REBEL MARQUESS by Amy Sandas

Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Date published: 4/22/14
ISBN: 978-1-61921-839-0
Romance/Historical Regency
E-book
Reviewed by Helen
Weblink: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/rebel-marquess-p-73389.html
Obtained via publisher
Rating: 3.5

It’s 1824 and Elizabeth Terribury is the youngest of seven sisters. As is only to be expected, her mother is a match-making fiend with all those girls to settle. But Eliza wants to write instead of becoming some man’s possession. The Marquess of Rutherford inherited his title very young and has always been groomed to be dedicated to his duties. He has absolutely no intention of some match-making mama snaring him in her net.

This book opens well, introducing nicely paced action and some engrossing characters. It draws the reader right into the story and into Rutherford’s and Eliza’s lives. Both are multilayered characters with their own ideas, thoughts, and, as Georgette Heyer would have said, an odd kick in their gallop at times, which adds to the fun of the book.

The sex scenes are erotic yet time appropriate except for Ms. Sandas’ insistence on using “sex” to describe genitalia, and “sexy” to describe people. A few seconds at http://www.etymonline.com/would have shown her that “sex” was not used for genitals until 1938 and “sexy” until 1923. There are plenty of historically accurate words available for authors who shy away from terms some people still consider crude.

I was very impressed that I only noticed one historical inaccuracy in the actions of the characters. Kudos to the author for being able to write an intelligent, energetic and active heroine without turning her into a twenty-first century person.
Also the timing of the ending of the book was a very clever move as there were many potential historical pitfalls that were avoided by ending it where she did.
A most enjoyable read.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.