{Product Details}
- Title: Lies and Letters
- Author: Ashtyn Newbold
- Genre: historical, regency, romance, clean romance
- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (July 11, 2017)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1462119840
FTC, FYI:I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
“That same ache I had been feeling for weeks now blossomed inside of me, bruised, bleeding, and broken. Only now did I realize it was my heart.”
After a season in London, Charlotte Lyons is still regrettably unattached. With her family’s finances in peril, she is sent away with her sister to a bleak coastal town where she is expected to pursue a wealthy earl. She is beautiful and talented, how can she possibly fail? But when her heart is captured by someone entirely unexpected, Charlotte finds herself caught up in a web of lies and intrigue. Between hardship and sorrow, she finds more than she bargained for, forced to choose between the life she once wanted and a new love she never imagined.
{Excerpt:}
The scratching of a quill did little to settle my nerves. Neither did the pattering of rain, nor the abrupt planking of the pianoforte from downstairs. In fact, all the sounds produced quite the opposite effect.
Slamming my quill down on my writing desk, I jumped from my chair, striking my knee on the underside of the desk. The inkwell tipped, splattering my gown. I froze, staring at the tear drops of black. Propelled by a new bout of anger, I rushed at the door and threw it open.
I knew it was Clara at the pianoforte, rehearsing for a dinner party at which she was bound to humiliate us all. And as if the rain wasn't enough to upset me, my sister carried on with her horrifying display while I was trying to write a letter to my dearest friend, Alice. It had been two long months since I had visited her at Kellaway Manor, and I was itching to know if her eldest brother was still unattached.
I gripped by stained skirts as I stomped down the stairs. It was such a relief to stomp. In public, I was only permitted to glide.
“Clara! Quit that horrendous music and look what you have done to me!” My voice was a shriek, shrill from lack of use.
Clara's hands stopped for a moment, suspended above the keys. Her smile was tight as she took in my dirtied dress and ink-covered hands. Without comment, she resumed her playing with renewed vigor.
“Clara!” I rushed at her and threw the music off the stand, missing the burning fireplace by inches. The sheets fell to the ground like dead petals. “Content yourself with the fact that you will never be as talented as me.” I placed my hand on her shoulder and leaned in close. “Nor will you ever be as pretty.”
Her face darkened to a shade of cherry red and her brow creased. In anger or shame, I couldn't tell.
“A well-bred lady will always maintain and even disposition. I trust you haven't applied rouge to your entire face.
“Charlotte, stop!” She threw my hand off her shoulder. A dark smudge of ink stained her ivory sleeve.
I glanced at it with mock regret. “Oh, dear sister, forgive me.”
With an animal-like grunt she leapt from her seat and charged at me. Her palms slammed into my shoulders and I faltered, gasping. Clara was sixteen, two years younger than me, but we were similar in proportion. I regained my bearings and returned the action, throwing her back several steps. It was a fair fight, to be sure.
“I am going to sit beside Mr. Weatherby tomorrow, and you will be placed beside Mr. Connor’s belching!” I screamed.
“Mr. Weatherby favors me!”
I scoffed. "What has possibly implanted such a fantasy in your simple head? He certainly wasn't charmed by your musical talent.”
She cast me a look of contempt. “Do not ever speak to me again!” She gave me one last shove before crossing her arms. “I wish to play music, and I will play music, and you cannot stop me!”
I caught my breath, rolling my eyes. With the clean area of my hand, I brushed back my pale curls. “Very well, but you will never master the art as I have. You will never be like me.”
She stepped closer, the light from the flames flickering over her face. I expected to see a look of hot anger, or an inadequacy. But instead I saw pity. “I have never wanted to be like you, Charlotte.”
{My Review}
I must be honest here, I instantly disliked the main character who is telling her story in first person. She is mean, conceited, snobbish, and full of herself. I believe this is exactly what the author wanted her readers to feel as we first meet Charlotte. She has been raised by a mother whom Charlotte follows in word and deed. Her main focus is to find and win a rich husband with a title. Right away things fall apart in Charlotte's and her sister Clara's life because of their father's poor choices. Clara is nothing like Charlotte and I had nothing but sympathy for Clara as she is mistreated a lot by her older sister, even though she had her moments of being childish in the beginning.
Thank goodness Charlotte is humbled by life circumstances and she starts to change. It's not an easy process as she is so set in her ways and embroiled by many lies as she tries once again to catch a suitable man for a husband. Both girls have to learn to fend for themselves. The joy in this book is watching them lean and grow and become better people as hardships come into their lives. This part of the book is very satisfying.
The best character in the book is James. He truly was a breath of fresh air when he comes along. He does so much good for the sisters, especially Charlotte. I just wished that Charlotte had been able to see his goodness earlier on but her proud nature wouldn't allow it.
This is a book with a romance that eventually comes along and not in the way you usually see in a romance novel. I liked how all of this unfolded. Don't give up on this book and hang in there and you will be greatly rewarded with a touching story and ending. I really like the way the author writes such rich characters and settings. This book is perfect for a summer afternoon of reading.
{Purchase Lies and Letters Here}
{Meet Author Ashtyn Newbold:}
Ashtyn Newbold discovered a love of writing early in high school. Inspired by regency period romance, she wrote her first novel at the age of sixteen. Because she can’t vacation in her favorite historical time periods, she writes about them instead. When not crafting handsome historical heroes, she enjoys baking, sewing, music, and spoiling her dog. She dreams of traveling to England and Ireland. Ashtyn is currently studying English and creative writing at Utah Valley University. She lives in Lehi, Utah with her family.
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