Ronnda Eileen Henry was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in California and Virginia. She now calls Florida home. Her favorite authors include Jane Austen and Aleksandra Layland. Now retired, she lives in Florida.
Reviewed by Jane Finch for Readers' Favorite
Love, Savory and Sweet by Ronnda Eileen Henry is an historic short story/novella and tells the story of Lady Krysantha who meets a widower, William, and is proverbially swept off her feet by him. They marry and have a son and are very happy, until tragedy strikes, and Krysantha has to find a way to make a living and find the means to pay for educating her son. Together with Cassie, a lady she meets by chance, she goes into business, although as a noblewoman she has to do this surreptitiously. William’s sons by his first wife are influenced by jealous family members and attempt to discredit Krysantha. Peter is enticed into this deception until he gets to know Krysantha and realises he has been deceived, and unwittingly fallen in love with her. Unfortunately, she can no longer trust him. Can he persuade her otherwise?
This short novella moves at a great pace. The characters are believable, Krysantha is lovely and misjudged, Peter is handsome yet has been misled, William is gallant and admirable. The story arc is smooth and well defined so that the reader is not left wondering or questioning. There are no questions left unanswered. Nicely written with characters that are real, and with a satisfying ending that leaves the reader wanting to follow the life journey of Krysantha and read more about her. Although a novella, this feels like a full novel and is a very enjoyable read. The author has done a great job, woven a stimulating and interesting historical tale, and created memorable characters.