"Mark of Distinction" by Jessica Dotta

About this book:

  “London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself—but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows. Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal. And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal—substantiated or not—can be the death of a young woman’s reputation.
  When Julia discovers that Lord Roy Pierson, her guardian and one of most influential men in England, is the father she has never met, she begrudgingly accepts his protection. But Chance Macy’s power is far-reaching as well.
  Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she’s trapped between the clutches of two powerful men. Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate—but outwitting one’s foe rarely goes according to plan.”


 Series: Book #2 in the “Price of Privilege” Trilogy. (Book #1 “Born of Persuasion” here!)

Spiritual Content- In the middle of the book, Edward sends Julia his Bible and she looks at it and reads it; *Spoiler* Near the end, Julia (finally!) “surrenders”. *End of Spoiler*

Negative Content- Minor (Historical & British) cussing including: 3 ‘dash it’s, a ‘blast it’, a ‘blooming’, and many ‘what the devil’s, ‘why the devil’, ‘of the devil’, etc.; Drinking (wine, brandy & scotch to name a few); A few blood parts (One semi-detailed).

Sexual Content- Sexual Cussing including: a b*st*rd, a ‘hussy’, and a ‘wench’; Kisses (One semi-detailed, the rest are quick, not-really-detailed); Talks about Wedding nights (No details, just hinting); Seducing smiles

-Julia Elliston

                                         P.O.V. of Julia

                                              Set in 1839 (?)
                                                        432 pages

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 Pre, New & Early High School age Teens-

Older (17+) High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

This book was so very much like “Born of Persuasion”, the first book in this series. Like the first book, it was written in a first-person way, way, way  past tense (She mentions her grandchildren?!?)…other have said that Julia seems more like a narrator than the protagonist, I have to agree. Also like “Born of Persuasion” my mind was very confused, wondering “What in the world is going on in this story?!”. Oddly, the reader has to be fully awake (which I never am, since I read late at night), with a sharp mind to figure out what going on and fill in the gaps. I really do like the cover of this book though. Very pretty. :)

I’m undecided if I’ll read the next book in the series “Price of Privilege”, coming Spring 2015.    

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.

"Born of Persuasion" by Jessica Dotta

{Please read this review with caution for younger eyes}  

About this book:

  “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.”


 Series: Book #1 in the “Price of Privilege” Trilogy. {Book #2 “Mark of Distinction”’s reviewing coming on Wednesday.}

Spiritual Content- Julia says her father embraced “the Enlightenment”, later says he was a “famed atheist” and that she, very adamantly, does not believe in God; Julia calls Edward a traitor many times for becoming a vicar and joining the church; Lady Foxmore asks Edward “Why is the atheist allowed to eat unharassed?” to which he replies “Leave her be. At least she does not claim to embrace Christ while ignoring His {capital ‘H’ mine} teachings as most here do”;  Edward tells Julia that not all vicars “are like that one”…who “that one” is and what he did we do not get told;

Negative Content- Minor (Historical & British) cussing including: a “bed*mning glare”, a “blimey”, a “blooming”, a “darned” and many “how the devil”s, “what the devil”s and calling people “the devil”; Julia says her nursemaid “had to drown a sack of unwanted kittens”; Julia is ticked at Edward (for “abandoning” her for the church) and when she & him are alone a boy sees them and Julia hopes “that one mind might be free”; Julia says her father always had “a cruel gleam in his eyes”; Comments about “gods” (“this night was a gift of the gods”, “he looked like Morpheus”, etc.); Drinking (wine, brandy & scotch to name a few), Julia does not feel well in the morning after drinking and has a hangover.

Sexual Content- Sexual Cussing including: a b*st*rd;  Julie has a flash-back and says “(14 was) certainly old enough to enter a betrothal, which had already been promised me when I when I reached this age”; Julia says that memories of her and their kisses would haunt Edward “working in her favor”; Rumors go around that Julia & Mr. Macy are sleeping together (they are not, but do come close); Mr. Macy says he “advises anyone desiring to learn the art of seduction” to read a novel written by a women; Julia notices “two blotches that resembled bruises” the next morning after one of her & Mr. Macy’s kissing-fest; Five detailed & very detailed kisses (One almost becoming a s*x scene); *Spoiler, read only if 16+* After she & Mr. Macy are married, Julia breaks into a cold sweat and Mr. Macy notices and says not to tell him that she fears her “wifely duties” and she thinks in response that she only feels “trepidation {a feeling of fear about something that may happen} at the thought of consummating our marriage. It wasn’t just his touch I dreaded, but the finality of the act” *end of spoiler* Making it another almost s*x scene.

-Julia Elliston

                                         P.O.V. of Julia

                                              Set in 1838
                                                        435 pages (though I’m reading the kindle version)

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 Pre, New & Early High School age Teens-

Older (17+) High School Teens-

My personal Rating- 

{I have never written so many words for a review!}

Oh my. I had never read a “Christian” book (quotes around that because there really wasn’t much Spiritual content besides Julia being atheist and telling everyone so) with so much sexual content! I’m mean, good grief Charlie Brown! It also took about half the book to finally get the writing style…it’s first-person with past tense being like this story happen years and years ago..?

I’m currently reading the second book in the series (as I got it from the publisher and have to review it) whose review will be up on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, we have another book (which really liked!) review's coming up tomorrow! :)

 

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.