Christine Young
Excerpt Heat Level: 1
Book Heat Level: 4
REVIEW:
Title: Allura Genre: Historical Author: Christine
Young
Reviewer: Chrissy Dionne Reviewer Email:
RJChrissyDionne@yahoo.com
Christine Young’s ALLURA is a delightful historical
novel full of suspense, lovable characters, humor and a budding romance between
two characters determined not to fall in love. Allura and Hunter’s stubborn,
determined natures allowed for some interesting scenes as they attempted to get
one up on each other. As a modern day woman I felt bad for Allura because
technically her husband would dictate every aspect of her life and the freedom
she loves would be a thing of the past. Hunter is unbending as far as to how he
believes a wife should behave but falling in love changes him and his perception
of Allura. Hunter and Allura are the main focus of this story but there are
secondary characters whom I absolutely adored and would love to revisit in
future novels (hint, hint). Especially the youngest sister Aiden and Hunter’s
trusted friend Blade. He doesn’t believe in love and she’s determined to do
whatever’s necessary to get him to notice her. SNIPPET— Allura has come to
treasure her freedom and the adventures she shares with her sisters and her
cousins but her father’s decision to find her a husband threatens that freedom.
He’s placed an ad in the times in search of a man strong and smart enough to
discover where exactly it is that the girls venture when they leave the safety
of the castle.
BLURB:
Allura McClellan is horrified by her father’s decision to take out an
ad in the Times awarding her to the man strong enough and smart enough to win
her hand and uncover her secrets. She’s an intelligent young woman who takes
great delight in the freedom allotted to her by her father. She’s well aware
that marriage would effectively curtail the adventures she’s shared with her
sisters and cousins.
Hunter Gray is nothing like the other men who’ve arrived to vie for
Allura’s hand in marriage and everything that goes along with it. However, he
is the first to refuse to concede defeat and pursue her despite her attempts to
disguise her true appearance. It’s her temperament that is of more concern to
him than her looks. Hunter has worked all his life with the hope of someday
owning his own land. Now that it looks like there’s a very real possibility
that everything he’s ever wanted is within reach nothing is going to deter him
– including Miss Allura’s disagreeable disposition.
Eddington,
Scotland 1815
"You
can’t plan to wed me to that--that man down there!" Allura McClellan’s
heart thundered and lodged in her throat. Balled into fists her hands trembled.
"You promised I could marry for love. I thought when the last man failed
to discover this imaginary secret you think I have, you would stop this
craziness. I thought you would take the ad out of the Times and the other
papers."
From
the boxing ring below, fist met flesh, the sound echoing throughout. Hunter
Gray whirled and ducked. He guarded his face to block the stinging blows his
opponent rained down upon him. He spun and ducked again. The man he fought
countered the attack, but he did not move fast enough. Hunter’s next jab was so
fast and so hard the other man didn’t block the punch. The man staggered
backwards, blood running from his eye. Men yelled and cheered for the two
combatants. Hunter paused and spoke to the man he practiced with before the
match continued once more.
Allura
saw her life as she had planned it slip away as if it was grains of sand in an
hour glass. She stopped pacing and watched the men below. She turned on her
father. "The ad in the Times--giving me away to any man--you have gone too
far. A marriage of convenience is barbaric. You promised." For a moment,
she closed her eyes. She did not want to acknowledge anything that went on
here. It was not her fault she could not find a man she loved. What horrific
bit of bad luck had found her?
The
laird cleared his throat. "Perhaps I have not gone far enough or soon
enough. And the ad did not promise you to just any man. He must be strong
enough and smart enough to win your hand."
It
was not Allura’s nature to allow others to rule her fate. “These men,” she
waved her hand in the air, frustration sweeping recklessly within. "They
don’t want me. They come for one reason only. They are greedy and hungry for
power. You have taught me everything I need to know. I can run your estate and
all of your holdings. I’ve studied endless hours. I know the men who work for
you. I swear I’ll defy your wishes. At the altar I will say no."
The
McClellan’s grin faded as quickly as it had appeared and without further
thought, he said, "Perhaps not, you are beautiful lass--one with rare
promise. And," he stroked his chin, "no matter how much book learning
a woman has she cannot dictate her own life. It is up to the men in her life to
make sure she is happy and provided for."
A
strained silence followed. She sagged against the stone wall. As if sensing her
vulnerable position, she stiffened. Outraged and furious she looked upon her
father. "They are money grubbers and want your land--our land. They have
no right to any of your estate."
The
McClellan held back for a moment, seemingly aware there was more than just a
little truth in what Allura said. "How indeed?" he questioned her.
Yet his smile was tight, forced. "I grow old. I only want this land
secured and my daughters happy before I die. You are twenty-two. I have given
you ample opportunity to fall in love. I thought it time to bring new blood to
this land, a new man. I thought perhaps one would take your fancy."
"That
man," she began. Her hand shook when she pointed at the man who danced and
whirled avoiding each blow as if he dallied in child's play. She trembled so
violently she could not speak. “Is an Englishman.”
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