Romance
Edwardian
England
Edwardian
England
Fragile
Blossoms by Dodie Hamilton is a romantic historical fiction novel
set in the Edwardian period. This book is a delight to read - I can honestly
say after years of reviews that seldom do you come across a writer with such a
voice and such a heroine who can lift you up and put you into another world so
deftly. Beautifully written...
Julianna Dryden
is a celebrated beauty and muse for the great and the good - and is the
protégée of the dubious wealthy Lady Evelyn who has a disreputable brother - oh
yes, it is Georgette Heyer all the way but with such a modern twist - until she
inherits a house. But a little house with such a legend - once a teashop to two
mysterious and difficult sisters. Julianna and her little son Matty seek an escape
and here it is. Our heroine is a widow and so must rely on her patroness which
is increasingly a burden due to her attentions.... So off to Norfolk and
Sandringham (and yes, the king makes an appearance) where Julianna befriends
the publican and a dark, handsome builder who helps with the teashop
unwillingly.
Julianna wants
the shop to be a success; and so it looks until scandal looms through no fault
of her own - and then Julianna finds friends fall away and her son in danger.
This is the
sort of book that cheers you. Our heroine is so engaging but not a pushover and
you root for her all the way as the scattering of great names test her. Yes,
some of the plot is implausible, some of it over romantic, but that does not
detract from writing that lifts you up.
Why the author hasn't found a
publisher I don't know - except that this novel could be edited by a good
quarter and in the middle it did weigh as I turned pages to get on and needed
to pick up - and way, way too many points of view dropped in - with a better
editor this would be such a good book. So give it a go.
© Jeffrey
Manton
No comments:
Post a Comment
We do not accept comments. If you need to contact Discovering Diamonds go to the CONTACT facility
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.