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Roxton Family Saga #5.5
Forever Remain: Roxton Letters Volume Two
This second volume of previously unpublished letters from the private correspondence of the Roxton family spans a twenty-year period, from the 1760s to the late 1780s, and includes extracts from the diaries of Antonia, Duchess of Kinross, and her younger son Lord Henri-Antoine Hesham. Also included are letters by the 5th Duke of Roxton, written in the final stages of his illness, and addressed to his youngest son Lord Henri-Antoine. The volume concludes with a letter by the latter’s wife, Lady Henri-Antoine Hesham, to her mother-in-law, the Duchess of Kinross, while abroad on her bridal trip. These letters complement the later chronology of the award-winning Roxton Family Saga: Dair Devil, Proud Mary, and Satyr’s Son. With a foreword by a late-Victorian descendant, Alice-Victoria, 10th Duchess of Roxton.
Letters and diary entries (41,000 words, about 164 standard pages, not including bonus material)
Connecting BooksMany 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 sequence:
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)
ETERNALLY YOURS: Roxton Letters Volume One
FOREVER REMAIN: Roxton Letters Volume Two
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2018
About the author
Lucinda Brant
44 books501 followersHello! 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 4, 2018
FOREVER REMAIN is a companion to Lucinda Brant’s Dair Devil, Proud Mary and Satyr’s Son and therefore it is necessary to have read these books first. However, I cannot recommend this series highly enough and would urge anyone who loves an ongoing family saga with compelling characters, spine tingling romance and superbly researched history to read (or listen to) all the books, preferably in order.
Many historical romance writers try to please a modern market and consequently their books do not ring true. Lucinda Brant, however, transports us back into the time, the hearts and the minds of her characters – this is Georgian England and she refuses to compromise on the detail. We may not agree with the opulent way the privileged lived 300 years ago, but Ms. Brant deals in meticulous research and therefore her writing is based on fact and we are treated to unadulterated accuracy. Her characters are so real that I find myself believing in them to the point that I think about them as if they are people I actually know. Their homes, belongings, clothing, shoes, hair, even the lace and embroidery on their clothes are researched down to the finest detail. To appreciate the author’s attention to detail, visit her Pinterest boards and be prepared to be astounded by the extent of the work and research that goes into each and every story. She is not only a superb writer but also a perfectionist and unable to deliver anything but her best interpretation of how life was for the people in her Georgian world - rich and poor - and how they behaved and lived.
As readers of this series know, Ms. Brant took a chance when she wrote very sensitively about one of our favourite characters dying. This is life – I myself have suffered this devastating loss and can speak with experience on what she has achieved here. In an ideal world we all live happily ever after, but of course this is not an ideal world. Nevertheless, because of Ms. Brant’s sensitive approach, we are not left unhappy with the loss of this character – rather she has dwelt on the positives whilst showing us that the world does keep turning and life does go on. The grieving process is handled with great empathy, and astutely she hasn’t written off this fascinating character; instead he is still very much in the background and talked of (and to) with love. Again, I agree with the way she has achieved this because when we have children our loved ones are never truly gone from this world and of course our memories can never be erased. Ms. Brant is a realist. Yes, she writes Historical Romance, but throughout the series she has constantly mirrored life – people die, they behave badly, they fall in love, often with ‘unsuitable’ people, and they sometimes have illnesses or long-term conditions which cannot be cured.
She has thought of everything and, when this volume of letters is ‘published’ by Alice-Victoria, 10th Duchess of Roxton, the time has obviously moved on and the family inhabits Victorian England where people and their values have changed, becoming more prudish and judgemental. So, when the letters are ‘released’, the translators have doctored and suppressed certain words and phrases in case they offend the reader of the time. For instance, in a letter sent from Mr Martin Ellicott (the fifth duke’s valet and trusted friend) to his godson Julian, he talks of his classic and rare, but risqué art collection. In another, from Theo Fitzstuart to his son Dair, he tries to explain why his marriage to Charlotte, Dair’s mother, went so horribly wrong. I must admit to wishing I could take a peek at the author’s notes to see exactly what had been ‘suppressed’!
Ms. Brant uses this volume of letters and diary entries to fill in some gaps in her stories. One such gap that always puzzled me, which I briefly mentioned above, began in Noble Satyr. Charlotte and Theo, soon to become the Earl and Countess of Strathsay and later the parents of Dair, Charles and Mary, were a young, innocent, courting couple in that book. By the time we reach Dair Devil, book 3 in the series, matters had obviously gone badly wrong. Charlotte is by now a spiteful, unloving mother and embittered woman, while Theo is living on a Caribbean island running a sugar plantation. He has not seen his legitimate family for many years and talks openly of his new love and illegitimate children. This couple were secondary characters and, quite obviously, their story would not have pleased readers, but it was important to know what had gone wrong and the letter from Theo to Dair explains all. Again, the author is reflecting life with its ups and downs – not all marriages are happy ones, not then and not today.
