Book Review: Alaina Claiborne by MK McClintock

Review: Alaina Claiborne
Series: A British Agent Novel
Author: MK McClintock
Release Date: January 7^th, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance
Formats: Paperback and Kindle
Publisher: Trappers Peak Publishing
Rating: 4.5/5

Press Release: Html Version
http://www.prlog.org/12053302.html

Press Release: Pdf Version
http://www.prlog.org/12053302.pdf

Synopsis:

“How far would you go to avenge your family and save the one you love?

In nineteenth-century England, Alaina Claiborne had a loving family, a cherished friend, and devoted servants. She spent her days riding across the grassy hills of the English countryside, joyful and at peace.

Then tragedy strikes and her world is forever changed. Searching for those responsible is her only focus . . . until she meets Tristan.

Tristan Sheffield, a man of many talents, searches out those who don’t want to be found. His past is filled with secrets and deeds he would rather leave deeply buried. However, when his life unexpectedly entwines with Alaina’s, he soon discovers they share more than a mutual desire to catch a murderer.

On their hunt for a man driven by greed, Tristan and Alaina find that love is the greatest weapon against evil, and they’ll stop at nothing to survive.”

Excerpt:

The moon shone brightly through the clouds of the dark night, and fatigue soon encouraged she lay her head down on his shoulder, falling into a deep slumber. She felt safe in his embrace and nothing seemed to disturb her. Her senses became aware of his strong arms wrapping a little tighter around her. She felt the carriage bounce as they hit a rut in the road, but she enjoyed his comforting warmth too much to let it disturb her. Then she became cold and her eyes opened, watching as her body rolled down a hill, but no sound escaped her though she frantically sought a way to breathe. She felt those strong arms push her toward the broken door as the carriage continued to roll. Somehow she landed on earth, coldness seeping through her clothes. Her head ached, but the source of the other pain remained elusive.

A bush. She had landed in a bush and the branches hurt, but not as much as the pain inside of her. What’s happening? She fought her way to the ground and then stopped moving. Silence shrouded the night.

My thoughts:

Mystery isn’t my favorite genre but everyone once in awhile I come across one that sounds intriguing. This one definitely is!

Being a mystery it did take me a little longer to read. I really wanted to get in every word, it’s a good book but really because I wanted to see if I could figure out the culprit! And I must say, just as I thought I had it in the bag, and then MK McClintock would pull a fast one! But even though I didn’t figure it out there are small clues so it’s not something that comes completely out of left field. Really great job!

As for the characters, they are great. I really got involved with each one. Alaina is a force to be reckoned with even with her past issues. She doesn’t want to face the night her parents died but it has haunted her very existence from the second it happened. Plus the boy that was also murdered just happened to be the boy she planned and dreampt of marrying. All of that for one child, she just hid. This is not only a mystery but a finding of one’s self after such a tragic incident.

Tristan was, hmmm… as a fictional character, let me just say, he is YUMMY! I love how Alaina and Tristan meet and how she doesn’t bow down to him and with this being in the 1800’s when women still had their “place” it just made the story all that much more interesting! But Tristan really does live up to Alaina’s fiestyness which makes him such a fun character.

The other characters are great and although this is a romance, they don’t fall head of heals in love at first sight. And thank MK McClintock for that!!! I mean seriously! I love it when an author can make the relationship seem reasonable, and this one completely is! There’s also some hot scenes in there, so definitely keep that fire extinguisher nearby!

All in all, if you’re a mystery fan, especially if you like settings in the 1800’s, you’ll go gaga for this one! I can not wait to read more from M.K. McClintock!

About the author:

McClintock is an over-worked entrepreneur, baker of decadent desserts and all things chocolate, photographer of beautiful places, and most importantly, a writer.

She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

McClintock is a member of Romance Writers of America, Montana Romance Writers, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, and Women Writing the West.