CFBA Review: Born of Persuasion by:Jessica Dotta

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Born of Persuasion Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2013) by Jessica Dotta

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in the wrong century–except for the fact that she really likes epidurals and washing machines–Jessica Dotta writes British Historicals with the humor like an Austen, yet the drama of a Bronte.

She resides lives in the greater Nashville area—where she imagines her small Southern town into the foggy streets of 19th century London. She oversees her daughter to school, which they pretend is an English boarding school, and then she goes home to write and work on PR. Jessica has tried to cast her dachshund as their butler–but the dog insists it’s a Time Lord and their home a Tardis. Miss Marple, her cat, says its no mystery to her as to why the dog won’t cooperate. When asked about it, Jessica sighs and says that you can’t win them all, and at least her dog has picked something British to emulate.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Born of Persuasion, go HERE.

My Review:
17 year old, Julia tragically lost her parents and now has a distant guardian. But when all seems lost, she finds comfort in her first love. But that soon takes turns for the worst, he is unable to marry her and soon moves on. She is steadily bothered by her guardian and now her man has left her, she can't help but be sad. Her guardian doesn't seem to even think about how Julia feels and just tells her to get over it. The guardian just pretends nothing happened and carries on as though nothing happened.

As Mr. Macy comes in to the picture, things begin to look brighter to Julia. But others think she should stay away from this dark, mysterious man. Though he's wealth, his past has some dark things that connect to her past but how? Is this man more dangerous than everyone thought? Or is he just misunderstood?

 Born of Persuasion has a very deep under tone of sadness, in my opinion. I felt sorry for Julia and just wanted to give her a hug and cheer her up.  The author has done a brilliant job with the storyline. I'm looking forward to hear more from her.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from CFBA.