The letters are a wonderful addition to the books and are so exquisitely written that I cannot read (or listen) to some of them without a box of tissues handy. The most memorable for me are those written by Renard to his youngest son; oh, my goodness, these letters are beyond exquisite. The few examples I have used are only a small snapshot of this compelling volume and the letters have the effect of confusing my brain further into thinking…these people actually lived. I’m pretty sure Ms, Brant felt the same when she was writing them, because it is quite obvious she has poured her heart and soul into every word she has written.
I can only imagine how Alex Wyndham felt whilst reading the letters, but then he is a consummate performer and reads each letter from the heart. In each one, he adopts the same voice, tone and nuances for the characters (now the letter/diary writer) that he used when narrating the audio books and each one is easily recognisable. I wonder if he needed his tissues, too? With the depth of feeling imbued I would imagine so. I particularly appreciated his portrayal of the sick and dying Renard, 5th Duke of Roxton. In fact, I sniffed constantly! The reformed rake has, since his marriage, become a loving family man. He feels his children’s pain, especially his younger son who suffers with the debilitating ‘falling sickness’ (or epilepsy as we now know it). The duke is anxious to help his beloved Henri-Antoine manoeuvre his way through the obstacles he knows are inevitable with his affliction and is also all too aware that his own time is running out. He therefore sets out to lovingly guide Harry from beyond the grave with a series of letters to be opened at certain points in his life. Alex Wyndham adopts a slower paced, slightly gravelly voice for the sickly Renard whilst still retaining recognisable remnants of the younger Renard we first heard in Noble Satyr. I found the reading of these letters/diary entries profoundly moving and one of this actor’s finest performances of my experience.
MY VERDICT: The second volume of letters is the perfect companion to Dair Devil, Proud Mary and Satyr’s Son and one I can highly recommend.
REVIEW RATING: STELLAR 5 STARS
Many historical romance writers try to please a modern market and consequently their books do not ring true. Lucinda Brant, however, transports us back into the time, the hearts and the minds of her characters – this is Georgian England and she refuses to compromise on the detail. We may not agree with the opulent way the privileged lived 300 years ago, but Ms. Brant deals in meticulous research and therefore her writing is based on fact and we are treated to unadulterated accuracy. Her characters are so real that I find myself believing in them to the point that I think about them as if they are people I actually know. Their homes, belongings, clothing, shoes, hair, even the lace and embroidery on their clothes are researched down to the finest detail. To appreciate the author’s attention to detail, visit her Pinterest boards and be prepared to be astounded by the extent of the work and research that goes into each and every story. She is not only a superb writer but also a perfectionist and unable to deliver anything but her best interpretation of how life was for the people in her Georgian world - rich and poor - and how they behaved and lived.
As readers of this series know, Ms. Brant took a chance when she wrote very sensitively about one of our favourite characters dying. This is life – I myself have suffered this devastating loss and can speak with experience on what she has achieved here. In an ideal world we all live happily ever after, but of course this is not an ideal world. Nevertheless, because of Ms. Brant’s sensitive approach, we are not left unhappy with the loss of this character – rather she has dwelt on the positives whilst showing us that the world does keep turning and life does go on. The grieving process is handled with great empathy, and astutely she hasn’t written off this fascinating character; instead he is still very much in the background and talked of (and to) with love. Again, I agree with the way she has achieved this because when we have children our loved ones are never truly gone from this world and of course our memories can never be erased. Ms. Brant is a realist. Yes, she writes Historical Romance, but throughout the series she has constantly mirrored life – people die, they behave badly, they fall in love, often with ‘unsuitable’ people, and they sometimes have illnesses or long-term conditions which cannot be cured.
She has thought of everything and, when this volume of letters is ‘published’ by Alice-Victoria, 10th Duchess of Roxton, the time has obviously moved on and the family inhabits Victorian England where people and their values have changed, becoming more prudish and judgemental. So, when the letters are ‘released’, the translators have doctored and suppressed certain words and phrases in case they offend the reader of the time. For instance, in a letter sent from Mr Martin Ellicott (the fifth duke’s valet and trusted friend) to his godson Julian, he talks of his classic and rare, but risqué art collection. In another, from Theo Fitzstuart to his son Dair, he tries to explain why his marriage to Charlotte, Dair’s mother, went so horribly wrong. I must admit to wishing I could take a peek at the author’s notes to see exactly what had been ‘suppressed’!
