Today's Wednesday Wonders is part of a blog tour for
Lies and Letters
by Ashtyn Newbold
About Lies and Letters:
“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 Book
Review:
Written in the first person from Charlotte’s point of view,
I did not want to relate to this proud, selfish, self-centered harridan of a
girl. Then the story introduced her mother, and it was apparent she was the
product of this woman’s teachings—teachings she internalized in an effort to
win her mother’s love.
This book touched on the shallow values of the Regency era
where among the many of the well-to-do, the focus was on pride, prestige, wealth
and position. That was how Charlotte and Clara’s mother had been raised, and
those were the values she had sought to instill in her daughters, particularly in
Charlotte, the daughter considered the most beautiful and who was extremely
talented on the pianoforte.
The author did a masterful job of portraying the
personalities in this story. It was easy for me to visualize each one as the
story progressed and the family suffered its reversals. I was quite disgusted
with the mother who sent her daughters off by themselves to a remote section of
England where their family’s disgrace would not be known with a task for
Charlotte to ensnare a wealthy, titled husband. At the same time, the mother
saw to her own comfort—and her own conniving.
It was while on this journey the two sisters learned of their
true potential and what was truly important to them—what would make them truly
happy. However, even when those traits about herself Charlotte valued most deserted her,
and she found something better, at first she denied the good and sought to
return and fit back into the society in which her mother had coached her to
belong.
This was a novel of self-discovery, and of realizing what is
truly important in life. The romance elements are sweet and inspiring. I highly
recommend it.
You
may purchase Lies and Letters at the
following:
About
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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