Loss of Innocence
Anne Newton Walther
Reviewed by Amy Lignor
In spite of her noble heritage, French countess
Eugènie
Devereux embraces the social changes and revolution in France. She maintains a network of agents to keep her
informed of the happenings in Paris
and Versailles. When she receives a cryptic invitation from
Marie Antoinette, Eugènie suspects that the royal family is in
danger. Anarchy is the order of the day as
Eugènie
risks her life to take on a secret mission for the royal family. Joining to help her is Bridger Goodrich – an
American shipper who won her heart during the American Revolution.
Yes, there have been many books and movies regarding the
French Revolution and Marie Antoinette – I grant you that.
However, I have never before seen a wonderful
plotline such as this one. Imbedded and
interwoven in the historical facts, is a romance that is tender and
loving; a
dangerous suspenseful plan that makes the reader turn the page to see
how the
story will end; and a courageous heroine that captures the heart as she
puts
her reputation on the line to aid in a conspiracy theory of monumental
proportions. The author’s first book was
about the American Revolution where she first introduced these
characters. I am definitely going to go
pick that one up
because this one was truly enjoyable.
Not to mention, I want to learn more about this wonderful,
Bridger,
character.
The writing is quick and sharp, the suspense builds with
each page, and the historical elements are true and vividly colorful. After all, this was a time of absurdly
wealthy people who spent money like it was going out of style. Unfortunately for them, it was.
Marie Antoinette remains a character that
people have very definitive views about.
They either love her, and think of her as a young girl put into
a
horrible position or they despise her, believing her to be a selfish,
arrogant
woman who single-handedly destroyed France. As we Americans know, nothing topples –
country, dynasty…buildings – single-handedly; when something fails
miserably it
is because there are “too many cooks in the kitchen” who were
ultimately
responsible for burning the stew. There
is a line in this book regarding the fact that intent and outcome
are two very different things in the political world.
Certainly a truer statement has never been
spoken.
I love Eugènie Devereux.
She is engaging and insightful.
Although she has her own opinions of the struggle that the
French people
are going through – there is a loyalty about her that I truly admire. She has the adventurous spirit and eternal
flame inside her soul that mimics that of her beloved wild horses. Her network of informants is also a treat for
the brain. Jeremy, the boy she took from
the Island of Bermuda
and secured his freedom in the first book, is a wonderful character who
loves
his mistress, but also has strong opinions that he will voice without
worry of
being hung in the town square.
The romance, as well, was written to perfection. Eugènie and the American shipper, Mr.
Goodrich had married other people, trying to hide their passion for one
another. The dialogue between these two
is beyond romantic and will remind
the reader of Mr. Darcy when he said that he loved Elizabeth,
“most ardently.” For any
woman who has read THAT great book,
you will know exactly what I mean. Read
this. It’s incredible.
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