REVIEWED BY: Amber Lea Easton, ROMANTIC SUSPENSE FICTION

My review of William and Lucy: A Tale of Suspense and Love... by Michael Brown

Some novels are able to transcend the boundaries of imagination where they touch our hearts in gentle ways that leave us nostalgic when we turn the last page: such is the impact of William & Lucy. The characters are brought to life with grace and intelligence. More often than not, I found myself smiling in writer kinship with Wordsworth's pain of finding the right word and his panic when a journal of precious work falls into water. He became more than a name of a famous poet, more than a character in a novel...he became a man I wish I'd known.

Bringing forth a tale based on history is no easy task and I applaud Michael Brown for mastering the feat. The story of William Wordsworth and Lucy Sims flows seamlessly and eloquently. Never once did I feel that history intruded on the story; rather, it served as a solid foundation from which the author's imagination soared. I found myself transported back in time, imagining poets lamenting about their freedom to speak out against the aristocracy, feeling Lucy's helplessness at being a girl during a time when that didn't present many options and experiencing the excitement of love when it's all about discovery and hope.

The author credits the poem She Dwells Upon the Untrodden Ways for his inspiration. After reading the novel, I went back and read all of the Lucy poems by Wordsworth hoping to share one with you all in this review. That's not happening. Even if you've read them and are familiar with Wordsworth, do yourself a favor and read this novel before re-reading the poems because they will have much more impact. Trust me.

If you love history, read this book. If you love brilliant writing, read this book. If you love romance, read this book. If you love a page turning ending, read this book. Yes, even though it's based on historical facts, William & Lucy delivers an ending that will have your heart pumping.

Excellent job, Michael Brown. Not only did I enjoy your novel, I believe I learned a thing or two along the way. I can't rate this book high enough--I'll say five stars because that's the norm, it seems, but it's worthy of a ten.

Reviewed by “Simply Stacie Reviewer site”

Title: William & Lucy: A Tale of Suspicion and Love
Author: Michael Brown
Published by: Tarn Publishing
My Review:
I was not prepared for the emotional impact William & Lucy would have on me. Maybe it’s the poet in me, but I was deeply touched by the relationship between these two characters. There’s something special about reading about the inspiration behind a poem that gives it more depth, even if that inspiration is fictional. It was entirely believable and a sweet breathe of fresh air during a difficult time in history. Their chance encounter was amusing and not typically one that would spark a love story, but that’s what I loved about it.
I’ve always enjoyed William Wordsworth’s poetry and it was nice to get to see a man behind the poetry. The author was sure to include information at the end of the book to inform the reader what was real about Mr. Wordsworth and what was fiction. I love when author’s take the time to do that when working with historical characters. Most of what we read about actually happened to him. I would not have wanted to live during this time in history when it was so easy to fabricate evidence to fuel lies and rumors. It certainly made me grateful for the life I live now.
Lucy is a very lovable character. Sweet, but not naive. She is almost like a child herself which is why her charges from her governess position love her so much. The author did a wonderful job of describing her art with words so I could see her paintings and how they develop throughout the course of the book. If you’re familiar at all with the poem She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways then the ending isn’t a surprise, but it still pulls at the heart strings.
My favorite thing about this book is the dialogue. It’s obvious that Michael Brown writes scripts, as he has a remarkable way with giving each character a distinct voice. It’s not always easy, especially when certain characters, like His Lordship, speak so poorly. It would have been very difficult to write while un-conjugating verbs, but he does it masterfully. He really captures the feel of the era which makes this book come alive. It’s a highly enjoyable read.
*I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based solely on my experiences while reading this book.*

Book Review
Reviewed by Debra G. for Readers Favorite

William Wordsworth wrote five poems inspired by a young woman named Lucy. Scholars have long speculated as to the identity of Lucy. Was she real? Could she have been a fantasy of William’s imagination? "William and Lucy" is a fictional work speculating on the identity and relationship of Lucy and William. Author Michael Brown used the clues provided in Wordsworth's poetry to piece together the fragments of the mystery, such as the location of Somerset. Michael Brown’s romantic tale is set in 1798 during a time of war between England and France. When we meet William Wordsworth it is a time of turmoil in his life. He seems to lack the inspiration to write, the crown suspects he is a spy for France, his landlord is evicting him, and his inheritance is tied up in the courts.

William is twenty-eight when he meets seventeen year old Lucy Sims. The two young people are drawn to each other. In Brown’s version of the myth, Lucy is a governess, plagued by her employer's unwanted advances, who eventually forces himself on young Lucy. The mistress of the home is angered and accuses Lucy of theft. The drama continues as William faces poverty, treason, and the threat of death by hanging.

Michael Brown is a brilliant author, whose style reminds me of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austin. He allows the plot to form at its own pace and never attempts to lighten the desperation of the era. Brown brings depth and dimension to both the characters and the plot. There is an atmosphere of romance as well as a sense of desperation in the relationship of the characters. Wordsworth’s art was devalued in his lifetime; however, I suspect that will not happen with the works of author Michael Brown. ( )