Monday, September 1, 2014

[Pat's Review]: "Heir to Scandal"

Heir to Scandal by Andrea Laurence
Publisher: Harlequin (September 2, 2014)
Series: Secrets of Eden, 3
Genre: Category Romance -- Contemporary

"Yes, you have a son."

The past is about to catch up with Congressman Xander Langston...in more ways than one. While his reelection campaign is in full swing, unidentified remains surface on his family's farm and scandal ensues. Yet when he returns home, it's his reunion with Rose Pierce that's consuming all his waking thoughts.

His high school sweetheart has blossomed into a radiant beauty. The thrill of first love that Xander had once dismissed is proving to be a more enduring proposition. But Rose has a secret, too--will it put a stop to their second chance and derail his career for good?(



Where to Buy*:
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Pat's Review:


Congressman Xander Langston  had a difficult childhood until he arrived at Garden of Eden Christmas Tree Farm in Cornwall, Connecticut. It was a family farm owned by Ken and Molly Eden and they took in the hardest children to place in the foster system. The boys he grew up with on the farm felt like brothers, with the exception of Tommy Wilder who lived  up to his name. He had disappeared years ago, Ken and Molly were saddened by his disappearance but life was much easier for the family after he was gone.  Xander attended the local high school and fell in love with Rose (Rosalyn) Pierce.  Upon high school graduation, Xander desperately tried to convince Rose to go with him to D.C. where he was attending Georgetown. Rose was going to a local college so she could be near her Mom and keep working.  They both knew it couldn't work and painfully said goodby. Xander graduated from Georgetown and immediately went into politics. When he came home to Cornwall, he avoided seeing Rose.



It is now ten years later, he is running for reelection, and has a book published. He is returning to Cornwall, for a meet and greet and a book signing. A secret part of his return is based on a body found buried on his parents land.  If the identity is pursued, there is trouble for the brothers.  He finds Rose, amazingly still working at Daisy's, and he takes her out for dinner. She has secrets she is afraid to share, but just can't help the pull of her emotions to Xander. When she finally shares her secret, his life is rocked to the core. Anger, fear and joy take over.



I enjoyed this contemporary small town romance, but I had very mixed feelings about the hero and heroine. Without giving spoilers, it seemed Xander was most worried about his reelection and the chance of negative press, although he denied that to Rose.  Rose kept her secret from him for ten years, and then was upset when he was angry, and taking time to absorb the shock.  As more information turns up about the body, Rose then turns her back on Xander, fearing the backlash to her family.



To sum it up, the main characters, Xander and Rose, got on my nerves, but the story was well written. Oh, and there's a cliffhanger!


3 1/2 STARS! 

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Pat received an e-ARC of this book from the author in exchange for her honest opinion.

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Thanks for the review, Pat! :) 

Have you read Andrea Laurence before? Do you have a favorite book of hers?



Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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1 comment :

Anna@herding cats&burning soup said...

Thanks for the heads up Pat. It looked like it might be interesting but I'm thinking maybe not for me with the characters and cliffie. Might look her up though and check out what else she's got :)