Library of Clean Reads: London

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Theodore Hartley by E.H. Nolan (Review)

Theodore Hartley is a young man in search of his destiny. It's time we read his story.

Theodore Hartley by E.H. Nolan

ISBN: 9781517104849
Published: November 11, 2015
Published by: CreateSpace
Trade Paperback: 234 pages
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

E.H. Nolan brings back the most beloved character from her Amazon best-selling debut in this sequel to "Mabel Crowley." Handsome, brilliant, charming, and a millionaire, Theodore Hartley is the most sought after man in all England. At thirty-nine, Theodore is confident that he will never settle down, until he meets the beautiful and intriguing sixteen-year-old Alice. Four decades of Mabel's life was recorded in "Mabel Crowley," but hers wasn't the only intriguing narrative. Dozens of characters, all struggling with their own hopes and hardships, mingled and crossed paths with Mabel throughout the years. Enter a world thirty years before Mabel Crowley, a time when Theodore Hartley was a young man in search of his destiny. It's time we read his story.

My Review:

Reviewed by Sandra Olshaski

Set in London in the late 1800's, this novel traces the life of Theodore Hartley, rich, handsome, stylish, man-about-town and confirmed bachelor as he woos and marries beautiful, charming, but naïve Alice. The newlyweds are madly in love and have eyes only for each other even as their children arrive. Then tragedy strikes and adjustments are required by the entire household.

Theodore and his father, Frederick, (a man who raised his son to be a lifelong bachelor and who resents the marriage) are best friends so it's not surprising, perhaps, that in an effort to placate him, Theodore allows the father to help him plan the entire wedding. "Theodore decided that he wanted to plan out the wedding himself and keep it a surprise from the bride; he anticipated the delight in keeping such a secret from the gullible Alice. He requested that his father help him with the preparations, and it was this innocent gesture that truly mended Frederick's heart." Despite the beautiful description of Alice's wedding dress, corset, shoes, tiara, and floral arrangements, I think most women would find it objectionable to have her wedding day planned by her fiancé and his father! Neither Alice nor Theodore were sympathetic characters to me. Regarding the wedding day we read "Theodore performed unexpectedly under the pressure he felt that afternoon. It was no small sacrifice to throw away nearly four decades of ecstatic bachelorhood." Really?

On the other hand, the author successfully evokes London of the late 1800's as she describes the clothes, horses and carriages, language and customs of the day. This is an old-fashioned love story written in the style of a bygone era.

Sandra Olshaski's disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this book.

About the Author:

E.H. Nolan graduated magna cum laude from Chapman University, earning a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Film Studies. Heavily involved in the arts, Nolan is an award-winning actress and an accomplished composer and playwright. She has written three musicals, music, lyrics, and libretto. Nolan loves to read and participate in a family-run book club, finding inspiration from both classic literature and modern masterpieces.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Emmy Nation: Undercover Suffragette by L. Davis Munro (Review and Giveaway!)

How far will you go to secure equality? Emmy Nation is an historical fiction novel, set in turn-of-the-century London with an independent woman, romance and suspense.

Emmy Nation:Undercover Suffragette by L. Davis Munro

ISBN: 9781517529673
Published: November 22, 2015
Published by: CreateSpace
Trade Paperback: 336 pages
Content Rating: PG

Book Description

Being an independent woman in 1913 London is certainly empowering, but Emmy Nation is tired of the inescapable damp seeping through her worn shoes and the hopeless grumblings of her stomach. When she receives an offer from Scotland Yard to boost her typist income by spying on the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), Emmy jumps at the chance. But as she grows closer to the WSPU women the lines begin to blur, and when a painful part of her past resurfaces Emmy begins to question her choices. How far are you willing to go to secure your equality?

My Review

Reviewed by Sandra Olshaski

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It has all the elements of a story that I love: historical fiction, turn-of-the-century London, an independent woman, romance and suspense.

Emmy Nation as a typist for the London Metropolitan Police is finding it hard to make ends meet. Scotland Yard asks her to infiltrate the London suffragette movement to report on their activities. The police are determined to prevent militant acts connected with the movement and to catch the women who are committing them. Emmy agrees to the request and is soon earning more money. She is an impoverished young woman, but there are hints that she has seen much better days, so right away the reader wonders about her story. Who is she and what's in her past?

This is also an interesting glimpse into the early days of the British suffrage movement. The author succeeds in writing an entertaining fiction inspired by real events. For example, I didn’t know that the suffragettes chained themselves to Winston Churchill's carriage in protest of his not supporting their petition for women's votes. Prominent women in the movement, such as the Pankhursts, were well-to-do, stylish, elegant women who could have remained in the sanctuary of their homes, but chose not to. The movement attracted women of all walks of life, however. They marched on Selfridges Department store, invaded and destroyed orchids in the Royal Botanical Gardens, were willing to starve while in prison, all to secure the vote for women. They published a weekly newspaper called The Suffragette that they sold on the street corner. Quite a statement for women back in the day who were still considered second-class citizens, whose place was in the home!

Emmy is a very likeable character who we want to succeed. She is intelligent, strong, determined, yet vulnerable. There is romance, suspense, and a certain mystery connected with Emmy. I hope the author has further adventures for her.

I highly recommend this well-written, thought-provoking novel.

Sandra Olshaski's disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

To read more reviews, please visit L. Davis Munro's page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the book:

Amazon

Book Depository

About the Author:

L. Davis Munro holds a master’s degree with a focus on women’s suffrage theatre and works in theatre and dance. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with her husband and her dog.

Connect with the author: Website Twitter Facebook

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