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April and May
Love knows no limits…
When they met in London in 1799, Rose Charteris and Tom Hawkesleigh fell instantly in love.
But disapproving families and misunderstandings came between them, and the romance was over as quickly as it started.
Five years later, Tom is working for the Turkish ambassador in Constantinople and he runs into Rose once again when they cross paths in the ambassador’s quarters.
Now a widow, and a fiercely independent woman, circumstances mean that Rose has no choice but to work with Tom on a top secret and dangerous document for the Sultan.
Work in Constantinople becomes increasingly perilous, with spies from all sides desperate to find out what is planned.
Even back in London, danger is not far away.
Rose also has the burden of finding her place in high Georgian society, as well as trying to decide between the increasing charms of both Tom and ambassador Kerim Pasha.
Will Rose be able to evade the increasing threat to her well-being that her work has led to?
And will she succumb to her desires and give Tom back her heart?
Spanning the magical lands of Constantinople and the traditional streets of London, April and May is a heart-warming tale of a love that knows no boundaries.
Praise for Beth Elliott
“Beth Elliott's books are witty, engaging and totally entertaining” – Nicola Cornick, USA Today bestselling author
Beth Elliot studied Modern Languages at university, followed by a spell in France, where she met her Turkish husband. They spent some years teaching at a university in eastern Turkey before returning to England to teach languages. Beth also has a passion for Jane Austen and so the majority of her novels are set in the Regency period.
When they met in London in 1799, Rose Charteris and Tom Hawkesleigh fell instantly in love.
But disapproving families and misunderstandings came between them, and the romance was over as quickly as it started.
Five years later, Tom is working for the Turkish ambassador in Constantinople and he runs into Rose once again when they cross paths in the ambassador’s quarters.
Now a widow, and a fiercely independent woman, circumstances mean that Rose has no choice but to work with Tom on a top secret and dangerous document for the Sultan.
Work in Constantinople becomes increasingly perilous, with spies from all sides desperate to find out what is planned.
Even back in London, danger is not far away.
Rose also has the burden of finding her place in high Georgian society, as well as trying to decide between the increasing charms of both Tom and ambassador Kerim Pasha.
Will Rose be able to evade the increasing threat to her well-being that her work has led to?
And will she succumb to her desires and give Tom back her heart?
Spanning the magical lands of Constantinople and the traditional streets of London, April and May is a heart-warming tale of a love that knows no boundaries.
Praise for Beth Elliott
“Beth Elliott's books are witty, engaging and totally entertaining” – Nicola Cornick, USA Today bestselling author
Beth Elliot studied Modern Languages at university, followed by a spell in France, where she met her Turkish husband. They spent some years teaching at a university in eastern Turkey before returning to England to teach languages. Beth also has a passion for Jane Austen and so the majority of her novels are set in the Regency period.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
18 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Beth Elliott
12 books18 followersHearing both Welsh and English throughout her childhood, Beth has always been fascinated by words - the sound of them, the shape when writing them, and making sense of them.
Words are magic. They can be put together into a story and then, every person who reads that story, reads a different tale from everyone else. Sometimes, you can read the same story at different times in your life and find it is a completely new tale to you. So being a writer of stories is truly special.
Beth mainly writes about people and places of long ago and far away, but always people and places that are real to her.
Words are magic. They can be put together into a story and then, every person who reads that story, reads a different tale from everyone else. Sometimes, you can read the same story at different times in your life and find it is a completely new tale to you. So being a writer of stories is truly special.
Beth mainly writes about people and places of long ago and far away, but always people and places that are real to her.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 22, 2017
When I was a boy, the local library refused to give adult tickets to anyone under the age of twelve. My grandmother came to the rescue by lending me hers. In exchange for being able to borrow all the moderately wicked stuff I could lay hands on, I only had to keep her fed with romantic fiction. Being a conscientious boy, I made sure to read everything before borrowing it for her. This gave me a taste for romantic fiction – especially historical romantic fiction – that has never entirely left me.
Therefore, I enjoyed the first chapter of Beth Elliott’s April and May. We are at a ball in London in 1799. Rose Graham is young and silly and in love with dashing Tom Hawkesleigh. He, of course, has designs on her that are not wholly honourable. He takes her into a quiet room and makes an advance she is more than inclined to welcome.
Sadly –
“How dare you conduct yourselves in such a disgusting manner?”
Her sister-in-law Augusta has caught them just in time. Tom is ejected in disgrace. Rose is told she will never see him again:
“After such a disgrace, that is impossible. You cannot be trusted, and he is only a younger son.”
Not a bad opening, and I expected the next chapter to move to Bath, with a foppish Lord or two and a villainous rake. Instead, however, we move straight to 1804, and are in Constantinople. Tom is a senior intelligence officer at the Embassy there. He is deep in negotiations with Kerim Pasha, who wants British help to modernise the Ottoman armed forces. Everything must take place in secret. Though some kind of modernisation is essential if the Empire is not to be pulled apart, the forces of conservatism are strong in Constantinople. Worse, the French still have ambitions in the Near East, and will do anything to stop an agreement with Britain.
Into this comes Rose – now Rose Charteris, but a widow. She had been in Egypt with some relatives, trying to make sense of the hieroglyphs. A bandit raid has left her in urgent need of help. Kerim Pasha takes one look at her, and is very eager to help. Tom is jealous and protective, but uncertain of his own continuing feelings.
From here, we move back to London, where the cast reassembles for what becomes a tight thriller – high politics, deception, attempted abduction, attempted murder. If you want to know more, I suggest you should find out for yourself.
What did I enjoy about this novel? I have mentioned the plot already. But there is also a talent for describing places. My imagination has been filled for over a decade now with Constantinople, and I go to Turkey every year. In the relevant chapters of this book, I could smell the City and feel the warm bath of its climate. London is unexpectedly dark and mysterious. The sub-plot about the Egyptian hieroglyphs is convincing. This is primarily a romantic novel, and, if that is what you like, you will find everything you want. At the same time, it has touches of Patrick O’Brien and a steely quality that should make it of general interest.
My only complaint is that I am not aware of a sequel. The politics alone make the story worth continuing – perhaps a trip to Egypt and a chase by French agents beside the pyramids. Also, if sketchily drawn, some of the characters are worth developing – Lady Westacote, for example. If I found Max a little dull, he would make a good murder victim in the ruins of Ephesus. Even horrid Augusta has potential. She could be abducted in Cairo by Bedouins, and go native in someone’s harem.
And so, my overall judgement is – give us more. A writer’s fictional world is like a child. If you go to the trouble of creating one – and doing it as well as Beth Elliott has done – you are only at the beginning of your duty. The closing kiss should not be the end of this story.
Richard Blake’s new novel Crown of Empire was published in London in April 2016.
Therefore, I enjoyed the first chapter of Beth Elliott’s April and May. We are at a ball in London in 1799. Rose Graham is young and silly and in love with dashing Tom Hawkesleigh. He, of course, has designs on her that are not wholly honourable. He takes her into a quiet room and makes an advance she is more than inclined to welcome.
Sadly –
“How dare you conduct yourselves in such a disgusting manner?”
Her sister-in-law Augusta has caught them just in time. Tom is ejected in disgrace. Rose is told she will never see him again:
“After such a disgrace, that is impossible. You cannot be trusted, and he is only a younger son.”
Not a bad opening, and I expected the next chapter to move to Bath, with a foppish Lord or two and a villainous rake. Instead, however, we move straight to 1804, and are in Constantinople. Tom is a senior intelligence officer at the Embassy there. He is deep in negotiations with Kerim Pasha, who wants British help to modernise the Ottoman armed forces. Everything must take place in secret. Though some kind of modernisation is essential if the Empire is not to be pulled apart, the forces of conservatism are strong in Constantinople. Worse, the French still have ambitions in the Near East, and will do anything to stop an agreement with Britain.
Into this comes Rose – now Rose Charteris, but a widow. She had been in Egypt with some relatives, trying to make sense of the hieroglyphs. A bandit raid has left her in urgent need of help. Kerim Pasha takes one look at her, and is very eager to help. Tom is jealous and protective, but uncertain of his own continuing feelings.
From here, we move back to London, where the cast reassembles for what becomes a tight thriller – high politics, deception, attempted abduction, attempted murder. If you want to know more, I suggest you should find out for yourself.
What did I enjoy about this novel? I have mentioned the plot already. But there is also a talent for describing places. My imagination has been filled for over a decade now with Constantinople, and I go to Turkey every year. In the relevant chapters of this book, I could smell the City and feel the warm bath of its climate. London is unexpectedly dark and mysterious. The sub-plot about the Egyptian hieroglyphs is convincing. This is primarily a romantic novel, and, if that is what you like, you will find everything you want. At the same time, it has touches of Patrick O’Brien and a steely quality that should make it of general interest.
My only complaint is that I am not aware of a sequel. The politics alone make the story worth continuing – perhaps a trip to Egypt and a chase by French agents beside the pyramids. Also, if sketchily drawn, some of the characters are worth developing – Lady Westacote, for example. If I found Max a little dull, he would make a good murder victim in the ruins of Ephesus. Even horrid Augusta has potential. She could be abducted in Cairo by Bedouins, and go native in someone’s harem.
And so, my overall judgement is – give us more. A writer’s fictional world is like a child. If you go to the trouble of creating one – and doing it as well as Beth Elliott has done – you are only at the beginning of your duty. The closing kiss should not be the end of this story.
Richard Blake’s new novel Crown of Empire was published in London in April 2016.
October 12, 2016
Pleasant reading
I enjoyed this book. It was a pleasant intriguing historical romance with a happy ending . I so enjoy those.
I enjoyed this book. It was a pleasant intriguing historical romance with a happy ending . I so enjoy those.
October 18, 2016
I really enjoyed this historical fiction romance. It moved past the typical trashy romance and actually had some substance.
March 29, 2018
Well crafted and well written from start to finish, Beth Elliott's stories are a pleasure to read. Rose is at times torn between the handsome and charismatic Kerim Pasha and her old love Tom; it is not until rather far into the story that she is sure of her heart. I felt the characters were very well drawn and there are no eye-roll-worthy actions.
dnf
May 13, 2020I would like to thank netgalley and Endeavour Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't really click with this book, it's written more like a story I would have been expected to be published in the 80's not 2016.
I didn't really click with this book, it's written more like a story I would have been expected to be published in the 80's not 2016.
May 9, 2020
I love Jed the descriptions of the different locations. Egypt, ship, Constantinople, museum, London I like that there was more to the story than just a romance
October 17, 2016
A fun regency romance with an unusual twist, this story features a heroine who, although reared in the gentility, finds herself cut off by both her late husband's family, who kept her dowry but have no room for the young widow, and her own father, who disposed of his responsibilities to her, in his own view, when he married her to his godson, who seemed to rank higher in his concerns than his own daughter. Rose and her younger, unmarried sister Helena, have both been taken in by a kind and childless aunt and uncle, and travel with them to Egypt and other exotic places following their passion for antiquarian studies. While Helena joins eagerly in trying to crack the linguistic code of the newly discovered Rosetta Stone, Rose uses her more than ordinary artistic talent to draw the artifacts her uncle finds and, atypically for a gently-reared Regency-era lady, is thus able to earn her own income and not be dependent on her neglectful father or the charity of Sir Philip and Lady Westacote.
Fleeing danger in Egypt, the ladies arrive in Constantinople seeking help from the British ambassador, only to be greeted by his assistant in the person of Rose's first and lost love, forbidden to her by her father not for any lack of good family and social standing, but owing to the interference of her sister-in-law. Tom's prospects as a landless second son have greatly improved due to his diligent Army and Foreign Office work, but he and Rose, having been forbidden any communication for five years by their respective families, both harbor sad memories and fears of rejection, and Rose, after a short but loveless marriage, values her hard-won independence.
The big question: can the erstwhile lovers see past their injured pride and broken hearts to happiness, or will they once again lose each other. Will the harridan sister-in-law interfere once again, or will she learn the limits of her own controlling bitterness? Read all about it in this entertaining, fast-reading novel.
Fleeing danger in Egypt, the ladies arrive in Constantinople seeking help from the British ambassador, only to be greeted by his assistant in the person of Rose's first and lost love, forbidden to her by her father not for any lack of good family and social standing, but owing to the interference of her sister-in-law. Tom's prospects as a landless second son have greatly improved due to his diligent Army and Foreign Office work, but he and Rose, having been forbidden any communication for five years by their respective families, both harbor sad memories and fears of rejection, and Rose, after a short but loveless marriage, values her hard-won independence.
The big question: can the erstwhile lovers see past their injured pride and broken hearts to happiness, or will they once again lose each other. Will the harridan sister-in-law interfere once again, or will she learn the limits of her own controlling bitterness? Read all about it in this entertaining, fast-reading novel.
September 1, 2016
Rose Charteris and Tom Hawkesleigh fell instantly in love when they met in London in 1799 but parted when Rose’s sister in law Augusta found them kissing, Tom was banished by his father & Rose banished to the country where she married Hugh a naval officer who was killed a short time after their marriage.
Five years later, Tom is working for the Turkish ambassador in Constantinople and he runs into Rose, her sister Helena & their Aunt. The three ladies have fled Egypt where they were on an archaeological expedition. The three ladies stay at the house of Kerim Pasha.
Now a widow, and a fiercely independent woman, circumstances mean that Rose, who has considerable talent as an artist, has no choice but to work with Tom on a top secret and dangerous document for the Sultan.
The work in Constantinople becomes increasingly perilous, with spies from all sides desperate to find out what is planned. The ladies learn that the male members of the expedition are well & are on their way back to England so the ladies return too as does Tom & Kerim Pasha under the guise of an Hungarian Count
However even back in London, danger is not far away.
This is a heart-warming story of second chance love. Rose doesn’t want to marry again after her first disastrous marriage but is still drawn to Tom. Tom also is drawn to Rose. Both of them try to fight their feelings. There is also intrigue about the reforms planned for in the Ottoman Empire as well as attempted murders & abductions. Tom & Rose are very likeable characters, as are the secondary characters. A clean novel that keeps you turning the pages
Five years later, Tom is working for the Turkish ambassador in Constantinople and he runs into Rose, her sister Helena & their Aunt. The three ladies have fled Egypt where they were on an archaeological expedition. The three ladies stay at the house of Kerim Pasha.
Now a widow, and a fiercely independent woman, circumstances mean that Rose, who has considerable talent as an artist, has no choice but to work with Tom on a top secret and dangerous document for the Sultan.
The work in Constantinople becomes increasingly perilous, with spies from all sides desperate to find out what is planned. The ladies learn that the male members of the expedition are well & are on their way back to England so the ladies return too as does Tom & Kerim Pasha under the guise of an Hungarian Count
However even back in London, danger is not far away.
This is a heart-warming story of second chance love. Rose doesn’t want to marry again after her first disastrous marriage but is still drawn to Tom. Tom also is drawn to Rose. Both of them try to fight their feelings. There is also intrigue about the reforms planned for in the Ottoman Empire as well as attempted murders & abductions. Tom & Rose are very likeable characters, as are the secondary characters. A clean novel that keeps you turning the pages
September 2, 2016
1799, When Rose Grahams and Tom Hawkesleigh fall in love that love is thwarted by their families, and misunderstandings, but they met again in 1804 in Constantinople. Here there is intrigue, spies and foreign agents but Rose is now Mrs Charteris and Tom is in the government employ. But soon they return to London.
Can their love return and what obstacles are put in their way.
The story didn't really catch my imagination nor the characters, particularly the female ones. Probably would have preferred the characters to be more fleshed out.
A NetGalley Book
Can their love return and what obstacles are put in their way.
The story didn't really catch my imagination nor the characters, particularly the female ones. Probably would have preferred the characters to be more fleshed out.
A NetGalley Book
October 15, 2016
FROM LONDON TO CONSTANTINOPLE AND BACK
Rose was desperately in love with young Tom, but due to interference from both families, each thinks the other has forsaken them. Rose has been pushed into a marriage with no love. Four years later in a land far away, the young widow again encounters the only man she has ever loved. Through adventure, intrigue, danger, and espionage, April and May chronicles the struggles this young couple endure to find love again.
I would definitely give Beth Elliot two thumbs up!
Rose was desperately in love with young Tom, but due to interference from both families, each thinks the other has forsaken them. Rose has been pushed into a marriage with no love. Four years later in a land far away, the young widow again encounters the only man she has ever loved. Through adventure, intrigue, danger, and espionage, April and May chronicles the struggles this young couple endure to find love again.
I would definitely give Beth Elliot two thumbs up!
October 23, 2016
This love story also had drama and adventure. I liked how well all the characters worked together. The changes in location added a bit of flavor than a typical English Historical Romance. The book was well written and was a good read.
October 7, 2016
Didn't care for this one. Kind of dull. Skimmed a fair amount of it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews