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Archer Family #0.5
The Necklace
The legend of the Peckham necklace, a fabled emerald necklace owned by the Archers, foretells death for anyone who dares to possess it. Certainly, it has brought the Archers nothing but heartache. So Oriana is relieved it’s missing, assuming it ever existed outside of a far-fetched tale. She has enough difficulties protecting her uncle—and her heart--from his dangerous new friend, Chilton Dacy. However, when Oriana accidentally discovers the necklace, the curse reawakens. A man is murdered, and the Archers are in desperate trouble, again.
Oriana is now left with a frightening choice, accept Chilton’s help to find the real murderer or face the hangman’s noose.
Oriana is now left with a frightening choice, accept Chilton’s help to find the real murderer or face the hangman’s noose.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2010
28 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Amy Corwin
59 books133 followersAmy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years and managing a career as an enterprise systems administrator in the computer industry. She writes Regencies/historicals, mysteries, and contemporary paranormals. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.
WHACKED!, a contemporary mystery from Five Star, will be out in 2012, and her most current historical mysteries include THE VITAL PRINCIPLE--a Second Sons Mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 16, 2011
I think my expectations for this book were too high, based on some favourible reviews on amazon. I was expecting it to be a little more.... more. I wanted the characters to be more engaging, I wanted the mystery to be more compelling, I wanted the villain to be more menacing, I wanted to necklace to be... well more in the story considering the title of the book.
I found the ending to be a little trite. I found the author "cheated" with her mystery. There are some things that authors do that bother me, and feel dishonest to the story. I can't really go into it without spoiling the ending, which I wouldn't do because other people really enjoyed this novel, and I wouldn't want to ruin anyone's reading experience just because I didn't really care for this story. I wanted to like this novel a lot more than I did.
I found the ending to be a little trite. I found the author "cheated" with her mystery. There are some things that authors do that bother me, and feel dishonest to the story. I can't really go into it without spoiling the ending, which I wouldn't do because other people really enjoyed this novel, and I wouldn't want to ruin anyone's reading experience just because I didn't really care for this story. I wanted to like this novel a lot more than I did.
November 28, 2022
The Necklace: Regency Romance
The love story of Chilton and Oriana and the Peckham necklace. Chilton is a spy for the crown and the eldest son of a Duke. He make friend with John Archer too get back a note of his stepmother. Plus his father wants him marry. Can he get the note back? Great story.
The love story of Chilton and Oriana and the Peckham necklace. Chilton is a spy for the crown and the eldest son of a Duke. He make friend with John Archer too get back a note of his stepmother. Plus his father wants him marry. Can he get the note back? Great story.
June 23, 2019
Another Great Mystery
Corbin weaves a great tale of intrigue, wit and romance. A happily ever after with a fantastic twist. Love John Archer!
Corbin weaves a great tale of intrigue, wit and romance. A happily ever after with a fantastic twist. Love John Archer!
October 1, 2011
The Necklace is a historical regency romance mystery about a cursed necklace and two young people who set out solve a mystery, end up solving a murder and then discover a love for each other.
Miss Oriana Archer is content living the quiet life, such as can be, when Uncle John is not stirring up trouble. Mr. Chilton Dacy is the eldest son of Edward Dacy, baron of Chichester, and much to his father’s chagrin, an embarrassment to the family. Unbeknownst to the baron, Chilton works for the British military. Upon being summoned by his father, Chilton is recruited to find a vowel his father’s wife lost to John Archer. The vowel signs away his half-brother’s inheritance. His father claims that his wife was taken in by Mr. Archer.
Ms. Corwin’s story is told in modern English while keeping true to the period. Her story contains a consistent intertwining of simplicity yet complex in her thoroughness of character development, specifically her three main characters. While Oriana, Chilton and Uncle John are complex, their character can be explained in simple terminology.
Uncle John suffers from the Peter Pan complex. He loves to gamble and live dangerously and is often in need of being rescued and reprimanded as one does a child.
Mr. Chilton Dacy sells his services to the British government. He is a loner and likes his life that way though it pains him to have a difficult relationship with his father. As the protagonist Mr. Dacy has his own demons to exorcise. His struggles over not having a family of his own and his anger over the loss of his mother and his relationship with his father, always weigh heavily on his shoulders. Like Oriana he is convinced love is not for him, but begins to question that belief soon after meeting her. When he meets with John Archer he is quick to believe that as soon as he acquires the vowel that nothing would please him more than to see him go off to prison, but as he gets to know Archer, Dacy comes to regret the deceit, and questions his ability in putting the old man away when the time arrived—in the end, like Joseph Campbell’s hero, Dacy achieves his boons and with it he finds the courage to make a difference in the lives of his new found love and family.
Miss Oriana Archer represents the Goddess Artemis. After finding out her fiancé had been unfaithful she breaks off the engagement and declares to never marry and like Artemis she has a love for animals. She is the maiden who plays the role of mother to her uncle and her sister. Like Mr. Dacy she carries the weight of her family’s woes on her shoulders.
Like the Greek myth, The Necklace from Harmonia, Corwin’s necklace is cursed and brings death to its wearer. However, to each of three main characters the necklace represents a different desire.
