I had a great time in the company of these colorful characters

Oliver, thirty five years, is the Marquis of Stoneville. Born into a family of five children, the future of his family depends on him. However, Oliver is not ready to commit, preferring to live as a rake rather than a forced and unhappy marriage, like her parents. However, Hester Plumtree, their grandmother seventy-one, do not see it that way. The latter told his grandchildren that they have a year to get married, otherwise all end up poor. The only freedom they can choose who they want.
Oliver has a plan. To surrender his grandmother, he wants to find the most execrable woman who is, by hiring a woman in a brothel. This is Oliver first met Maria, a young American came to London with his cousin, to find her missing fiancé.

I enjoyed this first volume of the saga. The author skillfully blends intrigue on Maria's fiance, the evolution of romance, mystery and family. I'm not bothered me, although I noticed a small drop in speed in the second part of the story. We take pleasure to follow the adventures of this family unusual and charismatic duo Maria / Oliver.

Because of its disastrous parenting model, Oliver has developed a rather cynical view of the couple and love. It will therefore take a long time to recognize his feelings. Oliver is a man with a real emotional suffering, but it is not depressing either. He was not sorry for his fate, he is kind of combative, and takes to heart the interests of his siblings. As for Maria, she is a young daring and resourceful woman. It also has a little naive side (especially regarding her fiancé), but for me it makes touching because we understand that she wants to see the best in everyone. Maria is the same with Oliver persuaded to reason that it is not as bad as he thinks.
In addition to affecting their side, Maria and Oliver spiced form a duo with sharp tongues. The author offers some pikes and really funny verbal jousting.

At the secondary characters, I was totally seduced. Members of the Oliver siblings are original and are at odds with the conventions of their time. They are a breath of freshness, I wait to see each of their individual history. Furthermore, the novel is full of strong women: a grandmother manipulative, false bride who does not mince his words, a writer and another sister who master the gun.

In conclusion, this first volume of the saga "The Hussars Halstead Hall" is really great. I had a great time in the company of these colorful characters. I give you an appointment soon for my review of the second volume, entitled "The Adventurer".
I would also recommend another saga of the author, also published in the editions I Lu: "The royal brotherhood." It's a nice trilogy.