Book Review Club: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty #review

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Last month my readers group read books that have been made into films, and then we watched the movies. One of my choices was:

Chaperone coverThe Chaperone
by Laura Moriarty
Historical Women’s FictionSet in the early 1920s, the book tells the story of a journey to New York City of Louise Brooks, who became a famous silent movie actress, and her chaperone Cora Kaufman Carlisle. Louise Brooks was a real person, and you can read about her life here:But the story is mainly about Cora, whom I assume is a fictional character. She chooses to accompany the free-spirited Louise to NYC because that’s where she was born. Cora was taken as a three-year-old to an orphanage run by nuns, and she was later sent west on one of the orphan trains where she was adopted by a couple named Kaufman. The flash backs to her past story are quite interesting. Once in NY she tries to learn who her birth parents are.That’s all I will say. Cora’s story is far more compelling and complicated than I anticipated from a teetotalling middle-aged Kansas housewife. I enjoyed most of the book, but found the ending dragged out too long.

movie posterThe book was made into a movie of the same name by the creators of Downton Abbey. I watched it on PBS.

Elizabeth McGovern plays Cora, whose name was inexplicably changed to Norma for the film. Haley Lou Richardson played Louise Brooks.

I liked the movie. McGovern does a good acting job, despite the fact that she’s about 20 years older than the character she plays. The movie captures the heart of the story, and mercifully, ends sooner. I thought the script was pretty good.

I recommend both for fans of historical fiction, although I wouldn’t fault anyone for not quite finishing the book.

Linda

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Authors Give Back: Lyndi Lamont @Smashwords #MFRWHooks

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Note: This is a blog hop. Be sure to check the links at the bottom to see posts from other authors!

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Now that many of us are sitting at home with time to read, Smashwords is hosting a promotion called Authors Give Back, and I’m participating with two of my Lyndi Lamont titles.

Reluctant Bride coverHow To Woo… A Reluctant Bride
Steamy Historical Romance

A marriage contract, nothing more…until darkly handsome Evan Channing and demure Lydia Blatchford meet. Yet the rules are simple for an arrangement such as theirs. There should be no misunderstanding, no illusions of anything more.

Armed with a copy of the Kama Sutra, Evan sets out to seduce his reluctant bride into passionate surrender. Lydia is prepared to tolerate this man she’s been sold to, but his scorching kisses send her pulses racing. Can an arranged marriage lead to love?

Here’s a short snippet from Chapter One:

London, June 1885

She wasn’t quite the perfect English rose but she’d do.

Evan Channing stood next to the fireplace in Lord Blatchford’s parlor and studied his fiancée as she sat on the settee talking to his mother. Lydia Blatchford wore blue tonight, bringing out the color of her pale eyes. She looked beautiful, yet untouchable, in her fashionable silk gown. The low-cut bodice revealed the smooth white skin of her shoulders and a hint of cleavage. The lines of the gown showed off her firm breasts and small waist, and the bustle emphasized her rounded hips.

When she looked up, he smiled at his intended across the room. Her lips curved slightly in answer and a blush stole up her face, adding color to her porcelain complexion before she turned away. Tonight her dark blonde hair had been curled into a fashionable upswept hairstyle, softening her appearance. When he’d met her before, her long mane had been pulled back into a bun. He wasn’t sure the curls suited her, but of course, he’d prefer to see her hair down, spread around her on his bed. His pulse raced at the thought she’d soon be his.

He could hardly wait to peel off her layers of clothing, revealing the woman underneath, her smooth skin and generous curves. Taller and larger boned than most women, she’d fit perfectly against his own lanky frame. Perhaps he’d find an opportunity to steal a kiss tonight. Surely that was allowed to an engaged couple.

“Stop staring.”

Evan started and turned to see Lydia’s brother Harry standing beside him. “Sorry.”

Harry raised a blond eyebrow. “You should be. If you weren’t already betrothed to my sister I’d have to call you out for the way you were undressing her with your eyes.”

Free at Smashwords through April 20th. 99 cents everywhere else: Amazon, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble/Nook, and Kobo.

Happy Reading!

Lyndi Lamont

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