My Overview & Review :

All I can say is “wow,” what a wonderful introduction to both Lady Alexandria Fetherstone (Alex) and the Gabriel Ravenwood, the Duke of St. Easton (Guardian Duke).  Both characters are brought to life within the pages of this amazing adventure in such a way that the reader feels completely drawn into the story with each and every word.

When we first meet our soon-to-be “Guardian Duke,” he is enjoying the opening strains of relaxing music at the opera and is rudely interrupted from his much needed peace by his secretary, Mr. Meade.  In Meade’s hand is a letter with the King’s seal addressed to the Duke informing him that his has become the guardian for Alexandria Featherstone upon the mysterious disappearance of her parents.  As he reaches for it, he feels a roaring in his ears, shortly followed by a bright light of sorts exploding inside his head.  Once he recovers, he realizes . . . well, I don’t want to spoil the book for you, so I’ll just say he begins to have some physical difficulties that greatly concern and anger him. 

We are introduced to Alex (Lady Alexandria) as she is traipsing along the sea shore of her island home, in her night clothing.  She shows immediately an adventurous and determined personality.  She lives in a castle which is run down, drafty and leaky, while her parents are on one of their many treasure hunting excursions.  Her parents frequently leave her to hire out in search of stolen or missing items.  This time, they have been gone for about a year and she has not heard from them for nearly 10 months.  Although she is concerned, they have often been gone for long periods of time and she is certain they will return once their search is complete.  Little does she know the danger they have put themselves, and her as well, into on this quest.

Upon finding out that the Duke of St. Easton has been assigned her care by the King, in her parents absence, she is quite dismayed.  She does not believe her parents to be dead as others seem to believe.  So despite her new guardian’s concern for her well-being, she sets out alone to discover what has become of her parents.  Along her journey she meets both dangerous and friendly people.  She trusts God to lead her and guide her along the way, yet she still manages to get into quite a bit of mischief.

As we follow along on Alex’s journey to find and save her parents, a parallel journey is taking place.  The Guardian Duke is learning to deal with a new and frightening handicap, as well as dealing with a missing ward.  He feels a responsibility to her, but also a kinship that grows as they correspond through letters.  As he discovers more information regarding her parent’s disappearance as well as her journey to find information about them; he finds that she is in grave danger, and he attempts to meet up with her to help her. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am very anxious for the next book to arrive.  There is a bit of a “cliff-hanger” ending to this that leaves me with a greater desire to learn what will happen next and what will happen between the Duke and Alex.

I love the flow that this book has.  It is very easy to read, and very hard to put down.  I could not stop reading!  I needed to know what would happen in each and every chapter.  I was able to read this book in 1 day (with several interruptions for housework and kids) and greatly recommend it to anyone who loves good clean fiction, with lots of adventure, excellent, well-developed characters and page-turning intrigue!  

*And for those of you who love clean fiction but shy away from "preachy" books, don't worry! although there is mention of God, faith and scripture from time to time, this book is definitely not "preachy" ;)

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