The Tyrant

I discovered Patricia Veryan last year and somehow never got around to write a review for her books until now. The Tyrant is my favourite. It has such an old-fashioned charm while being very fresh and cleverly written at the same time that I re-read it on a regular basis. Since this is a book 'à l'ancienne' there is no explicit sex. But then it only showcases the author's talent. While modern Historicals have 20 pages-long sex scenes bordering on soft porn, none of these books manage to hold a candle to the sexual tension and love in The Tyrant. It's there, in the dialogues and actions of the characters, but mostly between the lines. The reader's brain and attention are engaged. You're emotionally invested in the story, that how good Veryan is. I often compare today's Historicals to a fast food value menu--except that the value part is not there with the high prices of books!--you read them quickly and you forget them even more quickly. I can guarantee you will remember The Tyrant.

Setting - England July 1746 --- The beautiful Miss Phoebe Ramsay, the `fair', was somewhat in love with the very handsome and the dashing Captain Brooks Lambert, but alas, she knows that her family needs for her to marry well in order to help their dwindling finances that negate sending her beloved brother Sinclair `Sin' to Oxford university. As handsome as Brooks was, he was also not very rich so trying to get her father to accept him as a suitor was impossible. At the annual Ramsay Summer Ball, she goes looking for Sin and finds him in desperate straits trying to help his friend Lascelles, a wounded and hunted Jacobite rebel fugitive. She is sent to find the one man who might be able to help him, his friend Merry. Given a description of who to look for she was shocked to find that Merry turned out to be Lord Meridith Carruthers aka `The Tyrant' gruff and grim as his brother nicknamed him. Phoebe takes him to her brother and friend and he is coerced into giving his assistance. Unfortunately, while getting Phoebe back to the party, Carruthers in another attempt to draw attention away from the fugitive managed to get themselves compromised and Meredith is taken to task by her father to offer for Phoebe. When Phoebe learns of their betrothal, she is horrified at the thought of spending life with the man known as "The Tyrant." In a dangerous trek using his newly betrothed and family to his estate, they smuggle their fugitive friend along. It is during the trip and during the perilous days following that Phoebe comes to know the man behind the mask he portrays as `The Tyrant". Both the protagonists were superbly drawn, with Phoebe yearning for the handsome Captain she couldn't have and yet discovering that beyond Carruthers rude and boorish traits as a form of self preservation from a mother that he loved to distraction was a man who held a genuine warmth and caring for those under his protection. This is another superbly drawn book in the third volume of the Golden Chronicles series. Veryan's insights and perfectly drawn and fully fleshed characters is amazing. I love the way she connects all of these characters together from one novel to another. We also see another glimpse into the multi faceted and complex characterization of Roland Otton of whom I look forward to learning the true identity and mystery behind this man as he is turning out to not be the complete scoundrel that he appeared to be in the first two books of the Golden Chronicles. Definitely put this book on your list to savor. A true page turner of excitement, adventure and love!

The beautiful Miss Phoebe Ramsay has her heart set on marrying the dashing Captain Brooks Lambert, which wouldn't be a problem if Brooks had a fortune. But while hiding a Jacobite fugitive, Phoebe gets herself compromised by Meredith Carruthers. When Phoebe learns of their betrothal, she is horrified at the thought of spending life with the man known as "The Tyrant." But sharing a dangerous adventure has more of an effect on Phoebe than what she had first anticipated, and Meredith eventually finds more reasons than one to protect the girl who shares his perilous mission.I've read most of the books by Veryan, but this was my first. It is also my favorite. Both the leading characters are very believable. Carruthers was rude and harsh, but for some reason I just couldn't help liking him. Veryan's insights into Phoebe's thoughts and feelings made the character seem more real. Lambert's character transformation was a little abrupt, but it makes perfect sense, and it only gave me more reason to cheer for Phoebe and Meredith. This is also the first book in which Roland Otton makes a "favorable" appearance, and he is not the complete scoundrel that he appeared to be in the first two books of the Golden Chronicles. Definitely read this book, over and over and over again!

I've read all of Patricia Veryan's books (except for the impossible-to-find Poor Splended Wings), and this is one of my favorites. Meredith is one of her most memorable heroes to me. He and Phoebe are a great, romantic match. As usual, Veryan fills the pages with action, humor, lovable characters, great pets, friendship and romance.