What do you think?
Rate this book
Prospero's Daughter
Healing Hearts
Repaying a debt of honor by helping the illustrious General Sir Janus Palfry write his memoirs, Morgan Pearce must leave London -- and a most delectable married woman -- behind. And though he's not happy about venturing our to the officer's country estate, the dashing rogue cannot deny the creature comforts of Palfry Park or his instant attraction to a mysterious woman in a Bath chair.
Recovering from a carriage accident, and neglected by her family, Miranda Runyon spends her time alone...until Morgan enters her life. At first, Miranda rebuffs his advances. But when Morgan's attentions begin to transform Miranda in both body and soul, she risks her heart for a love like none she has ever imagined.
Repaying a debt of honor by helping the illustrious General Sir Janus Palfry write his memoirs, Morgan Pearce must leave London -- and a most delectable married woman -- behind. And though he's not happy about venturing our to the officer's country estate, the dashing rogue cannot deny the creature comforts of Palfry Park or his instant attraction to a mysterious woman in a Bath chair.
Recovering from a carriage accident, and neglected by her family, Miranda Runyon spends her time alone...until Morgan enters her life. At first, Miranda rebuffs his advances. But when Morgan's attentions begin to transform Miranda in both body and soul, she risks her heart for a love like none she has ever imagined.
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 6, 2003
1 person is currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Butler
61 books70 followersNancy Butler also writes under her real name, Nancy J. Hajeski.
Nancy Butler has been an Anglophile since she was nineteen, when she traveled to England to see Carnaby Street. (“I blame it on the Beatles!”) Her frequent visits to an American friend living in London have furnished her with enough inspiration to keep writing Regencies well into the new millennium.
Butler resides in northern New Jersey with two cats, Aja and Puck, surrounded by her collection of artwork, funky antiques, and books. When she manages to get away from her computer, she can usually be found riding her quarter horse mare, Ginger, through the scenic wilds of Bergen County.
Butler is the 1998 Golden Leaf Award winner for Best First Novel.
Nancy Butler has been an Anglophile since she was nineteen, when she traveled to England to see Carnaby Street. (“I blame it on the Beatles!”) Her frequent visits to an American friend living in London have furnished her with enough inspiration to keep writing Regencies well into the new millennium.
Butler resides in northern New Jersey with two cats, Aja and Puck, surrounded by her collection of artwork, funky antiques, and books. When she manages to get away from her computer, she can usually be found riding her quarter horse mare, Ginger, through the scenic wilds of Bergen County.
Butler is the 1998 Golden Leaf Award winner for Best First Novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 3, 2014
I wrote this a while back and forgot to post it here!
July’s prompt for the Multi-Blog TBR Challenge is to read a past RITA winner or nominee. A quick trawl through their website showed that I have a few past winners in my collection, and I opted for this one, as it also fulfils my little side-challenge of making a dent in the pile of second-hand paperbacks sitting by the bed!
Prospero’s Daughter was the winner in the historical category in 2004. It’s a beautifully written and tender love story with an underlying message about the need for acceptance and unconditional love which is both powerful and sensitively delivered.
Morgan Pearce has recently sold his commission and returned to England to work with his ailing uncle in his publishing business. He is inveigled by his friend, Ronald Palfry, to travel to the Lake District to assist his father, General Sir Janus Palrfy with the writing of his memoirs. Reluctant to leave London, the delights of the season and the arms of his lover, Morgan is determined not to make a stay of longer than a couple of weeks.
On arrival at Windermere, he finds himself in the midst of the perfect family. Sir Janus and his wife are affable, and their two daughters are pretty and lively, and determined to make a fuss of their handsome and charming guest. But he holds to his plan of a short visit, until Sir Janus insists he stay until his manuscript is complete. Morgan is not at all pleased, but when the general challenges him to revoke the favour he has done for Ronald, Morgan is trapped into staying.
Shortly after this, Morgan is surprised to encounter a young woman sitting, abandoned, in a bath chair in the gardens. Nobody has mentioned that there is a relative or another guest in residence, and he is both intrigued and disgusted when he learns that the woman is related to the family. Intrigued because while she is clearly ill or injured, he senses that she is possessed of considerable spirit, and disgusted with the Palfrys for hiding her away and acting as if she does not exist.