Ms. Brant uses this volume of letters and diary entries to fill in some gaps in her stories. One such gap that always puzzled me, which I briefly mentioned above, began in Noble Satyr. Charlotte and Theo, soon to become the Earl and Countess of Strathsay and later the parents of Dair, Charles and Mary, were a young, innocent, courting couple in that book. By the time we reach Dair Devil, book 3 in the series, matters had obviously gone badly wrong. Charlotte is by now a spiteful, unloving mother and embittered woman, while Theo is living on a Caribbean island running a sugar plantation. He has not seen his legitimate family for many years and talks openly of his new love and illegitimate children. This couple were secondary characters and, quite obviously, their story would not have pleased readers, but it was important to know what had gone wrong and the letter from Theo to Dair explains all. Again, the author is reflecting life with its ups and downs – not all marriages are happy ones, not then and not today.
The letters are a wonderful addition to the books and are so exquisitely written that I cannot read (or listen) to some of them without a box of tissues handy. The most memorable for me are those written by Renard to his youngest son; oh, my goodness, these letters are beyond exquisite. The few examples I have used are only a small snapshot of this compelling volume and the letters have the effect of confusing my brain further into thinking…these people actually lived. I’m pretty sure Ms, Brant felt the same when she was writing them, because it is quite obvious she has poured her heart and soul into every word she has written.
I can only imagine how Alex Wyndham felt whilst reading the letters, but then he is a consummate performer and reads each letter from the heart. In each one, he adopts the same voice, tone and nuances for the characters (now the letter/diary writer) that he used when narrating the audio books and each one is easily recognisable. I wonder if he needed his tissues, too? With the depth of feeling imbued I would imagine so. I particularly appreciated his portrayal of the sick and dying Renard, 5th Duke of Roxton. In fact, I sniffed constantly! The reformed rake has, since his marriage, become a loving family man. He feels his children’s pain, especially his younger son who suffers with the debilitating ‘falling sickness’ (or epilepsy as we now know it). The duke is anxious to help his beloved Henri-Antoine manoeuvre his way through the obstacles he knows are inevitable with his affliction and is also all too aware that his own time is running out. He therefore sets out to lovingly guide Harry from beyond the grave with a series of letters to be opened at certain points in his life. Alex Wyndham adopts a slower paced, slightly gravelly voice for the sickly Renard whilst still retaining recognisable remnants of the younger Renard we first heard in Noble Satyr. I found the reading of these letters/diary entries profoundly moving and one of this actor’s finest performances of my experience.
MY VERDICT: The second volume of letters is the perfect companion to Dair Devil, Proud Mary and Satyr’s Son and one I can highly recommend.
REVIEW RATING: STELLAR 5 STARS
April 7, 2018
I always enjoy the dialogue between the characters in the Roxton family. However, what I love about this is we get a chance to see their inner most thoughts which is more genuine in my opinion. I already feel connected to this fictional family but this makes me feel even more connected. I think my favorite correspondence was those penned by the Old Duke' - I love that man! This will endear you to the Roxton's even more. A very delightful read. Lucinda Brant does it again. I hope that we will get more of the letters volume. ♥
Alex Wyndham is, as always narration perfection. He will go down in history as one of the best narrators, hands down. I hope to hear him in more books.
5 stars all around!
Alex Wyndham is, as always narration perfection. He will go down in history as one of the best narrators, hands down. I hope to hear him in more books.
5 stars all around!
March 12, 2018
These letters are a companion to the award-winning Roxton Family Saga books: Dair Devil, Proud Mary, and Satyr’s Son. To fully appreciate them it's important to read those books first. Each letter or diary entry helps you to learn more about the characters you will have fallen in love with when reading the books. I particularly enjoyed the ones written by the 5th Duke of Roxton to his son Henri-Antoine. The Duke was dying and he wrote letters to be opened at particular moments in Henri-Antoine's life. It was a way of still being present at those important times even though physically he knew he couldn't be. Far from being depressing, they were absolutely beautiful. Other letters that I enjoyed were ones from Teddy to her best friend from school. You will understand why if you have read her story in Satyr's Son.
All in all, I cannot fault this volume of letters, nor the whole Roxton Family Saga of books! I highly recommend them all!
All in all, I cannot fault this volume of letters, nor the whole Roxton Family Saga of books! I highly recommend them all!
