The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

It's now Monday morning 1am and my stomach has decided to give me a break. I was able to visit with my friend but I tell ya, the minute she left my stomach went nuclear. Major pain for the rest of the night and even when I got up today I didn't want to eat much. I ended up eating soup and I have a saying in that regards.

If I'm eating soup, I'm sick.

It must have been what the tummy needed though because it calmed down just after that. It was minestrone which happened to have a few chunks of potatoes so maybe it was the comfort food. Yeah, would hate to think I would dump my horrible fast food ways because of one bowl of soup.

I'm sure I'll be back to my old self soon enough.

What's that you say?

How about a notoriously poorly written book review?

Thought you would never ask!

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt is as many people say, an excellent debut novel. Even still, there were things that kept it from being perfect. I'm going with a B-.

Cindy Blurb: We have the Earl of Swartingham (Edward) coming back to his ancestral home in some small town. He is one of those semi-absent minded individuals who loves to get in the muck and help his tenants while also being a strong personality that has sent many a secretary fleeing his anger.

Anna Wren, a widow of 6 years needs a job to help keep her, her mother-in-law and her haphazard maid in the small cottage her husband left them and manages to talk her way into a job as the new secretary of the Earl.

As I wrote my horrible blurb I realized that there really is so much more to the story and not being one to spoil people's expectations of a book I don't want to reveal too much. Even so, the backblurb on the book gives more away than I have but let's move on.

What I liked:

I loved Edward and Anna and even though I'm sure I would fall asleep from sheer boredom in Edward's presence I know he was a good fit for Anna. (He loves everything to do with agriculture) Anna was also a great character and not one to shy (too much) from strong emotions. I liked that she didn't feel sorry for herself or take the easy way out. She also had a normal reaction to Edward in the beginning of the story - Edward is a survivor of small pox and has the scars to prove it. Anna refers to Edward a few times as an 'ugly' man before she ever really gets to meet him (They first meet and barely a word is spoken between them when he almost runs her down with his horse) which I think is realistic in first impressions.

I also liked that there didn't really seem to be any care for propriety. I mean, there are some things that even made my eyebrows go up and I'm far from a stickler for historical accuracy but one of the final scenes had me wondering if I had missed the part where Anna put on a disguise.

Apparently not.

Let's just say, she would have been ruined. No ifs, ands or buts. (is that the right wording?)

My problems?

Actually, I think the story was a tad slow in the beginning and since I hadn't read the backblurb I was shocked to discover the 'way the plot turned'. I remember thinking at one point 'oh please God no.' but apparently, it was a resounding YES.

And then it happened again!

Okay, not only did it happen but I actually liked how the author had it happen. Let's just say the Earl had no clue and I liked how Anna realized the difference between sex and making love. Very true to form. Also liked that the author didn't have the hero 'know who it was all along'.

In writing this *cough* review I have discovered that I appreciated the way the story unfolded. Sure, a few plot points took their grand old time showing up but, hey, maybe that is the sign of a great story teller.

Oh yeah. Then there was 'the widow who can't have children' thingie. (shut up, I'm calling it a thingie)

Don't get me started on infertility.

And I've started. (what a shock)

There was a point where I would have walked away from Edward without looking back because I'm not sure I could forgive such a painful swipe. I mean, it was honest and stuff but I'm not sure it needed to be said outright. (yeah, I may have been too criptic without meaning to. It was in the barn after he kissed her - he gives her this long speech about why they can't be together and it's because he wants kids. Ouch. I mean, that would be painful *today* but I guess back then it would be only natural that children were at the forefront of people's minds.) I found that Anna seemed to forgive too easily and I'm not sure I would have been convinced to marry this guy. I may have needed more from Edward on this point but then the ending made it all moot anyways.

The ending?

Made my teeth hurt but, of course, I saw it coming. I always see that coming. But that's a personal peeve and not one another reader might have.

All right. Are we all here? *starts head count* I think we may have lost a few.

Is this book worth your time?

Yeah, sure, why not. I enjoyed it and even though there were things that pulled at me they were my own things and not so much the problem of the story.

Unless you are a stickler for historical accuracy.

Then don't you dare pick up this book.

Okay, you can pick up the book but, don't you dare blame me!

Her next book is The Leopard Prince but I may watch for other's opinions before I pick it up.