Miranda Runyon is the general’s cousin, and was injured in the accident that, three years previously, killed both her parents. She is attended only by a couple of servants, one of whom treats her as if she is an imbecile, and spends most of her time cooped up in her room in bed. She is garbed from head to foot in heavy wool, but that can’t hide how thin and frail she is. Morgan can’t leave her – not just because she is alone and can’t get about by herself, but because he believes he can help her. Having seen plenty of badly wounded soldiers, Morgan has some ideas as to how he can aid Miranda’s recovery, and, in the course of seeking help for his best friend (who lost a leg in the war), Morgan has also learned of a doctor in Edinburgh who has new theories as to the treatment of amputees and serious injuries to the limbs.
Miranda, however, wants nothing to do with him - she’s given up and only wants to be left alone. She’s emaciated, her muscles are atrophied from disuse, and she has some scarring and a slight deformity to one side of her face as the result of an injury to her cheekbone. But where she thinks herself the ugly, monstrous pariah her family clearly believes her to be, Morgan sees someone who, with help, will be able to make something of her life.
His initial treatment of her is of the “cruel to be kind” variety. Because she is unable to move from her chair, or move the chair around, she cannot escape him, and he uses this to force her into his company. She tries to ignore him, but his taunts and jibes about the inferiority and feeble-mindedness of the female sex eventually cause her to respond in anger. Their relationship, such as it is, continues in this vein for a short while as, with the help of one of her carers, Morgan arranges to meet Miranda for an hour each morning, attempting to draw her out and to get her to start to care enough about her life to want to fight for it.
Miranda continues to try to push Morgan away. She wants none of his meddling, until at last, his constant needling and his patience begin to have a more positive effect and Miranda starts to see that perhaps she does have something worth fighting for after all.
It’s not an easy journey, as both of them have things to learn about themselves and each other, but as time passes, Miranda steadily improves, putting on weight and regaining the use of her hands and arms. Within weeks, she is barely recognisable as the pitifully thin young woman Morgan first encountered.
Their romance develops naturally, as their initial “doctor/patient” interaction soon becomes a true friendship of like-minded people which is poised to progress to more. Morgan is attracted to Miranda’s intellect and her spirit, and she falls for the kind and sensitive man who has poked and prodded her into recovery. The passion between them leaps off the page; even though the pair don’t go beyond kisses on paper, their chemistry is intense and beautifully written, making it one of my favourite types of romance, one in which the principals are not initially attracted to each other, but become friends until something changes and they begin to see each other in a different light.
There is a secondary storyline concerning Morgan’s best friend Philip DeBurgh who, until his injury, had been engaged to Morgan’s sister, Kitty. Philip has resisted all Morgan’s and Kitty’s efforts to help him to recover and adapt, and I suppose one could argue that Morgan sees Miranda – initially at least – as a kind of substitute. But that’s not to denigrate his reasons for helping her – he sees someone in need of help, and his instinct is to give it.
The writing and characterisation are both excellent, and Ms Butler’s exploration of the emotional fallout of Miranda’s condition is sensitively handled. Morgan is a wonderful hero, an honourable man who is prepared to put himself out in order to help another person and who, when push comes to shove, is not afraid to admit his deeper feelings for the woman he loves. And Miranda regains her confidence and her life, becoming once again the young woman of spirit and vitality she had been before the accident.
There is a lot going on under the surface in this story, and to attempt to cover all of it would take a much longer review – and spoil it for you! I’ll just say that Miranda’s wisdom and tenacity helps Morgan to mend a few fences, and that the book ends on a blissfully hopeful note.
I loved Prospero’s Daughter and am looking forward to reading more of Ms Butler’s work. I just wish SOMEONE would get on with putting her books out in digital formats. Second-hand paperbacks of hers are fairly easy to come by and aren’t too expensive, but I like the space-saving aspect of my Kindle and would love to have them as ebooks.
.
July’s prompt for the Multi-Blog TBR Challenge is to read a past RITA winner or nominee. A quick trawl through their website showed that I have a few past winners in my collection, and I opted for this one, as it also fulfils my little side-challenge of making a dent in the pile of second-hand paperbacks sitting by the bed!
Prospero’s Daughter was the winner in the historical category in 2004. It’s a beautifully written and tender love story with an underlying message about the need for acceptance and unconditional love which is both powerful and sensitively delivered.
Morgan Pearce has recently sold his commission and returned to England to work with his ailing uncle in his publishing business. He is inveigled by his friend, Ronald Palfry, to travel to the Lake District to assist his father, General Sir Janus Palrfy with the writing of his memoirs. Reluctant to leave London, the delights of the season and the arms of his lover, Morgan is determined not to make a stay of longer than a couple of weeks.
On arrival at Windermere, he finds himself in the midst of the perfect family. Sir Janus and his wife are affable, and their two daughters are pretty and lively, and determined to make a fuss of their handsome and charming guest. But he holds to his plan of a short visit, until Sir Janus insists he stay until his manuscript is complete. Morgan is not at all pleased, but when the general challenges him to revoke the favour he has done for Ronald, Morgan is trapped into staying.