July 31, 2020
Ruxton by Lucinda Brant I read the complete series of the Roxton Family. I enjoyed the lives of each member of the family. I wish there was more about Henri and Lisa. Also Evelyn, what happened to him? The letters were beautiful, I actually cried reading the ones from Renard and Antonia. That was a love that ended too early. But their sons continued, with their love stories. Johnaton was another favorite of mine. I wish I could have met them in person. I can't stop thinking about them. I keep reading the books to see if I missed something.
All the Historical Romances I have read, and I've read quite a few. Touches me the most. I could almost feel like I'm right there with them.
They were a lovely family. I'm sure I'll be reading more of your books ,in the future. Hoping you write more about the Ruxton Family.
All the Historical Romances I have read, and I've read quite a few. Touches me the most. I could almost feel like I'm right there with them.
They were a lovely family. I'm sure I'll be reading more of your books ,in the future. Hoping you write more about the Ruxton Family.
November 5, 2021
Letters from the late Duke to his grown-up son, from the former Duchess to the current one, and much more–that’s what you’ll find in this book. While it makes a tasty morsel for fans of this series, it can be skipped. Similarly, newcomers to the Roxton Saga won’t get much out of it, so they should pick another book to experience the glitzy world of the Roxtons.
March 10, 2018
If you read the novels of these letters(and if you did not you should!), you will enjoy listening to this audiobook. Here you will understand the emotions of those who received the letters and why they reacted the way they did. Each letter is wonderful, some will make you sigh, laugh and even make you shed a tear or two. My favorite were the letters of the 5th Duke of Roxton, knowing he was dying and not being there for his youngest son Henri-Antoine. How emotional and loving they were as he pens those letters for the most important time of his young son's life which he will not be alive to share them with.
Lucinda Brant did a wonderful job writing these once again and narrator Alex Wyndham narrating it. Bravo to you both!
Lucinda Brant did a wonderful job writing these once again and narrator Alex Wyndham narrating it. Bravo to you both!
August 16, 2020
Roxton family letters
I normally do not like reading letters and diary pages I book form I had to read these 2 books and I am glad I did. The entire series was one of the best I have ever read and enjoyed every page. I especially loved the cover art which I usually pay no attention too since once my ebook is opened I never see it again but I looked at the cover every time I opened the book, the last book cover took my breath away and I wanted to meet the Duke in person with every turn of the page.
I normally do not like reading letters and diary pages I book form I had to read these 2 books and I am glad I did. The entire series was one of the best I have ever read and enjoyed every page. I especially loved the cover art which I usually pay no attention too since once my ebook is opened I never see it again but I looked at the cover every time I opened the book, the last book cover took my breath away and I wanted to meet the Duke in person with every turn of the page.
May 20, 2018
Great Addition to a Great Series
The Roxton Family Saga is a fantastic collection of historical romance that follows a family over decades. The addition of this glimpse of letters between characters adds an additional level of reality and emotion to an already well written series. A definite read if you're a fan of the series.
The Roxton Family Saga is a fantastic collection of historical romance that follows a family over decades. The addition of this glimpse of letters between characters adds an additional level of reality and emotion to an already well written series. A definite read if you're a fan of the series.
May 8, 2020
So intimate, so personal
Satyres son is one of my all time favorite books. This followup Letters volume adds depth and conclusion to many points of the story. I especially liked the thumb to nose to those who had been unkind to Lisa. The Salt saga is also right up there with the Roxtons.
Satyres son is one of my all time favorite books. This followup Letters volume adds depth and conclusion to many points of the story. I especially liked the thumb to nose to those who had been unkind to Lisa. The Salt saga is also right up there with the Roxtons.
January 15, 2019
The letters from the fifth Duke to Henri-Antoine are outstanding in an excellent collection.
October 27, 2019
Audible Romance Package
AUDIOBOOK: Read 26 October 2019
3hrs 47min
Narrator: Alex Wyndham do love his voice.
Liked this a lot! It puts a (behind the scene) view about the family.
AUDIOBOOK: Read 26 October 2019
3hrs 47min
Narrator: Alex Wyndham do love his voice.
Liked this a lot! It puts a (behind the scene) view about the family.
October 2, 2020
These letters provide more detail to the story and the characters
Fantastic!
Fantastic!
March 9, 2019
Bellissimo! Le lettere del duca al figlio sono strappalacrime, commoventi al massimo, mi scendevano i lacrimoni da tutto l’amore che provava per il figlio minore. Questa scrittrice è fantastica, la adoro
July 7, 2020
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.
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.
March 6, 2018
Review to follow in due course.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews