Virtual Book Tour for To Wed An Heiress by Rosanne E. Lortz

 To Wed An Heiress

By Rosanne E. Lortz

Publisher:  Madison Street Publishing

Release Date: April 30, 2015

Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

Length:  253 Pages

ISBN: 978-0996264808

ASIN:  B00WTQEARW

   

About the book:

Haro Emison, thrust into his new role as Earl of Anglesford, discovers that his late father has left the family teetering on the edge of financial ruin. Intent on rescuing the estate, Haro abandons his long-held interest in his cousin Eda and searches instead for a wealthy heiress. But when pride and jealousy cause his plan to spiral out of control, he begins to wonder if he has made a dreadful mistake….

Eda Swanycke is enjoying her first season in London when her debut comes to a crashing halt. Jilted by her cousin, she suffers the indignity of watching Haro’s new intended lay claim to his person and position. But when a brutal murder upends the household with Haro as chief suspect, Eda must put her wounded pride aside, match wits with the investigator from London, and try, at all costs, to save Haro Emison’s neck from the gallows….

About the Author

Rosanne E. Lortz ("Rose") is a history lover, a book addict, a mom to four boys, and a native of Portland, Oregon. When she's not writing, she teaches Latin and English composition and works as an editor at Madison Street Publishing. For more information visit her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

During the Regency period in England, one of the worst things a man could do to his family was to leave his financial affairs in disarray and place his wife and children in danger of not only losing their social position but of also losing their home.  If the family was lucky, and they had a sought after title, and the oldest child was of age to “marry up”, they could save their family from ruin with an arranged marriage.  Such is the sad and perilous situation that Harold Emison finds himself thrust into in To Wed an Heiress by Rosanne E. Lortz.  Filled with colorful characters, a solid murder mystery and plenty of suspense and drama, this enjoyable story could easily be transformed into a BBC production for fans of period mystery pieces such as Death Comes to Pemberley, a miniseries I recently had the pleasure of watching.

Already saddened over the death of his father, Harold “Haro” Emison, the new Earl of Anglesford, is distraught to discover his father’s excessive gambling has placed their family in a perilous financial situation.  Forced to think of his family’s future, instead of his heart’s desire, Haro is forced to begin searching for a rich wife.  Fortunately for Haro, Arabella Hasting, the daughter of a rich and successful cotton industrialist, is looking for a titled husband.  Quickly becoming engaged to marry Arabella, Haro’s plans are ruined when Arabella is killed and he finds himself as “the usual suspect”.  Forced to rely on help from Eda Swanycke, his cousin and the woman he really loves, Haro and Eda will have to solve Arabella’s murder in order to keep Haro’s neck away from the gallows noose.

Ms. Lortz does a good job developing the characters in her story and I easily connected with both Haro and Eda, two young would be lovers who are being forced apart by a father’s bad money management.  A man devoted to his family, Haro was willing to sacrifice his own happiness, and the happiness of his cousin, in order to save his family’s financial future.  I also easily connected with Eda, while hurt and angry over being pushed aside for a rich heiress, who was practical overall and willing to help Haro when she could have turned her back on him.  While I wanted to dislike Arabella, I found it impossible to do so.  She was only a daughter helping her father achieve his dream of changing their family’s social status from its position in the “middle class” to becoming a member of the nobility. 

The secondary characters are also well developed and I especially liked Haro’s family; his mother Lady Edith and his younger brother Torin, were supportive and understood the sacrifice he was making for all of their futures.  I also enjoyed getting to know Inspector Pevensie, the man assigned to investigate Arabella’s murder and whose hobby of sketching played a part in the book.  The murder mystery itself was well handled and took several interesting twists and turns, and of course the villain was easily to hate.

Will Haro and Eda prove who the real killer is?  Will the love they feel for each other have a chance to grow and lead to their marriage or will the financial situation Haro is in keep him from the woman he loves?  You’ll have to read To Wed an Heiress to find out I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Lortz’s work.

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns

To Wed an Heiress Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, May 18
Excerpt & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Spotlight & Giveaway at Susan Heim on Writing

Tuesday, May 19
Interview at Boom Baby Reviews
Spotlight at I Heart Reading

Wednesday, May 20
Review at Queen of All She Reads
Spotlight & Giveaway at Let them Read Books

Thursday, May 21
Review at Book Nerd
Spotlight at Just One More Chapter

Friday, May 22
Spotlight & Giveaway at Unshelfish
Spotlight & Giveaway at View from the Birdhouse



FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review.  I received no additional payment for my opinion of the reading material provided.