Romantic Assignment

by Elsie Lee

The first View of Stierna CastleIt stood high on the hill, its grey stone walls and ancient turrets framed against a threatening black mass of clouds. At the very instant that lovely young Amanda Smith first gazed at the swiftly approaching ramparts through the rain-streaked car window, a sheet of lightning split the sky, and a sudden, ominous chill shivered through her body.Amanda had accepted the opportunity to come stay at this isolated Swedish castle as a chance for romance and excitement. Why now did she see it not as a welcoming home--but as a deadly lure . . . or a waiting tomb . . .

Genres: Romance, Gothic, Fiction, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Mystery

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Elsie Lee (Elsie Lee Sheridan) (1912 - 1987)

Pseudonym/s: Elsie Cromwell, Jane Gordon, Lee Sheridan

Wiki: "I write fairy tales for grownups, principally women... I am better at characterizations than plots, and best with cats who are unanimously adored by my readers... I will not compromise on the quality of vocabulary and grammar in my books... it is a writer's responsibility to TEACH subtly through entertainment..."

Reviews

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars I've recently been picking up old gothics at the UBS and mixing them into my reading pile. Several people have recommended Elsie Lee to me over the years, and this book did not disappoint. Set in the late 1960s, it follows Amanda Smith on a summer job on an archeological dig at an isolated Swedish castle.

Amanda has been working as a legal assistant and with the death of her managing attorney, she's trying to figure out what she wants to do next in life. At her best friend's urging, she takes a spot doing what essentially sounds like clerical work at an old Viking site in Sweden. Amanda reasons that she'll get to travel the world and maybe meet some interesting people.

Needless to say, Castle Stierna isn't quite was Amanda expected. It's very old and quite isolated. In addition, while Amanda's boss, Justin Adams, is distractingly handsome(and quite the ladies' man), she's definitely an outsider at this dig. Their host, Axel, Count Stiernebjorn, is quite charming and his nephew Eric is more than a little bit intriguing. While there is plenty of flirtation and romantic intrigue, there are more ominous doings at Stierna, too.

Amanda figures out early on that the dig centers on a burial site that has some very disturbing history attached to it. Family lore and old records give fragmented accounts, but there seems to be a dark, cursed history at Stierna. There are plenty of creepy goings-on and hints of otherworldly activity to keep the reader engaged and guessing.

Since this book was written in the late 1960s, it definitely has some 1960's attitudes to it. For instance, the treatment of Amanda by many of the male characters might most charitably be described as "politely patronizing." However, if you can eyeroll through that, there is plenty to like here.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these old gothic romances. In the case of Elsie Lee books, the heroine is rarely TSTL (too stupid to live) and makes choices to take care of herself. The heros are not always tall, dark and handsome but do get involved in the action. I wish they would rerelease her books because the out of print prices are too steep for my budget.

[eclandry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid read in the vintage “women running from houses” gothic oeuvre. The ancestry was confusing at times (lots of biblical so-and-so begat so-and-so) but it’s not necessary to keep track to enjoy the underlining modern (1960’s) storyline and feisty heroine.

[SH · Rating 3 out of 5]

NB It seems Romantic Assignment is the same book, judging by the plot description.

[HJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

NB It seems Romantic Assignment is the same book, judging by the plot description.