Mark of Distinction ~ Review

Mark of Distinction
The Price of Privilege #2
By Jessica Dotta

Julia Elliston has escaped.  At least for the moment.  But she has been caught in a web of deceit from which she never emerge.  In Born of Persuasion Julia had seemingly escaped from the designs of her guardian, until she found herself forced into a marriage she didn't want to a Mr. Chance Macy.  To Julia's surprise and horror she was the unwitting pawn in a game of chess between Mr. Macy and Lord Pierson, the father she never knew of.   With the help of Edward Auburn Julia escaped Mr. Macy and made her way to Maplecroft, her father's home.

But now she is at the mercy of her father's schemes to destroy Mr. Macy and to secure political future of Lord Issac Dalry.  Julia is left with little choice in what her life has become as Lord Pierson manipulates the lives of those around him.

Mark of Distinction is an intriguing book as one tries to figure out what exactly who is doing what and what their ultimate goal is.  One feels sorry for Julia, though some of her problems are of her own making.  I think Issac is the one person empathize the most with.  He too is at the beck-and-call of Lord Pierson.  But he truly cares about Julia and her feelings.

This is a book that I don't think you could read without first reading the previous book.  You need to read Born of Persuasion to fully grasp the nuances of the characters and their relationships.  I can't wait to read book 3 to find out what happens.  Does Julia have a happy ending?  Or will she bow to her father's demands?

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Tyndale through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review. 

About Book:

London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself--but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows.  Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal.  And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal--substantiated or not--can be the death of a young woman's reputation. Now under the watchful eye of Lord Roy Pierson, one of most influential men in England, Julia begrudgingly accepts his protection.  But Chance Macy's power is far-reaching as well, and he is eager to assert his claim over her.

Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she's trapped between the clutches of two powerful men.  Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate--but outwitting one's foe rarely goes according to plan.

About Author:

Jessica Dotta has always been fascinated by the intricacies of society that existed in England from the Regency through the Edwardian era. She writes in a manner that blends past and modern fiction techniques. She lives in the Nashville area and works as a free lance media consultant and publicist. Her first novel Born of Persuasion releases in September of 2013.