The Bastard’s Iberian Bride (Sons of the Spy Lord #1)

REGENCY:  Sergeant Bink Gibson cannot wait to head for India and the chance at prosperity, and to say goodbye to his old life forever. His plans are thwarted, however, when he is summoned to the deathbed of his father, the Earl of Shaldon. Bink is reluctant to accept any of his inheritance. He is a self-made man and doesn’t want his father meddling with his life, even from his deathbed. 

The Earl of Shaldon is also manipulating Paulette Heardwyn. She desperately needs the fortune left to her by her father, but she doesn’t know what it is or where to find it, and the only man with answers is the Earl of Shaldon. While he is all too happy to manipulate Paulette and Bink into marrying each other, he is far less inclined to give away his secrets. 

Bink is an intriguing character, strong and competent, and very brave — so much so that readers may find it difficult to see how he is manipulated by a father he barely knew. The book has a slow start, the writing does not always flow nicely, and some of the sentences are rather awkward. The story also adds in an element of mystery, as Paulette’s life in danger and nearly every character is a potential suspect. The romance develops slowly, allowing time for the characters to form a real connection between them. 

Majanka Verstraete