|
Patricia Wynn, a well known author, who has written popular Regency romances for Harlequin and Fawcett, struck out on her own a few years ago and founded Pemberley Press. I met her last summer at a convention, and I was amazed to find a successful author who had made the decision to enter the world of independent publishing.
I hadn't read any of her books prior to meeting her, but I rushed to buy them afterwards, and I'm so glad I did – Patricia Wynn and her books are everything independent publishers can strive for. There is nothing second rate about them; they can compete head-to-head with anything offered by even the largest of publishers. In fact, Patricia Wynn's books accounted for three of the top five books I read last year, and I read a LOT!
Her most recent series begins with The Birth of the Blue Satan. Set in the early 18th century, the primary characters are Hester Kean, who is forced by circumstances to act as a companion to her witless, social-climbing cousin, and Gideon, Viscount St. Mars, who is initially one of her cousin's suitors, but is falsely accused of murdering his father. In a surprising turn of events, Gideon's own cousin inherits his title, and Gideon is forced on the run, but Hester discovers information that could vindicate him and, in spite of the risk, acts to help him clear his name.
Even as described, the story line sounds exciting, but what I found most delightful about this book and the others in the series, is the depth of the characters and the quality of the writing. Hester Kean is no stereotypical Regency miss, nor is she a feminist in disguise; she is a well-written character who comes to life on the page. The same goes for Gideon; he is tough, but not too tough. He is not a silly stock character from a typical romance novel. He is a man. When an author can create people, real human beings, regardless of the genre, I am impressed. Patricia Wynn has done that, and she has done it well.
Another thing Patricia Wynn has done is to give a real feel for the Regency period. I can't lay claim to any special knowledge of her accuracy, but what little I do know rings true, and yet, there is no heavy weight here of the feeling one sometimes gets of an author trying to show off all the research he or she has done on a period.
All in all, I would say that for readers interested in trying new books by independent presses, Patricia Wynn's books would be a perfect place to start. They are all available for purchase from Independent Publishers Group (IPG).
The Birth of the Blue Satan
ISBN 0-9702727-3-1
Trade paper
The Spider's Touch
ISBN 0-9771913-0-3
Trade paper
The Motive From the Deed
ISBN#978-0-9771913-3-8
Hardcover
|
