The Beaumont Rose

Nicholas Beaumont was determined that his fortune would not be wasted. During his final months he made an important change to his will, he decided to leave the bulk of his fortune to his second daughter, Alice. She was bookish, astute and, in his eyes, a worthy beneficiary. The elder daughter, pretty Colleen was an easy target for the fortune-hunters who flocked to admire her obvious charms and frivolity. Her vanity had made her blind to the true nature of the fops and gamblers who worshipped her.

However, Nicholas did not estimate the determination of one young man. Jonas Creed has an unfaltering drive to get his hands on the money. He is a financial investigator with a tough reputation. When the locked box containing Nicholas’s will is given to Jonas for safe-keeping, readers will be left in little doubt of Jonas’ manipulative nature and single-minded purpose.

Alice is taken aback when Jonas shows her attention at Colleen’s birthday ball. She never expects him to honour his promise to call for her after the ball, or to be taken on surprise outings. Her first instinct is not to trust Jonas for she senses that he has a hidden dark side. Yet, in the days that follow, Alice gradually falls under his spell.

Alice was certainly not what Jonas was expecting. Each time he visits, Jonas finds his attraction to this outspoken, independent thinking young woman is growing, but always uppermost in his mind is his resolve to gain control of the Beaumont fortune. His ambition may prove to be his undoing because Jonas finds out that he has underestimated the character of the daughter of his enemy. He never even saw the possibility of falling in love with Alice.

The Beaumont Rose is a romance in which love transforms both of the romantic leads while they blossom in each other’s company. Jonas is portrayed as a true villain but as the tale unfolds his true strengths and faults are revealed. For this reader, he is a hero to be admired. Hidden in the shade of her sister’s glory, Alice’s assets were not noticed by many. Her inner reserve and the ingenuity learned in her youth will endear her to readers. Fate has united a perfect pair, but their relationship is based on misunderstandings and deception. The romantic scenes are tender and addictive; they are at times spicy, but much is left to the imagination. From the outset, the seeds of a mystery and troubled past are hinted at. Although at times the flow of the story was not smooth, the tale woven through this romance is excellent. I have thoroughly enjoyed The Beaumont Rose and will be looking forward to Wendy Tardieu’s next release.

Reviewed by: Naomi