she’s spent with her family, no matter how difficult it has been to keep the roof over their heads and food on the table. The Bolton family could be considered disgraced because of Alexandra’s father's drinking and gambling away all their money, but she still holds her head up high and respects her mother’s memory by doing the best she can.

Now that her father’s debts have mounted further and any chance of financial freedom is all but gone, he decrees that it’s time Alexandra wed, preferably a man with blunt enough to keep their small household afloat. Enter Squire Denney, an older widower of means who apparently has a fondness for Alexandra. He begins his courtship by escorting the Bolton family to a neighborhood function held by the de Warrene family. There she not only meets Stephen Mowbray, the devastatingly handsome Duke of Clarewood, but is forced to hold her head high under undue censure and snobbery by the district’s elite due to the fact that Alexandra has been forced to work to earn any living for her family. The first she’ll never forget, the second she’d love to…

Stephen Mowbray, Duke of Clarewood, may be considered an elusive catch on the marriage mart, but it’s his austere reputation and arrogant ways that attract females almost as much as his wealth. One thing he cannot abide, however, is the uncalled for mistreatment of anyone who is willing to put in a hard day’s work, which Alexandra Bolton is guilty of. The fact that she works is scandalous in many of his acquaintances’ eyes, but he admires her for it. And she’s not exactly hard on the eyes either. He’s considering a seduction of sorts when the pressure becomes too much, and her delicate sensibilities take over.

Alexandra Bolton does not pass out. Simply not. But apparently her vapors placed her in the position of being rescued by Clarewood, and more than one person has paid attention. While she cannot ignore the attraction between them, she is resolute in her decision to marry Squire Denny and make her father proud—and debt free. But Clarewood has seen what he likes and begins a courtship of his own, albeit for more shocking reasons…a seduction.

What I love about any book by Brenda Joyce is that the story always seems fresh, with characters that are easy to care about and understand, despite any trait that may seem harsh. In Clarewood’s case, readers may experience a hesitancy to embrace him because he comes across so hard, but he learned it at an expert’s knee—his father's. Rather, Tom Mowbray was the man who raised him as his own son, despite the fact that Stephen is not of his blood. He’s a de Warenne, and that little fact is revealed early on in AN IMPOSSIBLE ATTRACTION. As is the de Warenne nature—the entire family welcomed Stephen with open arms and accepted him as one of their own, although society does not know the truth. So, while he had learned from the best to be cold, hard, and live only for the Clarewood name, Stephen has taken happiness where he could when amongst the de Warennes; in essence, they taught him what family is.

Alexandra finds herself with AN IMPOSSIBLE ATTRACTION to Clarewood. It’s quite obvious that he protects those he cares for, and she cannot deny her desire for him. She’s a woman who is unashamed to love, but her duty to her family has long inured her to any softer emotions than worrying about how to pay for house repairs and food for the upcoming month. Even as the Duke wages a battle for her affections, she struggles to not give in and to do only what is right. But her longing proves to be stronger than her will, and it’s only a matter of time before she caves.

AN IMPOSSIBLE ATTRACTION is an apt description for Brenda Joyce’s latest in her de Warenne Dynasty series. It is details to characterization and solid gold story telling in a familial series that is the hallmark of any book by Brenda Joyce. Quite simply, AN IMPOSSIBLE ATTRACTION is not to be missed. Stay tuned for another installment later on this year. Details can be found at www.thedewarennedynasty.com.

Amy Cunningham