Date published: December 29, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4391-0794-2
Historical Romance
Hardcover
Obtained by: Publisher ARC
Reviewed by Gina
DAYS OF GOLD takes readers back to the start of the Harcourt family and how they came to live in Virginia.
At an age too young for the burden, Angus McTern becomes Laird of his clan. He is the McTern of McTern. Not only are the burdens of the clan laid at his doorstep, but he must navigate the muddy waters of their English landowner, Lawler, a drunkard who gambles away all he has. When Lawler’s niece, Edilean Talbot, arrives on McTern land the clan are all quickly besotted with her. That is all but Angus. He vows time and again he cares nothing for the spunky English lady brought into their midst.
Despite her best intentions Edilean finds herself at odds with Angus. With her own trials and tribulations she finds herself forced to turn to him for help. Angus swears he has no choice but to help Edilean and vows at each turn it will be the last thing he will do for her. Suddenly with a price on his head he finds himself on a ship, posing as Edilean’s husband, on his way to America. Once again he vows that as soon as they make land he will leave her behind. Yet there is something about Edilean that Angus cannot help but care for, indeed love. The question hangs, can he set aside his sense of duty and allow his heart to rule?
After reading Lavender Morning, the first in the Harcourt series, I was prepared to dig into either Sara or Tess’ story. I’m eager to see if in the present day they will get their man. What a delightful surprise to open the cover of DAYS OF GOLD to find one of my favorite reads, a historical romance. Knowing how things turned out for Edilean and Angus in no way diminished the suspenseful aspects of DAYS OF GOLD, and there is a flavor of suspense throughout the story. Jude Deveraux IS historical romance at its best.
I will admit there is one segment when Angus goes to work for the British Army. I had a sense of needing to explain how certain things happened such as his land acquisition and to bring some of the clan to America and those scenes were dropped in. If I were merely reading the book for enjoyment I would have skipped the entire segment and moved on with the story. As a reviewer I read each word and waited patiently for that portion to end. When it did I was rewarded with the resumption of a love story only Ms. Deveraux can tell. There are moments of sitting and looking into space at nothing while you imagine the scene unfolding. With a word or a phrase she transports you to a distant time and place.
You do not need to read LAVENDER MORNING to thoroughly enjoy DAYS OF GOLD. In fact, when recommending the series I would definitely say to read DAYS OF GOLD first. It gives away nothing of Lavender Morning’s story, rather it adds to the fullness. The family relationships in Lavender Morning made much more sense after reading DAYS OF GOLD. Don’t wait to put DAYS OF GOLD at the top of your reading list.
THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.
No comments:
Post a Comment