Shortly after this, Morgan is surprised to encounter a young woman sitting, abandoned, in a bath chair in the gardens. Nobody has mentioned that there is a relative or another guest in residence, and he is both intrigued and disgusted when he learns that the woman is related to the family. Intrigued because while she is clearly ill or injured, he senses that she is possessed of considerable spirit, and disgusted with the Palfrys for hiding her away and acting as if she does not exist.
Miranda Runyon is the general’s cousin, and was injured in the accident that, three years previously, killed both her parents. She is attended only by a couple of servants, one of whom treats her as if she is an imbecile, and spends most of her time cooped up in her room in bed. She is garbed from head to foot in heavy wool, but that can’t hide how thin and frail she is. Morgan can’t leave her – not just because she is alone and can’t get about by herself, but because he believes he can help her. Having seen plenty of badly wounded soldiers, Morgan has some ideas as to how he can aid Miranda’s recovery, and, in the course of seeking help for his best friend (who lost a leg in the war), Morgan has also learned of a doctor in Edinburgh who has new theories as to the treatment of amputees and serious injuries to the limbs.
Miranda, however, wants nothing to do with him - she’s given up and only wants to be left alone. She’s emaciated, her muscles are atrophied from disuse, and she has some scarring and a slight deformity to one side of her face as the result of an injury to her cheekbone. But where she thinks herself the ugly, monstrous pariah her family clearly believes her to be, Morgan sees someone who, with help, will be able to make something of her life.
His initial treatment of her is of the “cruel to be kind” variety. Because she is unable to move from her chair, or move the chair around, she cannot escape him, and he uses this to force her into his company. She tries to ignore him, but his taunts and jibes about the inferiority and feeble-mindedness of the female sex eventually cause her to respond in anger. Their relationship, such as it is, continues in this vein for a short while as, with the help of one of her carers, Morgan arranges to meet Miranda for an hour each morning, attempting to draw her out and to get her to start to care enough about her life to want to fight for it.
Miranda continues to try to push Morgan away. She wants none of his meddling, until at last, his constant needling and his patience begin to have a more positive effect and Miranda starts to see that perhaps she does have something worth fighting for after all.
It’s not an easy journey, as both of them have things to learn about themselves and each other, but as time passes, Miranda steadily improves, putting on weight and regaining the use of her hands and arms. Within weeks, she is barely recognisable as the pitifully thin young woman Morgan first encountered.
Their romance develops naturally, as their initial “doctor/patient” interaction soon becomes a true friendship of like-minded people which is poised to progress to more. Morgan is attracted to Miranda’s intellect and her spirit, and she falls for the kind and sensitive man who has poked and prodded her into recovery. The passion between them leaps off the page; even though the pair don’t go beyond kisses on paper, their chemistry is intense and beautifully written, making it one of my favourite types of romance, one in which the principals are not initially attracted to each other, but become friends until something changes and they begin to see each other in a different light.
There is a secondary storyline concerning Morgan’s best friend Philip DeBurgh who, until his injury, had been engaged to Morgan’s sister, Kitty. Philip has resisted all Morgan’s and Kitty’s efforts to help him to recover and adapt, and I suppose one could argue that Morgan sees Miranda – initially at least – as a kind of substitute. But that’s not to denigrate his reasons for helping her – he sees someone in need of help, and his instinct is to give it.
The writing and characterisation are both excellent, and Ms Butler’s exploration of the emotional fallout of Miranda’s condition is sensitively handled. Morgan is a wonderful hero, an honourable man who is prepared to put himself out in order to help another person and who, when push comes to shove, is not afraid to admit his deeper feelings for the woman he loves. And Miranda regains her confidence and her life, becoming once again the young woman of spirit and vitality she had been before the accident.
There is a lot going on under the surface in this story, and to attempt to cover all of it would take a much longer review – and spoil it for you! I’ll just say that Miranda’s wisdom and tenacity helps Morgan to mend a few fences, and that the book ends on a blissfully hopeful note.
I loved Prospero’s Daughter and am looking forward to reading more of Ms Butler’s work. I just wish SOMEONE would get on with putting her books out in digital formats. Second-hand paperbacks of hers are fairly easy to come by and aren’t too expensive, but I like the space-saving aspect of my Kindle and would love to have them as ebooks.
.
October 23, 2020
The very first thing I noticed as I started reading Prospero’s Daughter was Nancy Butler was talking to me. Yes, it appeared to be a conversation and I listened. She was explaining Morgan Pearce’s odd friendship with Ronald Palfrey.
