The Maiden's Court: In-Progress Book Review: A Divided Inheritance by Deborah Swift & Giveaway

A Divided Inheritance by Deborah Swift
Paperback, 544 pages
Pan
October 24, 2013 (UK Release)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Received from review from publisher

“London 1609…

Elspet Leviston’s greatest ambition is to continue the success of her father Nathaniel’s lace business. But her dreams are thrown into turmoil with the arrival of her mysterious cousin Zachary Deane – who has his own designs on Leviston’s Lace.

Zachary is a dedicated swordsman with a secret past that seems to invite trouble. So Nathaniel sends him on a Grand Tour, away from the distractions of Jacobean London. Elspet believes herself to be free of her hot-headed relative but when Nathaniel dies her fortunes change dramatically. She is forced to leave her beloved home and go in search of Zachary – determined to claim back from him the inheritance that is rightfully hers.
Under the searing Spanish sun, Elspet and Zachary become locked in a battle of wills. But these are dangerous times and they are soon embroiled in the roar and sweep of something far more threatening, sending them both on an unexpected journey of discovery which finally unlocks the true meaning of family . . .”

I need to first start out by saying this is an incomplete review (my first!) – I had so many things come up in the last couple weeks that I have not been able to finish the book yet. I’m a little over halfway, so this is a sort-of “in progress book review”. I will post a completed review when I’m finished reading – which will inevitably include elements from this one.

So far, this isn’t my favorite book by this author. I loved reading The Gilded Lily; the characters were great, it was fast paced, and the drama was all there pretty much from the beginning. So far, I don’t really like any of the characters. I think Elspet is supposed to be the sympathetic protagonist, but I just sort of find her wilting and boring. Zachary is more interesting – I can feel there is more to him that I don’t know yet, but I still don’t really like him as a good or bad character. I think the characters are the aspect that I don’t like the most. The setting is well done – I can feel the heat of the Spanish sun and the blacksmith shop. The plot is sort of a plodding pace at the moment but I have the feeling it will pick up as several storylines seem to be coming to a head.

You can follow along with the rest of the blog tour by visiting the HFVBT website or on Twitter with the following hashtag: #DividedInheritanceTour.

I also have a giveaway opportunity for one paperback copy of A Divided Inheritance and it is open INTERNATIONALLY! Make your entries through the Rafflecopter below. Last day to enter is November 24th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway