Come-on to Courting Claudia…

Courting Claudia by Robyn DeHart was an astounding novel–and as a debut novel (as was announced on the front cover), it was better than I could have imagined. From beginning to end, I was captivated by the story, more so by the developing and growing romance between Derrick and Claudia. They were genuinely likable characters, and complex in their desires and motivations. Claudia seemed so real to me, I swore I knew her. 

The story had its share of action (definitely in the passionate sense) and suspense. Claudia is not the average girl of the ton. She is quiet and reserved on the surface, trying desperately to blend into the background, but on the inside, she has a thirst for life as evidenced by her secret vocation as a newspaper illustrator. She decides to give it all up, though, when her father pressures her to get married. Her sense of loyalty to her family name, and what her father, as a politician, represents has ruled her every decision all her life. But when she meets her employer for the first time, with the intention to quit the paper, she is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She is perplexed by her feelings, having long hardened herself to trusting her own reactions.

Derrick is just as perplexed by his reaction to Claudia and even more confused by his growing desire to keep her all for himself. What begins as merely his desire to pursue her for her artistry and its success for his paper, turns into his desire to bring out the blazing hot woman on the inside–and possess her for himself!! Looking for an author to bring on the hotness, it’s definitely in the pages of this book. Even just the kissing made you want to fan yourself some.

There is intrigue and secrets, political and familial. The story moves right along, and I never felt like I was being rushed or that details were being thrown in too conveniently. It was all as it should have been. I could genuinely feel the malice of Claudia’s father, Lord Kennington, and he was so despicable that I was rooting for his comeuppance long before I was even halfway through the book. Derrick, who appears to be nothing more than the average rake out for his own pleasure and pursuits, is more enigmatic and considerate than Claudia could ever hope for in a suitor. All in all, a very compelling journey that left me, the reader, satisfied at its conclusion.

Courting Claudia is also available on Kindle Unlimited!