Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Review of "Flirtation Walk" by Siri Mitchell

Set in and around the US Military Academy of West Point in the mid-1800's, the author trades chapters between the points of view of Lucinda Pennyworth and Cadet Seth Westcott.

Lucinda has recently been informed of her father's death, and travels to her mother's sisters' house for both a place to live and an attempt at respectability. There she finds a life that is quite different than how she was raised; she never really knew her mother, and her father was a swindler - and she was brought up to participate in his schemes.

Seth Westcott is at the top of his class and a true gentleman to boot! (The saying you can't be both an officer and a gentleman certainly does not apply to him.) His mother passes away and the army will not allow him leave to attend to any of the family's affairs. When he later receives word from his sister that she has been swindled out of the money from the sale of their family farm, he is determined to find a way to locate this con man and bring him to justice. However, as he sees it, the only chance at doing this is to lose his standing academically and rack up as many demerits as possible.

I was incredibly excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. The author's trademark wit and the character's verbal repartee are a delight. I found myself smiling constantly as well as laughing out loud from time to time. It is easy to fall in love with these characters, and the pacing and storylines are flawless.

I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.