The Christies—Book 2
By Carrie Lofty
Publisher: Pocket
Release
Date: June 26, 2012
Alexander Christie is a bit disheartened following the
reading of his late father’s will. Alex and his three siblings are instructed
to manage one of William Christie’s foreign companies to help it to earn a
profit at the end of two years. If they succeed, they are awarded one million
dollars; if they refuse or fail, they will receive five hundred dollars. The
task given to Alex is to go to Glasgow ,
Scotland , and
make Christie’s Textiles profitable. Alex has a hard time wrapping his head
around this idea since his life, and that of his infant son’s, is in Philadelphia,
where he is a teacher and is due tenure within the year. However, there is no
question that he will do it after meeting with his late wife’s malicious father.
“Did he bequeath you
enough to keep your son?”
It is this question and the evil desire behind it that
drives Alex to do anything and everything to protect Edmund.
He would go to Scotland . He
would earn that million-dollar bonus and protect his son. Or die trying.
Polly Gowan is a weaver at Christie’s Textiles and also the
daughter of a union leader. Few people know that Polly has been secretly
leading the union ever since her father became too ill to do the job. After an
explosion in the mill leaves some damage and one person with an injury, Polly
and several other workers are brought in for questioning by the new master, Mr.
Christie, and a few of the other mill masters. Polly is instantly intrigued by
Alex, but knows her place since they are on opposite sides of the social
spectrum—Polly and her family are dirt poor (but happy) and Alex is of the
upper crust. Yet despite all the secrets and turmoil, they find that they can
be themselves with each other and just let go...to forget their past hardships
for at least a little while and heal. This is one of my favorite (of many)
scenes in the book:
“How do you do it,
Polly?”
... “Do what?”
“Keep your spirits up.
For example, at the meeting hall. Had anyone else given the speech you did, I
would’ve thought them terribly naïve or even manipulative. But you meant every
word, and everyone there knew it. You want the people in your union to fare
well.”
“Naturally. Others
might have different motives, but I’m not so complicated.”
“Oh, I don’t believe
that.” He touched her cheek, where loose curls tickled and teased. Her skin was
cold. He edged closer on the blanket, and their bodies traded heat.
“I love my people,”
she said at last. “I’m very proud of them. This isn’t an easy life. Maybe
that’s why I have such pride and ambition for them, often more than they do for
themselves.”
“But how have you managed to survive here? It’s dirty and poor
and violent. Yet, you keep smiling. How?”
She grew quiet, making
Alex wonder if he’d stepped on some invisible boundary. But she was still
Polly, and that meant taking him by surprise. “You want to know the secret?”
“Is there one?”
“Of course. Otherwise
I’d have gone mad a long time ago.” ... “You make shields. A half dozen or so.
You stake them all around, all overlapped to keep out the pain and
disappointment. But you leave a tiny crack, right in the front. That’s for
letting the happiness in.”
Polly agrees to help Alex find out who orchestrated the explosion,
but she is a smart, practical girl who holds no illusions that she and Alex
will have a future together beyond that. But the more time they spend in each
other’s company, the harder it is for Polly to cling to that thought. And Alex
is not immune either.
She was a creature
he’d never thought to imagine. A woman unlike any he’d ever known. Rough-hewn
and cheeky, resilient and stubborn. Her boldness called to him.
That boldness tempted
him toward thoughts he had no business thinking. Hard thoughts. Charged with sex
and expectation. His nighttime fantasies made real. Primal and powerful, his
hands shook with his effort to maintain some reserve.
He wanted her, yes.
But nothing about her could be trusted. Those kisses... All in service of the
union?
When more chaos arises, the results of which may change
their lives forever, Alex and Polly must decide what is most important.
Starlight is an
absolute treasure from the multi-talented Carrie Lofty! In it, she crafts a
beautiful tale of two people who aren’t of the same class, but are of a similar
mind. Alex and Polly’s attraction to one another is clear and completely real.
Their very first meeting in Alex’s office is fraught with tension, but there is an
underlining allure there as well. That attraction evolves into some extremely sexy hot love
scenes! As mentioned, Alex and Polly are in opposing positions—one having to
side with the other masters to keep peace, while the other stands up for her
people and their livelihood. I found myself rooting for both to prevail in their
individual cause.
I love this series about the illustrious Christie family and
am blown away by Lofty’s talent to breathe life into unusual settings. The
first book (Flawless) was set in South Africa and while this one is located
in a familiar country, I haven’t read any Scottish romances that take place
within the austere milling industry. I was completely fascinated. And while
reading it, I was reminded of one of my favorite mini-series, North and South, featuring the handsome
Richard Armitage. After reading the sneak peek of the next book, Diva, I am anxious for it and its Australia
setting! Ms. Lofty continues to shine in historical romance and I have no doubt
she will for many years to come!
Great review Andrea!
ReplyDeleteI read Carrie's Flawless last year and really enjoyed it. Definitely looking forward to Alex and Polly's story!! Like you, I really like that Carrie has decided to use unique non-typical locations to set this series in.
Thanks, Lisa! I really loved this story. As mentioned, I was totally fascinated! :)
DeleteI love the Christie series too, Andrea. Thanks for the great review. "A Little More Scandal" is on my Kindle now, and I'll definitely be reading Starlight.
ReplyDeleteI've been a Carrie Lofty fan since I read Song of Seduction, which left me raving about the story and the prose. Just great writing! I'm also really looking forward to Lofty's WW II story that's being released in early September.
Thanks, Janga! I need to read A Little More Scandal. Let me know how you like it. And I couldn't agree more--her writing IS great!
DeleteThanks for the review - it does sound like something I would enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYou bet, catslady!
DeleteLovely review, Andrea! Sorry I could not resopnd sooner, but we had computer issues last week. All fixed now and way better than ever! I must have this series!
ReplyDelete