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Innkeeper's daughter Mariah Woodhouse can't believe her luck when the dashing Lord Byron takes up residence in his country estate in her tiny hometown of Southwell, Nottinghamshire. To seem more appealing, she convinces her best friend, Walter, to pretend to be her fiancé. Byron takes the bait and soon Mariah is left to decide between two very different men -- the roguish lord and the shy library clerk who has silently loved her since they were children.
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With a heroine named Miss Woodhouse, I should have known that I (a true Jane Austen Fan) would enjoy every page of this story.
From the very beginning, I was intrigued by this title about wicked Lord Byron set in the year 1814 of the Regency period—a time of great literature like that of Wordsworth and Jane Austen. And when the heroine checked out from the lending library a book by ‘A Lady’ titled Mansfield Park, I knew this was going to be a good one. This historical romance was written surprisingly in the first person. How very novel—at least for me as a reader. I thought it quite daring by the author, but I have to say it was done so well I didn’t even miss the other character POV’s.
Mariah Woodhouse, daughter of an Innkeeper, is completely enamored of that scandalous poet, Lord Byron. In fact, she would very much love to have him marry her. The only problem is Lord Byron only pursues married or otherwise engaged women. The predicament is easy solved. She has her good friend and library clerk, Walter Weylons, pose as her fiancé. To her surprise the plan actually begins to work…or has it all horribly backfired?
Mariah is a terrific character, likeable and plucky, which is a good thing as it is her voice we hear throughout the entire book. She is a great romantic with imagined ideas of love and falling into that state of being. I really related to Mariah because she reminded me of myself as a teen in my love of the romantic poets.
I can’t say enough good things about Ms. Zenk’s writing. Chasing Byron is a page turner of a book not only because of the engaging characters but also by the lovely prose. In fact, I read the entire thing in one day. Reading this book was a jolly fun time all through the eyes of Miss Woodhouse, yet also one that touches the heart. It was an experience I would definitely repeat. I’m almost jealous of Ms. Zenk. She must have had a glorious time penning this story. As this is her debut novel, I hope we will be delighted with more stories from this talented author in the future.
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Date: Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at
6:45 PM
Your Name: Jean Harrington
Your Comment: I've been eagerly awaiting the release of this novel,
based, I must admit, on having seen the (pre-published) engaging cover. Now
having read the Long and Short Review, I really can't wait to read what has
to be a charming and delightful story. Jean Harrington/THE BAREFOOT QUEEN |
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Date: Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at
2:22 PM
Your Name: Bob Anderson
Your Comment: I too loved "Chasing Byron" even though, as a 60
something male, it is not my usual fare. Of course it doesn't hurt that I am
also her very proud uncle. Thanks. |
