As a young child, Fiona Fairweather was promised to Roger Ranly, the son of Lord and Lady Arthur Buckfield. Her parents had been friends with the Buckfield’s and growing up; Fiona and Roger formed a close friendship. Fiona sees Roger only as a friend, not someone she loves enough to marry. Now that her parents are deceased, Fiona feels she should choose her own husband. Roger is not a leader nor is he decisive. He does enjoy the friendship he shares with Fiona. He tries to always keep up with her and feels she is the finest looking girl he has met in a good while. Lord Walter Reginald Pettigrew is the third Earl of Rocheford. At thirty-years-old and head of the family, he decides to seek a wife and produce an heir. He doesn’t actively pursue women but after his dance with Fiona, he is smitten. She maybe betrothed to Roger but he still enjoys their conversations in the upcoming days. Walter experiences a tinge of jealously when he sees Roger with Fiona. She is pulled in different directions as she tries to be accepted by others. How can she marry a man whom she isn’t in love? Her life is over. She doesn’t wish to marry Roger because it is contracted. She wishes a marriage out of love.

An Accomplished Lady is definitely a tale that overpowers the heart. I found it poignantly stirring and the characters enchanting. Fiona is at odds with her life and with each step she endures to overcome some rough struggles, I could feel her agony. I felt deep down she had an underlining strength that made her a remarkable woman. S. D. Grady does an exceptional storytelling of a pained woman seeking to release her ache and find absolute joy. The secondary characters are well-rounded and add seasoning to the storyline to make this one terrific page-turner. I could feel Fiona’s pain, her strengths, fears and desires. It was like Ms. Grady was right inside Fiona’s heart showing her how to love, trust and not be afraid to be herself. She pens a read that engages the reader.

Reviewed by: Linda L.