Yorkshire,
1879I am alone...
When Ivy Leavold is left destitute by her brother’s death, she is taken in by her cousin’s brooding, tortured widower—Julian Markham. Handsome and possessive, it’s not long before Ivy falls for him. But Mr. Markham has dark secrets, secrets that may put Ivy in danger...
I am afraid...
As Ivy unravels the mystery surrounding her cousin’s death, she falls deeper and deeper in love with Julian, who opens her body and her mind to his indomitable will. But even as he draws pleasure and desire from her night after night, Ivy can’t shake the feeling that their passionate affair may end in violence…
And I'm completely his.
***
The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is the first book in the Markham Hall Trilogy. It is 40,000 words. ***For Mature Audiences only**
Review
While
I have read my fair share of historical romances it has been a while since I
have found one that I really enjoyed. The
Awakening of Ivy Leavold was a story that sucked my in from the first
chapter and kept me hooked throughout the entire story. Sierra Simone creates a
story that is suspenseful, decadent, mysterious, and seductive. Markham Hall is
a place that you find yourself wanting to visit even though you shouldn’t.
Ivy’s
world is falling apart. She lost her parents years ago and was left in her
older brother’s care. During those years he accumulated huge debts and when he
died Ivy lost everything to pay them all off. Now with nowhere to go she is
headed to her deceased cousin’s house, Markham Hall. She isn’t prepared for the
mystery and the deaths that surround the house. Ivy also is ready for the dark
and brooding Julian Markham. When she starts to learn the rumors of the Hall,
Ivy has to decide if she is safe in her new home or if she is the next one to
have a fatal accident at Markham Hall.
I
liked Ivy’s character well enough. She wasn’t your typical historical romance
heroine. While she was innocent she wasn’t as naive as the woman you usually
find in these types of stories. She has been left alone for so many years she
is not what a lady should be. She spends her time the way she wants and she
talks to Julian the way she want to. Ivy has delusions about where her life is
headed as a poor orphan so she has fun with the people she wants to especially
Julian. My only problem with her, and I mean it’s small, is how quickly she
moves from believing the rumors to completely dismissing them. She claims she
loves Julian but the minute someone gives her new information on the deaths she
believes them. It was just frustrating. I mean how do you love them and not
trust them with anything expect your body?
Julian
Markham is the head of Markham Hall. He has two widows. Two death that where
rules an accident but the town believes he had something to do with. It doesn’t
help that he is dark, mysterious, and comes off as dangerous. When he offers to
have his late wife’s cousin stay in the house he just expects to give her
somewhere to stay. What he doesn’t expect is Ivy. She lets him be him. She
craves it even and the more time Julian spends with her the more he wants to
consume her.
Julian
is a difficult character. He is moody and sometimes really quite. You never
know what you’re going to get from him. The moments that we get to see the real
him, is pretty hot. He does everything he can to keep Ivy at arm’s length so
that she can stay pure. He is convince that no one can handle the things he
needs. Ivy shows him differently and watching learn that and then start to fall
for her was sweet but also not sweet because there really isn’t anything sweet
about Julian. Hot, sexy, and demanding yes but he can be sweet in his own way.
While
the story was only told from Ivy’s POV I really felt like we got to not bits
and pieces of the real Julian. Sometimes when the book isn’t written in dual
POV connecting with the “hero” is hard but Sierra Simone gave me more than
enough to connect and feel for Julian. The characters in this story are really
interesting. Ivy and Julian are so different but they also complement each
other so well. She craves his darkness as much as Julian needs her light. There
are so many questions left unanswered that it makes you want to pick up the
book. I have a few theories and I can’t wait to see if I’m right. I just hope
that Ivy makes the right decision when it comes to Julian. I am more than ready
for more from this series!
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