High of Heart

by Emilie Loring

Lovely Constance Trent's life read like a tragic novel. Born to a mother who detested children, she was abandoned by her at the age of three and left in the care of a father whose disgrace had caused him to be disowned and banished from his beloved England. On her father's death, Constance is entrusted to the care of the Corey family of America. Finally, Constance felt part of a family, her life filled with love and security. Until the day an English solicitor shows up at her door: He has come to return the long-lost granddaughter and heir of Major General Lord Valdemere Trent Gowen to Trentmoore Towers.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Novels

407 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1938

About the author

AKA Emilie Baker Loring
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.

After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer

Emilie Loring Wiki Page

Reviews

[Clara Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books by this author..it's unusual for Loring in that most of the book takes place in England. It was just a great and satisfying story..I loved the main characters and felt the ending was great!

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply loved this book! Set mostly in England, you practically want to bawl your head off at the end-- because you are SO STINKIN' HAPPY!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this story! It had all of the elements that I love: A Lord in a manor house with towers, set in England (no not the suitor; he is the grandfather), a rapscallion cousin about to inherit the title, 1930s society- I love reading about the clothing and jewelry they wear- and a fiery heroine. Of course there is the romance and the bit of mystery and a little danger too. Connie Trent has spent most of her life living with the Corey family in New England. Her mother abandoned her when she was 3 and her father, disillusioned by his father in England when young, has now died. Connie's life is about to change, though, when an emissary from England arrives with a summons for her to come stay with her aristocratic grandfather at Trentmere Towers. The whole Cory family goes to England where they stay in another manor house on the Trentmere grounds. Lord Van, Connie's grandfather, plans to marry Connie off to her cousin, Ivor Hardwick. She likes him at first but her heart belongs elsewhere. Of course the reader sees that Ivor is a scoundrel. Peter Corey, the eldest son of the house, is chasing an international thief and that adds some drama and danger. It all ends better than well and Connie even discovers who her mother is, although I was shocked. No warm fuzzy feelings there!

[Susy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I inherited boxes of Loring's books from an elderly neighbor when I was young. I fondly recall sitting on the porch reading about her "gay/spunky/courageous" heroines who discovered/feared/tripped into/thwarted evil in American business/law/politics/military with the help of whichever dashing, brave and patriotic hero she was assigned. There were always references to clothes, cars and tea sets and it seemed like a charming time and place to a girl stuck in the tacky '80s.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this author and while I enjoyed this book it was not my favorite.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was different from any of Emilie Loring's other books. It was very interesting, though and I liked the change of pace.

[Margaret Gilfus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story opens in New England, taking place a hairsbreadth before the Second World War commences in Europe, although unlike her “war” books, that conflict is not touched upon. It’s one of my favorite Emilie Loring books. Perhaps because I began reading them when I was ten years old, they still resonate with me today—returning to visit a friend.

Unlike the review above, I relished the descriptions of the flowers, the scene, the castle, etc. As I understand it, the author didn’t visit England but read newspapers and magazines for the English background.

A constant theme throughout all her novels, Emilie Loring looked at the bright side, striving onward (self-discipline), solving issues in the midst of adversity. Constance has a heavy decision to make.

High of Heart has the heroine struggling with her breeding and background—where did I come from—where should I spend my life? Duty vs. obligation. Her grandfather’s castle wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory visit from a ghost. Does she return to New England or become grandfather’s heir in the castle?

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY VERY FIRST! I picked up this paperback from a rack in a hotel lobby (for 50 cents) while on my sister's & my yearly vacation to visit my father. Hooked! I went on to purchase and read every Emilie Loring romance written and available in paperback, not knowing that she had died before I was even born. I loved these books, but read them when I was between about 12 and 18 years old. I was a young reader - do keep that in mind! :-)

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel followed the Emile Loring “formula” but did have a more interesting plot than most. Unfortunately, for me, it got bogged down in detailed descriptions of clothes, room decor, and landscape views. Every time someone walked into a room, we had to hear about how gorgeous the flowers in the bronze vases were, how the red on the Chinese screen flattered somebody’s clothes, or hair, or skin tone. I skipped about half the book and read the parts with the actual plot!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I read this title it felt sometimes familiar, but other parts of the story I did not remember at all, so I am not sure if I read it before or not. I liked what I saw of the characters, but did not feel like I really got to know them, so much so that some of the plot points seemed to come out of the blue. On the plus side there were some quite exciting bits that seemed very realistic.

[Anna Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sure I'm being generous with the stars on this one...but I honestly don't remember this one very much...so guess I'll err on the side of caution. It must not have been too bad, or I'd have remembered it. So yeah! Check this one off my Emilie Loring list!

[Ophelia Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

High of Heart

This book is a thrilling but sweet romance with wonderful characters and an exciting story. I hated for the book to end.

[Happy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining. Constance journey to discovering herself, her family and at long last finding out love is not to far from home in Peter Corey.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very mysterious good book, filled with sweet pure romance, national intrigue and deep family secrets.