Morgan, the poor guy, was to relive over and over again Ronald’s wartime version of saving his life in Spain. Palfrey brought this tale up when he was going to ask Morgan for a favor. This time the former lieutenantwanted had already promised his dear old dad, a retired General, that Morgan would review his memoirs and provide tips for improvement. And, once again, Morgan was outmaneuvered.
~~~~~
The plot was unusual for a Signet romance. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Morgan Pearce at the onset. Besides letting Palfrey inveigle his way into his life, he was involved with a married woman and his life appeared shallow. Instead, when he arrived at Windemere, the retired general’s home, things changed in a big way . What appeared on the surface to be an ideal setting with a perfect family was something else.
I don’t want to reveal too much of what happened, but the theme was different. The romance developed at a slow pace and neither of the MCs were always shown in the best light. If you enjoy characters pushing buttons, you should enjoy this story.
All in all, it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Morgan, the poor guy, was to relive over and over again Ronald’s wartime version of saving his life in Spain. Palfrey brought this tale up when he was going to ask Morgan for a favor. This time the former lieutenant
~~~~~
The plot was unusual for a Signet romance. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Morgan Pearce at the onset. Besides letting Palfrey inveigle his way into his life, he was involved with a married woman and his life appeared shallow. Instead, when he arrived at Windemere, the retired general’s home, things changed in a big way . What appeared on the surface to be an ideal setting with a perfect family was something else.
I don’t want to reveal too much of what happened, but the theme was different. The romance developed at a slow pace and neither of the MCs were always shown in the best light. If you enjoy characters pushing buttons, you should enjoy this story.
All in all, it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
October 15, 2009
I had never read Nancy Butler before this book, although she is quite well-loved in traditional regency reading circles. I can see why she is admired. The stories of people who have suffered grievously both physically and mentally never fail to touch me when written well. This is one of those books.
Initially I didn't think I would care for Morgan Pearce. He is upset because he'll have to put off his affair with a very married woman and leave London for the country, out of a debt to a friend who supposedly saved his life on the battlefield. I was thinking, how honorable is that to be having an affair with a married woman? This is one of those books where you need to keep reading and put your robe and gavel away. For soon, it is clear that Morgan has many times more honor than most men.
He goes up to his friend's family home to help his friend's retired General father write his memoirs. At first he is quite impressed with the family of his friends, the Palfreys. They are very friendly, have a beautiful and perfect home, and seem to be a warm, affectionate family. Even helping with the memoirs of General Palfrey is going well. Then one day his eyes lay on a very sad figure out in the garden. A thin, broken woman who is clothed head to toe in heavy wool, and abandoned in a Bath chair.
Morgan can't look away. Having fought in the army for years, he has seen his share of wounded soldiers, and his best friend lost a leg in the war, and has yet to recover emotionally or physically. He knows he has to help her. This is not one of those love at first sight books. Miranda is a shadow of her former self. She is very debilitated from barely eating,and her muscles are atrophied from disuse. Not only that, her face has been slightly disfigured on one side, with scarring and flattening of her cheekbone. Morgan doesn't see her as the monstrous figure that she believes herself to be, or her neglectful cousin and his family have deemed her to be. He sees a woman that he can help to recover (and he feels the desire to do so because of what his own friend has been going through) and go on to lead a productive life. It becomes his mission to do so.
As this book progresses, we see Morgan pushing and goading Miranda on to care about herself and to want to get better. Initially Morgan uses the tools of somewhat harsh words and saying things designed to get a woman's goat. It works, as Miranda is so angry she is empowered to fight back, to push this meddlesome do-gooder away. Gradually a strong chemistry develops between the couple. Morgan sees the attractive woman that Miranda is despite her infirmitites. He admires her spirit and intelligence, and her beautiful blue-grey eyes that sparkle with anger towards him. Miranda falls in love with the man who has pushed and prodded her to get better. She doesn't think anything can come of it, but she loves him anyway, and will enjoy the time they have together before he leaves to go back to his life as a publisher in London.
Prospero's Daughter succeeds in being a sweet but passionate romance at the same time. The action never goes past kisses, but you don't doubt the desire and longing that Morgan and Miranda feel for each other. Morgan was a very masculine, vital hero, but he was also a gentleman. Although he was not without his flaws, he was a really good person. Although he had an affair with a married woman and availed himself of courtesans and prostitutes in the past (two of my pet peeves in a hero), I couldn't hold that against him, because he really showed with a good person he was. He was honorable and kind, and he was the kind of person who did the right thing, even though it might cost him something. He was perfect for Miranda.
I loved Miranda as well. My heart was breaking for her. Not only had she lost her mother and father, she lost the dreams for a normal life and a future. She was not quite at the point of suicide in this book, but it was clear that fairly soon, she might consider taking that option. Miranda wasn't that kind of person who would give up easily and take that way out, but she was such a vital, strong-minded person, trapped in a feeble body, and treated like a burden and a monstrosity by her family, even though she had her own means and property. It must have been awful to be in her situation and to be so neglected and abandoned by those who were supposed to love her.
I was very glad that Morgan called her family on their selfishness and their shallow natures. It was awful that they lived in the same house with her, but never took the time to visit her, and reassure her. She lived a separate life, and wasn't even included in Christmas celebrations or dinner with the family. That kind of neglect was beyond criminal, and it probably added to Miranda's feelings of despair.
Miranda had a very wise thing to say to Morgan that he needed to hear. He had pretty much given up on helping his friend who had lost a leg in the war. She told him that he needed to tell his friend that he was okay the way he was, even if he never walked or got out of bed again. Morgan had to struggle with that, because he was used to feeling like he had to fight to be the best and to strive for excellence due to his troubled relationship with his father, who felt he married beneath him by marrying a daughter of a publishing family. His mind interpreted that as failure. But it turned out to be excellent advice that does help Morgan to accept Miranda as she is and not fixate on improving her if it's not meant to be, and he and his sister to deal with Phillip's condition. His sister Kitty is in love with Phillip but has finally given up and decided to marry another man. Miranda helps to get the two lovebirds back together, showing the intelligence and strength of will that she never really lost. It was just locked away in a feeble body and a heart starved for love and the acceptance of others.
This book really touched me and kept me reading. It is a wonderful story about caring about someone enough to put oneself out there in the emotional danger zone, basically putting your money where your mouth is. Being a person of principles means nothing if actions don't back it up. Miranda's family thought they were good people, but it was clear that it was just a facade when it was really obvious how much they had neglected Miranda (despite having people to care for her most basic needs and nothing much above that). It's about doing the right thing, and reaching out to others in need, and how you will be blessed when you do take the time to open your heart and care for others. Morgan stepped up to the plate and discovered a treasure in Miranda, and a great love that will continue to reward him for the rest of his life.
Initially I didn't think I would care for Morgan Pearce. He is upset because he'll have to put off his affair with a very married woman and leave London for the country, out of a debt to a friend who supposedly saved his life on the battlefield. I was thinking, how honorable is that to be having an affair with a married woman? This is one of those books where you need to keep reading and put your robe and gavel away. For soon, it is clear that Morgan has many times more honor than most men.
He goes up to his friend's family home to help his friend's retired General father write his memoirs. At first he is quite impressed with the family of his friends, the Palfreys. They are very friendly, have a beautiful and perfect home, and seem to be a warm, affectionate family. Even helping with the memoirs of General Palfrey is going well. Then one day his eyes lay on a very sad figure out in the garden. A thin, broken woman who is clothed head to toe in heavy wool, and abandoned in a Bath chair.
Morgan can't look away. Having fought in the army for years, he has seen his share of wounded soldiers, and his best friend lost a leg in the war, and has yet to recover emotionally or physically. He knows he has to help her. This is not one of those love at first sight books. Miranda is a shadow of her former self. She is very debilitated from barely eating,and her muscles are atrophied from disuse. Not only that, her face has been slightly disfigured on one side, with scarring and flattening of her cheekbone. Morgan doesn't see her as the monstrous figure that she believes herself to be, or her neglectful cousin and his family have deemed her to be. He sees a woman that he can help to recover (and he feels the desire to do so because of what his own friend has been going through) and go on to lead a productive life. It becomes his mission to do so.
As this book progresses, we see Morgan pushing and goading Miranda on to care about herself and to want to get better. Initially Morgan uses the tools of somewhat harsh words and saying things designed to get a woman's goat. It works, as Miranda is so angry she is empowered to fight back, to push this meddlesome do-gooder away. Gradually a strong chemistry develops between the couple. Morgan sees the attractive woman that Miranda is despite her infirmitites. He admires her spirit and intelligence, and her beautiful blue-grey eyes that sparkle with anger towards him. Miranda falls in love with the man who has pushed and prodded her to get better. She doesn't think anything can come of it, but she loves him anyway, and will enjoy the time they have together before he leaves to go back to his life as a publisher in London.
