The Virtuoso

Ever since I read about Val in book 1 I wanted to read his book, he just felt so different than other heroes. He just sat by his piano all day long and played. He sounded so sweet.

In this one he wins an estate and goes to fix it up, and to rest since his hand is red and swollen (poor Val, all he wants to do is play). There he meets his heroine, Ellen Markham, a young widow, a nice soul who lives all alone in the woods. And she has got a secret, just like the 2 heroines before her. She does sit on her secret for quite some time, but then we get a few clues along the way what she is hiding. And you always think it is so much worse than it really is. Also, it is not Val is perfect either, because he keeps a secret too, he does not tell her show more that he is the son of a Duke. And she does tell him that she has a secret.

But mostly this book is about these two meeting and falling in love (lust first ;), they are nice to each other and gets along splendidly. He also works on getting his manor in order, and someone is sabotaging. There is also that question, why is someone doing it? And of course the secret of what Ellen is hiding. It brings a bit of thrill to this romance and it is that which keep you going, because you just need to know what is going on, even when you have figured it out.

And like the two other books she has written in this series there is always that romantic shimmer over it all, and the hero is the one who fights. And I am a sucker for a hero who fights for his love and is the one who wants to put things right and win her hand.

Conclusion:
A sweet romance with a hero you will fall for at once. show less

I picked up this book because of the music component, and I am so glad to have discovered this author. With her lyric, beautiful prose she brings the plight of Valentine to the pages and to this reader's heart. His recovery (from a regency version of carpal tunnel syndrome, I think) makes for a compelling, page-turning read.

Ellen's character, her love of her gardens, was a strong, three-dimensional character and these two together are like a powder keg.

I devoured this book and am currently looking for more books by this author. Bravo! Bravo!

Finally we get Val's story and I really enjoyed it. Burrowes always has a way in this series of having her leads fall in love with someone who takes care of them in some way. Usually it's been a housekeeper, but here it's a helpful neighbor who is a widow and the former resident of the estate he has just won in a card game (convenient.) Val, a musical protege with the piano has found he's losing the ability to use his hands and he must stop playing the piano to avoid losing them altogether. He and his friend, Darius go to his new, crumbling estate and start fixing it up (though he appears to be doing more damage to his hands this way than playing the piano!) There he meets Ellen, who has her own crushing secrets that need to remain show more hidden. As they begin to fall for one another, we have the usual trope, I can't marry you because I'm not good enough for you, but it was all done very well, and somewhat heart breaking. Val suspects that something has happened to Ellen in her past and he asks her to tell him, but she won't for fear he'll never want to see her again. Instead she puts a halt to their affair and sends him away, which I really didn't understand why, for I felt it was unnecessary, but I still really liked it. Now I'm caught up on the Duke's sons, and now it's onto resume the series (I started with the daughters first) with the rest of the daughters. show less

This has many of the elements I particularly enjoy in Burrowes more recent books: the family dynamics, annoyances, and misunderstandings, an ominous plot line, and charming interactions with friends. It's better than 4 stars, but not as confident, maybe? as the writer very soon becomes. Quite moving on the themes of grief and falling in love.

Library copy

Valentine Windham, the youngest son of the Duke of Morland, is a piano virtuoso, but his left hand is damaged and swollen. When he wins an estate in a card game, he takes the opportunity to rebuild the derelict estate - and visit with the lovely widow, Ellen Markham, who lives nearby.
This is a reread for me. I probably love it just as much as I did the first time. Val and Ellen are both artists, he with his music and she with her gardens, so they make a perfect match though it takes them a while to get there. Many of the other Windham characters and various friends and relatives make appearances which are always fun. I was especially happy to see Gayle (from The Heir) was much more light-hearted since his marriage and birth of his son. show more
As always, the writing is lovely. What's not to like in a book filled with music and flowers? show less

I've enjoyed several books by this author, but this is my favorite to date. I need to find Axel and Abby's story, because I love him and his boys.

The men in Burrowes' stories tend to be a little more emotional around each other than most heroes of this genre, but I find I like it. It gives them a vulnerability and humanity that, while unusual, is interesting.

I reviewed this novel for Romance Reader At Heart website:

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Valentine Windham, ‘Val’ to his friends and family, is a man that eats, breaths, and dreams his music. For a doctor to tell him that if he does not rest and try to heal his left hand, which has been swollen and paining him ever since his elder brother’s death, is like condemning him to a lifelong purgatory. Shortly after, Val’s luck in cards gains him an estate that is a need of repair. He welcomes the distraction and heads out, accompanied with his best friend, to decide if he’ll keep the property.

Ellen FitzEngle has lived in a tiny cottage adjacent to the Markham Estate for a few years now, ever since she was a widow. Her life is show more peaceful, and her days are filled with tending her herb and flower gardens, which are her livelihood. Occasionally, a memory of a young Gentleman kissing her passionately the year before will sneak into her lonely days, and she’ll daydream about what if’s and maybe’s of one day…

As Ms. Burrowes brings these two souls together, we are treated to a love story that is so fragile and tender, it will have you aching for them. What I most admire about this author is the time and care she takes in developing her characters and their feelings for each other. She never rushes that aspect of the story and equally takes the time in presenting her plots in such a way that you can’t help but turn the pages devouring the story!

Ever since I read her first novel THE HEIR, I have been amazed by her prose. She never fails to astound me by giving her characters real life crises; real life emotions; real life passions; and with that, bring them so vividly to life!

This family has now become my family, and I will forever love them all; and if the old Duke wasn’t so much smitten with his Duchess, I would have given her a run for her money!

I look forward to their adventures and will never be bored with them. Their love of one another has touched my heart, and it will touch yours. The romance, passion, and sensuality that Ms. Burrowes so eloquently conveys to us through her characters, is something that has a life of its own. Highly recommended, and VIRTUOSO is a keeper.

Melanie show less