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Thursday, October 19, 2017

The Hostage Heart by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

 A little romance, a little mystery.  The Hostage Heart by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles has little in common with her more accomplished historical novels like The Morland Dynasty or her excellent Bill Slider detective series, but it is an interesting look at the author's earlier efforts.

From the Author's Note that precedes the novel:

"This book is the work of a very young me; but it's the product of an energetic, enthusiastic and optimistic self in what seemed a simpler world, and I'm very pleased to see it back in print.  If you know my later books, I hope you will uncouple your expectations, and just enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it."

There is something touching about Harrod-Eagles' attachment to the works that helped shape her into the author she is today.  I loved the section of the Author's Note where she says that when she ran out of pony novels at the library, she had no choice but to write her own, and  "Between the ages of ten and eighteen I wrote nine pony novels."

Read in August; blog review scheduled for Oct.

NetGalley/Severn House

Mystery/Romance.  Nov. 1, 2017.  Print length:  224 pages.

10 comments:

  1. I'm working my way through the Morland Chronicles and LOVE the Bill Slider books. Have also been reading her WWI series. Will go looking for this one too. I love her writing.

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    1. This one doesn't really compare to her Morland Chronicles or Bill Slider books, but it is such an interesting view into her early foray into writing. :)

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  2. Sometimes it's fun to see where an author started and how far they've come.

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    1. It is interesting to see the way an author's writing develops!

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  3. I've never read anything by her and was tempted by her Morland books but it might be better to start with this one!

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    1. This one is mostly for a look at her early efforts. I think you would enjoy her Bill Slider series--excellent police procedurals!

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  4. It'd be worth it to read this one just for the sentimental value to the author. I agree, there is something touching about that.

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    1. I love the note at the beginning about running out of pony books at the library and then writing nine pony novels! The woman was in training early. :)

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  5. I'm definitely intrigued after reading that author's note; and all the more since I'm new to her books.

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    1. I've enjoyed the Bill Slider police procedurals I've read--great characters, clever plotting, and some witty dialog.

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