"A powerful Georgian romance"
In 1760 London, tutor Rebecca Neville has no family to
protect her when her employer Sir Charles Hartington
accuses her of stealing and tries to obtain sexual favors.
Pretending to accept his offer, Rebecca bashes her odious,
suitor in the head. Believing she killed Charles, Rebecca
flees, escaping in a passing carriage carrying a very weak
Elizabeth Wakefield and her one day old son James.
Elizabeth sensing a fellow desperado brings Rebecca to
America with her and her son. A decade later, Elizabeth is dead, Rebecca has raised
the partially deaf Jamey in the colonies as her beloved
child. However, Sir Oliver Birch arrives to take James
back to England where his father the Earl of Stanhope can
raise his heir. Though she does not want to return to
London, a reluctant Rebecca accompanies her Jamey back to
his rightful position. In England, Rebecca and Stanmore
begin to fall in love though they disagree about what is
good for his son. However, the past surfaces leaving a
future together seemingly grim or impossible. THE PROMISE is a powerful Georgian romance that focuses
on the rights of women in eighteenth century England. The
story line is well written as May McGoldrick uses her plot
to tell the plight of females rather than just espousing
and preaching her theme. The characters make the tale as
Rebecca is a heroine willing to go to prison to insure "her
cherished son" is safe and loved. Readers will strike gold
with this fabulous historical romance. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted August 28, 2001
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