Edward Montford through other people's eyes

Sir Charles Montford – 

It is not easy in my advanced age to reconsider my opinion, least of all learn that I have erred terribly throughout my entire life. But the last few months proved that I knew none of my children as well as I thought I did. Presently I am questioning myself whether I have been a good parent and a just father to them. Emma will have something to say on this head, I am sure, but after that infamous trick of hers I do not know what else she expected me to do. In any case, it is Edward and not she who has every reason to complain of the past abuse. And yet he never does. No, he continues a grateful, humble and loving son that I always had and never cared for. I have been most unfair towards him and always treated him with disdain and neglect. Charles, my eldest, was always a favourite with me and Edward, well, I do not think that I ever paid him any attention. But he is a good boy. A fine person. Of sound reason and affectionate heart. It was Edward's timely counsel and unfailing support that made it possible for me to endure Emma's betrayal and stop me from committing a grievous mistake.

Charles Montford – 

I must admit that I was wrong about Edward. Though, of course, not on all accounts. After all, just because he has recently assisted me with a delicate matter does not change the fact that he is no match for me. He is not a horseman or a gambler, he doesn't care for shooting, never tried boxing and I do not know but that he wants to remain a bachelor. He certainly has shown no interest in any young lady as of yet, even though I know for a fact that Lady Sophia was rather keen on the idea of a match between him and one of her nieces. But, perhaps, this is for the best as Edward is not of a sociable turn and would only embarrass his wife in society. He always preferred books and isolation and I think father encouraged him to exercise his fondness for both as it saved him from the necessity of spending our family’s considerably dried up funds on his formal education and worldly pleasures. But, I dare say, Edward has always been happy with his lot. At any rate, he has never complained. Not even when I chased him about the estate with my whip. Such fun I used to have. Well, he certainly hasn’t forgotten the taste of it. And if he ever gets any dangerous ideas, I will be there to beat them out of him. 

Emma Montford – 

You might as well be scandalized by my report – all my friends are – but Edward is the worst brother on Earth. He cares nothing for me. Nothing. He is disobliging and disagreeable in the extreme and he is friends with the very person who treated me in the most injurious, disgraceful and disrespectful fashion. Which goes to show that Edward cares neither for his sister nor her honour. I wager you have never thought that shy, mild-tempered, harmless Edward should one day betray his own kin. Well, to find that he should continue to associate with Mr. Henry Chadderton at all was a shock. But to find that he should keep the man's company after the warning I had given him is beyond provoking. I simply cannot comprehend why he didn’t cut his acquaintance when it was no longer necessary to maintain it. But after everything that has passed between Chadderton and our family I cannot forgive Edward for associating with him of his own free will. How can one trust such a brother? How can one rely on him? Father should never have sent me with Edward to London for he didn’t have my interests at heart at all. And now I have every reason to believe that he set my father against my husband in the most infamous manner. Well, on his own head be it. I am certainly not going to put in a good word for him with papa or reconcile him with Charles when he decides to come back to his senses and his family.

Mr. Jude Hartley – 

I'd rather cut my right hand off than speak of Montford. I loathe that son of a devil and I do not wish to hear his name or see his face as long as I live. I fear it is inevitable, considering our present circumstances, but if he is not a complete thickhead, he shall never cross my path again. Or else I shall expose him and Chadderton to the world. Let them both be hanged. This is the only justice that I can hope for now that my own bit of revenge did not work quite the way I expected it would. I dare say I was too much affected by the shocking turn of events to think properly of the consequences of my actions; and as I was struck by what I believed an excellent scheme, that would injure Montford exceedingly, I proceeded to act upon it with too much passion and too little sense not to suffer for my carelessness later. But though Edward Montford is too noble to expose me in turn – he does look the type to enjoy martyrdom – there is Chadderton who shall not hesitate to betray me again; and as I am not keen on the idea of public exposure and castigation I am bound to keep silence. But I swear on my life that I shall find other means by which to destroy the both of them. 

Lady Sophia – 

Well, all I can say is that he is no gentleman and when it comes to ladies a perfect savage. You can take my word for it for he treated my niece Mary very ill. He danced with her every dance, sat down with her, read to her, had long walks with her, let her draw his profile and after a passage of almost a week failed to propose to her! I have never in all my life met with such ill-treatment and to think that he is the son of Sir Charles, who is always so gallant and attentive! In fact, it was Sir Charles himself who asked me to think of a suitable wife for his younger son. He did warn me that Edward was extremely shy and taciturn and has not been out and about much. But I had expected him to inherit some of his father's ways with women.

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FIFTH REVIEW for ALMENDRA'S QUEST

A lovely review from a fellow writer (R.P. Lauer) on Goodreads:

Highland Court Chronicles: Almendra's Quest by Farida Mestek is a YA fantasy novel in a similar vein as say, Harry Potter. I wish I could give a better compassion title, but YA is not my strong suit; to be honest, when I think of YA, I tend to think of either teen romance, or dystopian future sagas, neither of which strike my fancy. So I have probably unfairly avoided the category altogether, leaving my knowledge rather lacking.

