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REVIEWS
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REVIEW OF THE UNCONVENTIONAL MISS WALTERS FROM THE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY
For each quarterly issue of the Historical Novels Review, the editors will select a small number of titles they feel exemplify the best in historical fiction. These novels, which come highly recommended from our reviewers, have been designated as Editors' Choice titles.
Miller’s detailed picture of the social unrest that followed the Napoleonic wars, and the appalling hardship in the country caused by lack of employment, absentee landlords and unscrupulous agents, provides a realistic background to the story. Eleanor’s dilemma, her growing maturity, and social consciousness are sensitively portrayed; moreover, the limitations imposed on her actions, including her plans to renovate the dilapidated housing on the estate, reflect the social realities of the period. The author clearly has a detailed knowledge of fashion history, fabrics, interior furnishings, and other items of everyday use, and I was particularly fascinated by these minor details that add special colour and interest. Miller’s characterisation is wholly convincing, making the novel a particularly engaging and entertaining read that I thoroughly recommend.
- Lucinda Byatt
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REVIEW OF A SUITABLE HUSBAND FROM SINGLETITLES.COM
A Suitable Husband heralds the arrival of a strong new voice in historical romance! In her second novel, Ms. Miller has written an exciting tale which sparkles with romance, drama and intrigue and which will keep readers turning the pages late into the night!
Captain Oliver Mayhew needs to marry a rich wife in order to improve his prospects and when a position as the tutor of Edward Haverstock becomes available, Oliver applies for the job as it will enable him to get close to Edward's mother Sarah and charm her into matrimony. But marriage is the last thing on Sarah's mind as someone wants to murder her and her son and Sarah worries that the killer might succeed.A veteran of the Peninsular War, Oliver is the perfect man to protect them and to root out the perpetrators and these attacks give him the ideal opportunity to further his objectives and to get closer to Sarah. But when Sarah suggests that they get married in order for Oliver to be able to offer them complete protection, Oliver realizes that he's been caught in his trap and he's not best pleased!
But Sarah and Oliver have first got to face their demons before they can achieve the happiness which they both deserve...
Fenella Jane Miller beautifully evokes the flavour of Regency England with meticulous historical research and splendidly vivid descriptions of the period which take the reader back to a time gone by. Fenella Jane Miller is a master storyteller who manages to create strong and well defined characters and brings them to life in a compelling historical romance which the reader will not be able to put down.
A Suitable Husband is an enthralling Regency romance which will captivate readers from the very first page and which will keep them gleefully turning the pages until they reach the final satisfying conclusion! Fenella Jane Miller has written a fantastic romantic novel which readers shouldn't miss!
- Julie Bonello
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REVIEW OF A DISSEMBLER FROM SINGLETITLES.COM
With her reputation in tatters, Martha Frasier changes her name to Marianne Devenish and escapes to Great Bentley to live under the guardianship of her great- uncle where she hopes to start over again. However, she is in for a shock when she finds out that her great-uncle has died and that his heir is none other than Sir Theodore Devenish, a dandy who is more interested in the cut of his coat than the well-being of his cousin! As Sir Theo is a bachelor, a young lady like Marianne cannot possibly live in an unmarried man’s residence so she’s shipped off to Frating Hall to stay with Lord and Lady Grierson and their many children.
For the first time in her life, Marianne is happy living with people who actually love and care for her. However, her happiness is soon tarnished when the youngest sons of the Grierson family get caught up in smuggling! And things soon get even worse when Marianne has to assist the Grierson boys in one of their operations and comes face to face with her guardian!
Sir Theo is absolutely furious and decides that the only way to punish his ward is by a passionate kiss…
But when the past catches up with Marianne and puts her in danger, it is up to Sir Theo to rescue the woman he has grown to love, but Sir Theo has got dangerous secrets of his own…
A Dissembler is a spellbinding tale of romantic intrigue which will captivate and enthrall readers who love reading vivid, romantic and well-written historical romances. With a sparkling cast of amiable characters, a plot which keeps you turning the pages, plenty of dramatic moments and lashings of heartwarming romance, Fenella Jane Miller’s A Dissembler is a marvelous romantic novel written by one of the fastest rising stars of Regency romance!
- Julie Bonello
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Redrosesforauthors/Reviews
01 April 2007
The Mesalliance
The Mesalliance/ Fenella-Jane Miller/Robert Hale/ ISBN 978-0-7090-8224-8/ £1899/ hb/224 pages.
This sparkling Regency is a must for all lovers of the genre. Lady Allegra Humphrey, a lady of high birth and rather too much pride, is suffering from lack of sleep after the horrific suicide of her beloved father. However, fate has not done with her yet and after nine months of mourning she and her twin brother Richard discover that they have been living on the charity of Mr Silas Tremayne. A wealthy cit of all things and as such beneath the notice of Lady Allegra and her brother the earl! However, Silas has an enchanting daughter who steals away Richard's heart and Allegra is drawn into a situation she at first finds intolerable. Can she overcome her pride and recognise the prompting of a heart she had hitherto believed cold?
With a satisfactory number of period references to inexpressibles and half boots, and of course the high perch phaeton, this book has a nice Regency flavour and bowls along at a spanking pace. An underlying threat of menace from someone who does not wish to see her happily resolved gives the romance a further twist. This book held me from page one and I recommend it as a cracking read. I award five red roses, Anne
Posted by Redrosesfor authors.reviews at 02:24
From RomanceJunkies.com
Historical
The Mesalliance
By Char
Mar 5, 2007, 13:30
THE MESALLIANCE by Fenella-Jane Miller is a thrilling historical mystery all wrapped up neatly inside a beautiful love story. I was caught up in Allegra and Silas’s tale from the very beginning and was a captive audience until the final sentence. The added bonus of a well-done plot involving secondary characters made the story that much more enjoyable. I was thrilled to watch Allegra thaw-out and begin to embrace life. Silas was a wonderful hero and proved time and again that he was worthy of holding onto Allegra’s love. I loved the way Silas would talk with Allegra and share his plans instead of keeping her in the dark, he treated her like a partner and I found that very refreshing. I loved this story and highly recommend you don’t wait a second to rush out and get it. It is a book you don’t want to miss.
© Copyright 2003 by RomanceJunkies.com
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Lord Thurston's Challenge
by Fenella-Jane Miller
It is the dying wish of Charlotte Carstairs' mother that she and her two younger siblings seek out their grandfather, Lord Thurston. Although he cast out his daughter when she married a poor soldier, surely he will take in three young orphans? But the old man is dead, and in his place resides Jack Griffin, the new Lord Thurston. He is a distant relative who leads a reclusive life in Thurston Hall, following his disfigurement in the recent wars. He has let the house go to rack and ruin, and has no taste for three young people living under his roof. In order not to appear too hardhearted he issues Charlotte with a challenge Â- improve the fortunes of the house, or leave.
There are no frothy balls, dashing Corinthians or giggling misses in this story, but there are plenty of other things to enjoy. Sensible Charlotte makes a good heroine, and while Jack can thunder with the best of them, he has a tender side which shows itself more times than the other. It is enjoyable to read how the crumbling old house is brought back to life, and, as well as the romance, there is a fiendish plot afoot Â- who is trying to kill Jack, Charlotte and the children and why? Pages turn with lightning speed, and I was swept up in it all from the opening sentence. An entertaining romance.
Myshelf. July 2007
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