The Tarnished Light Historical Victorian Romance
Wild Rose Press
May 2, 2022
Kindle
154
Amazon
All her life Polly Bridger has perceived a miraculous light in others. She sees it in her parents who sacrifice everything to keep her safe, and later in the eyes of young Albert Coward who offers her both solace and love. Victorian London is not an easy place for a girl to survive. Polly does not want to end up like so many other girls, earning her bread on the streets.
But when Albert is sentenced to jail for thievery and her choices are few, Polly sells the one thing she has left, while fiercely holding onto her belief Albert will return to her. Is it too late for a reunion between Polly and Albert? Or will love, however tarnished, shine on forever?
Review by Madison Davis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
Victorian London… Polly Bridger grows up well protected by her parents. They do everything for her and keep her safe. When they’re no longer here to help their daughter, she’s taken in by Albert Coward, who offers her protection. Polly accepts it gladly, and loves him for it.
Polly is a nice girl, pretty, mild-mannered, worried, and extremely naïve. She believes everything Albert tells her, and takes it for granted. It’s hard to believe how blue-eyed and oblivious she is towards the reality, and how much she idealizes her protector.
When Albert is going to jail for thievery, Polly has to wake up and stand on her own feet. Despite knowing the truth about Albert now, she still believes he will come back to her and their love will result in marriage and happiness.
There is a slight surprise at the end of the book. At this point I won’t tell more about the story plot itself, scared I could give away too much about it.
This Tarnished Light reminds me of a ‘Barbara-Cartland’ romance. It’s a nice, softly dabbling story, without too much depth. Albert is the character with a little more wit and grip than the other characters, but even he stays superficial. Polly herself, is, in my opinion just a tad too unintelligent, to make a strong, admirable character. The entire story seems to be created by ‘black and white’, rather than having some ‘gray-zones’ which would give the plot some secret and mystery.
Laura Strickland has written far better books than this one. But if a reader feels like being entertained without having to think too much, ‘This Tarnished Light’ is the right thing to read…..