Review: Flawless by Carrie Lofty

Title:  Flawless
Author:  Carrie Lofty
Genre:  Historical Romance
Pages:  416
Published:  September 2011
Source:  via Publisher for honest review

Synopsis:

Sir William Christie, ruthless tycoon and notorious ladies’ man, is dead. Now his four grown children have gathered for the reading of his will. What lies in store for step-siblings Vivienne, Alexander, and twins Gareth and Gwyneth? Stunning challenges that will test their fortitude across a royal empire . . . and lead them to the marvelously passionate adventures of their lives.

Lady Vivienne Bancroft fled England for New York, hoping to shed the confines of her arranged marriage to unrepentant rogue Miles Durham, Viscount Bancroft—though she never forgot the fiery desire he unleashed with his slightest touch. And when the gambling man arrives on her doorstep for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he is met with Vivienne’s dilemma: She must earn her father’s inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa. Swept together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, will Vivienne and Miles discover that the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare—or the most treasured reward?

What would you do with a fortune on the line?  Would you team up with the husband you ran away from to win?  Would you risk your heart being broken again to prove that you can do the job?  That's exactly what our main character Vivienne had to do to earn her inheritance from her now deceased father Sir William.

This was an intriguing start to a new series.  It would appear that each sibling will be give their own book - and we'll learn whether they earn their share of the money from their father.  Vivienne is given the task of running a diamond brokerage in South Africa.  Little does she know when she sets out on the journey that her husband Miles is waiting for her on the other side of the ocean.

These two characters have an interesting relationship.  Vivienne runs away from Miles and goes to New York where her family is.  He - stays in England and drinks himself into oblivion.  Miles only shows up when there is money at stake and wants his share of the pie.  At first I didn't like Miles!  I found him selfish, annoying, pushy and walked all over Vivienne.  While I know society didn't allow for independent women - I wish that Vivienne had had more backbone when we initially meet her.  She does redeem herself.. thankfully.

While certain aspects of the story were predictable - the HEA is almost a given with romance novels.  Ms Lofty has a way with words that had me hooked from the beginning.  She is a fantastic writer and I can't wait to read more about Vivienne's siblings in her forthcoming books.