Prospero's Daughter succeeds in being a sweet but passionate romance at the same time. The action never goes past kisses, but you don't doubt the desire and longing that Morgan and Miranda feel for each other. Morgan was a very masculine, vital hero, but he was also a gentleman. Although he was not without his flaws, he was a really good person. Although he had an affair with a married woman and availed himself of courtesans and prostitutes in the past (two of my pet peeves in a hero), I couldn't hold that against him, because he really showed with a good person he was. He was honorable and kind, and he was the kind of person who did the right thing, even though it might cost him something. He was perfect for Miranda.
I loved Miranda as well. My heart was breaking for her. Not only had she lost her mother and father, she lost the dreams for a normal life and a future. She was not quite at the point of suicide in this book, but it was clear that fairly soon, she might consider taking that option. Miranda wasn't that kind of person who would give up easily and take that way out, but she was such a vital, strong-minded person, trapped in a feeble body, and treated like a burden and a monstrosity by her family, even though she had her own means and property. It must have been awful to be in her situation and to be so neglected and abandoned by those who were supposed to love her.
I was very glad that Morgan called her family on their selfishness and their shallow natures. It was awful that they lived in the same house with her, but never took the time to visit her, and reassure her. She lived a separate life, and wasn't even included in Christmas celebrations or dinner with the family. That kind of neglect was beyond criminal, and it probably added to Miranda's feelings of despair.
Miranda had a very wise thing to say to Morgan that he needed to hear. He had pretty much given up on helping his friend who had lost a leg in the war. She told him that he needed to tell his friend that he was okay the way he was, even if he never walked or got out of bed again. Morgan had to struggle with that, because he was used to feeling like he had to fight to be the best and to strive for excellence due to his troubled relationship with his father, who felt he married beneath him by marrying a daughter of a publishing family. His mind interpreted that as failure. But it turned out to be excellent advice that does help Morgan to accept Miranda as she is and not fixate on improving her if it's not meant to be, and he and his sister to deal with Phillip's condition. His sister Kitty is in love with Phillip but has finally given up and decided to marry another man. Miranda helps to get the two lovebirds back together, showing the intelligence and strength of will that she never really lost. It was just locked away in a feeble body and a heart starved for love and the acceptance of others.
This book really touched me and kept me reading. It is a wonderful story about caring about someone enough to put oneself out there in the emotional danger zone, basically putting your money where your mouth is. Being a person of principles means nothing if actions don't back it up. Miranda's family thought they were good people, but it was clear that it was just a facade when it was really obvious how much they had neglected Miranda (despite having people to care for her most basic needs and nothing much above that). It's about doing the right thing, and reaching out to others in need, and how you will be blessed when you do take the time to open your heart and care for others. Morgan stepped up to the plate and discovered a treasure in Miranda, and a great love that will continue to reward him for the rest of his life.
January 6, 2015
How should I rate this? I thought it was a pretty good book, very unusual for the genre, but I didn't enjoy it. It gave me PTSD.
I was looking forward to seeing how the author dealt with a wheelchair-bound character in the regency era and Butler really did do a great job of it, but I hate stories where someone overcomes something by another coming into their life to challenge them and therefore give them "self-respect."
Firstly, it is lazy writing. It is easy to exploit emotions from the mundane with this format and is the biggest cliche in the gimp-fiction-sub-genre.
Secondly, it is harmful. For entertainment purposes it is acceptable but unfortunately people learn how to see and deal with minorities through their equivalent media portrayals and inspirational stories like these can lead people to assume someone who is disabled is that way because they have just not tried to get better. This seems ludicrous but it's true.
Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't write or read these types of stories (even if it is lazy) but that this is my opinion on these types of stories and since this is my review, my opinion is the only one that matters.
I was looking forward to seeing how the author dealt with a wheelchair-bound character in the regency era and Butler really did do a great job of it, but I hate stories where someone overcomes something by another coming into their life to challenge them and therefore give them "self-respect."
Firstly, it is lazy writing. It is easy to exploit emotions from the mundane with this format and is the biggest cliche in the gimp-fiction-sub-genre.
Secondly, it is harmful. For entertainment purposes it is acceptable but unfortunately people learn how to see and deal with minorities through their equivalent media portrayals and inspirational stories like these can lead people to assume someone who is disabled is that way because they have just not tried to get better. This seems ludicrous but it's true.
Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't write or read these types of stories (even if it is lazy) but that this is my opinion on these types of stories and since this is my review, my opinion is the only one that matters.
April 16, 2009
Morgan Pearce is visiting a friend´s family when he meets Miranda Runyon, a bitter young woman who spends her days in a Bath chair after suffering a carriage accident a few years before. Miranda seems abandoned by her family and Morgan finds himself curious about her. He tries to engage her in conversation and eventually tries to help her regain her health.
