TBR Day -- Red, Red Rose

[jmc_bks]

Check me out, I'm all post-y today.

For Keishon's TBR Challenge:

Red, Red Rose
By Marjorie Farrell, a new-to-me author
© 1999, Topaz

He came out of nowhere to save Elspeth Gordon from a band of Portuguese brigands. Although Lieutenant Valentine Aston thought only to save the lady from an unspeakable fate, the handsome soldier is surprised to find himself not only still alive but a hero to boot. Certainly Elspeth, daughter of one of Wellington’s officers, is intrigued by her brooding rescuer.

Ever conscious of his illegitimate birth, this bastard son of an English earl is convinced that there can never be a relationship between them. Indeed, he is determined not to fall in love with her. But the fortunes of war and a gallant heroine will prove him wrong—if he has the courage to seize love when he finds it.

The title comes, of course, from the Robert Burns poem. The red rose as a symbol of love is used repeated in the story, but not to great effect, I thought.

Summary: Val Aston is orphaned at the tender age of 7 (or 8?) and learns from his brute of an uncle that his mother was not the widow of an Army officer dead in India, but that he is the bastard son of an earl. Why the father didn’t take care of him? Revealed later. Why a bastard? Because the mother felt it was inappropriate to marry her seducer or give her child a name. [Here’s the deal – in contemporary society, I have no problem with children born out of wedlock. In stories set in the early 1800’s, that plot mechanism doesn’t work for me. It smacks of spite and stupid pride and a complete disconnect from the reality of the poverty and social stigma that illegitimate children faced.]

After years of living with his uncle, the legitimate son of the earl (Val's half brother) comes and finds Val, taking him home and trying to integrate him into that milieu with little success.

Fast forward twelve years and we meet Val again, this time as a lieutenant working for Major Grant (an actual intelligencer for Wellesley). He rescues a maiden in some distress – she actively participates in her own rescue – and eventually falls in love with her. There’s an intrigue plot mixed in, and some battles, and a Too Evil Sneering Fop who looks down on Val for his bastard status.

Why did I put this book in the TBR? I can’t remember why I bought this book or why it was in the TBR pile. Maybe it was recommended because there is a small subplot about homosexuality in the military in the 19th century?

What did I think of it? Well, as you may have guess by my parenthetical above, I felt rather impatient with the set up of the plot. Val struck me as a stiff, grudging kind of fellow who was unable to express any kind of emotion well. His younger brother was interesting, but didn’t get a huge amount of page time. I could not reconcile Val’s father’s concept of honor with his behavior, and didn’t believe what the author told me (that he loved Val) when his behavior was to the contrary. The romance was very much an afterthought, as well.

Would I recommend this book? No, not particularly.

Will I read other Farrell books? I don’t think she’s writing any longer, or not under that name. Will I seek her other books out? No.

Comments

[miladyinsanity.livejournal.com]

I have actually read this book.

Though I remembered it as the legitimate son of the earl who tried to integrate Val into society.

And I remember liking it better than you did. In my defense, though, I couldn't have been more than 12/13.

[jmc-bks.livejournal.com]

It is the legitimate son of the earl, Val's brother, who tried to integrate him. My bad. I'll fix it.

I just felt really impatient with the set up of the book, and not very sympathetic toward Val's parents.

[miladyinsanity.livejournal.com]

I'm actually quite tempted to go hunt a copy up just to see whether I still like it or not.

Wow, my memory is good! LOL.