Eternally Yours: Roxton Letters Volume One

Roxton Family Saga #6

by Lucinda Brant

A Companion to the Roxton Family Saga


Previously unpublished letters from the private correspondence of the Roxton family, spanning 1743–1777, with extracts from the diaries of Antonia, 5th Duchess of Roxton and 7th Duchess of Kinross. Includes Roxton’s last letter to Antonia. Volume One complements the early chronology of the award-winning Roxton Family Noble Satyr, Midnight Marriage, and Autumn Duchess. With a foreword by a late-Victorian descendant, Alice-Victoria, 10th Duchess of Roxton.


“Reading these letters conjures up treasured images of the books featuring the letter writers. Brant captures the imagination and makes you privy to very private moments of some of the best characters ever developed by a historical romance author. Engaging as any Brant book, these letters set the stage for all the stories—kind of a behind-the-scenes narrative. Each and every one of the books in this series earned a five star rating. Eternally Yours reminds me why, and candidly inspires me to revisit these amazing books that gloriously magnify the joy of the genre.”
—SWurman, Night Owl Reviews 5 STAR TOP PICK


Letters and diary entries
39,000 words, (about 156 standard pages, not including bonus material)


ETERNALLY YOURS comes to life in audiobook, featuring the irresistible "smooth as melted chocolate" voice of award-winning, RADA-trained British actor Alex Wyndham


Connecting Books
Many readers enjoy Lucinda Brant's books as part of a wider series since her characters inhabit the same meticulously-researched 18th Century world with people and events cross-referenced throughout. Should you wish to read each series in chronological order, here is the


Roxton Family Saga
1740s NOBLE SATYR (Renard and Antonia)
1760s MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE (Julian and Deb)
1770s AUTUMN DUCHESS (Antonia and Jonathon)
1770s DAIR DEVIL (Dair and Rory)
1770s PROUD MARY (Mary and Christopher)
1780s SATYR’S SON (Henri-Antoine and Lisa)


Salt Hendon Series
1763 SALT BRIDE (Magnus and Jane)
1767 SALT REDUX (Antony and Caroline)
SALT HENDON COLLECTION — boxed set with bonus novella SALT ANGEL


Alec Halsey Mysteries
Spring 1763 DEADLY ENGAGEMENT (Country house murder and mayhem)
Autumn 1763 DEADLY AFFAIR (A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda)
Winter 1763 DEADLY PERIL (Bloody intrigue abroad)
Summer 1764 DEADLY KIN (Evil lurks in Edinburgh) In progress

Genres: Historical Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Georgian, Historical

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2015

About the author

Hello! I'm a history geek who loves the 18th Century!
I write about families, creating worlds that are full of history, heart, and Happily Ever Afters. When I'm not in my writing cave in the 1700s I live in the middle of a koala reserve, so the neighbors are cute and cuddly and sleep all day!
I write because I must, and I write from the heart, and only what I love to read.
My books have been on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and Audible bestseller lists, and have won numerous awards. All are available as audiobooks narrated by British actors Alex Wyndham, Mary Jane Wells and Matthew Lloyd Davies, and voice talent Marian Hussey. My books are also available in translation— French, German, Italian, and Japanese languages. I love to hear from my readers.

Reviews

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from 2016

A+ for narration; B+ for content.

First off, I have to say that if you haven’t read or listened to the first three books in Lucinda Brant’s Roxton Family Saga (Noble Satyr, Midnight Marriage and Autumn Duchess), then this companion volume won’t make much sense to you. If, however, you are up to speed with the series, then Eternally Yours is an enjoyable and informative series of vignettes in the form of letters and diary entries from various characters in those books that supply some of the background information to the events that take place or are referred to “off stage” in each book.

If you’re curious to know what was in the letters that Antonia wrote to Roxton asking for his help upon the imminent death of her grandfather, or what was in the letters she wrote to him from London (which were never sent), then you’ll find out here. We’re privy to the final letter from her grandfather, the Earl of Strathsay to his estranged wife, the Countess, who is shown to be a thoroughly nasty piece of work in Noble Satyr; but my favourite of the letters from that section of the book is the one from Roxton’s sister, Estée, to her aunt, in which she describes the duke’s desolation after he sends Antonia to London. I felt a bit cheated that we didn’t see his reaction to her loss in Satyr, so this was an especially welcome inclusion.