With this being my second YA ‘fantasy’ this year, I am seeing that there is a section of this classification that I absolutely need to explore, because just like The Wing Thief, this novel was a real pleasure to read! Farida does an excellent job of setting up a very rich world, with extended lore and extremely likable characters; the star of this tale being a true gem! Lady Almendra of the Upper Kingdom is sassy, sweet, compassionate, somewhat awkward, and ultimately a character I cannot help but want to root for.

I would classify this as a true fantasy adventure, with the bulk of the story being a journey from one point to another; though there may be a detour or two along the way. Lady Almendra has a companion in the form of a wolf, and she is also accompanied by a really solid, and equally likable messenger (of sorts). There are plenty of exciting moments, reveals and turns along the way.

My only criticisms are a few typos and other minor editing errors, and there is a slight anti-climatic nature to the story, but none of this disrupted my overall enjoyment in reading. There is clearly more that this author has to say in the universe she setup, and I hope with all of my heart that she continues on; I absolutely want to read more in the future!

There is a companion piece to this, Nermina's Amulet, which I did read and will also review. I read that first, but have since been told that it was intended as further reading, not pre-reading. Ooops.

Sins and Secrets - M/M Regency - EXCERPT

A single beam of late autumn sun, cold and sharp, speared the mullioned windows of an old church house, and lay like an enormous golden shard of broken glass on the stone floor, encasing Robert Hayward within its ethereal glow like a precious stone within its frame, his gilded silhouette serving as a kind of beacon for every wandering gaze and every stray thought of the small congregation therein. His broad shoulders and slim waist, perfectly accentuated by the cut of his dark greatcoat, were dwelt upon with eagerness and devoutness that neither the text of the sermon nor its important message on godliness and goodness seemed to merit.

The echoing stiffness of an old vaulted hall was constantly agitated by ringing warnings of terrible punishment and retribution that should befall all sinners least they promptly embark upon the path of redemption and righteousness, coming from the mouth of a rather bold and ill-favoured minister, accompanied by his constantly threatening fist. From time to time this was interrupted by the rustling of skirts or the creaking of pews as one or another young lady wished to get a better view of the divine vision in the first row, usually followed by a loud sigh of pure longing, which the oblivious minister, however, regarded as a promising sign of repentance.

Truly, there was hardly a young lady in the parish not in love with Robert Hayward. He was pronounced to be the most beautiful man to ever walk the earth. His green eyes and long eyelashes and lips shaped like a bow haunted many a dream, and even a smattering of freckles that generously sprinkled his fair complexion was universally admired despite general tendency of the public to the contrary. He wore dark, unassuming clothes, which made his beauty stand out even more, and carried a prayer book wherever he went; his air was melancholy and brooding and his past tragic, which they all found terribly romantic; not to mention gossip-worthy.

Robert Hayward was eleven when his father discovered that his wife was having an affair with a much younger man. Upon learning that she was with that man’s child, Mr Hayward threw her out of the house. But he loved her so very much, they said, that unable to bear her betrayal, he died soon afterwards of a broken heart. Robert was taken in by Mr and Mrs Wainright – his father’s closest friends – who became his guardians and provided him with a new home, promising to love and raise him as their own child, which happened around the same time their only son, Frederick, expressed an ardent wish to go abroad, where he proceeded to reside in the course of the last ten years.

Robert Hayward grew up to be an extremely devout young man. His ambition was to become a clergyman and to serve God and people in his charge to the best of his ability. His life’s mission was to atone for his mother’s sins by leading a life of piety, obedience and self-denial. It should be noted that he had been quite successful in his endeavor so far and that his zeal was constantly supported by the knowledge that he had inherited not only his mother’s fair looks but also her vicious nature and predisposition for the worst kind of sin.

COMING SOON!

Sins and Secrets - BOOK COVER REVEAL!

NEW BOOK - COMING SOON!

Guys, allow me to present my soon-to-be published M/M romance set against the backdrop of Regency England:

SINS & SECRETS

Robert Hayward is an extremely pious young man. He is determined to live a life of devotion, obedience, and self-denial, devoid of all passions and pleasures. His ambition is to become a clergyman. His mission in life is to atone for his mother’s sins.

His plans are irrevocably ruined when Frederick Wainright returns to England. He disrupts his well-established routine, disturbs his peace of mind, provokes sensations Robert has never allowed himself to feel before, and gradually seduces him into his bed.

Following his newly-awakened desires, Robert accompanies Frederick to London. However, he gets more than he bargained for when Frederick’s past affairs and a secret that he intends to keep from Robert at all costs threaten to tear them apart.

P.S.: Wait till you see the cover!!!