“You are wise, but perhaps unusually lucky to understand friendship to be the best possible foundation a marriage can have.” – Queen Charlotte (sort of)
https://www.elizabethrolls.com/What a lovely book. You know, I’m a pretty big Elizabeth Rolls fan. When I read one of her books, I feel as if I’m reading a book where the author has taken her time putting her words together. I’ve never felt Ms. Rolls throws her words on a page just to make a quick buck. In A Marriage of Equals we are presented with some very thoughtful narrative. We are also given the opportunity to meet a very determined woman in the person of Psyche Winthrop-Abeni. Psyche is the daughter of a slave owner, and a Jamaican slave. Psyche is a young girl when her dying father brings her to Great Britain, and leaves her with his uncle. The household Psyche is brought to is loosely based on the household of William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield. Mansfield raised two orphan nieces: Dido Elizabeth Belle, and Lady Elizabeth Murray. In case you’ve never heard of these people, do some reading, or watch the movie Belle.
Anyway, this story is about a very tenacious woman, who has found her place in the world. She owns a successful business, and doesn’t really need any man. But this is Romanceland, and we know that somehow, our author must make room in our liberated woman’s heart for a man, or love interest to fit in. Don’t be too concerned my little Petunia’s; Ms. Rolls brings our couple together with relative ease. In fact, I would have to say this entire book is pretty smooth. This was a lovely romance.
Let’s talk about Psyche. Ms. Rolls has done a wonderful job of bringing a fully developed character into being. Psyche’s childhood is told through flashbacks, and we are presented with the dehumanizing effects of slavery. We view things through her eyes, and see the pain she was faced with. But, we are also presented with a character who hasn’t let her past defeat her. This story does not turn into a rosy world where discrimination doesn’t happen. Psyche is very much aware of what is around her, she even fears what may happen if she steps in the wrong direction. She’s a wise woman. She is also a woman of her time, and not a woman of the 21st century with a long dress on. While this book has some statements to make, I wasn’t hit over the head with those issues. This story is most of all about a very strong, beautiful woman who has found a way to be her own person, and along the way finds someone to love.
Let’s talk about our hero, Will Barclay. Will Barclay is not a Duke, but he works for one. He is a very smart guy, and very, very understanding. Sometimes he is toooo understanding, but whose complaining. He is just right for Psyche. Will’s family background could ruin his relationship with Psyche, but they are honest with each other, and work through it. He and Psyche make a balanced couple.
I do recommend this book. I think this might be one of the best female characters I’ve read in a long time. Psyche is a heroine I will remember for a long time.
Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot
https://www.elizabethrolls.com/What a lovely book. You know, I’m a pretty big Elizabeth Rolls fan. When I read one of her books, I feel as if I’m reading a book where the author has taken her time putting her words together. I’ve never felt Ms. Rolls throws her words on a page just to make a quick buck. In A Marriage of Equals we are presented with some very thoughtful narrative. We are also given the opportunity to meet a very determined woman in the person of Psyche Winthrop-Abeni. Psyche is the daughter of a slave owner, and a Jamaican slave. Psyche is a young girl when her dying father brings her to Great Britain, and leaves her with his uncle. The household Psyche is brought to is loosely based on the household of William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield. Mansfield raised two orphan nieces: Dido Elizabeth Belle, and Lady Elizabeth Murray. In case you’ve never heard of these people, do some reading, or watch the movie Belle.
Anyway, this story is about a very tenacious woman, who has found her place in the world. She owns a successful business, and doesn’t really need any man. But this is Romanceland, and we know that somehow, our author must make room in our liberated woman’s heart for a man, or love interest to fit in. Don’t be too concerned my little Petunia’s; Ms. Rolls brings our couple together with relative ease. In fact, I would have to say this entire book is pretty smooth. This was a lovely romance.
Let’s talk about Psyche. Ms. Rolls has done a wonderful job of bringing a fully developed character into being. Psyche’s childhood is told through flashbacks, and we are presented with the dehumanizing effects of slavery. We view things through her eyes, and see the pain she was faced with. But, we are also presented with a character who hasn’t let her past defeat her. This story does not turn into a rosy world where discrimination doesn’t happen. Psyche is very much aware of what is around her, she even fears what may happen if she steps in the wrong direction. She’s a wise woman. She is also a woman of her time, and not a woman of the 21st century with a long dress on. While this book has some statements to make, I wasn’t hit over the head with those issues. This story is most of all about a very strong, beautiful woman who has found a way to be her own person, and along the way finds someone to love.
Let’s talk about our hero, Will Barclay. Will Barclay is not a Duke, but he works for one. He is a very smart guy, and very, very understanding. Sometimes he is toooo understanding, but whose complaining. He is just right for Psyche. Will’s family background could ruin his relationship with Psyche, but they are honest with each other, and work through it. He and Psyche make a balanced couple.
I do recommend this book. I think this might be one of the best female characters I’ve read in a long time. Psyche is a heroine I will remember for a long time.
Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot
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