Alethea Sutherton is a violinist who is constrained by society's disapproval of ladies playing instruments to a public audience; which echoes the whole being in a trade rather than idle rich issue, she admires Lord Dominick and his compositions but his past haunts him and he doesn't see a way to have a woman in his life because sometimes his nightmares are a problem. Alethea's violin is a beauty and rare and there are those who want it and are willing to go to some extreme lengths to get it. Dominick is willing to try to help her and falling for her isn't what he wants, she wants independence, to be able to move away from England and it's constraints but she can't see a path to that.

It was a good read. There was a bit of letting the Lord steer the path to a good future but nothing too much. ( )

3.5stars

Very gentle, calm, and clean regency read. The last 25% or so had too much of the Christian theme for me but quality writing. If looking for a clean regency and don't mind preaching this would probably be a 5star read for you. ( )

There is so much more to this story than a young girl playing the violin.



Yes there is a hint of danger, yes there is adventure and romance but there is also an intriguing family dynamic that was clearly very well researched.

Bravo to Camille Elliot for doing such a wonderful job!

I recently attended a writer’s conference and one of the authors writes historical fiction and she stressed that accuracy in research is key to telling a convincing story. Clearly Camille knew that already!

I admit it is a bit difficult at times to follow the language but it really does take you back into this far away time when life was so much simpler and yet so much more complex.

Camille Elliot draws us in immediately with a shock that just may knock you off your feet as well. And then she takes us on what – at first appears to be a simply spun take of a young and somewhat odd woman.

But it soon becomes clear that we are in for a wild ride. This is not the regency romance I grew up with… This is a tale of deceit carefully woven and the danger that comes along with it.

What a surprise! A mystery and a romance wrapped up in a historical novel that you would not truly expect either from.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Suspense with enough action and unexpected twists to keep my attention piqued. Historic women's issues raised as Alethea, the main character, was a musician of unusual gifting with a preference for playing the violin. An instrument deemed unseemly for women as it required entirely too much use of her arms! Dreadful, I know. Yet the incorrigible Alethea would not be deterred, much to my delight as a free spirited reader.

more to come... ( )

Title: Prelude for a Lord
Author: Camille Elliot
Pages: 343
Year: 2014
Publisher: Zondervan
Bayard Terralton, Lord Dommick, has returned from war against Napoleon, but the fighting inside him continues. He suffers from what today is called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He travels to Bath, England to protect his sister from an unwanted suitor and to ensure her reputation is intact before she has her first season in London in the spring. Two of his three best friends travel with him, with the third still fighting Napoleon. The four friends form a musical quartet that became famous before the war with Napoleon. While escorting his sister to social events in Bath, he encounters Lady Alethea Sutherton. At first he thinks she looks familiar, but can’t remember her specifically. She soon sets him straight, but also needs his help tracing the provenance of her violin as someone is trying to steal it from her. If Bay can solve the mystery, his family’s reputation will be restored.
Lady Alethea Sutherton has been forced from her home after her brother’s death and the title going to a cousin. She has been hurt physically or emotionally by most of the people in her life with the exception of her half-sister and her neighbor in the country, a woman who taught her the love of music and especially the love of playing the violin. This playing of the violin is not socially acceptable so Alethea is shunned by society. Her father never had any use for a daughter and her brother was just going to sell her off in marriage to one of his friends before he unexpectedly died. She has always felt alone and ostracized. She has given up on God as he has let her be hurt so many times. She trusts no man, but has a special disdain for Lord Dommick. She met him 11 years previous after one of his concerts where he declared women had no place playing the violin. Now, seeing him again, the old resentment is in full force. However, she can’t alienate him too much as she needs his help finding information on her violin. Things take a more dangerous turn as the story plays out.
With great skill, the author uses words to make the music come alive in the pages of this wonderful book. My heart was stirred as I read about how the music was played, how it was received by listeners and how the joy of it infiltrated the heart. I have always enjoyed Regency era books and this one will definitely be on my “keeper” shelf. As I closed the book after reading the last page, my thought was that this was a truly great book that I enjoyed immensely. The characters are deftly presented so readers can connect with them and care what happens to them. The plot is unique to me, involving a mysterious violin. There was a classic romance, but yet poignant and touching. Faith was well-woven into the latter portion of the story. I hope there are more of these attention-capturing Regency stories from this author. I can’t wait for more!
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )