Friday, November 19, 2010

The Portrait

The Portrait
Author: Hazel Statham ISBN: 978-0-8034-7787-2
Publisher: Avalon Books
Source: Pump Up Your Book Virtual Book Tours
*To purchase click the image to the left*

Rarely do I take the synopsis from the book itself, but in order to review this book without spoilers I decided the synopsis from the book was the best course before giving my review. It is below.

England 1812:
Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision.


Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another.

My Review:
This novel surprised me, I’m not really sure exactly what I expected but I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. The Portrait is a sweet love story that involves two English Nobles. Edward, Earl of Sinclair and Lady Jennifer were engaged by way of arranged marriage. While Edward is at war, both fathers pass away. Upon his return from war due to injury, they mutually agree to break the engagement though the break derives from vastly different reasons. As the story progresses the reader is brought into a tale of friendship between Edward and Jennifer as their lives become entwined through more than just social engagements and past history. The novel is full of unexpected events that charmed me into falling in love with these two characters. It is an endearing tale of deep love and commitment as Edward’s heart never strays from the girl in the portrait and Jennifer discovers herself and her true love.

I really enjoyed The Portrait and the events that transpire within the story. The only war scene in this book took place on the first two pages as a prologue, giving the reader the background information necessary to bring them up to speed with the start of the story. Set in 1812, the writing style depicts a noble, polite and thoughtful language that was easy to read. It transplanted me back to England in 1812 without feeling lost in a language or way of life that is so vastly different from today. I enjoyed the authors writing style immensely. One of my favorite things about the genre of Romance is that romance itself comes in many forms with one common denominator, attraction. I enjoyed reading this romance in all its traditional and proper ways as friendship evolves into love and these characters are both able to find happiness with their true love. I was attracted to Edward in the sense that I was rooting for him and his true love. His character makes connecting to the story easy. I would recommend this novel, it is sure to be a charming read.

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3 comments:

  1. Thank you for such a lovely review, Tiffany, it is very much appreciated.

    I look forward to hearing from my readers and promise to answer all my mail.

    Hazel
    www.hazel-statham.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the fabulous review. I also read this one and enjoyed it. Hazel has been a client of mine these past few years, and she never ceases to amaze me. Her books just keep getting better. I hope your readers will check out The Portait for themselves.

    Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving.

    Cheryl
    www.pumpupyourbook.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. The book sounds wonderful! I love the cover, and your review convinced me. I'm so excited to have found out that my library has. I'm headed to pick it up soon. Thanks for the review and recommendation!

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