Legacy

by Linda Govik

The year is 1806. Emily Bradley has just taken a step toward independence by starting to paint portraits on commission. Unbeknownst to her, her first customer is linked to the man she fears the most—Lord Charles Stanford, who once violated her and left her pregnant. Emily is hurled into a series of events over which she has no control as Lord Charles is made aware of her current whereabouts and returns to her life, intent on using her and their now eight-year-old son to claim his heritage.

Forced into marriage and soon suffering under Lord Charles’ cruel reign, Emily is unable to pursue the life that was once laid out before her feet, and her dream of becoming a painter slips further and further away. But then, Napoleon Bonaparte’s courier, Étienne de Ste Germaine, turns up. The handsome nobleman is sent out on a mission to bring her to France, to paint a portrait of the Empress Joséphine—an offer Emily cannot resist. Blind to the consequences, driven by her need for independence, she defies her husband and sets out on a journey that is fraught with danger but also holds the promise of both freedom and a sweet but forbidden romance.

Knowing the dream will inevitably end one day, Emily must now struggle for the courage to become the person she was meant to be and accept that her quest for liberation comes with a price so high that it might ultimately cost her everything.

Genres: Historical, Fiction

497 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2019

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this freshman novel from Linda Govik. She is able to draw you in immediately and to hold your interest throughout. Her characters feel real within their historical context, and you come to care about their fates. All the more impressive when you realize that English is not her first language! I look forward to more in this series.

[Louisa Bauman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite absorbed in this book, it is very well-written. Emily is a very lovable character and the only complaint I have with her is her frequent throwing up, or almost throwing up. Charles Stanford is a sociopath, although he is never called that in the book, a very scary, unpredictable man with terrible emotional scars, so we have a tiny bit of sympathy for him, but not much. The book could use another edit at perhaps the 10% mark, although everything else was fine. A couple of phrases and paragraphs were repeated. This is the author's debut novel, and she is a wonderful writer, even though the ending wasn't quite resolved. But I expect that will pick up in the next book, which I must read.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor, poor Emily. This girl has had a rough start to her life, and, unsurprisingly, has little hope that it will change. Through a series of chance and non-chance encounters Emily finds herself growing as a woman, an artist and a mother. Even as she faces new tragedies, and that horrible Lord Charles Stanford (boo!), Emily discovers she has more courage and strength that she knew.

Once I bought the kindle version of this book, I flew through it in about a day and a half. Emily's time in France provided a glimpse of hope for her future happiness and I have all my fingers and toes crossed that she finds it in the next book (what can I say? I'm a romantic at heart).

My favorite character, whom I hope to see much more of, was Lyndon Stanford. Like Emily, he had faced considerable tragedy in his life. Yet he didn't allow himself to degrade into a monster like his brother. There is definitely potential for a good storyline with him.

Great debut novel with much potential for a wonderful series!

[Evy Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderfully-written book that touches base with the ordeals of a young woman under the reign of a tyrant of a husband will inevitably tug at your heart strings and grip your soul. Emily is a very likable, courageous, and well-rounded character. The fact that she must keep her essence tucked away due to a man that treats her like his property infuriates me, but it’s what drove me to read this book from start to finish in one single sitting. Needless to say, Linda Govik is the master of creating a protagonist that one can feel a genuine connection to. This journey of self-worth and taking the steering wheel of one’s own life (in Historical Fiction novel form) belongs on any bibliophile’s bookshelf!

[Powersamurai · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning seemed to me to jump a bit and it took me a while to settle into the story. But once the story grabbed me I just kept turning the page. I wish some of the characters, like Emily's son could've had a more prominent part to show his character development, instead of the comments through Emily's eyes. But to keep the story moving, I'm sure Govik had to make decisions. The ending too seemed a bit rushed, and maybe an extra chapter giving us a deeper look at the state of things would've been nice. Overall, a good debut novel. Looking forward to the next episode. I've already got some possible plot lines running through my head.