BLOG TOUR REVIEW - The Awakening of Ivy Leavold (Markham Hall #1) by Sierra Simone

Title:   The Awakening of Ivy Leavold (Markham Hall Series Book #1)

Author:   Sierra Simone

Genre:   Historical Romance

Release Day:  January 12, 2015

Synopsis:

Yorkshire, 1879

I am alone.

When Ivy Leavold is left destitute by her brother’s death, she is taken in by her cousin’s brooding, tortured widower--Julian Markham. Handsome and possessive, it’s not long before Ivy falls for him. But Mr. Markham has dark secrets, secrets that may put Ivy in danger...

I am afraid.

As Ivy unravels the mystery surrounding her cousin’s death, she falls deeper and deeper in love with Julian, who opens her body and her mind to his indomitable will. But even as he draws pleasure and desire from her night after night, Ivy can’t shake the feeling that their passionate affair may end in violence…

And I am completely his.

EXCERPT

“You see? You are completely virginal, though Lord knows those lips and eyes don’t look the part.” Mr. Markham shook his head, as if to clear it. “You have all of these firsts—kisses and caresses and more—left in front of you. You are completely fresh to the world of grown men and women.”

He took hold of my hands and helped me stand to my feet. “I think it’s best if we keep our distance from one another,” he said. My whole body wilted in disappointment. I wanted nothing less.

“Why?”

He pressed his forehead against mine just as he had this morning. “Do you remember me saying that I had become a creature of needs after Violet’s death? I wasn’t exaggerating and I wasn’t joking. I’m accustomed to getting what I want. And I want you.”

“What’s wrong with that?” I managed to ask. “Why can’t we want one another?”

“You don’t understand what I mean. When I say that I want you, I don’t mean your company or your conversation. I don’t want to pine over you and write you poetry. I mean,” he pronounced carefully, “that I want to bend you over this sofa and slide inside of you. I mean that I want to pin you to the ground and watch you squirm as I drive into you over and over again. I mean that I want to spend my evenings watching your pretty little head bob up and down on my cock.

Goodreads Link:   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23403637-the-awakening-of-ivy-leavold?from_search=true

Amazon Preorder Link:       http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PHLBCB8/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PHLBCB8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

About the author:   

Sierra Simone is a librarian who writes unabashedly sexy books with brains, beauty and big words.  She lives with her hot cop husband and family in Kansas City.

You can stalk her on tumblr and pinterest.

You can also find her at authorsierrasimone.com or email her at thesierrasimone@gmail.com.

Author Links: 

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sierra-Simone/497450453680395
Website:         authorsierrasimone.com
Email:  thesierrasimone@gmail.com
Tumblr:           http://thesierrasimone.tumblr.com
Author Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7369992.Sierra_Simone
Pinterest:   http://www.pinterest.com/thesierrasimone/

REVIEW:

Well, this book certainly isn't the historical romances our mothers read years ago. And for that I would like to thank Ms. Simone for writing such a great piece of literature.

Ivy has already accepted that she more than likely will never be married, simply due to her lot in life, although she comes across as a young woman who doesn't really put much stock into what polite society thinks or says. She does have sense enough to know when something is frowned upon, but she really doesn't care that much about appearances to impress other people.

Ivy is somewhat taken aback when she finally meets her late cousin's husband, who is nothing like what she envisioned. He's all dark and smolder-y (like Mr. Rochester, but without the kid and hidden wife). Mr. Markham doesn't apologize for who he is, and even though he has warned Ivy that she should keep her distance from him lest he despoil her, he is just as drawn to her as she to him. 

Things take a unique turn when Mr. Markham has some friends stay for a couple of days. Oh sure, it's all polite and everyone is on their best behavior at first, but wait until you read about the Charades game; that could make the next party you attend that much more enlightening!

There is more to the story about Ivy's cousin that is revealed in the story, as well as cliffhanger from left field that I sure didn't anticipate, and now I'm left as frustrated as Ivy was after her first few encounters with Mr. Markham, waiting on the next book to be released.

RATING

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.