Miranda is not an easy woman, she is bitter, believes herself so scarred that she is afraid to watch herself in the mirror and since she can't walk she believes her life is not worth living. Morgan has a hard time convincing her to enjoy life again but he is determined and they eventually form a friendship. Miranda stops seeing herself just like an invalid to accept who she is and how she is.
I think what I enjoyed more in this story was precisely the time they take getting to know each other. Somehow predictable is the fact that Miranda falls for Morgan first than he falls for her but even after he is forced to abandon her relative's house he does not forget her and eventually goes back to rescue her from her family's treatment.
I think I have a soft spot for less than perfect heroines and this one was a beautiful love story with really enjoyable characters.
Grade: 4/5
Miranda is not an easy woman, she is bitter, believes herself so scarred that she is afraid to watch herself in the mirror and since she can't walk she believes her life is not worth living. Morgan has a hard time convincing her to enjoy life again but he is determined and they eventually form a friendship. Miranda stops seeing herself just like an invalid to accept who she is and how she is.
I think what I enjoyed more in this story was precisely the time they take getting to know each other. Somehow predictable is the fact that Miranda falls for Morgan first than he falls for her but even after he is forced to abandon her relative's house he does not forget her and eventually goes back to rescue her from her family's treatment.
I think I have a soft spot for less than perfect heroines and this one was a beautiful love story with really enjoyable characters.
Grade: 4/5
September 21, 2009
Even though it started out slow, I enjoyed this book once it got rolling. This is the story of Morgan Pearce. He travels to the country to assist in editing a book of recollections by a General in the British Army as a favor to a friend who saved him during the war in Spain. While there he stumbles across Miranda Runyon.
Miranda was injured terribly 3 years ago in a carriage accident. Both her parents were killed instantly and Miranda disfigured and paralyzed. With no other family, she was taken in by her uncle, The General, and basically left to rot away in her room with only 2 servants to see to her care. Unable to care for herself in even the simplest fashion, Miranda has been treated horribly by one of her servants and abominably by her Uncle and his family. Morgan befriends her one day in the garden and is intrigued as to why he has never heard of her existence before.
At first Miranda wants nothing to do with him. She has given up on life and was on the verge of just wasting away until death by refusing to eat or drink. Morgan, having had a dear friend is much the same condition whom he couldn't help, decides that Miranda will be his "second chance" and takes her on with the goal to at the very least, give her some dignity back. Morgan succeeds where everyone else hasn't even begun to try. Miranda was paralyzed when the accident first happened but left in a bath chair and a bed with no therapy at all, has only atrophied. No one realized that with care and consideration, Miranda could (and did) regain mobility and independence, thanks to Morgan and a devoted servant, Mrs. Southey.
The interaction between the two was believable and done well. You never felt sorry for Miranda, only outraged that she has been treated so horribly. Morgan was a great hero, going above and beyond what most men (let alone people) of his time would have done for Miranda, even so far as to coordinate a "rescue" from her prison in the country at her Uncle's house.
If you're looking for something a little unusual with a good story that keeps you turning the pages, read this book.
Miranda was injured terribly 3 years ago in a carriage accident. Both her parents were killed instantly and Miranda disfigured and paralyzed. With no other family, she was taken in by her uncle, The General, and basically left to rot away in her room with only 2 servants to see to her care. Unable to care for herself in even the simplest fashion, Miranda has been treated horribly by one of her servants and abominably by her Uncle and his family. Morgan befriends her one day in the garden and is intrigued as to why he has never heard of her existence before.
At first Miranda wants nothing to do with him. She has given up on life and was on the verge of just wasting away until death by refusing to eat or drink. Morgan, having had a dear friend is much the same condition whom he couldn't help, decides that Miranda will be his "second chance" and takes her on with the goal to at the very least, give her some dignity back. Morgan succeeds where everyone else hasn't even begun to try. Miranda was paralyzed when the accident first happened but left in a bath chair and a bed with no therapy at all, has only atrophied. No one realized that with care and consideration, Miranda could (and did) regain mobility and independence, thanks to Morgan and a devoted servant, Mrs. Southey.
The interaction between the two was believable and done well. You never felt sorry for Miranda, only outraged that she has been treated so horribly. Morgan was a great hero, going above and beyond what most men (let alone people) of his time would have done for Miranda, even so far as to coordinate a "rescue" from her prison in the country at her Uncle's house.
If you're looking for something a little unusual with a good story that keeps you turning the pages, read this book.
May 1, 2013
This short book(a bit over 200 pages) was an absolute delight to read. A beautiful story about a man who goes to a country mansion in order to help the owner, a general write his memoirs. During his stay, he comes across a woman all bundled up in Bath chair(wheelchair).He strikes up a conversation but is rebuked, but will not give up. He has a friend who lost a leg in the was who had kept himself tied to his bed and he is determined that this woman will not mete the same fate.
I was impressed by the story of how he draws he out. I will not go into any more as not to spoil it, but it has a very surprising story about the general and his family and the ending is enough to bring tears. A beautifully crafted clean historical romance which made me feel very good after reading it. Highly recommended.
I was impressed by the story of how he draws he out. I will not go into any more as not to spoil it, but it has a very surprising story about the general and his family and the ending is enough to bring tears. A beautifully crafted clean historical romance which made me feel very good after reading it. Highly recommended.
March 23, 2016
I so wish Nancy Butler's regencies were available as ebooks.
I was really afraid when I started this that it was going to be like Dancing with Clara. Thank heavens it was so much better. There were similarities - women in their 20s confined to a Bath chair, neither really paralyzed, etc. None of that is spoilerish since it's made clear from the beginning of both books.
There was just more going on with Prospero's Daughter. I didn't have a problem with the antihero in Clara - lots of people do - but I feel if you're writing a rake then make the man a rake. Don't pretty him up.
Having said that, I just really liked Morgan more. And Miranda. She was much more likable and relatable. There was some angst. And some drama. And some snippy, snappy dialogue. Not to mention a very good secondary romance.
Now if only Butler's backlist would go electronic....
I was really afraid when I started this that it was going to be like Dancing with Clara. Thank heavens it was so much better. There were similarities - women in their 20s confined to a Bath chair, neither really paralyzed, etc. None of that is spoilerish since it's made clear from the beginning of both books.
There was just more going on with Prospero's Daughter. I didn't have a problem with the antihero in Clara - lots of people do - but I feel if you're writing a rake then make the man a rake. Don't pretty him up.
Having said that, I just really liked Morgan more. And Miranda. She was much more likable and relatable. There was some angst. And some drama. And some snippy, snappy dialogue. Not to mention a very good secondary romance.
Now if only Butler's backlist would go electronic....
October 30, 2018
4.50 stars - mild r-lite (some mild groping/touching? & references to married mistress, but no details)
Engaging, sweet, non-typical regency romance. Heroine blossoms under care and protection of great Hero (who in turn is transformed by her as well). Triumph and healing over difficult circumstances. Their love grows gradually.
Engaging, sweet, non-typical regency romance. Heroine blossoms under care and protection of great Hero (who in turn is transformed by her as well). Triumph and healing over difficult circumstances. Their love grows gradually.
January 29, 2014
It was alright. I liked Miranda coming back to health, that part of the book was believable. But the rest was all a bit sluggish and the family neglecting her never got their come up ins. I felt all characters beside Miranda were not flushed out enough.
August 20, 2011
I really liked the characters in this sweet but not syrupy tale of damaged people. I really miss those short Regency novels.
August 19, 2011
Wonderful story set in Trinidad...loved it. Recommended!
May 25, 2014
Not bad. A nice read.
May 30, 2017
4.5/5 stars
November 24, 2025
Highly original plot. I think there were some plot holes, but on the whole, highly enjoyable.
November 12, 2022
The premise: Morgan Pearce is a guest at the Palfry estate, assisting General Sir Janus Palfry in writing his memoirs. While taking a walk, Morgan meets a disabled lady in a Bath chair. Determined to make up for failing his best friend in the same quest, Morgan assists Miss Miranda Runyon to regain her mobility and will to live.
Miscellaneous notes: Given that I am a suck for gentle, Kelly novels that have less to do with London society than human suffering, I am surprised at how little this book grabbed me. I guess Miranda's self pity and anger put me off from the beginning and I had a hard time liking her. Perhaps it was a subject better handled by a more adept writer than Ms. Butler. She brings none of the true passion and despair from real life into her book. It felt more like reading a manual than a glimpse into these characters' lives.
While I certainly had to read the whole book, I would not read it again.
Miscellaneous notes: Given that I am a suck for gentle, Kelly novels that have less to do with London society than human suffering, I am surprised at how little this book grabbed me. I guess Miranda's self pity and anger put me off from the beginning and I had a hard time liking her. Perhaps it was a subject better handled by a more adept writer than Ms. Butler. She brings none of the true passion and despair from real life into her book. It felt more like reading a manual than a glimpse into these characters' lives.
While I certainly had to read the whole book, I would not read it again.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews