At All Costs: A Victorian Romance

by David Jay

What would an Englishman on the lam who had just landed on American soil rather do, get in the middle of a knife fight, or rummage through a foul-smelling garbage can looking for something to eat? When two hoodlums attack Joseph Hunter in an alley, hold a knife to his throat and demand his watch and all his money, a very large man charges to his rescue and soon dispatches the two thugs, one with a broken arm. Brock "The Bull" Ackerman and his wife, Emma, have just arrived from England on the heels of a disastrous fight in which Brock nearly killed a soldier who tried to ravish Emma. To avoid jail, they used all their savings to book passage to America and ended up in a New York alley looking for food in garbage cans. Now this chance meeting with the grateful Mr. Hunter changes the course of all their fortunes. When social climbers, Joseph and his wife, Alice, hire the couple as their staff (Alice always wanted staff), to serve as bodyguard, valet and lady's maid, their lives are intertwined. Emma's experience as a lady's maid in England makes her indispensable for Lady Alice, who sets her sights on becoming one of New York's Gilded Age grand dames. Emma's skills as a seamstress, etiquette coach, cook and all-around maid, show Alice how it might just be possible, even with her miserly father refusing to give Joseph a raise. She will find a way to get the money she needs, even if she has to steal it . Book 2: Dead-Time Stories, coming soon.

Genres: Historical

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2017

Reviews

[B. D. Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this author before under a different pen name I was not at all surprised to find this short story to be a masterful piece of work. The offerings I read under a different pen name demonstrated that David Jay is a master at his craft and he has demonstrated his talent once again in this work. However, the major difference here is that this short story is not complete in and of itself. It is only the beginning of a 12-part Victorian Romance Serial – but what a beginning it is. This is great, clean, well-written romantic fiction. Yet, it is so believable that the characters come alive during this short story and the stage is very well set for that which is to come. I am pleased that the author has now elected to venture beyond a true short story format and will extend the full story over 12 installments. I look forward to reading every one of those installments.

[Steelwhisper · Rating 1 out of 5]

Infantile.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the first (short) installment in a 12-part serial.

[Margaret Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not

a full story. Author kept repeating himself all the time. Not interested enough to carry on with book 2. Luckily this bit of writing was free.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of a 12 part serial. I cannot say that I found any of the characters likeable.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a new place

Running from the law in England and taking a boat Brock and Emma arrive in New York. While looking for food. Brock saves Joseph, so he hires Brock and Emma to help him and his wife.