~Review~ The Muse by Raine Miller
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About the Book
What if the truth about a famous painting was not what it’s been told to be? What if it was not even the original work and a different painting had inspired its creation? The story of a painting… The motivation behind the work, Flaming June—Romanticist painter, Lord Frederic Leighton’s magnum opus—a woman sleeping in a chair. Hauntingly beautiful, but with its inspiration locked away in the mystery of times past.1811...
Burdened with family skeletons and agonizing guilt, an unwilling Lord Rothvale, one Graham Everley, returns from a long sojourn in Ireland to attend to the obligations awaiting him in England. The last thing he imagines to find is his destiny, but find her he does. Imogene Byron-Cole, a girl as lovely as her past is tragic. Graham can’t walk away from her, and so he marries her instead, in spite of an increasingly tangled web of troubles that threaten to destroy the very foundation of his entire existence.
As Graham and Imogene start out on their journey together, they express their love through a series of portraits. The art ensnares them completely, and in the end, becomes their salvation, bearing them through their deepest pain of loss, and inspiring a masterwork.
[This will be book one of a three part saga in the Rothvale Legacy Historical Prequel series.]
The Muse - Book I - Graham Everley
The Rogue - Book II - Clive Gravelle
The Stargazer - Book III - Colin Everley
5 glowing stars*****
I definitely have a book hangover after plowing through this book... 500 pages... whew!! But the ugly tears I cried at the end of the story definitely made the journey worthwhile. In fact, the ending is what sealed the 5 star rating... I loved the way this couple came to realize that life doesn't always play out like a fairytale. And that is what Graham and Imogene had for most of the book... a fairytale love story! It was hard seeing that fairytale tainted with the harsh realities of life, but their love for each other held them together and gave them strength.
Graham and Imogene came together at a time when they were both in need of healing from tragic losses. He brought her back to life from her grief and she became his muse.
Graham was utterly possessed by Imogene's beauty both inside and out and she constantly surprised him with her willingness to allow him to play out his games and fantasies. Their love making was very playful at times. But, at other times it was very dominating and tense. Graham's need to be with her sometimes overwhelmed him. Imogene was ever the patient and caring lover, always very giving.
I love that we get to meet Mallerton up close and personal in this story, the name that we see plastered on so many paintings throughout the Blackstone Affair. He was a great character... as well as his friend Lord Byron, the poet.
This book is definitely for those historical romance readers that like to dive into something lengthy and thoroughly written. It's also a good choice for those who enjoy a taste of poetry, literature and art.
This is a stand alone novel but we meet characters that will come back again in future installments of this series... so, a little taste of what's to come!
Another masterpiece written by the very talented Raine Miller... and as always... looking forward to more...
ARC was provided by Inkslinger tours!
Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it's a safe bet she'll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine's stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A former teacher, she's now writing sexy romance stories full time. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books. You can contact her at raine_miller@ymail.com or visit www.RaineMiller.com to sign up for updates and her newsletter with links to upcoming books. Also, you can text RAINE to 96000 if you prefer.
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