Title: Arabella’s Assistant
Author: Judy Lynn Ichkhanian
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
Lady Arabella Warwick possesses a passion for cuneiform, a wish to never marry, and an empty reticule. Unfortunately, she also has an ailing mother who needs expensive care. In Victorian England, there is only one way for a lady to raise much needed funds: marriage.
Gabriel, Baron Brynley, knows his nefarious cousin, the Viscount Justin Manning, would never court an impoverished bluestocking like Lady Arabella, no matter how lovely. She must figure into the lawsuit Gabriel has brought to claim his relative's titles. But how? He's determined to find out.
Soon Arabella and Gabriel bond over an obsession with the Epic of Gilgamesh. As their attraction to each other grows, so does the danger from those who oppose them. With so much at stake, do they dare risk love?
My Review:
An ailing mother forces Lady Arabella to marry but when she meets Gabriel, love enters the picture. Some call her a bluestocking but Lady Arabella doesn’t mind. If she had her wish, she’d never marry. But her mother’s illness forces her to do whatever it takes to get the necessary funds: marry a rich man. When she meets Gabriel for the first time, it’s disturbing and off-putting. Sure, he’s handsome and appears to be wealthy but he’s also intelligent and that attracts her. Bonding over literature sends her heart into a tailspin. Everything is going smoothly until Gabriel’s relations get involved. Suddenly, the danger is very real, as is her love for Gabriel. Can she marry for money and love or is this just another conquest for Gabriel?
Arabella’s Assistant is a sweeping historical romance from start to finish. This is my first time reading from this author, so I didn’t know what to expect. From the very first page, I connected with the characters and was drawn in by the descriptive narration. The setting and historical accuracy took my breath away. The plot moved at a fantastic pace with a full cast of characters to interact with. The storyline with Gabriel vying for a title from his unscrupulous relatives was a very intriguing subplot. I whipped through the pages to see what would happen next. The element of surprise when the suspense hit its peak was quite unexpected but thoroughly enjoyable. The romance, though, was what made this such an exquisite reading experience. Two unlikely people bonding over literature…a book lover's dream. Judy Lynn Ichkhanian has an indelible talent for writing historical romance. The words leaped from the page and into my heart. Arabella’s Assistant is an exceptional historical romance. I look forward to reading more from this author. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biography:
Judy is a sort-of-retired litigation attorney, a current homemaker with a propensity to ignore any and all chores, and the mother of an outrageously comedic teenage boy and a fur-baby named Chocolate-the-Dog, so named because he thinks he’s a cat.
Judy has been writing stories since she first learned to read and has stories constantly going through her head. With a passionate interest in archeology, most especially the alternative kind, she still hopes to one day uncover the true history of the world.
As a graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Art History, when she ventures away from books it is to find the nearest museum or purveyor of High Tea.
She has lived in four states and Marseille, France, and currently makes her home in North Carolina, which she loves except for the bugs, snakes, and humidity.
Visit her at www.judylynnichkhanian.com for excerpts, information, newsletter, and tales both small and tall.
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Reviewed by: Mrs. N