Autumn Rose

At long last, I have read the second of three books which feature Simon and Judith Ballance, the Duke and Duchess of Sutton from Miss Ware's Refusal. I must admit I was a little hesitant to commence proceedings because I love Miss Ware's Refusal so much that it is in my personal Top Ten All Time Keepers. I read the first review of the book and wondered whether it would live up to expectations afterall.First of all, I agree with the first reviewer - there is simply NO excuse for getting the titles as badly wrong as they are in this book. It's annoying, irritating and indicative of careless editing and questionable research. However, in this instance, the book in all its other attributes rises above this.This is a story on three levels. Like everything else I have read by this author, it is serious stuff, dealing with difficult, adult issues in an unflinching and satisfying way.H/H 1 - Miranda, the illegitimate daughter of Nora Dillon and Jeremy, the very young Earl of Alverstone. They are two young people who articulate the expression "old head on young shoulders" very well. Although faced with family objections (some apparent and some not), in a mature manner, they overcome the pitfalls in their path and find a true and lasting love. They care deeply for each other and love their parents. Not rebels, these two!H/H 2 - Nora Dillon, the daughter of a marquess, lost her mother young, responded to the attention and superficial love of a rake and then ran off with him. Pregnant and alone, believing herself cut off after the rake dies before he can marry her, she makes a life for herself and her daughter on her own in a way that ensures they both become well rounded, independent and loving women. Hero #2 is Sam, Viscount Acland, 39 years old, well-travelled, well-read, a politician, a perennial bachelor who suddenly, in middle age, unexpectedly finds himself deeply in love.H/H 3 - the Duke and Duchess of Sutton, of course! Simon has matured into a man of great insight, patience and understanding. He is allowed in this novel to be the means of untangling the misunderstandings, the hurt, the pain and the difficulties of the first two pairs of lovers. It was delightful to be allowed to see how his marriage to Judith has matured and mellowed now that they are new parents.The action in this story is stately, slow and every piece of the puzzle eventually slips into place. There are no unanswered questions, all issues are realistically resolved. Nora, really the main heroine, finds that although we cannot wipe out the past, we can live with it, grow from it and even be grateful for it.A real tour de force, in my view. Exquisitely written, as always, by this wonderful writer and another keeper for me. I am now about the read the third installment, Lady Barbara's Dilemma. Very highly recommended.

If you are looking for a good Regency genre author - look no further - too bad these are out of print. This is the second book in a group of related novels - the first is "Miss Ware's Refusal" and "Lady Barbara's Dilemma" comes after this one. I don't know if there are more - I'm still looking. I strongly recommend reading them in order if at all possible. Let's get my minor annoyance out of the way - it's one of my pet peeves - why don't they get the title's right? This one is a bit more subtle than some - one of the heroes is Jeremy Whitford, Earl of Alverstone. However he is referred to throughout the book incorrectly as Lord Whitford instead of Lord Alverstone (and his mother as Lady Whitford). In contrast the other hero is Marcus Samuel Vane, Viscount Alcand and MOST of the time he is CORRECTLY called Lord Alcand - though I think he becomes Lord Vane in the next book!!! Arrrgh! I finally had to put this aside and enjoy the people - and they are well worth it. This is the story of Honora (Nora) Dillon and her daughter Miranda who live outside London (in Hampstead) where Nora supports herself by writing popular novels - they live simply, and the description of their home, etc is very well done. We are privy to Nora's background of privilege and her emotions and actions (running away with Miranda's father) when her mother dies and father remarries through a short prolog, though her daughter is not. Enter hero number one, Jeremy, who assists Miranda home after she is shaken up rescuing a child from a carriage accident. Jeremy and Miranda become friends and then secretly bethrothed - when Jeremy tells his mother, she goes to his guardian (Jeremy is only 20) and godfather - enter hero number 2, Sam. Of course mother and guardian immediately think that mother (and maybe daughter) are scheming and vulgar! and will be easy to buy off; when Sam meets Nora, he immediatly realizes this is not the case, but finds out that Nora, herself, is - for unknown reasons - as much opposed to the match as he is. What ensues is a charming plot where the adults conspire to allow the young folks to meet each other on their contrasting "home turf" in an attempt to show them how all "impossible" it all is. Of course, nothing works out that way... we see that Jeremy is a very thoughtful and mature young man with a good awarenss of what the "problems" may be, and how to go about solving them. We follow Nora as she comes to terms with the lonliness of losing a daughter (to marriage) and her past. All the characters, including the secondary ones, especially Jeremy's mother are extremely well rounded. No mystery or mayhem here - just excellent characterization, highly recommended.