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The Heir And The Spare – Maya Rodale
Negligent Chaperone Novel
Book One
Berkley,
August 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0425217634
ISBN-10: 0425217639
Reviewed by Laurel
December 2007
American Heiress Emilia Highhart is in England visiting her aunt at the height of the season. She is hoping to fulfil her mother’s dying wish of making a suitable marriage to a Lord of the Realm. Prone to random acts of clumsiness when she falls down a flight of stairs the dashing and scandalous Lord Phillip helps her up…or did he? Smitten by him and his charm, she sets her heart and mind on marrying him. But his actions constantly confuse her – one minute he looks at her with a raw hunger kissing her soundly…the next he acts like he has never seen her before. While attending a house party at Lord Phillip’s family estate it all becomes clear as Phillip has a twin brother – one who returns from the dead and does not mind playing with his brother’s sanity but Emilia’s heart is caught in the middle as she realizes it was nothing but a game.
Devon Sinclair has been summoned home to his father’s deathbed, years ago he left to live in America after a duel went wrong, he was acting as his twin brother Phillip who yet again found himself in embroiled in a shocking scandal. Phillip told all of England that his brother was presumed dead when he fell off a ship on route to American. Devon has no love for his brother and rather enjoys impersonating him, costing him a fortune at the gaming tables and charging things to his brother’s accounts. Acting as Phillip at a party he helps Emilia up and is instantly taken with her innocence and beauty, he continues to act as Phillip until he is forced to reveal himself when Phillip makes it known he wants Emilia and her fortune for himself.
THE HEIR AND THE SPARE, is an enjoyable page turning novel that kept this reader entertained as the story took hold and did not let go until the last page was read. As it became clear there was no love lost between the brothers, it made for some interesting moments as both vied for the love and affection from their father but ultimately it is what tore them apart all those years ago. The aunt in this novel was a riot and lovable character; she took her responsibility seriously but not entirely as she soon schemed to see Emilia with her heart’s desire. Devon and Emilia were characters that grabbed you they were an instant hit with me, all the while knowing that somewhere there is a secret not yet mentioned that will change the outcome of this story…and the author did not disappoint in this regard.
THE HEIR AND THE SPARE is Maya Rodale’s debut novel; she took a well-used plotline and enhanced it making it her own. If this is any indication of what is to come next, I venture she will have a remarkable writing career ahead of her, as her writing and stories will appeal to vast audience in Historical Romance.
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