The Secret Bliss of Calliope Ipswich by Marcia Lynn McClureMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Excerpt: Blanche’s pretty forehead puckered with a slight frown. “You don’t like Fox as much as he likes you, do you, Calliope? You’re not in love with him.”
Calliope silently scolded herself for having let her countenance and words reveal her secret to Blanche. The truth was that she was not as sweet on Fox Montrose as he was on her. Yet there were secrets in her heart that could never be revealed to anyone—not even to Blanche, not even to Calliope’s own sisters.
Therefore, she chose a counter maneuver with which to distract Blanche and said, “Oh, I adore Fox! I just think these things may take time, you know, for me to…to…”
“To really fall in love with him, you mean,” Blanche finished.
“Yes. Perhaps that is what I mean,” Calliope responded.
Yet as they neared the Montrose house, trepidation welled up in Calliope’s bosom, for she knew that if she hadn’t fallen in love with Fox Montrose by now, she never would. Furthermore, she didn’t want to.
A secret bliss was nestled deep inside Calliope Ipswich. It had been nestled there from nearly the moment the Ipswich family had arrived in Meadowlark Lake all those months past. And though it was a bliss she owned in knowing something about herself that even her own sisters did not know, it likewise brought her pain at times—for it was the very reason she knew she would never fall in love with Fox Montrose. Calliope’s love was already spoken for—and no one in all the wide world, save Calliope Ipswich herself, would ever know it.
My thoughts; I know when I pick up a Marcia Lynn McClure book I will be entertained and find great characters. I also will be able to leave the book laying around my home without worrying that my kids will pick it up and find content that I don't want them to see.
This is a second book in a trilogy. It is a stand alone book. I have not read the first, but I did come to know a little of the back story behind the town and the Ipswich family.
This book focuses on Calliope Ipswich (bet you couldn't guess that from the title). She has harbored a secret in her heart that she calls her "bliss". She thinks that it her secret alone, but a very precocious and lovable half gypsy girl, who is smarter than you think any six year old should be, figures it out.
Calliope is a favorite catch among the town bachelors. She is an unwilling recipient, and wishes they would spread their interest to the other females of the town. There is a humorous scene where two are pulling on her, trying to claim ownership, while she is wishing the both would let go and leave here alone.
Rowdy Gates is a mad who keeps to himself. He has a painful past, but has had his heart set on Calliope. He doesn't feel worthy of her. His past unravels slowly. It was surprising to see his secret, but refreshing to have it revealed.
This is a clean romance with kissing. I loved the character of the six year old sister. I did feel that she was portrayed as older than six. But it didn't lessen the story for me.
This review should have been posted yesterday with the blog tour. I hadn't quite finished the book. To enter the $25 Gift Card Giveaway associated with this tour. You can go to this LINK.
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I have had this one on my TBR list for a while. I love your review :)
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