In the section relating to Midnight Marriage, another letter from Estée – one written in a state of terrible upset – describes the incident which led to the Roxton’s decision to marry off his son and then send him out of the country. There is correspondence from Martin Ellacott, the duke’s one-time valet who now acts as Julian’s companion, in which he expresses his concern for his charge and his involvement with a notorious widow, and a touching letter from Julian to his father in which he talks about his love for his wife and his desire for a family. The most poignant and touching letters – the Duke of Roxton’s last to his son and his wife – come in this section of the book, and I admit that I blubbed for practically the entire fifteen minutes or so it took to listen to them. The letter to Antonia is referred to in Autumn Duchess, but heard in full, it is heart-breaking and incredibly touching.

The third section relates to Autumn Duchess, with diary entries from Antonia, letters from her future husband, Jonathon Strang, and from Charles Fitzstuart to his brother, Alasdair. The collection ends on an upbeat note, with a diary entry written by Antonia to her beloved Monseigneur on the morning of her second marriage.

Essentially a set of vignettes, Eternally Yours works slightly differently in terms of the narration to the full-length stories in the series, as each of the chapters features only one character. This means that rather than switching from dialogue to narrative, Mr Wyndham spends several minutes at a time inhabiting the persona of each writer. I don’t know whether this is easier or harder to perform; I imagine that it perhaps presents a different challenge, but whatever the case, Mr Wyndham rises to it admirably, and voices the different letter writers and diarists consistently with those characters as performed in the books in which they appear. Once again, I have to make special note of his performance of Roxton, this time in the different phases of his life. The duke as an older man sounds somewhat different to the younger version, but he is entirely recognisible as the same man.

In short, Eternally Yours is a terrific companion piece to the first three Roxton books, and I’d certainly encourage those who have enjoyed them to seek this out.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIMPLY SUPERB

Eternally Yours: Roxton Letters Volume One is the perfect companion to the first three books in the Roxton Family saga.

Perfectly written and with so much empathy and soul deep understanding of human nature and abiding love that I actually cried. Highly recommended, but read/listen to the letters after: NOBLE SATYR, MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE and AUTUMN DUCHESS because then the chief characters will feel like your intimate friends and I guarantee you will cry.

And what can I say about Alex Wyndham and his narration. Stupendous...As always this accomplished actor inhabits Lucinda Brant's characters and with his velvety tone and expert portrayal of each and every one of the cast, delivers a WOW performance that sends shivers down the spine. Bravo once again Ms. Brant and Mr. Wyndham.

[Lit Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful gift bow on the first bundle of books on this series !! I loved the insight into old Roxton's feelings, which had been mentioned and hinted in previous books. I was also deeply moved by the intimate, intense feelings of love, loss, despair & hope around Roxton's illness and passing.

Having a weakness for the epistolary format, I can't recommend this one enough !!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

On audio I loved listening to the letters written involving the main characters in Book 1-3 of the Roxton Series (which I highly recommend!) This is a nice little tidbit for lovers of the series. Alex Wyndham narrator is tops! He captures the tone of this series so well! Some of the letters, particularly from the old Duke of Roxton, (Monsigneur) were moving and lovely to listen to. This compilation of letters fills in the blanks in the series. I hope there will be more like this! A must for Roxton fans! I would have given it 5 start except it was so short! I want more!

4.5/5

[☠tsukino☠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ottimo e originale metodo per approfondire i primi 3 capitoli della serie.
Nella terza parte, quella relativa a “La Duchessa d’Autunno”, ho versato più di una lacrima nel leggere le lettere del Duca di Roxton ad Antonia e al figlio e il diario della Duchessa dove parla con il marito morto.
E alla fine mi e venuta una voglia pazzesca di rileggermi tutta la serie.
Chi ha amato e ama questa saga, non può farsi mancare questo libro.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this collection of Roxton letters, and by golly, a couple of them actually made me cry! That rarely happens, but Monseigneur's last letter to his duchess is so lovely . . . .

If you have enjoyed the Roxton books as much as I have -- this is a must read.

