Editorial Review:
Howarth exudes English correctness with witty sharp dialogue and country dialect of a bygone age. She writes compelling narrative and dialogue, and the author's knowledge of the era and regional places are brought to life in vivid colour. While arranged marriage plots are somewhat of a cliché in the historical romance genre, there is a dark ominous sense of foreboding to this novel. Loose rumours the hero killed his first two wives is left hanging in the air, and the title *Reluctant Duchess* is paramount. The knowledge her husband has a mistress crushes sweet naive Liliana’s self-esteem. Her reaction is refusal to let him break through her protective shield. She locks her emotions away and rebels when personal loss strikes without warning. This event is the turning point which shakes her husband from stupendous belief she is immune to his presence. At the same time his closeted world is turned inside out. His inner court is less of his making while those of his train exert power and influence at his expense. Although the duke wields a strong personality it is obvious he has drifted and lost direction after the mysterious death of his second wife. To avoid plot spoilers it is vital to stop here, apart from saying his second wife’s death haunts the novel throughout and re-enters the story with a shocking tale of abduction, murder, and incest. Ms Howarth is hereby granted a Jane Austen Regency Award for this page-turning Regency murder mystery. Bear in mind this has steamy romance and bawdy language.
Editorial Review:
Diana Forester’s time away in Regency London is much enjoyed, and the attention of a Mr Richley is greatly flattering. She’s more than a little convinced another young lady has set her bonnet at Richley, and assumes the rather unpleasant Miss Reynolds will win his heart. Soon Diana’s visit is at end and her return to her family’s country home is where her siblings step centre stage, and where love and romance begins to unfold with the unexpected arrival of Mr Richley. However, Miss Reynolds arrival creates confusions for Diana. In the meanwhile the arrival of a mysterious highwayman causes great unease for all in the tranquil rural setting, and a foolhardy plot to uncloak him is a disaster for Diana. The eventual shock-of all that comes to pass fades to the background and the sweet traditional HEA steals the show. There are little nuances of historical asides, the narrative and dialogue has a slightly modern feel, but the characters are three-dimensional, and the plot is seamless and well constructed. Without question A Chaotic Courtship by Bethany Swafford, is granted the Jane Austen Readers’ Regency Award.
Editorial Review:
Bettering young ladies marital opportunities with amusing cameos was the promise of Jane Austen’s novels. No research whatsoever was required for Ms Austen within her contemporary works, whereas Ms Aminadra reveals Richard Emberton’s life as mired in the trading of exotic spices since he was very young. He has no experience of courting a young lady, and trading for a wife seems natural to him. In the meanwhile Grace Hayward sees herself as a commodity in a business transaction much as a slave on her father’s spice plantation. Throughout this story slavery during Austen’s lifetime illustrates the dark side of Georgian England and its colonial outposts. Therefore The Spice Bride is a novel of social injustice lightly woven through with a tentative sweet romance between two strangers, who inevitably discover love within companionship. The Regency Award is hereby awarded to Karen Aminadra for historical merit.
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