An intriguing topic forms the core of THE ENTICING OF MISS STANDISH by Julia Justiss. In this story, Julia Justiss reminds us of society just over one hundred years or so ago. In England, the class structure was alive and well. A lady of twenty-three was considered over the hill. And elitism was central to life and liberty. In creating Miss Standish Julia Justiss reminds us of females who were willing to go against the grain.  Sara Standish is nothing like any woman Cameron Fitzallen has ever met. Sure he has known beautiful women and enjoyed his time with them. But coming from being an orphaned baby Cameron knows his stature in society. He is well regarded in his industry as a man who can engineer machines in cotton mills. He is a supporter of evolving regulations designed to protect young children working in mills like his.

No matter how much success Cameron reaches in the world of business his birthright mandates much of his future. So for the most part Cameron has never considered marriage. He barely makes time to eat. But there is something about Sara that makes him wish things could be different. Different time, society, morays.

Cameron finds himself confiding things about his life and circumstance to this lovely, smart, strong woman. And keeps putting himself right in Sara’s path when he should be looking for excuses to avoid her at all cost.

Avoiding Sara is more challenging than anything Cameron has had to face in a very long time. Such a shame to think that two wonderful, caring and generous people are prevented from following their hearts and attraction. Cameron has less to lose than Sara. He has no family connections. But Sara does.

Sara has no intention of getting married. The gents that move in her circle absolutely hold no interest. And those that do pay attention to her are only doing so to find an appropriate wife to run their household. Absolutely not the future Sara sees for herself.

Julia Justiss has her hands full with the pull and tug of these two terrific characters. Not sure who needs the other more but Sara and Cameron together would make a wonderful couple. Some things are just not meant to be. So the question is whether you settle for what you can have or do you take a huge chance in the name of love.

I’m a sucker for these old-time romance novels where norms are just so archaic. But I love learning old traditions and customs even if they reek of inequality. You can’t redo history. You can learn from it and why not just sit back and enjoy.  This is Julia Justiss's world and nobody does it better.

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