I love reading and I have been a voracious reader my whole life. I have always leaned towards woman’s fiction and usually it is in today’s time. I have been enjoying many books lately that are based in the past. The book I am reviewing for you today is set in 1913 England and I thoroughly enjoyed this story and cannot wait to share it with you.

RUTHERFORD PARK by Elizabeth Cooke
Berkley; July 2, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-425-26258-0

In the style of the wildly popular television series Downton Abbey, comes RUTHERFORD PARK, an utterly compelling, beautifully written historical novel that plays out against the backdrop of Rutherford Park, a gorgeous British country house, in the year before World War I.

For the Cavendish family, Rutherford Park is much more than a place to call home. It is a way of life marked by rigid rules and lavish rewards, governed by unspoken desires. As the clouds of war gather on the horizon, an epic tale of longing and betrayal unfolds in this new historical novel by Elizabeth Cooke, RUTHERFORD PARK.

Lady of the house, Octavia Cavendish, lives like a bird in a gilded cage. With her family’s fortune, her husband, William, has made significant additions to the estate, but he too feels bound — by the obligations of his title as well as his vows. Their son, Harry, is expected to follow in his footsteps, but the boy has dreams of his own, like pursuing the new adventure of aerial flight. Meanwhile, below stairs, a housemaid named Emily holds a secret that could undo the Cavendish name.

On Christmas Eve 1913, Octavia catches a glimpse of her husband in an intimate moment with his beautiful and scandalous distant cousin. She then spies the housemaid Emily out in the snow, walking toward the river, about to make her own secret known to the world. As the clouds of war gather on the horizon, an epic tale of longing and betrayal is about to unfold at Rutherford Park…

My Thoughts:
I have to say that I loved this story. The story is about aristocrats that are basically bored to tears and the mess that is created by the son, daughter, husband and even the wife. It is a story where the servants know everything that goes on in the household, yet nothing is told to the family. Secrets are kept by the servants and the family alike. But when they start to unfold is when the story gets good.

In the story you meet many of the servants that work for the Cavendish family and the family itself. In a few places, I did get a bit lost with all of the names and had a hard time remembering who was who. I had to flip back a few times to refresh my memory but overall the story was fresh and held you captivated to the very end. I was very enthralled with Lady Octavia and her woes and felt her pain as she tried to figure out her life and what she had to do. Then the beginnings of the WWI started rearing its ugly head and more issues came to befall the Cavendish family.

This is a saga of a family that has issues, just like every family does. The secrets will soon come to a head and change everything this family knows. The war makes an impact with the family too and soon everything they know has changed.

I loved the authors writing style and the book flowed well. It was easy to read and I thought it was a fabulous story line overall. I hope that the author decides to write a sequel as I would love to know what is next in line for the Cavendish family and their lovely estate, Rutherford Park.

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.

Romance novels have come a long way in the past few years. Years ago, romance in a book was an innuendo and looks across the room and perhaps a hot make out session. Today, it is no holds barred and authors have free reign over their steamy, descriptive novels that take you to another realm altogether. The book that I was asked to review today is one of a series of books and it is what the authors are calling a Novella.

Beautiful Bitch
By Christina Lauren
Pub Date: July 9, 2013
ISBN: 9781476754147
Published by Gallery Books

This book is really the second in the series, although other books by the writing duo Christina and Lauren were previously written. This novella is a smaller book, very easy to read, and it was meant to continue on where the first book Beautiful Bastard left off – the love/hate relationship of Bennett and Chloe.

Bennett and Chloe work together and Chloe was Bennett’s assistant. Now moving into her own with her new job in the company, Bennett and Chloe are finding it harder and harder to see each other. Plus with a new division of the company coming on line, it is mainly frustration for them. However when they do get together, it is with sparks flying.

It is very interesting in the manner that the authors decided to write this. Much of the book is a reflection of memories and what has happened in the past to tie these two together. You get glimpses of visits with the parents and the embarrassing moments that they went through. There are plenty of places that makes you smile at the poor couples troubles! But it is obvious, the pair cannot live without each other, but work is an issue on the deepest level. Bennett decides that they need a get away and booked a trip to France at the worst time. Getting there and being together is tough on the couple, but true love reigns.

This book is a very fast read. There is tons of hot, steamy scenes and I like that the couple seems truly made for each other. There is no harshness between them and even their friends mostly approve of the connection. I enjoy a happy book and this is one that leaves you smiling at the end. That to me makes a great read – if I am ready to dive into the next book immediately.

One thing I cannot figure out is why the title of the book is Beautiful Bitch. Chloe is not one, at least in this book, and I really do not understand the fascination with using the B word when referring to a strong woman, which she is. Having not read the first in the series, Beautiful Bastard, I don’t get it. But at least the book was fun.

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.