Baroness (Daughters of Fortune #2) - Susan May Warren

A few weeks ago I finished book 1 of this series, Heiress.  I had already purchased this second book, but since Heiress had been a little darker than what I normally read, I decided to take a little break in between readings.

This book is the story of Rosie and Lilly.  We start out in Paris where the two girls are supposed to be doing things together and looking out for each other, but the plan goes awry and they both end up getting into trouble.  Lilly ends up trying to run away and Rosie betrays her trust.

Back in America, Lilly returns to find out that her mother, Esme, is dying.  Her stepfather, Oliver, tells Lilly that her dream of returning to Montana isn't a possibility.  She takes matters into her own hands and runs away, ending up joining a flying circus.  She thinks she belongs in the air and wants to be a wing walker.

Rosie wants to see her name in lights.  To accomplish that goal, she cozies up to a mob man that promises her a star role.  She also ends up being on his arm all the time.  A baseball player catches her eye, but she knows that she can't just run away from the mob man.

As with the last book, this one is pretty heavy on the reality.  Death, domestic abuse, manipulation: it's all in there.  The third book in the series, Duchess, was on my watch list, but I have removed it after a lot of thought.  I am a "happily ever after" person.  I need that happy ending at the end of books I read.  With these, I have to question whether or not it's a happy ending.  If I wanted to read more realistic stories, I would read more nonfiction.

The last book is about Rosie's story.  She was probably my least favorite character anyway.  I believe that it's important to read these in order.  There is enough back story retold in the second book to help you know what's going on, but the story is more complete having read the first book.

In closing, I want to clarify that this book was a good read.  The story was well written and the author talented.  I couldn't put it down.  It's just that personally I am a happy ending person.  I read for the happy endings, the stories where everything is wrapped in a neat little bow.  And yes, I realize that life is not like that - that's why it's called fiction.  Beside not being completely content at the end of the book, I will grant this book a Good Book! review because it really was well written.