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Blog Tour: The Secrets of Chateau Swansea by R. C. Matthews: A Book Review

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THE SECRETS OF CHATEAU SWANSEA
R.C. Matthews
The Secrets of Chateau Swansea
Genre: Gothic Romance
Publication Date: October 1, 2018
Source: This book was given to me by Book Unleashed Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: A grisly murder leaves a haunted estate without an heir, and a powerful medium scrambles to find answers from beyond the grave.  
     Determined to escape the nightmarish memories of her childhood, heiress and psychic Maribeth Sommerset pursues the adventurous life of a psychic investigator, beginning with a murder and the spirits who hover behind at the haunted Chateau Swansea
     Meanwhile, devoted steward of the chateau Arthur Dunn plays a dangerous game of deception to shield his employer's good name, landing himself at the top of Maribeth's suspect list.
     Amid scandalous secrets and destructive lies, will Maribeth uncover the secrets of Chateau Swansea before the killer strikes again?
     Don't miss out on this thrilling Victorian gothic romance!

     My Review: Maribeth is a psychic investigator who is hired to explore the ghosts that haunt the Chateau of Swansea. She meets Arthur Dunn, the steward of the chateau who seems to be hiding secrets. Maribeth finds him suspicious and wonders if he could be behind the murders of Swansea Castle. As Maribeth continues her investigation, she finds that the chateau is linked to her past. She soon discovers that she is in great danger because someone in the castle wants her dead.

     Maribeth is really a fun character. She is haughty, stubborn, and feisty. There are times when she is playful and loves to flirt with Arthur Dunn. She is a medium that can communicate with the dead and wants to have a career as psychic investigator. She is willing to continue any lengths to solve the mystery behind the chateau, even if it means using deception. 

    While I love Maribeth, I thought that Arthur needed more character development. Some of his actions in this novel did not make any sense. As a love interest, he was bit underwhelming. Their love was instant at first sight. Thus, I thought the author should worked more on the development on Arthur’s character and their romance.

     Overall, this novel is about family, secrets, and love. While the characters needed more development, the writing itself was very well done. The setting was haunting and atmospheric. The mystery was very thrilling. The killer was not someone who I suspected and the motive was compelling. The Secrets of Chateau Swansea was very fast-paced and a fun ride! It was filled with suspense and ghosts! This is a perfect read for Halloween! I highly recommend it for fans of The Architect's Song, The Other Side of Midnight, and The Dead Travel Fast!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Purchase Links

Book Tour Schedule

Follow the book tour from October 1 - 14, 2018.
Visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more!
To check the latest tour schedule, visit the The Secrets of Chateau Swansea Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About R.C. Matthews



     R.C. Matthews is the author of contemporary and historical romances featuring bold, sassy heroines and magnetic alpha heroes. Warning! The chemistry between her characters is off the charts hot, so read at your own risk. She resides in the Midwest and is surrounded by men: her husband and three sons. During her free time you'll find her watching The Walking Dead, reading a fabulous book or hanging out with her family.
Official website: http://www.rcmatthews.com
Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

WIN FREE EBOOK BY R.C. MATTHEWS
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Winner's Prize:
      Devil's Cove by R.C. Matthews (eBook) - The first book in a related series in which we first meet the heroine of The Secrets of Chateau Swansea when she is a little girl.
Contest runs from October 1 - 14, 2018.

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