Francine Howarth

With regret, this book disappointed me for many reasons. Let me start with some quotes from the book:

`Ahoy, their Daddy, how's the birthday boy?' (Ahoy there, Daddy, how's the birthday boy?)

`Oh, and Ricky, see to it your back on set by one on the dot.' (you're)

`The fisherman are hauling their boats right up the beach' (fishermen)

`Whilst walking down the winding path er thoughts kept turning full circle' (her)

'Yee Gods' (Ye)

'Clothes-hangar' (Someone must have a lot of clothes to fill a hangar...clothes hanger.)

'Gratis a quickie divorce' (Check you know your Latin before using it. Gratis means `free' not 'thanks to')

And these are only a drop in the very large ocean of errors in this book. I'm wondering whether this book should have been titled `Stalker in Paradise--Draft Edition'.

Unfortunately, it wasn't well written, the characters were cardboard and one-dimensional, not credible or even likeable. The dialogue was wooden and unnatural, and there was an odd choice of words for a modern chick lit--who uses 'in a thrice' or 'betwixt' or 'visage' these days?

Why did I finish it? Because I always finish a book, and more often than not I have been rewarded for my determination. I hoped...desperately...that this would be the case in this book, but sadly it just didn't happen.

I always try to find something good to say about a book, however bad, but this one has me truly stumped, and all I can do is commend the author for making an effort.

Sorry, it's a thumbs down for this book.
… (mehr)

Ms. Howarth delights again, but she has a caveat in this short piece, that it is to explore and provide a backstory to a character that has intrigued her, her Earl of Axebury, as well as fans of the period of history also need to be reminded that Historical Novelists of the first caliber take time and effort to research dialogue of their periods.

I have to agree with that front piece introduction about dialogue, and find far too many modern reviewers who just want to get to the bodice ripping forget about this detail. That a good story shares the history of the time and that includes how they spoke (though thankfully not how things were written else you would be looking at a great many Fs in the place of an S.)

That other reviewers think that writing in the speech patterns of those who came before us is too much trouble, then perhaps historical fiction is not where they should look for Ms. Howarth not only provides excellent diction to portray character in this work, but uses scene, setting, and the concept of what the people of this time and age would be thinking and feeling. Life was different when in the upper class society of the time you would have children to us, act as near adults then, involved in thinking of marriage, or war, of death. Of dealing with the loss of every child or sibling without the benefit of a psychiatrist to help you deal with the tragedy.

In this short piece the stage is set for Ms. Howarth's series, The Royal Series, which takes us through the Civil War, the English Civil War of Charles I and Cromwell, to the Restoration of Charles II. A long time before the Blue and Gray met in Virginia, Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the US. And we must keep in mind that this is a short piece that leaves you interested in what comes next in her series. A way to learn more about the players in her drama so you can be better prepared for all that is to come.

We see the world here through the eyes of young Anna as well as the older Earl. Anna, has her demons but they flee as she is young. Whilst the Earl, in middle age, is all too aware that war will bring terrible change to all, and to him already beset by turnings of his mind, will not find solace in what will occur during such a war. Only that some must endure and that can be a terrible thing as well. And that at the end of the tale, as we know more is to come, so do the characters recognize that.

For those who want to know more of this period, as well as this series, here is a gem for you that will hold your interest.… (mehr)