Freed by Love

A Romance Novella

Romance - Historical
117 Pages
Reviewed on 10/28/2017
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Author Biography

Ronnda Eileen Henry is originally from Michigan and was raised in California and Virginia. She read a lot of history, biography, science fiction, and regency romances when she was young, and her favorite authors are Jane Austen, Aleksandra Layland, Isabella Berdyna Zysk, and William Shakespeare. Retired now, she lives in Florida.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite

Freed by Love, a novella by Ronnda Eileen Henry, is a love story set in medieval-like times. The protagonist, Lady Violet, is unlucky in love, having lost two husbands to death. She marries again, but a relative of her husband harasses her by pursuing her romantically, even though he’s also married. Her third marriage also ends. I won’t say how because it’s an integral part of the plot and I don’t want to spoil the mystery. Suffice it to say that the circumstances surrounding the end of the marriage put Violet in potential jeopardy. Fortunately for Violet, she receives help from an unexpected source, an enigmatic character whom she meets by accident. He assists her both emotionally and in practical matters, but still, her future seems dark.

Ronnda Eileen Henry’s Freed by Love is a charming love story. The medieval era setting made it especially interesting because I learned something about life in those days, specifically how some couples came to be married and the regrettable ways women of the times were treated. I don’t want to give away too much, but there’s one character who I didn’t know for sure was a “good guy” or a “bad guy.” The author skillfully left some doubt about his objectives and it wasn’t until close to the end of the novella that I found out his actual intentions. Freed by Love left me with feelings of optimism and hope. Anyone who enjoys a good love story and some plot twists will enjoy this book.

Jack Magnus

Freed by Love is a fantasy romance novella written by Ronnda Eileen Henry. Lord Aldous and Lady Opal Rose had two daughters, who, in accordance with the custom for nobility in the dukedom of Corby, would be presented to the court when they came of age . While there, they would attend the balls and galas designed to provide each sixteen-year-old young woman with a suitable husband of her class and breeding. While Lord Aldous was of ancient and noble lineage, like many others, the family was in somewhat straitened circumstances. The elder daughter, Lady Aldena, being rather less a dainty and desirable offering than her younger sister, Lady Violet, suggested that the family delay her entrance into society until Violet was also of an age to be presented to defray the expense of two separate seasons. The family did so, and at season’s end, Lady Violet was married to Lord Grayson’s younger son, Trafford. It was a love match, rather than the sort of contractual affair many marriages became in those times. Lady Aldena had met no such suitor during the season, but was surprised to find that Lord Charlton’s son and heir, Geoffrey, had noticed her at the court and the two fell in love some time after. Thus, both daughters were duly married and lived happily for several years until tragedy struck.

Ronnda Eileen Henry’s fantasy romance novella, Freed by Love, is a sweet and moving tale about two daughters and the unjust accusation of murder which almost deprives one of them of her life. Henry deftly builds her historical world and peoples it with heroes and villains who feel genuine and believable. Her plot is well designed, and she keeps the suspense taut and high throughout the story, giving the novella a legal thriller feeling. I found the author’s use of historical concepts regarding widows, nobility and the restrictions on a woman’s ability to function as an individual to be a sobering reminder of our own history, of the progress already made, and still to be effected. Freed by Love is most highly recommended.