We are so excited to have Bethany Swafford back for a tour for her amazing book. We had such a great response to her blitz and every so many reviews coming this week from people excited to read her wonderful book. Come join us on the journey!
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Told in the first person.
Told in the first person.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book
for review from Loving the Book and the author.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive
review. The opinions I have expressed
are my own. I am posting this in
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of
Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".
When she doesn’t have pen to paper (or fingertips to laptop keyboard), she can generally be found with a book in hand. In her spare time, Bethany reviews books for a book site called More Than A Review.
Connect with the Author here:
Twenty year old Diana Forester, a country bred young woman fears that her inexperience and uncertainties has driven Mr. John Richfield away. On arriving back home from London, she learns that he is already there, ready to continue their acquaintance. If Diana thought that it was difficult in London, courting takes on a whole new aspect when Diana's younger siblings become involved. She finds herself dealing with her own feelings, her sister, her younger brother, jealous members of a house party, a jilted suitor, and a highwayman as she falls in love with the charming Mr. Richfield.
Diana Forester shows us how awkward going to soirees can be. John Richfield is seen as a means to an end
by Diana’s aunt. Aren’t you glad this
practice has long since died out in this country? Diana’s sister seems to have the petulant
child down pat – you want to tell her to get over herself.
One thing that frustrated me was Diana kept apologizing – one
thing that wouldn’t fly today. At times
she felt way beyond her years and others she showed just how young she is. Her sister was a frustrating character
because she kept getting in the way of Diana getting to know John. For me, it
seemed the turning point of the story was when her brother James came
home. The speed of the story picked up
and the scenes seemed to flow better.
This story shows that back in the day sex had its place later in a
relationship. People connected on the
emotional level first. There were also
those people that were looking for a fiscal advantageous relationship. Our author shows how times were simple back
then especially how they had to amuse themselves without all the technology we
have today.
In this book, I found it difficult to build a romantic
relationship when for the first half of the book our two main characters spent
very little time together. I was
actually glad to see the mystery of the highwayman. The actions of our mystery man helped to get a
relationship started that I wanted to see more of.
I loved the idea of reading a clean romance because they just seem
so few and far between. And I also
enjoyed reading of a time long gone – things seemed so simple back then. But I found myself frustrated in not seeing
more of a relationship that should build over time. I got to the point where I wanted to speed
read just so I could find our couple together.
When I got to the end, I was glad to see a happy ending but I’m not sure
that I would read the book again. Don’t
get me wrong, I enjoyed the book but felt that it was kept clean because the
couple hardly spent any time together.
“I thought you’d never get here!” Sarah said, ignoring my question completely as she spun to face me. I frowned at her as I put my outside garments away. She seemed highly agitated, a state which I had seldom seen her in. “Diana, I must speak with you!”
“About what?” I asked calmly.
Sarah took up pacing, and for a moment I believed she wasn’t going to continue with whatever she wanted to say. “You must listen to me for once in your life!” she finally said, as
though I had been disagreeable.
Sinking onto our bed, I tried to hide a smile. “Then come out and tell me what has you in such a state.”
“I think Mr. Richfield is the highwayman!”
My smile faded instantly as I stared at her. How had she come up with this ridiculous idea? “You what?” I asked in astonishment.
“There, I’ve said it!” Sarah collapsed into the chair at the dressing table. “I’ve considered the matter carefully, Diana, and as your sister, I could not let you become attached to such a black-hearted criminal!”
I couldn’t help but laugh in response to that absurd notion. “Blackhearted criminal? You cannot be serious, Sarah. I have never heard anything so outlandish. Have you been reading my novels?”
“Diana, I am being completely serious! Stop laughing!”
“How can I take you seriously when everything you say is utter nonsense? Why would you possibly think Mr. Richfield, a true gentleman if I’ve ever met one, is a common criminal?”
Sarah leaned forward, her eyes wide. “Don’t you remember what Aunt Forester said at dinner yesterday?” she asked, lowering her voice for some reason. She acted like she was about to disclose some deep secret to me, and I found myself leaning closer. “About the highwayman being around the Bath area?”
Thinking back, I did in fact remember the conversation and our aunt’s comment. “Yes, of course I remember. What about it?”
“Mr. Richfield was there!”
I failed to follow her line of reasoning. “I’m sure a great many people were in Bath at the same time, Sarah. Aunt and Uncle Forester, for example, were there for two months, I believe.”
Shaking her head, Sarah groaned. “Don’t be obtuse, Diana! You have to see the connection here. Mr. Richfield was in Bath when a highwayman terrorized innocent people. And now, he’s here, where a highwayman has mysteriously appeared to threaten our peaceful home!”
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