York Blackstone is the son of an ejected Lord of the Blackstone family. His father was framed and sent to prison which only broke and humiliated him and made the Blackstones an outcast to society. Now, York wishes to help restore his father’s name. Since the age of eleven, York has had to help his family by living off the streets and years later, the highwayman plans to revenge his father’s imprisonment. Marielle Henley is a spoiled daughter betrothed to Mr. Claymore’s son, Richard. The Claymore family had been given a generous fortune and much land that had been stolen by the Blackstones. Even though kidnapping is not his way of financial gain, York sees his opportunity when he sees Marielle. At the time he has no knowledge of everything about Marielle but when he learns her identity, he plans to use it to his advantage. He will bring the Claymore’s to their knees. Unfortunately, the time he spends with Marielle soon changes his mind about many things. Marielle was out with her beloved dog when she was abducted. She wants to go home but her kidnapper has other plans. The time she spends with York has her falling in love with him. But can a sweet girl from the good life really have deep feelings for a hardened man who wishes to destroy her family and when she is engaged to marry another? Circumstances happen and fate has a tendency of changing courses for York and Marielle.

Regal Reward revolves around two families’ struggle and collapse between the devious actions of others that ends up distressing so many people that cross their path. Marielle’s character has some fine points to her when coupled with York, but her knees get shaky when she returns home and allows her family to step over her. That was something that I could relate to in some ways. I am glad she finally took the initiative and gained her footing again. York is a highwayman that shows compassion for Marielle once he gets to know her, yet still wishes to help his family. Ms. Violette molds wonderful characters that are well rounded and keeps the story flowing. The way she pens the two sets of families, each with their own characteristic, was well done. She shows how greed can often make people ruthless.



Reviewed by: Linda L.