Rhianna by Amanda L.V. Shalaby – a Review

Description:
Upon the unexpected death of her parents, Rhianna Braden finds the enigmatic Lord Guilford Kingsley on her doorstep. He escorts her to Kingsley Manor, where family secrets and scandals begin to unfold.

Her uncommon beauty captures the attention of the dashing Lord Thayne Brighton of Ravensleigh, but Rhianna is certain, despite their mutual attraction, that he would never choose her over his wealthy intended. Meanwhile, Lady Lydia Kingsley suspects her husband’s attention to Rhianna has led to an affair between them. Events turn deadly when the truth of their relationship is discovered.

Eventually, Rhianna is forced to make a life-altering decision – while discovering that some secrets are not meant to be kept.

Review;
Over this past year I’ve noticed my reading styles to be branching out and one area is into Historical romances.  I forgot how much I enjoyed them from my days in school when they were on our class syllabus.  Now thanks to TRC and other book sites I’ve discovered the joy of them all over again.  So when I was asked to review Rhianna, by Amanda L.V. Shalaby,  I jumped at the chance and was pleasantly swept away on a journey of mystery, intrigue, danger and romance. 

Miss Shalaby does a wonderful job of grabbing the reader early and sweeping them along and into the story.  There were many times when I was reading Rhianna that my imagination would get away on me and make me feel like I was being transported back in time.  I could actually see in my minds eye the scenes that were being described on the pages.  From the long flowing gowns, to gardens of flowers and splendid sprawling hills and valleys.  I must say that Miss Shalaby has a talent for words and descriptions and does so in such a flowing and lyrical manner that you can’t help but get lost in the story she sets before you. As I read Rhianna I couldn’t help but think of such stories like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and Emma, just to name a few.

As I said we are brought along a journey filled with mystery, intrigue and danger. Miss Shallaby does an excellent job of weaving all these elements together to create a story that takes hold of the reader and keeps you turning page after page wanting more.  The mystery and suspense that surround Rhianna’s life is what spear heads all these well balanced elements.  Underneath all this mystery and intrigue is a slow building love story between Rhianna and Thayne Brighton.  I really enjoyed how Miss Shalaby took the time to slowly build their relaltionship and let the reader watch them fall in love. For me a slow to build love story is the best, as it allows me, the reader to better connect with each character first as individuals, then as a couple.  To me it adds layers to not only the characters, but to the storyline as well.  I really enjoyed Rhianna and Thayne as a couple and enjoyed watching them slowly fall into love. It was fun to see them try and deny their feelings at first, and then watch them slowly take that fall into love, and realize that what they have is the best thing to happened to both of them.  Thayne is a character you can’t help but fall in love with.  Watching him look after and protect Rhianna to point of accepting a duel to the death with one of the stories villians, was just, aaaaah swoon-worthy. (sorry Carmen, had to steal a page out of your book, as Thayne is a very swoon-worthy character) 😉  He definitely fits the hero mold for me. 

Rhianna was a fun read, filled with all the elements that I enjoy in a good book. The characters and storyline were well developed, and weaved together so that it just flowed from page to page.  I was swept away on a beautiful and romantic journey. Through her brilliantly written descriptive language I couldn’t help but imagine myself as one of the characters. One of my favourite scenes she described was the Ball.  I’ve always loved those scenes in old movies, with the gowns, décor and music. I may not have been born in that era, but Miss Shalaby made me feel as though I was there, the Belle of the Ball as I read that scene.  When an author can do that, pull me into her story like that, I know I’m in for a good read. If you are a fan of historical romance, filled with mystery, intrigue, danger and romance, then I highly recommend this one for you.  Happy reading and until next time.

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author