Now, if Mr. Alex Wyndham would just read them aloud to me!

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The letters were lovely and heartfelt. Definitely a bonus for the Roxton family saga, which is one of my favorite series. These letters gave an intimate POV from the characters, and at times my eyes got misty.

[Eileen Dandashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy I listened to this companion of books one through three before continuing the Roxton Family saga in book four. Not only did it refresh my memory of the stories, but added an additional layer of understanding behind the events.  It also allowed me to remember with fondness their stories:

I didn’t think listening to narrated letters would elicit such emotion from me.  Many a time, while listening, the feelings of deep emotion would set the tears to falling, not small tears, mind you, but bit tears which certainly would have stopped me reading if I had been reading, not listening.  Narrator is superb in his craft, there is no doubt.

Then there were the times when Antoine as a young girl wrote to the Duke, hoping to have a letter in return.  These were quite silly and would have captured any hardened duke-ish heart, bringing smiles to my own. Narrator Alex Wyndham heightened the experience with narration par excellence, as he has done throughout the series. 

These letters were so realistically, I had to pose a question to the author.  The book mentions the foreword written by a late-Victorian descendant, Alice-Victoria, 10th.   I then Googled this person and found none.  With this unanswered question, I asked author Lucinda Brant if the Roxton family is in any way tied to specific persons in history.

The many letters within this book of 170 pages were mentioned in the first three books of the saga.  As you know, during that time letters were very important to people.  Travelling was difficult, so they resorted to lots of letter writing. The author decided, and I must say it’s brilliant, to write these said letters, allowing the reader to gain better understanding of the deeper emotions and frame of mind of the characters.

The descendant, the 10th Duchess of the Roxton's, also from the imagination of the author add even more to these letters.  Brant made her so realistic I had to find out if she were real.  Brant also states she may write a book set around the time of this Duchess, living during the 1890s.  Whatever time period this author writes in, her eloquent style, and descriptive scenes captivate and enthrall the reader or listener.

Once book six is written, she will write volume II of another set of letters.  I have just finished listening to Proud Mary, book four of the saga. I continue to be mesmerized with the saga.

[Mrs A Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

I am usually reluctant to read novels written in the form of letters (or nowadays, emails), as it’s the live interaction between the characters that I enjoy. However, I decided to read this book simply because it was one of Lucinda Brant’s, and her other books are superb. I was not disappointed.
It’s essential to have read the books leading up to these letters between the main characters, or you’d not have a clue as to what was what, or who was who. You’ll be in for a real treat, reading her previous book, believe me. They take you into the characters’ lives and emotions, into what is known (as much as can be, from genuine correspondence and papers) about how life was lived in Georgian England and France. The books give one the feeling that this is really quite close to how the Georgian upper classes lived and behaved, and certainly the stories pull the reader in, and leave one wanting more, as soon as each book is finished.
If I’m being pedantic, I can mention a couple of errors because I gather that Ms Brant is keen on historical accuracy. Cumbria is the modern name for three combined counties in England, and has only been used since 1974, or thereabouts. Before that, the three counties were separate - they were Cumberland, Westmorland, and a small part of northern Lancashire. Lancashire still exists as itself. I have no idea if the county borders were different again, in Georgian times. And Windermere, in the Lake District of England, is referred to as Lake Windermere, though it is actually just Windermere…’mere’ being the word depicting a watery area.
I’m now going to read the 2nd book of letters!

[Frances Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are worth reading if only for the ones between Renard and Antonia and for those have a box of hankies ready as the last from from Renard to Antonia is so moving, so beautiful that their relationship should be up there with the pantheon of great romances even though ms Brant is brave enough to show it ending. I cried and I need a while to recover.

[Hina Tabassum Khatri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Antonia and Renard <3

Would have appreciated some correspondence between Julian and Deborah too.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice adjunct to the series, with some lovely moments. For those more invested in these characters, would probably be a must-read.

[Debra Wiley Stiens · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inside peak of life.

This is a great read. Explore this inside peak of the feelings in this family and their ins and out of life.

[Anjali · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just can’t seem to get enough of the Roxton dynasty. This book gives more depth to the saga, like a very long epilogue.

