Book Review: Surrender of Trust by Mariel Grey

Surrender of Trust 

Surrender Series Book 1

by Mariel Grey

Series: Surrender Series
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 15, 2013)

Kindle Edition
File Size: 2615 KB
Print Length: 237 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1484116372
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Mariel Grey; 2 edition (December 19, 2013)
Publication Date: December 19, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ 

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from the author, Mariel Grey. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

My thoughts:

Lucy's story just didn't work for me. Having read and loved (!) Monique's story (book 2), I expected this to be in that level. Although I found this book enjoyable, I didn't get past the 3rd quarter of the story (with a little skimming). The plot moves too slow for me. The writing felt historical, but the way the characters are described or played, too modern. I found Lucy and Chalifour as two playing young teens as opposed to how I felt in book 2. Overall, I would rate this as an okay read. 

About the book:

Lucy Goodwin knows more about horse breeding than a proper young lady should. Her brother’s thoroughbred business has given her purpose and independence, but when an accident leaves her solely in charge, despair and destruction threaten her every move. Trapped in an impossible position, Lucy must do the right thing and watch their dreams crumble, or save their livelihood at a cost too great to bear.

Lord Philip Lyton, Marquess of Chalifour is a member of the prestigious Jockey Club, dedicated to eliminating cheating in horse racing. Trouble raises its ugly head when his business partner falls foul of an accident and he’s suddenly forced to deal with the man’s sister, who seems alarmingly out of her depth. Chalifour respects Lucy’s steely resolve, but knows that single-mindedness can be the most dangerous trait of all.

She might be beautiful and beguiling, but Lucy Goodwin is keeping secrets and Chalifour is determined to find out what they are.

About the author:

From the moment she could put pen to paper, Mariel Grey knew she wanted to be a writer. Like all good adventures however, it didn't happen overnight; it was after several decades of working in litigation that the desire to create dramatic worlds and characters became too great to ignore. Her first foray into historical romance, Surrender of Trust, explored the grime and glamour of regency horse racing, following the determined but impoverished Lucy Goodwin and upright Lord Chalifour. Her second novel, A Gentleman's Surrender, released in January 2016, introduced the innocent Lady Monique and tortured Mr. Stanton, both struggling to find love in a world filled with deceit. 

Though entirely at home in the ballrooms and street alleys of London past, Mariel Grey is currently working on a contemporary story set in Florida, a landscape dear to the author's heart. When she isn't conjuring words on her computer screen, Grey can be found on the water fishing, snorkeling, and enjoying the incredible natural beauty of her home. 

Mariel has a wonderful husband (the hero of her own romantic story) as well as a mischievous cat (who seems happy to play the role of villain). In addition to being a dutiful wife and animal wrangler, Mariel is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Ancient City Romance Authors chapter.