REVIEW of Kingscastle by Sophia Holloway

BOOK INFO

Publication Date: November 18, 2021

About the Author:

Sophia Holloway describes herself as a ‘wordsmith’ who is only really happy when writing. She read Modern History at Oxford, and her factual book on the Royal Marines in the First World War, From Trench and Turret, was published in 2006. She also writes mediaeval murder mysteries under the pen name, Sarah Hawkswood.

She is a member of the Historical Writers’ Association, the Historical Novel Society, and the Crime Writers’ Association.

MY REVIEW

When William Hawksmoor unexpectedly becomes the Marquis of Athelney, the former Navy captain has no idea of the sallies and broadsides that await him in the drawing rooms of the countryside’s gentry folk. A condition of the estate demands that he must marry in the year, unless he wants to continually draw his income from a trust, and he discovers with dismay that his aunt Lady Willoughby is determined to foist her daughter upon him. But while his insipid cousin does little to invite his interest, his aunt’s companion, the pleasant and forthright Eleanor Burgess, is far more to his liking. However, any attention shown to Eleanor is likely to result in private punishments for her later from the hand of his malicious aunt. As William unravels the immoral dealings of his predecessor, navigates the social pitfalls of country society, and works to save the villagers from floods that threaten to sweep away both lives and livelihood, he must make a decision as to where his heart and duty lie.

This romance is billed as being in the style of Georgette Heyer, and the elegant prose is indeed reminiscent of the queen of Regencies. The clever dialogue both fits the period and sparks the imagination. Featuring a capable hero and a forthright heroine, Kingscastle’s lead characters are determined to remain in control of feelings that run as deep as a nobleman’s pockets.

Recommended for devotees of traditional, clean Regency romances in the older style.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

“The evening had done nothing more than confirm that never in a hundred years would he offer for his cousin, that his aunt was a petty despot, and that Miss Burgess had a spark to her. Gazing into the bottom of the glass, he sighed, and steeled himself for the unbounded excitement of parlour games…”
– Kingscastle, by Sophia Holloway