Always My Love
Phyllis CampbellHistorical romance
Available from Champagne Books
ISBN: 0973767299
December 2005
| 'Always My Love', is a book that tells the story of Catherine Martin. At the beginning of the story we are made aware that Catherine is being forced into accepting a betrothal. She loves the man she is being force to marry, but like an uncle, not like a potential husband. She has known Grant Fielding all of her life. He was a friend of her parents and it makes her sick to think of him as anything but a kindly older man. To make matters worse, she grew up with his sons. They are all several years older than her. She fell in love with Grant's oldest son, Nick when she was just a child. Her feeling have not changed toward Nick, if anything she loves him more. It is impossible to think that she may end up being the stepmother to the man she has loved and secretly longed to marry.
'Always My Love', is appropriately titled due to the fact that Catherine has loved Nick for as long as she can remember. The historical setting comes to life through the description of each set, including the clothing and horses and carriages. But you are also made to feel a part of this era through the way in which a woman was forced to behave a certain way. We see a little of what it was like to be at the complete mercy of our parent's wishes and how a woman was not allowed to make any decisions about her own future. The characters are richly created. We can visualize them physically, as well come to know them by personality. The dialogue is logically constructed and easy to follow. You feel you are in the room as these characters carry on their conversations. This is an emotionally powerful story of a forbidden love. But behind this aspect of the plot, there is also a mystery to solve. People are being attacked and killed, while there is palpable fear that someone you care about is insane and the one killing people. You are made to feel the anxiety that the character experiences when confronted with the fact that they may be insane and committing awful crimes without memory. Then there is the shock of realizing the identity of the killer, as well as knowing your loved one is in danger at the hands of a killer. These are just a few of the emotions that are portrayed clearly for the reader. The passion and romance is electrifying, the characters are desperate for one another. Phyllis Campbell does a wonderful job in conveying to the reader the emotional aspects of the story. The plot is fully developed and explained in detail. If you are a fan of historical romances you will love this story. I also think this book has something to offer any adult reader. This is a highly emotionally charged romance that takes place around crime and mystery. The romance is combustible and highly erotic. This is a wonderful story and for all the above mentioned reasons I give this book, 'Always My Love' by Phyllis Campbell, five hearts and highly recommend it to the readers.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Anita |
