"Waltz with a Stranger" Review

"Waltz with a Stranger"
by Pamela Sherwood

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: Dec 4, 2012
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

One dance would change her life forever...

A man who never expected to inherit. A woman who never expected to wed. A choice that pits their honor against their hearts.

Crippled after a riding accident, Aurelia Newbold shuns Society—until a dashing stranger draws her into a secret waltz and changes her life forever. After a year abroad, she returns home and discovers that the one man she's been dreaming of is engaged to her beloved twin sister.

James Trelawney is not prepared for the vibrant woman who returns to London in the place of the wounded girl he took pity on—or his growing need for her. But forbidden love is not the only danger...a chilling secret reaches out from beyond the grave, threatening both Trelawney and the woman he loves.

My Review:

The first half of this book was very fun and entertaining, with some great interconnected love triangles. However, the latter half of the book lost steam and started to focus more on the death of James' cousin instead of the interactions between the characters. It became more of  a mystery story than a romance in my opinion.

The writing was excellent, the story moved right along, even at over 400 pages. If only the story had kept its focus on the couples, I would have enjoyed it all the way through. The characters were drawn very well, how interesting that the twins loved each other so much and never wanted to hurt each other over a man. The secondary characters were great as well. I especially liked the brooding artist Sheridan.

I think this book would appeal to readers interested in a heavy dose of mystery with their romance. I also think fans of the turn of the century era manners and formalities would enjoy this one as well. All of the balls and entanglements are sorted out very well in this story.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: I loved the first part of the book which focused more on the characters and their social situations rather than the end which was all about the mystery.