Reviewer: Robyn Roberts
Title: My Dearest Friend
Author: Hazel Statham
Publisher: Wings ePress
ISBN-13: 978-1-59705-230-6
Re-release Date: January 2008
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Regency Romance
Year/Setting: 1812 - London
Overall Rating: 4.25
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: None
Hazel's Website:
www.hazel-statham.co.uk
Robert Blake, Duke of Lear, is known as a cold man. After the death of his beloved brother, Stephan, during the war, the Duke knows no peace. He purchased Stephan’s commission and feels that his brother’s death is solely his fault. He is tormented night and day and never finds any rest, comfort or peace.
Jane Chandler is a woman in need. Her brother has been injured and she needs to get to Spain and bring him home. She is hoping the Duke will help her secure passage to Spain. She (and he) are stunned to hear his offer to go with her and help her get her brother and return him to England.
With the resources only available to the wealthy, they leave the next morning on their mission. Robert is determined to save Jane’s brother since he was unable to save his own. Jane repeatedly surprises Robert with her demeanor and her actions. She proves to be a trustworthy woman of strength, when he believes all women to be self-serving and unable to be trusted. Over the course of their journey, a friendship develops that deepens into love. Their concerns over their feelings and if they should marry begins a rocky path for the two travelers.
I don’t want to give away any more of the story here as there are some amazing surprises that you won’t see coming. Robert and Jane are both stubborn people used to making their own way. Putting them in close quarters where they are forced to depend upon each other gives them depth and makes them more personable to the reader. They are such delightful characters and their interactions remind me of my husband and myself. I’d agree with Robert and Jane that friendship first can make for an interesting union.
My Dearest Friend is an intricately woven tapestry of life and death and shows us the inner workings of the nobility. The story starts off well and continues to build momentum to the last page.
Robyn
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