TEST
For those who have been griping that all romances are cookie cutter with the same settings and time periods, I highly recommend picking up this little gem by Martha Schroeder. It is part two of her Angels of Mercy trilogy about three Englishwomen, from varying backgrounds, who follow Florence Nightingale to the front during the Crimean War.
Lucinda Harrowby is the poor relation of a wealthy London family. After the death of her parents she was reduced to running her uncle’s household, nursing her hypochondriac aunt, and catering to her overly spoiled cousin. The only escape for her would to be make a good match, and to that end she’s been playing the role of the vapid miss. Unfortunately Lucinda isn’t able to hide her brains and opinions for long and sends her suitor, Jeffrey Bancroft, a wealthy textile owner from the north of England, running.
Giving up hope of ever catching a husband, Lucinda decides to follow Miss Nightingale to Turkey. While working in the army hospital there, she learns she has a real knack as an administrator. That’s why she is assigned to escort an English businessman who has come to determine the best use for money donated for the troops. Lucinda is shocked to learn that Jeffrey is the donor. Soon she and Jeffrey are fighting their feelings as he escorts her to various meetings in Constantinople. After an argument at an embassy party, Miss Nightingale orders Jeffrey back to England to save Lucinda’s reputation, but due to illness Lucinda soon follows. Once they’re back on English soil, Jeffrey has to learn to get past his preconceived notions about women before he can win Lucinda’s heart and her trust.
Lucinda is a very likable heroine. She is frustrated because people, men in particular, think she’s an idiot merely because she’s pretty and she is tired of having to pretend to be someone she’s not. She is desperate to be loved for who she is. As much as she cares for Jeffrey, she resists his advances because he wants her to be one person in public and another in private and she’s sick of that game. Instead of waiting for prince charming to sweep her off her feet, she goes out and uses the intelligence God gave her to do a job. The reader really sees how much Lucinda has grown up when she’s forced to return to London and she doesn’t return to her meek subservient relation role in her family. Instead she stands up for herself and what she wants.
Jeffrey is a bit harder to like. His attitude towards Lucinda is frustrating. He admits that he loves her, but with conditions. He’s scared by her independent streak and her capability. He wants a wife who will bow to his wishes and be totally dependent on him for guidance, as was the norm for the time period. Slowly it is revealed to the reader, as it is to Lucinda, where Jeffrey got his repressive views of women and morality. When Jeffrey’s full past is revealed it makes sense, and it also believable that years of ingrained thought would not be changed overnight.
Neither the incompetence of the British army in Crimea nor the horrors found in a 19th century military hospital are glossed over. The reader gets a sense of the difference the Miss Nightingale and her associates made there. We also get to see a bit more of Miss Nightingale as a character than in the previous book. Since the story occurs simultaneously with that of Catherine and Michael in More than a Dream, it is not necessary to have read that book first to know what is going on.
The only real drawback is the final chapter when two people from Jeffrey’s past reappear to tie things up just a little too neatly. Since Jeffrey has already dealt with and overcome his past by this point it was a superfluous addition.
After this I’m officially adding Schroeder to my list of authors to follow. I’m looking forward to the final book in the trilogy, A Rose for Julian.
Grade: B
Book Type: Historical Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 05/10/01
Publication Date: 2001
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.