April 24, 2017
Delamere opens her London Beginnings series with an introduction to Rosalyn Bernay, one of a trio of siblings raised in an orphanage after their father was lost at sea and their mother died. After coming of age, Rosalyn secures employment as a maid. When accused of theft, she chooses to run away rather than prove her innocence and lands in London. At first, she has trouble finding a place to stay and gainful employment. In an alley behind a theater that’s staging a new play, she meets Nate Moran, with whom she’d already had an awkward encounter at a train station. Nate, who has had his own share of misfortunes, is at the theater to cover for his injured brother. Rosalyn can be almost unbelievably naive, and Nate is compassionate to a fault. Despite these flaws, these characters are endearingly relatable. Delamere’s inspirational elements are subtle; her historical references include George Muller’s orphanages and Gilbert and Sullivan. This is a well-crafted, well-researched historical romance. Agent: Jessica Alvarez; Bookends.