Ratings2
Average rating3.5
Margerit Sovitre did not expect to inherit the Baron Saveze’s fortunes—and even less his bodyguard. The formidable Barbara, of unknown parentage and tied to the barony for secretive reasons, is a feared duelist, capable of defending her charges with efficient, deadly force. Equally perplexing is that while she is now a highly eligible heiress, Margerit did not also inherit the Saveze title, and the new baron eyes the fortunes he lost with open envy. Barbara, bitter that her servitude is to continue, may be the only force that stands between Margerit and the new Baron’s greed—and the ever deeper layers of intrigue that surround the ill-health of Alpennia’s prince and the divine power from rituals known only as The Mysteries of the Saints. At first Margerit protests the need for Barbara’s services, but soon she cannot imagine sending Barbara away—for reasons of state and reasons of the heart. Heather Rose Jone debuts with a sweeping story rich in intrigue and the clash of loyalties and love.
Series
4 primary books5 released booksAlpennia is a 5-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2014 with contributions by Heather Rose Jones.
Reviews with the most likes.
DNF - PG 29
Why?
I've found a cure for insomnia: fictional characters discussing the religious writings of a long dead author that may or may not be a real life Christian poet from the sixth century. Riveting stuff! I could barely keep my eyes focused on the page! (And you want a sure-fire way to tick me off right now? Let's talk organized religion.)
Besides that - and I might have pressed on in spite of it - the love interests are...difficult. I mean, one of them made a remark to the other that was basically ‘it's a shame you we're born a lady of leisure, instead of sold by your father into servitude, because you're so smart' which was, quite appropriately I thought, responded to with the summation of ‘at least I won't be sold to my husband and forced to obey his whims if all he wants is a baby-maker'. It was a brief but heated argument and then quickly forgiven/forgotten. And I'm left unhappy with the couple and feeling these two ladies have no chemistry.