The potter's niece

The Potters #2

by Rona Randall

Set in rural 18th century England, this romantic novel chronicles the lives of two families related by marriage: the aristocratic Freemans and the bourgeois Draytons, who employ most of the local residents at their pottery. Charlotte Freeman (heritrix of Tremain Hall) must decide whether to leave her vast holdings to her granddaughter Olivia or to Olivia's cousin Lionel. Her decision becomes moot when Olivia withdraws from the running; a decidedly modern woman, she will pursue a career as a potter. Lionel is just starting to relish his role as heir when Max Freeman, Olivia's father who disappeared years earlier, returns with his illegitimate son Miguel, claiming Tremain Hall as his. Max's return prompts a murder and provides the solution to a crime committed years ago. Randall is adept at juggling the many characters and subplots but the novel has an element of unreality, seemingly more 20th than 18th century in its tone.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

283 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 1987

About the author

Rona Green Shambrook
aka Rona Randall, Rona Shambrook, Virginia Standage

Rona Green was born on 16 June 1911 in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England, UK. Her education includes: Pitmans College in London, a Diploma in English Literature at Royal Society of Art, Birkenhead School of Art Literary. She married Frederick Walter Shambrook, and had a son.

A former actress, before writing, she worked also as journalist and sub-director of publishing company Amalgamated Press, and as assistant editor of George Newnes Ltd. Published since 1942, she started publishing mainly contemporary doctor nurse romances, before writing also gothic romances, and when the market for gothic novels softened, she wrote historical mystery romances. In 1970, Broken Tapestry, her contemporary novel about a broken family, won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association. In 1989, she wrote her The Model Wife: Nineteenth Century Style, a book about social constumbres, including clothing. In 1992, she wrote Writing Popular Fiction, a complete guide for writers.

Reviews

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Family Saga

I have to confess I have not read book one, but I caught up on the family history along the way. Olivia is not interested in inheriting the family estate, she wants to become a potter. Despite her mother's disapproval, she joins the family pottery business on the understanding she will start at the bottom and work her way up just like any other new employee. Olivia is glad to do so, but it is not long before the whole family is thrown into turmoil when the father she never knew and thought was dead turns up with a son in toe. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel, the first I have read by Rona Randall; and it was a freebie. The author's writing is good which means the story moves smoothly. She developed her main characters well although there were times I wondered if she was going to be able to draw all of her plot strands together. I enjoyed learning about the making of pottery. I have already ordered the next book in this series on my Kindle so will be able to start it tomorrow.

[Mrs J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

I was engrossed in this tale of family inheritance, scandalous dalliances and fortune- hunters with the added element of a mysterious death. A whodunnit teased through with romance and lust with dubious and steadfast, independent characters alike, it is well paced and plotted.

[Janet Cardillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obßtacles overcome

There were many obstacles in this story to be overcome and some happened slowly and deliciously as shown on a long ride home by horse. No more said. People got their due in due time. Very enjoyable read.

[Jeannie Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it would never end!