"Confessions of an Improper Bride" by Jennifer Haymore - Review & Giveaway

Now is not only the chance to read my thoughts about this well written novel, but also a chance to win a copy of your very own! Brianne of Grand Central Publishing is offering a copy of "Confessions of an Improper Bride" to 3 lucky readers of Just One More Paragraph. Thank you Brianne! Want to enter? Please fill in the Rafflecopter form below. 

Confessions of an Improper Bride
A Donovan Novel
Author: Jennifer Haymore
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 9780446573146
Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE

TWICE TEMPTED

Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family's future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin's identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn't love and spend the rest of her days living a lie.

Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he's introduced to the prim and proper "Meg", he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?

IMPORTANT NEWS: Jennifer has created a Twitter account for this book’s hero: Jonathan Dane. His Twitter is http://twitter.com/EarlofStratford

  

My Thoughts:

Imagine you have a twin sister that is always "perfect" while you are the one who loves life and dares to not only live it, but challenges some of life's rules. Imagine doing something so scandalous that you are banished back home with a letter to your family telling you how you've shamed them.  Then, imagine your perfect sister accidentally dying and leaving you, the shameful child, behind. What does your family do? They create the perfect plan - they make you the good sister and force you to carry on that charade.

This was an amazingly good read. To even imagine trying to carry on with your sister's identity all the while using her name and constantly dredging up the pain of losing someone so close, and doing it all for the sake of the family. But then, Serena really didn't have much of a choice, or did she? After 6 years, Serena goes back to her aunt's to pick up her sister's life, and meets all the "old friends" of years ago, including her past love, Jonathan Dane.

This historical romance really kept me guessing all the way to the end. I couldn't figure out how Serena would handle the situations she was faced with, and as much as I wanted her with a certain person, there was no way I could come up with a good ending. Oh, but that's where the talent of Ms. Haymore came in. She crafted a brilliant finish to this complicated story!! It left me feeling satisfied with the outcome.

I am looking forward to reading more of Jennifer Haymore's books!

Note: This novel contains adult language, adult situations, and descriptive sexual content. Personally, I would not hand this to my 17 year old daughter to read.


Jennifer Haymore's Bio (in her own words):

I’ve been writing since I could pick up a pencil….

Wait, no…that’s what every other writer says! I started writing just before my eighth birthday, and it wasn’t on my own volition. I was sailing with my family in a 42-foot sailboat across the Pacific, and since there were no local schools (except those pertaining to fish) nearby, my mother homeschooled me. She was a strict taskmaster! A veritable slave driver! She demanded a new story every day.

So I’d sit in the boat’s galley and write. And stare out the porthole, and write some more. And doodle, and write some more. By the time we arrived in Hawaii the following year, I had a portfolio of stories, and I was hooked. Since then I haven’t stopped. (Well, much. I did take breaks now and then, for things like college, young kids, and a master’s degree.)

I love to read just as much as I love to write, and actually the reading bug hit me at about the same time my mom was cracking the whip over my head and commanding me to write. What else to occupy your time with when there are no other kids to play with and nothing to do but stare at the endless sea? Some of my most recent favorites: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, River God by Wilbur Smith, and anything by Laura Kinsale and Loretta Chase.

For more information about Jennifer, you can visit:
Her website:  http://www.jenniferhaymore.com/
Her blog:  http://www.jenniferhaymore.com/blog
Her Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Haymore/661681396?sid=0
On Twitter:  http://twitter.com/jenniferhaymore

Book was supplied by the publisher for me to honestly review.