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A Windy Night
“A truly engaging period romance written by an extremely thoughtful writer.”
“Cyril Lucas writes with great intelligence, knowledge, wit and sensitivity.”
“I loved it! When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it, and when I finished I enjoyed reading it again just as much.”
Set in 1799 in a castle on the windswept Dorset Coast, “A Windy Night” tells the story of Lady Lucy Greatjoy, newly married and expecting to embark upon a life of wedded bliss. Life however has other plans. Her marriage is in trouble before it has even started. The castle is crumbling to the ground. A winter storm wreaks havoc overnight destroying the town’s fishing boats and leaving the community destitute. Soldiers arrive to investigate a smuggling operation, followed by a Press Gang out to seize unwilling conscripts for Naval Service. But then who ever said love or life was meant to be easy?
Much more than a conventional romance, "A Windy Night” transports the reader back in time to learn about life in Regency England from smuggling, to medicine, to military history and even the recipe for gunpowder. Its humor is intended to entertain readers looking for an amusing escape, but its pace, color, optimism and fun are underlain by serious themes. In 1799 British society was emerging into a new era. Advances in medical science, public education and social justice were in progress and historical information ranging is woven into the all the intriguing historical facts are true.
The story’s young heroine Lady Lucy is a forerunner of the modern woman, quickly proving herself capable of meeting the obligations of social privilege which settle upon her shoulders when she falls in love and marries an aristocratic husband. As Lady Lucy overcomes one challenge after another, she transforms not only her own life, but the lives of all those around her.
A request to I hope you will give “A Windy Night” a chance and that you will enjoy it as much as other readers. If so, please come back and write a brief review when you have finished. Thanks ever so, Cyril!
“Cyril Lucas writes with great intelligence, knowledge, wit and sensitivity.”
“I loved it! When I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it, and when I finished I enjoyed reading it again just as much.”
Set in 1799 in a castle on the windswept Dorset Coast, “A Windy Night” tells the story of Lady Lucy Greatjoy, newly married and expecting to embark upon a life of wedded bliss. Life however has other plans. Her marriage is in trouble before it has even started. The castle is crumbling to the ground. A winter storm wreaks havoc overnight destroying the town’s fishing boats and leaving the community destitute. Soldiers arrive to investigate a smuggling operation, followed by a Press Gang out to seize unwilling conscripts for Naval Service. But then who ever said love or life was meant to be easy?
Much more than a conventional romance, "A Windy Night” transports the reader back in time to learn about life in Regency England from smuggling, to medicine, to military history and even the recipe for gunpowder. Its humor is intended to entertain readers looking for an amusing escape, but its pace, color, optimism and fun are underlain by serious themes. In 1799 British society was emerging into a new era. Advances in medical science, public education and social justice were in progress and historical information ranging is woven into the all the intriguing historical facts are true.
The story’s young heroine Lady Lucy is a forerunner of the modern woman, quickly proving herself capable of meeting the obligations of social privilege which settle upon her shoulders when she falls in love and marries an aristocratic husband. As Lady Lucy overcomes one challenge after another, she transforms not only her own life, but the lives of all those around her.
A request to I hope you will give “A Windy Night” a chance and that you will enjoy it as much as other readers. If so, please come back and write a brief review when you have finished. Thanks ever so, Cyril!
357 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2018
45 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 21, 2019
Set in 1799 in a noble, albeit rather crumbling castle, on the windswept Dorset Coast, 'A Windy Night', is a gripping novel full of vivid characters and fascinating historical detail. It introduces Lady Lucy Greatjoy, newly married and embarking upon a life of wedded bliss...or so she thinks! Except, it turns out life has some surprises in store, and as Lady Lucy overcomes one challenge after another, she transforms not only her own life, but the lives of all those around her. The location and period setting, complete with smugglers, reminded me a little of the Poldark TV series. Like Poldark, I loved 'A Windy Night' for its excitement and romance. I also really enjoyed the complex web of subplots this give this novel depth and substance. And especially admired the way the author is able to weave historical details into the story - from smuggling to naval conscription to medical advances - so that you really feel you are standing alongside Lady Lucy as she takes charge of her fate and fortune! A 5* novel, which I highly recommend.
June 26, 2019
I read far more non-fiction and biography than fiction, so wouldn't have picked up this book unless my wife had said, 'I think you will really enjoy it.' And she was right. This is a thoroughly entertaining and fascinating book, written by an author with an extensive knowledge of the Regency period. The story is fun - weaving together multiple plot lines ranging from the challenges facing newly wedded Lord and Lady Greatjoy, to smuggling activities along the Dorset Coast, to the threat of naval impressment facing the local fishermen - and the diverse cast of characters create a rich and believable world. What I enjoyed and admired most is the author's ability to weave period detail and information into the story. Curious about medicine in England circa 1799? You will learn about it here. Want to know how to make gunpowder? Or learn about smuggling routes? Or the principles of landscape design under the great master Capability Brown? Well, check, check and check. Pick up a copy of 'A Windy Night' and you won't be disappointed.
December 23, 2019
Nothing Special
This story is a pleasant read but not very exciting. A readable book for a rainy day. That's about it.
This story is a pleasant read but not very exciting. A readable book for a rainy day. That's about it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews