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Plain Harry
Recovering from a brutal marriage, Esther is living quietly as a widow when a letter from her brother Sir Stephen destroys her contented life. Stephen orders her to marry Sir Henry—but who is this “Plain Harry” and how will he treat her?
Set in medieval England in a time when women had few rights, this story shows how love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places and between the unlikeliest of people.
Set in medieval England in a time when women had few rights, this story shows how love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places and between the unlikeliest of people.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2017
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Townsend
81 books61 followersLindsay Townsend is an English novelist with a passion for writing historical romance. Her books are published by Kensington Books, Bookstrand, Prairie Rose Publications, Audible, Ulverscroft Large Print and MuseItUp. Her earlier historical romances and romantic suspense novels are reissued through Kindle Direct.
Lindsay lives in Yorkshire, in the north of England, with her husband, Alan, and also has family in Devon. She loves singing, music, walking, reading and cooking - especially trying out old recipes.
She has been writing stories since the age of six, and has been a professional novelist for many years. Her previous books are romantic thrillers.
Lindsay lives in Yorkshire, in the north of England, with her husband, Alan, and also has family in Devon. She loves singing, music, walking, reading and cooking - especially trying out old recipes.
She has been writing stories since the age of six, and has been a professional novelist for many years. Her previous books are romantic thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 12, 2017
Lindsay Townsend, author of many medieval romance titles, never eschews the History for the Romance. Her stories are not about fantasy people, but the ordinary folk of the period doing the best they can within the bounds of their stations.
Esther is rebuilding her life in widowhood after an enforced marriage to an abusive older man who transferred his psychological problems onto her with his fists. She learns through a messenger that her social-climbing elder brother has given her hand, in lieu of a favour and without her knowledge, to Sir Henry of Leafton.
‘Plain Harry’ is anything but plain and meets use of the slighting nickname with the force of his battle training. Esther fears another enforced, abusive marriage, but knowing her history, is Sir Henry intent on riding to claim her, or to court her?
The characters are well-built and very real, rooted in their learned experiences. Harry’s martial eye misses nothing, while Esther’s life hiding from her over-bearing brother, of making cordials and chutneys for the winter, gives the reader a rounded view of medieval life for a woman. Compliments have been few, and it is when Plain Harry begins to treat Esther as a woman with a mind and accomplishments, she uncurls and blossoms, and he, so used to being around fighting men, realises there is another side to his own nature.
As a reader, it was wonderful to watch it all unfold. I’d like to see more from Esther and Harry as they make a life together and re-thatch the tiny wooden church. Highly recommended.
Esther is rebuilding her life in widowhood after an enforced marriage to an abusive older man who transferred his psychological problems onto her with his fists. She learns through a messenger that her social-climbing elder brother has given her hand, in lieu of a favour and without her knowledge, to Sir Henry of Leafton.
‘Plain Harry’ is anything but plain and meets use of the slighting nickname with the force of his battle training. Esther fears another enforced, abusive marriage, but knowing her history, is Sir Henry intent on riding to claim her, or to court her?
The characters are well-built and very real, rooted in their learned experiences. Harry’s martial eye misses nothing, while Esther’s life hiding from her over-bearing brother, of making cordials and chutneys for the winter, gives the reader a rounded view of medieval life for a woman. Compliments have been few, and it is when Plain Harry begins to treat Esther as a woman with a mind and accomplishments, she uncurls and blossoms, and he, so used to being around fighting men, realises there is another side to his own nature.
As a reader, it was wonderful to watch it all unfold. I’d like to see more from Esther and Harry as they make a life together and re-thatch the tiny wooden church. Highly recommended.
November 17, 2022
Author Lindsay Townsend really understands love. She knows that love is about how a person makes you feel inside rather than how the person actually looks. Harry the male protagonist is scarred but the care and love with which he reaches out to Esther would make a reader swoon. Esther is strong, having gone through a violent marriage and is wary of Harry at first . But he soon wins her over. I loved reading the little novella because it was so bright and full of hope with a courtship built on mutual concern and caring. A definite must read.
Lindsay Townsend to me is a queen of romance
Lindsay Townsend to me is a queen of romance
December 6, 2017
In Spring, 1363, Esther, a widow receives a letter from her insensitive brother, Sr Stephen Armstrong. Sir Harry Leafton took Stephen’s place in a duel. When he asks for Stephen’s permission to court Esther and writes that she is ‘to be obedient to Sir Harry.’
Esther remembers Sir Harry shielded her at court from her husband’s anger, and that her future husband’s face is ‘that of a demon, pox-scarred and livid. He had cold blue eyes and haggard features pale where they were not ridged with black pits and broken veins.’
Plain Harry as he was known at court is always courteous. He has a crooked smile and keen eyes that misses little
Harry is rich with war-loot and tournament prizes but as a younger son he will not inherit land all damsels demand in return for wedlock.
Esther shrinks for the thought of re-marriage, Plain Harry knows that if he does not marry Esther, her brother will arrange another match to a man who might be as cruel as her husband.
Whatever the outcome, Lindsay’s characters deserved to find happiness.
l enjoyed this novella and look forward to reading more novellas and books by her.
Esther remembers Sir Harry shielded her at court from her husband’s anger, and that her future husband’s face is ‘that of a demon, pox-scarred and livid. He had cold blue eyes and haggard features pale where they were not ridged with black pits and broken veins.’
Plain Harry as he was known at court is always courteous. He has a crooked smile and keen eyes that misses little
Harry is rich with war-loot and tournament prizes but as a younger son he will not inherit land all damsels demand in return for wedlock.
Esther shrinks for the thought of re-marriage, Plain Harry knows that if he does not marry Esther, her brother will arrange another match to a man who might be as cruel as her husband.
Whatever the outcome, Lindsay’s characters deserved to find happiness.
l enjoyed this novella and look forward to reading more novellas and books by her.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews