Sue Johnson
A black coach and horses arrived outside of the inn. Fortunately, there was step outside of the inn to allow me a little grace, as I entered the carriage. Alas, the handbag had not been invented. I kept my possessions in my pockets, stored my belongings in a bundle and held ‘Fortune’s Promise’ in my grasp. It was 1811, ‘the night was painted silver’, as I commenced the journey. The horses moved at a genteel pace and took me to Orchard House. Peering into the house, I saw a striking young woman, Lucinda, ‘with raven hair and sapphire eyes’. A servant brought a ‘delicious looking drink in a sugar-frosted glass’, alas he could not see this twenty first century reader. I settled back in the carriage, and could not wait to open to recommence the thrilling journey through the novel.
Sue Johnson, the author, was driving the coach and horses and I heard her call to the horse to commence the journey. We galloped at a pace through the Regency narrative; it was indeed thrilling as the characters veered of the track. Without a fortune to keep the characters on a steady road of wealth, I was in awe as they employed survival tactics of the highest order. Lucinda and Hannah, both strong and resourceful ladies, navigated their way through the perilous era – and what a brilliant journey. The ladies could not see me. I waited in the background, hoping for a twist in fate to keep them safe. Perhaps, I did help them along the way.
The shadow of the villain lurked, but ‘a hunger and cold gnawed his insides’, as he searched for his treasure – the lady with the ‘sapphire eyes’. Oh, how I feared for Lucinda. Despite her slight frame and pale countenance, Lucinda had the fire of the twenty first century woman. Indeed, ‘naked hostility’ shone in her ‘sapphire blue eyes’, and she recognised that her brother ‘had more choice in life’. Mentally stronger than her artist brother, John, Lucinda rejected ‘the devil on Longdon Hill’, and was not fooled when he ‘strutted out like a peacock’. Laughing at Lucinda’s perceptive, intelligent comments, I wanted to invite her into the twenty first century; but she could not see me.
I was on the edge of my seat, as the horses negotiated the rough narrative terrain. We encountered the thieves and vagabonds hiding in the underworld. Driving through the era: we stopped at inns, fairs, farms and cottages. Sue Johnson documents the uncivilised element of the era thus providing a refreshing perspective. 
I entered an inn to find ‘the air thick with the smell of smoke, old cooking and unwashed bodies. The smell was so over powering…’ But I did not dwell on the assault on my senses, as it was time to follow the pathway of the winding plot. I saw that ‘turmoil’ ‘twisted inside’ of Lucinda when faced with the devilish character. She was not hoodwinked by her suitor, and I knew I would witness the adventures of a thoroughly modern Regency lady. I returned hastily to the carriage each night to follow the plot, but drew the curtains on the ‘man on a black horse’ who was always clipping at Lucinda’s heels. I hoped Lucinda would be clever enough to outwit him, and see his ‘silhouette’ before he saw her. I pointed at a potential suitor, alas she could neither see me, nor hear my counsel.
I feared for the characters as they met the various people along the way. I ‘heard of situations where wealthy young men had disappeared to be stripped of their belongings and left dead in a ditch.’ I moved out of the Regency drawing room to travel through the reality of the era. The hiring fair chilled me to the bone, when the sinister farmer approached Lucinda, but I marvelled at Lucinda’s independent spirit.
The narrative is wrapped in the superstition of the era and a hint of the supernatural. I was enchanted by this novel, as I travelled back in time to reality of the Regency era. I wanted to help the characters who had been thrown into turmoil by the cruel twist of their fate. But, ‘the air cracked with tension’ as I drove through the twists and turns in the narrative. ‘The storm rattled and crashed overhead’ in the dramatic story of greed, ambition and survival.
Please see all my book reviews at Books In Handbag and my blog at jessiecahalin.com.
Time for Honesty
Earlier in the day, we had strolled past the white Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay, and this reminded me of ‘
It was a pleasure to get to know Emmelin. She would be a loyal friend who needs a little support, and the occasional nudge in the right direction. Fortunately, her friends are always on hand with delicious vanilla custard bakes, custard doughnuts, cakes and cookies. Despite the troubled childhood in Solvik, it provides Emmelin with a haven from reality. Solvik is the ideal cosy retreat conjured while gazing into the flames of a cosy fire. Café Soleside would be my go to destination if I needed a culinary treat to soothe the senses. I would order smoked salmon and scrambled eggs baked with cream cheese and salad. Although the food is Norwegian, there is a familiarity with my own culture, and I loved this. It is also reassuring to be presented with a couple of villains who one hopes will also get their just desserts!
And there are some bitter twists in the novel to evoke your compassion for Emmelin. The narrative gains pace as it heads towards Christmas. I hoped there would be a comforting ending to compliment the ‘vanilla custard bakes with sugar glaze and coconut flakes.’ Or perhaps the bitterness of misunderstandings would be soaked up with the ‘creamy fish soup with seafood and newly baked rolls.’
I found a cosy setting for the Norwegian church as, ‘the ocean had frozen as I {she} gazed out at the white, untouched landscape. Little could compare with fallen snow.’ What a treat to find a charming Christmas tucked away in the corner of a sweet novel. If only, I could have skied over the Welsh mountains to meet Magda, Oliver, Emmelin and her first love. Instead, I decided to try some of the recipes at the end of the novel. Time to plan my New Year’s Eve menu, and Time to look forward to the year ahead.
Mette Barfelt is a Scandinavian author. After 16 years working for travel agents and airlines, she got a degree in Marketing, before she started writing books. Naturally, with her background in the travel industry, she has travelled extensively throughout the world and visited numerous countries. Her passion for travels and cruises has resulted in the non-fiction book “Alt du bør vite om cruise”, published by Aschehoug Publishing House in Norway.
As it is almost the weekend, I have asked Jan Brigden to present an extract from her romance novel, ‘
I am delighted to present ‘
As much as he hated how big-headed it sounded, even to himself, he was used to people staring at him. Fact. He also knew that what had happened back there was in no way premeditated on her part; the deep blush and dip of her head when he’d first spoken to her had told him that. How small she’d tried to make herself appear during the ensuing chaos in reception, standing there nervously pulling on the bottom of her ponytail, looking so desperately sorry.
When Rebecca’s friend Abi convinces her to get away from it all at the fabulous Hawksley Manor hotel in York, it seems too good to be true. Pampering and relaxation is just what Rebecca needs to distract herself from the creeping suspicion that her husband, Greg, is hiding something from her.
Jan is a South London-dwelling all-round book devotee, married to Dave, and one eighth of online-writing group The Romaniacs
