This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance
Published by Malachite Publishing
Released on March 17, 2015
Pages: 25
Format: eARC
Source: Author
And this was the third story in the infamous box set of eighteen romances. I’m not sure what happened, but this box set has been pulled from the seller shelves. Most of the stories can be purchased separately, but unfortunately this one seems to have only been on Smashwords temporarily and in this set. Not sure when it will return to print.
This was a quick short story that felt like an introduction prequel more than an actual complete story. Not that I didn’t find it engaging or couldn’t follow it. I was pulled in from the opening lines and it did its job leaving me with a strong desire to keep reading into the next book.
Will is a patient in a madhouse. His ‘fits’ aka Epilepsy was considered a madness disorder and he underwent the rigors of what doctors in a historical era did to treat their patients. The story is all from his perspective. He is a man locked in his own crumbling mind and he is aware of this as well as being aware that he used to be higher functioning. His outlook is bleak until a mysterious woman offers him a gamble of a changed life that would allow him a healthy functioning mind or the even stronger possibility of death. For Will, this is no gamble, but a win-win situation after what he has been through.
The story ends on a high note, but it is left wide open for what comes next. There is a sensual moment and I loved how things are not explained and Lady Elizabeth Darnley is left as a figure of mystery in the end.
As long as folks keep it in mind that this is a short intro piece, I think paranormal fans will enjoy it.
Romance Roundabout #233 PNR
New to Me #120 author/series
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I can’t imagine being round back in a time when something like a seizure would make people think you were mad or crazy.
I know, that was my thinking, too, Mary. Most of us these days would have been in danger of being put in a mad house based on what they considered madness and the treatments? *shudder*
I know, that was my thinking, too, Mary. Most of us these days would have been in danger of being put in a mad house based on what they considered madness and the treatments? *shudder*
I feel so bad for Will. I’m glad I didn’t grow up during that time. His story sounds really sad, but I’m glad it need on a high note 🙂
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
Definitely felt the same way about poor Will’s treatment. Yikes! I’m glad mental health treatment has advanced a long ways.
Oh wow that sounds really different. I’ve not read a character with epilepsy I don’t believe. It’s amazing to think what all could get someone deemed crazy back in the day or what could be used to lock them away. I remember the last one like that was from Deeanne Gist with the hero and his poor hearing and how they were scared he could be locked away.
Hopefully this one will resurface some day.
Yeah, pretty scary stuff. I kept thinking of my college roommate who had epilepsy. She had seizures and would have had to go through all that brutish treatment back them. Just awful!
I hope it gets reprinted too.
Oh wow that sounds really different. I’ve not read a character with epilepsy I don’t believe. It’s amazing to think what all could get someone deemed crazy back in the day or what could be used to lock them away. I remember the last one like that was from Deeanne Gist with the hero and his poor hearing and how they were scared he could be locked away.
Hopefully this one will resurface some day.