Born of Persuasion

Jessica Dotta

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. (from Netgalley)

My Thoughts

Julia is very naive regarding the wicked ways of men who hold or want power. Events happen so quickly after the death of her mother that sometimes her head was spinning (as was mine) trying to figure out who was friend and who was foe. As her past slips away and her future looks precarious, we are left to wonder what will happen.

When I read stories about women of this era, I find it hard to imagine what it was like to have absolutely no say in running your own life. Sometimes I wanted to smack Julia. But honestly, she was only behaving in a manner befitting the time period. Since this is book one, I have a sneaking suspicion we are going to see this young lady eventually make a turn around in her submissive behavior.

I did get hooked into this story fairly quickly. I sometimes found myself rooting for the wrong person. There were some interesting twists and the ending left me wanting to know more about how Julia’s life will turn out. I look forward to reading the next books.

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: September 1, 2013.