Bleddyn Hall by Amanda L.V. Shalaby – a Review

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Description:
After a whirlwind romance during the London Season, Lady Isabel Sutton finds herself quickly engaged to the handsome Lord Tresham Bleddyn, Earl of Dancy. But when his father passes away suddenly, Lord Tresham’s period of mourning delays their marriage and ruins the season for Tresham’s younger twin sisters, Annalise and Rosamund.

After the girls invite Isabel to their Yorkshire home, Bleddyn Hall, Tresham seems an entirely different man than the one she fell in love with in London. Not only that, but all is not well within the walls of Bleddyn Hall. The house’s dark secrets lead to murder, mystery and a gruesome discovery.

Was Isabel’s happy future with Tresham nothing more than an illusion? Will she survive her stay at Bleddyn Hall?

Review:

Bleddyn Hall is the third book for Amanda Shallaby, and I have been lucky enough to read her previous two historical romances. Having read two books by Ms. Shallaby I was eager to get started on Bleddyn Hall and in my opinion I’d say she has another hit on her hands. Bleddyn Hall is filled with everything I’ve come to enjoy in an historical romance. Blossoming love, courting, fancy balls and gowns, a dashing hero and feisty heroine, all with a perfectly good mystery thrown in that kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end.

In Bleddyn Hall we are introduced to Lady Isabel Sutton and the ever dashing Lord Tresham Bleddyn. From the start it’s obvious these two are destined to be together. Lord Thresham and Lady Isabel are wonderfully written characters that draw you into their story and lives and lead you on a journey filled with emotion, mystery, suspense, love and angst. Both characters are well suited to one another and their love for one another is believable and real. It’s pretty much love at first site and I absolutely love these kinds of stories. Yes I’m a true romantic at heart and fall for these types of stories every time.

However, even though Lady Isabel and Lord Tresham are well suited and it seems it’s smooth sailing for their courtship, sudden disaster strikes. We learn of Lord Tresham’s father passing away, but soon learn it wasn’t an accident, but murder, and that there could be a murderer on the loose at Bleddyn Hall. This is where the story really picks up the pace and everything from here on in unfolds fast and furious. The suspense and mystery surrounding the death of two characters at Bleddyn Hall, and the suddenly strange behaviour on Lord Tresham’s part keeps the reader turning the pages wanting to find out what’s going on. There’s even one point where I myself was beginning to wonder if we knew all there is to know about Lord Tresham and was he harbouring some deadly secret. Heck at one point I was so furious over Lord Tresham’s sudden change in behaviour and character that I wanted to reach into the book and slap him silly. It isn’t until the last few chapters that Ms. Shallably springs a twist on us you never saw coming. I never once even thought of this plot twist and found it to be a brilliant move on her part. When this twist is revealed it answers all the questions that were bouncing around in my head as I read this story and no I’m not spilling the beans on this one because it would ruin the whole book for you. If you want to know what happens then you have to read it for yourself.

Bleddyn Hall was an exciting read that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way though. The characters are well written and bring their story to life. The secondary characters play their role of supporting cast well, and add an extra layer of life and adventure to the story. Ms. Shallaby’s writing style is such that it allows the reader to become a part of the story as she literally paints a picture with words and makes you feel like you are there in the time period. There were times I looked down at my clothes expecting to find some elegant gown adorning me and looking like the Belle of the Ball. 😉 If you are one for a good mystery, filled with suspense, murder and mayhem all surrounding a budding romance then Bleddyn Hall is your type of read. Ms. Shallaby really has a knack for writing historical romances and has made me more of a fan of this genre. Looking forward to more from this author.

Until next time, happy reading.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author