Hidden Affections by Delia Parr

I have really enjoyed the books offered by Delia Parr for a long time. This one as well.  Hidden Affections is on par with her other novels. It starts out with a bang, almost literally with Harrison and Annabelle handcuffed together in a shotgun wedding for her reputation's sake. It takes a while to unravel all the intricate details of the plot, but it is a rather satisfying journey.

I enjoyed the historical aspects of it, and I believe Parr has done a good job with the details of how the poor lived during the period. She captures the squalor as well as the elegance of turn of the century era.

The characters were developed very well, and the cousin was a nice surprise. Parr also does a nice job with depicting just how far apart the rich are from the servants. Storyline drags just a bit in the middle, but it picks up quickly after that so the read is a good-paced piece of fiction.

I give it 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hidden Affections Bethany House (May 1, 2011) by Delia Parr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Delia Parr, pen name for Mary Lechleidner, is the author of 10 historical novels and the winner of several awards, including the Laurel Wreath Award for Historical Romance and the Aspen Gold Award for Best Inspirational Book. She is a full-time high school teacher who spends her summer vacations writing and kayaking. The mother of three grown children, she lives in Collingswood, New Jersey.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Betrayed by her husband, Annabelle Tyler wears the burden of legally being a divorcee, a difficult position for an upstanding young woman to find herself in.

While attempting to start a new life for herself, an unexpected turn of events once again has Annabelle married--this time to Harrison Graymoor, the most eligible, yet elusive, bachelor in Philadelphia. Harrison assures her that he will secure an annulment immediately, unaware that the constable has sent word of the marriage to the press in Philadelphia. And here things continue to go awry.

Harrison's past, a philanthropic cousin with his eye on Annabelle, and the appearance of Annabelle's ex-husband threaten the tentative relationship growing between Harrison and his "wife." For two individuals set against marriage, there are certainly a lot of second thoughts regarding the one forced upon them.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Hidden Affections, go HERE.