Ms Brant books are a treat, and the Roxton series are brilliant. A Must read to give more credence to ROMANCE OF THE FAMILY. Read, you will not be disappointed ✨✨

I just wish that Ms Brant will come up with a narrative for Frederick Roxton and Elise Kinross, the youngsters who played vibrant roles in this series. I know I love this series and it’s all because of a brilliant author.

[Jewels · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMGoodness what beautifully written letters/diary entries
I laughed and I was sobbing my heart out at different times during this read!

[Mari Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an inherent bias toward epistolary fiction, as it is among my favorite forms to write, including a forthcoming novel that is about a third correspondence and written commentary. However, because it is an area of particular literary interest, I am very picky about it.

Writing in a character’s written voice is a special skill, especially placed in a different era, where not only the tone was inherently different, but also the rhythms, the conventions, the level of formality. When a letter has to stand in place of hearing a voice or seeing a face, and must span time and distance, how do characters manage the emotional events of lives spent separated from loved ones in a way we, of Skype and email and international airlines, cannot fathom? Done poorly, it can destroy a book. Done well, with a deep understanding of the characters, the situations, and the times, it can add a layer of detail and depth that cannot be found in narrative and dialogue. How a man writes a letter is as distinct as his speech.

Now, consider writing letters not only for one character, but several. Not just an emotional event, but THE emotional events alluded to in the first three Roxton books. Brant is able to bring characters back who have left the Roxton family for one reason or another, and explain the genesis, or end result, of stories left untold in the series.

Brant’s book have made me laugh and cry; I would not read the entire catalog of an author who doesn’t. This book, though, was in a class by itself, emotionally speaking. In this volume, we say goodbye to some series favorites, finally learning the details of their fates, and are given hope for the future. (And there is a future planned for this series!) I am not a weeper, in the main, and am rather cynical, even (some days, especially) about romance novels, but this was a box-of-tissues-by-the-bedside book.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eternally Yours: Roxton Letters Volume One: A companion to the Roxton Family Saga Books 1-3 by Lucinda Brant, is as the name suggests, a collection of letters written between characters from the Roxton Family Saga series. It also contains diary excerpts from the wonderful character, Antonia, 5th Duchess of Roxton. You really need to have read the Roxton Family saga to fully appreciate just how good this book is.

You are taken back to the stories and the major events that occurred during them. Events that now are made all the more poignant because you are reading a personal letter, or diary excerpt about the event which brings the story to life. By the time you finish reading this book you will feel like you aren't reading about make believe people, but real people that you can feel a real affinity with.

I was very moved by many of the letters, not least by the one to Antonia from her dying husband. Lucinda Brant has such a way with words, and reading that letter nearly brought me to tears. I not only read this book, but I listened to the audio book too. Alex Wyndham is the narrator, and although I felt close to tears reading that last letter from the Duke of Roxton, I sobbed when I listened to Alex reading it, the emotion in his voice was so believable. So not only do I recommend you read this fabulous collection of letters, I also fully recommend you listening to the audio book.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was, for the most part, a very enjoyable addition to the first 3 Roxton Chronicle books. There were 1 or 2 letters that were just okay and I kind of breezed through them but there were others (particularly one from Julian to his father after the birth of Frederick) that I loved. Overall I think this was a nice addition to the series and, as always, I loved Alex Wyndham's narration, which probably took it this book from a 3 to a 4 star book for me.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read the Roxton Family saga boks, then this is a must! It is such a perfect addition to the others! As I read it I instantly go back in my mind to the sory which the letters was written in, so perfect, so wonderful! Love it, love it!

[Kbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK: Listen to 1st February 2016
3hrs 14 min

Narrator: Alex Wyndham does a fine job of it like always. Fun listening, refreshes the memory of the books. It's kind of a resumé. But...
I was hoping to learn more on the family and it did not.

[Emmaali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leggendo queste lettere ho rispolverato i tre libri iniziali della saga. Alcune lettere sono molto commoventi, vedi soprattutto quelle di Renard, e mi è quindi venuta voglia di rileggermi tutti i libri di questa bellissima saga

[Penny Hampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely addition to the three books in the series; it fills in some of the blanks.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.