The Forenoon Bride

by Jeffrey Hantover

When given the choice between love and honor, what are you willing to sacrifice? Destiny, longing and betrayal await you in this sweeping historical novel set in Elizabethan England and the Ottoman Empire of the late 16th century.

England, 1591. Eager to see the world and travel the seas before settling down with a wife, English Lord William Bateman sets out for adventure while leaving his secret admirer, a local young lady named Elizabeth, behind.

However, during his journey to the East, he is falsely imprisoned as a spy by the Ottoman governor of Rhodes. William is given two choices: endure torture in an Ottoman prison or convert and serve the Sultan, Murad III. Staying true to his family, faith and country, William refuses to give in.

By a twist of fate, William gains an unexpected ally in the form of the young governor's daughter Safiye who falls in love with the mysterious and handsome prisoner. Captivated by their immediate bond and attraction, both vow to help each other and promise to be together when time is right.

Meanwhile in England, William's family suffers tragedies and misfortune. The years of absence left their estate in jeopardy but turned Elizabeth - still hopelessly in love with him and awaiting his return - into a beautiful and spirited woman. Can William escape his fate in Turkey and save his legacy . . . and if he does will he keep his promise or betray his honor?

The Forenoon Bride is the second novel by Jeffrey Hantover, inspired by the centuries' old British ballad Lord Bateman. This book is a great read for everyone who enjoys historical fiction with a romantic twist!

Genres: Historical Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2023

About the author

Jeffrey Hantover was born and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Harvard College, attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government and received a Masters in Sociology of Education and PhD in Sociology from the University of Chicago. He taught sociology at Vanderbilt University, was the director of a national social service agency in New York, and held senior positions in labor rights compliance for a major American clothing company. Jeffrey lived in Hong Kong for twelve years where he wrote on Asian art and culture. It was while in Hong Kong that he began work on The Jewel Trader of Pegu. He now lives in New York with his wife Mee-Seen Loong. He is currently working on another novel.

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

Two teenage girls in the middle ages one in Türkiye and one in England both are in love with William he knows of one and made a oath to her for his freedom after being arrested as a spy and she helped him get released. But when he returns to England he is not greeted by his loving family the only survivor this is uncle Simmons and he is so old even the servants are stealing from him and he doesn’t know. William is desperately needed to fix up the estate he never thought he would be the head of and what about Elizabeth? Elizabeth was in love with William his older brother married her cousin and this is all she knew of him only William never knew how Elizabeth felt this is where the story really starts and as the story goes along William will have a choice to make keep his oath or not. I can say with all confidence that this is my favorite historical romance ever I loved this book not only because Jeffrey Hanover not only gives humanity to the villains but write in the way that we understand where they’re coming from and so we don’t totally dislike the bad guys all that much. Not only that I love a romance when you don’t know how it’s going to end and although I do love those where you know the couple will wind up together but this one not only has the question of who will William wind up with but the great storyline to go with it. I love this book so much and highly recommend it it is such a great historical romance and it is historically accurate in every way intriguing and in the end gives you all the great feelings you read romances for. What a great book… Oh yes I said that. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling and well written story. I liked the characters and the well researched historical background.
The language is fascinating and the author is a good storyteller
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful novel. Wonderful take on a centuries old tale that focuses on love and promises in an intriguing way.