The Necklace is a delightful read; the characters are lovable and at times humorous. The tender moments between Miss Oriana and Mr. Dacy as they slowly work their way to discovering a love for each other keeps you on the edge of your seat. Corwin’s takes her time in doing this, perhaps to show us that true love will always be worth waiting for. I think I have said enough—do not want to give away the ending. If you have not read The Necklace, what are you waiting for? To get your copy please visit Amazon.com.
Sincerely,
…Miguelina Perez
Miss Oriana Archer is content living the quiet life, such as can be, when Uncle John is not stirring up trouble. Mr. Chilton Dacy is the eldest son of Edward Dacy, baron of Chichester, and much to his father’s chagrin, an embarrassment to the family. Unbeknownst to the baron, Chilton works for the British military. Upon being summoned by his father, Chilton is recruited to find a vowel his father’s wife lost to John Archer. The vowel signs away his half-brother’s inheritance. His father claims that his wife was taken in by Mr. Archer.
Ms. Corwin’s story is told in modern English while keeping true to the period. Her story contains a consistent intertwining of simplicity yet complex in her thoroughness of character development, specifically her three main characters. While Oriana, Chilton and Uncle John are complex, their character can be explained in simple terminology.
Uncle John suffers from the Peter Pan complex. He loves to gamble and live dangerously and is often in need of being rescued and reprimanded as one does a child.
Mr. Chilton Dacy sells his services to the British government. He is a loner and likes his life that way though it pains him to have a difficult relationship with his father. As the protagonist Mr. Dacy has his own demons to exorcise. His struggles over not having a family of his own and his anger over the loss of his mother and his relationship with his father, always weigh heavily on his shoulders. Like Oriana he is convinced love is not for him, but begins to question that belief soon after meeting her. When he meets with John Archer he is quick to believe that as soon as he acquires the vowel that nothing would please him more than to see him go off to prison, but as he gets to know Archer, Dacy comes to regret the deceit, and questions his ability in putting the old man away when the time arrived—in the end, like Joseph Campbell’s hero, Dacy achieves his boons and with it he finds the courage to make a difference in the lives of his new found love and family.
Miss Oriana Archer represents the Goddess Artemis. After finding out her fiancé had been unfaithful she breaks off the engagement and declares to never marry and like Artemis she has a love for animals. She is the maiden who plays the role of mother to her uncle and her sister. Like Mr. Dacy she carries the weight of her family’s woes on her shoulders.
Like the Greek myth, The Necklace from Harmonia, Corwin’s necklace is cursed and brings death to its wearer. However, to each of three main characters the necklace represents a different desire.
The Necklace is a delightful read; the characters are lovable and at times humorous. The tender moments between Miss Oriana and Mr. Dacy as they slowly work their way to discovering a love for each other keeps you on the edge of your seat. Corwin’s takes her time in doing this, perhaps to show us that true love will always be worth waiting for. I think I have said enough—do not want to give away the ending. If you have not read The Necklace, what are you waiting for? To get your copy please visit Amazon.com.
Sincerely,
…Miguelina Perez
March 1, 2016
The Necklace by Amy Corwin
Archer Family Series Prequel
Chilton Dacy was not the man people thought him to be. From the outside he looked like a drunken womanizer. The drinking did help with war injury, of course, but the rest...he worked uncover for the Foreign Secretary. His latest job had nothing to do with that though. No, his overbearing father has sent him on a mission to recover what his stepmother foolishly lost.
Oriana Archer accepted she was to be a lonely spinster. Trying to keep her younger sister in control and watching over her uncle. A man following in their ancestors steps of gambling...and losing. And now that Helen had retrieved Uncle John once again, her sister not only brought their uncle home to The Orchards, but also a handsome stranger. A man she didn't trust...but was still pulled towards.
Loved this story. Chilton has gone way beyond his duty to follow his father's orders. He befriended this strange family and has begun to like them. And is hating that he has to deceive them. He managed to gain a dog on his journey as well. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series. Romance that usually includes a mystery...most likely a murder.
**A touch of sensual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Archer Family Series Prequel
Chilton Dacy was not the man people thought him to be. From the outside he looked like a drunken womanizer. The drinking did help with war injury, of course, but the rest...he worked uncover for the Foreign Secretary. His latest job had nothing to do with that though. No, his overbearing father has sent him on a mission to recover what his stepmother foolishly lost.
Oriana Archer accepted she was to be a lonely spinster. Trying to keep her younger sister in control and watching over her uncle. A man following in their ancestors steps of gambling...and losing. And now that Helen had retrieved Uncle John once again, her sister not only brought their uncle home to The Orchards, but also a handsome stranger. A man she didn't trust...but was still pulled towards.
Loved this story. Chilton has gone way beyond his duty to follow his father's orders. He befriended this strange family and has begun to like them. And is hating that he has to deceive them. He managed to gain a dog on his journey as well. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series. Romance that usually includes a mystery...most likely a murder.
**A touch of sensual content
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
August 11, 2016
Mystery and mayhem
Thoroughly delightful read. All the intrigue, deception and finally romance you could want. Amy Corwin's odd collection of characters come together perfectly.
Thoroughly delightful read. All the intrigue, deception and finally romance you could want. Amy Corwin's odd collection of characters come together perfectly.
March 30, 2020
Oriana and Chilton/Dacy-
An enjoyable read with a wonderful HEA
An enjoyable read with a wonderful HEA
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews