Audra by Amanda L.V. Shalaby – a Review

Links to order Audra: Amazon / Barnes & Noble /  Kobo

Description:
Audra Kingsley, a wealthy heiress, may not have seen much of the world, but she knows exactly how she wants her future to play out—and a coming out ball held at her country estate, Kingsley Manor, would suit her just fine. Her father’s wish that she be presented at St. James in London seems silly since she is to marry her neighbor and childhood sweetheart, Lord Crispin Brighton, but she obliges him.

Audra travels to London with her patroness, the eccentric Lady Sutherland, intending to return home as soon as she has curtseyed to the Queen. Unknown to her, Lady Sutherland is in no rush to leave London before the Season is over and intends to show Audra she has more options in the suitor department than Lord Crispin, a second son.

Audra finds herself surrounded by few friends and is forced to attend parties, balls, and operas—all while becoming the object of a secret admirer’s obsession. As Audra struggles to make her way home to her beloved, plans to compromise her into an unwanted marriage are underway.

Review:

After reading Rhianna by Amanda L.V. Shalaby, I knew if she wrote Audra and Crispin’s story I’d have to read it.  So when I was asked to review this book, there was no way I was passing on it.  Having enjoyed Rhianna so much and getting to meet Audra and Crispin, I knew their story had to be told and that it would be a fun, loving and adventurous story with these two characters.  Ms. Shalaby did not disappoint with Audra.  Although it was a fast read, her love of the historical genre shines through and she continues to wield her magic through her wonderful descriptive and lyric storytelling.  Once again, Ms. Shalaby transports the reader back in time to an era of fancy parties, royalty, Lords and Ladies, coming out balls and splendid Estates.  She makes me wish I lived back in that era, being the belle of the ball with a swoon-worthy and devoted man at my side.  I love all things romantic, fancy and girlie.  😉 

We first meet Audra, and her beau Crispin in Rhianna.  Both have known each other forever and have come to love one another desperately.  Audra although young, only 16 is very head strong, mature for her age, and knows what she wants and doesn’t let anyone tell her differently. She’s the type of heroine no matter her youthful age, you can get behind and root for. Audra is a joy of a character, one I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.  She isn’t a woman to sit by idly while someone else tells her what to do. Yes she goes to London for her coming out moment only to make her daddy proud, but plans to return to Kinglsey manor and Crispin as soon as she takes her bow before the Queen.  The scene with her father where she tells him her exact plans is quite priceless. The way she speaks her mind around others and carries on is not how you picture a young debutante from that era.  There is never a dull moment when Audra is in the room.  Yes she can be melodramatic at times, but that’s part of her charm and personality. It’s this part of her personality that has always drawn Crispin to her. He knows what she’s like and loves her all the more for it.  He’s always proud of the way she handles herself and let’s everyone know she’s her own person, one who can make decisions for herself and isn’t afraid to stand up to others for herself or her family. 

Crispin is Audra’s true love, always has been and he couldn’t be happier for that fact.  He loves Audra with an intensity that one can’t miss. She is his heart, without her he’s nothing and doesn’t care who knows it.  Like his brother Thayne, Crispin is another wonderful male lead.  He’s very much the heartbreaker and swoon-worthy champion. I’d let Crispin champion me and our love any day.  The way he treats Audra and cherishes her is nothing short of perfect.  I loved every scene between Audra and Crispin.  One of my favourite scenes would have to be the during the masquerade in London when Crispin sneaks away from home to find her and see if she has moved on without him, or if something else is going on that’s keeping her from him.  I loved the way they were reunited and it just proved even more just how truly in love they are and that they really are meant to be.  Crispin and Audra are the perfect romantic couple for such a story about true love and knowing what each other wants and going after it no matter what.  

Now of course a story about true love just wouldn’t be told properly if there wasn’t some dastardly villain out to keep the star-crossed lovers apart.  Enter Audra’s patroness Lady Sutherland.  Even though Audra outlines her plans to Lady Sutherland, her patroness has other plans for her. Poor Audra is thrust into a world of deceit, unsolicited attention and danger.  No matter how hard Audra tries to return to her Crispin, it seems Lady Sutherland always has some other reason for staying in London.  In my opinion Ms. Shalaby writes this villain perfectly and had me despising her at every turn, even wanting to slap her upside the head repeatedly.  I love a perfectly written villain in a love story, it just adds many more layers to an already great story. As our dastardly villain makes plans against Audra, the action really picks up and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next.  The last few chapters just seem to fly by as Lady Sutherland’s plans seem to fall into place against Audra’s wishes.  Just when you think all is lost, Crispin must race to his true love and remove her from the clutches of an unwanted suitor.  It’s every women’s fantasy, her knight in shining armour coming to her rescue. I loved the ending of this story.

Once again Ms. Shalaby has out done herself with Audra. I loved every minute of the story. The characters are well written, the storyline moves the reader along at a good pace keeping you entertained and wanting more.  The more I read, the more I felt like I was transported back in time to this wonderful era, donning beautiful ball gowns and attending extravagant parties, with dashing young vying for my attention.  If you are a fan of the historical genre then you won’t be disappointed with Ms. Shalaby’s  newest installment Audra.  Happy reading, until next time.   

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author