If you like 19th Century romances set in England,
you might enjoy A Lady’s Honor - A Cliffs
of Cornwall Novel by Laurie Alice Eakes, published by Zondervan. But if
you’re looking for a story that is easy-to-read as in well written, this book
falls short—a pity as it detracts from an otherwise decent plot.
For example, at the beginning of the novel (page 3), as the reader
is being lured into the drama, an annoying little French phrase pops up, “Souvenez
vous qui vous etes.” The phrase is apparently the protagonist’s family motto—“remember
who you are”—but the French is incorrect; it should be “Souvenez-vous qui vous
êtes” or “rappelez-vous qui vous êtes.” The phrase is repeated once again in
French a little further into the novel but we still don’t know why a Trelawney would
speak French—especially incorrect French. Is it supposed to clue us into the
fact that she’s well educated? If so—and one can only guess as no explanation
is given—wouldn’t the French be accurate?
Sigh!
Ok, fair enough, so you might not get the French. But take a
look at this sentence: “…Her grip would surely crush his fingers. Her cries
would surely deafen them…” (page 284). Hmm. Deafened
fingers? Oh yeah, she obviously means deafened people, but why should the
reader have to do be stumbled by ambiguity? It interrupts the flow.
And there are many more mistakes. But what about the
narrative?
A Lady’s Honor tells
the story of a young girl, Elizabeth Trelawney, whose struggle to win approval
and to live up to what she thinks others expect from her in order to merit
their love keeps her from pursuing her own heart. She especially values the endorsement
of her beloved grandparents who require more from her than just good
behavior. In order to inherit Bastion
Point, the only place she ever felt was home, Elizabeth must discover some kind
of treasure.
With smugglers doing their dirty business and killing people
who get in their way, Cornwall is not a safe place. After the death of a
friend, Conan, Elizabeth and her female cousins may be in danger. And the man
who has set his heart on helping them, Rowan Curnow, has also set his heart on
Elizabeth. But his is not a match for Elizabeth Trelawney—not if she is to keep
in good standing with the grandparents.
A Lady’s Honor is
a Christian novel and, on that level, it presents a clear message about God’s
unconditional love.
A link to this story also appears in Assist News Service.
Janey DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © May 2014
