"Another keeper from Heath"
Sadly, several publishers are doing away with their Trad
Regency lines. In this big push for erotica, I fear they
are losing site of different strokes for different folks.
Janet Mullany, a new voice in Trads, shows she can hit the
mark, even heat up the formula some. However, my favourite
Trad writer has to be Sandra Heath. I simply adore her
LAVENDER BLUE, one of my all time favourite books of any
genre. It's quite clear Heath knows her lore, traditions
and the shadowy mysteries of the British Isles, and imbues
her wonderful stories with those rich textures. I cannot
think of any writer who weaves so much history and lore
into her stories with such subtle mastery. While LAVENDER BLUE remains in my top ten keepers, this is
another delightful story from a talent that should receive
a bigger showcase. Heath issues an invitation (as she does
with all her strong tales) to come to where legends, myths
and magic still exist, where the supernatural is natural.
She immediately lures you into the story that carries the
reader from London to Wales, and even to Russia. Athan, Lord Griffin has a portrait of a woman in his
house, a painting that has fascinated him. So, Ellie
Rutherford intrigues him when he spies her in the garden
of a country inn, wearing clothes of a maid. He is unaware
Ellie's own garments were being cleaned, an accident that
ended up with a large portion of another's meal in her
lap. He thinks she is just a common maid. But her beauty
aside, what peaks his interest most is that Ellie bears
and uncanny resemblance to the portrait in his home. He
purchased the painting and strangely, he feels he has
fallen in love with the mysterious woman. Now here she
seems to be conjured from his dreams, a dream where the
woman is named Carolina and she was his wife. Ellie has been through one tragedy after another in her
young life. The death of her parents and the loss of her
family fortune, leaves her future up in the air. She
considers herself lucky that her uncle has given her a
home in Wales. So when the handsome stranger steals a kiss
at the inn, it seemed like magic. Athan instantly wants Ellie, only there are problems on
the romance front. He is betrothed to another, Fleur
Tudor, a daughter of a good friend who is now deceased.
But this isn't the only obstacle in their way. Ellie
believe Athan was responsible for the loss of her family's
fortune, which led to her father's suicide. Despite all,
the Welsh lord draws her. Ellie leaves the inn to go to her Uncle John's home in
Wales, while Athan goes to St. Petersburg on a mission. In
spite of distance, love has a way of prevailing. Saying any more, would spoil the delight of this charming
tale. As with her previous works, the characters steal
your heart, showing Sandra Heath is one very, very
talented writer. LAVENDER BLUE has a new book beside it.
My Sandra Heath keeper shelf just keeps collecting books.
I don't re- read many books these days. But I know
LAVENDER BLUE and DIAMOND DREAMS will call to me again. Posted October 21, 2005
Reviewed by Deborah Macgillivray
Posted January 13, 2007
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Miss Ellie Rutherford has endured one tragedy after another. The deaths of her parents, along with the loss of the family fortune, leave her unsure of her future. Her only saving graces are her uncle, a pottery owner who gives her a home in Wales, and the mysterious stranger who steals a kiss—and her heart…. Athan, Lord Griffin, is so taken by the uncanny resemblance between Ellie and the portrait of a lady hanging in his home, he is compelled to kiss her. And though Athan is betrothed to another out of obligation, duty plays no role when it comes to fate…or to love. But neither he nor Ellie can guess that Athan’s impulsive action will lead to an adventure in exotic St. Petersburg that will bring passion—and destiny—to brilliant light.
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