Book Review: Unhinged by Amanda Deed

by Carolyn Miller @CarolynMAuthor

Blurb
Serena Bellingham is faced with an impossible choice. Either leave her struggling family to serve the eccentric genius, Edward King, or stay, only to see the same man imprison her father.

Her decision leads her to Aleron House, a home shrouded in secrecy, strange attitudes and even stranger happenings. Is Edward King all that she has heard, or is the truth something entirely different? Is it possible that the handsome architect might need her even more than her beloved family does?

Unhinged is an Australian retelling of Beauty and the Beast, complete with a mysterious curse and a precious rose.

Review
I'm always a fan of a fairy tale retelling, and if it's set in Australia so much the better. After attending Amanda Deed's online book launch for Unhinged I was pretty keen to read this novel, especially as it's set in various suburbs of Sydney, some places which I recalled having either visited or heard about. So, with high expectations, I started reading - and finished it the next morning with a smile.

Unhinged is much more than just a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. With its interesting detailing of life in 1840s Sydney and the way it touches on aspects of mental health, this story felt at once historically accurate and yet relevant for today. How easy it is, even (especially?) in Christian circles, for mental health issues to be skirted around, with sometimes little legitimacy given to the experiences of those who suffer. I liked the natural inclusion of faith, I enjoyed the referencing of historic figures, I could relate a little to the 'fever' of creative pursuit, and having recently visited Elizabeth Bay House near Sydney Harbour, I could definitely 'see' Aleron, the house depicted as 'the beast's castle' in this novel. This is my favourite Amanda Deed novel, and one fans of historical romance - and especially those who enjoy retellings of fairy tales - are bound to enjoy.

Unhinged can be purchased from Amazon.com.au Koorong and Books In Stock

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked part-time as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, and Winning Miss Winthrop, all available from Amazon, Book Depository, Koorong, etc

Connect with her:        website | facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram

Book Review: Unnoticed, by Amanda Deed

Review by Andrea Grigg

Plain Jane O’Reilly wants nothing more than to go about her business ‘unnoticed’. Not much chance of that, seeing she’s tall, has an abundance of unruly red hair, and big feet ‘that poke out like a dead tree on a barren landscape’. (I loved that line!)

Her mother died when she was a little girl, her stepmother is nasty, and so are Jane’s two stepsisters who swan around the homestead and get Jane to do everything for them. Sound familiar?

If you’ve guessed ‘Unnoticed’ is based on the story of Cinderella, you’re right. I really enjoyed the parallel, not just because it’s different to any other I’ve read, but because it’s set in Australia. In the town of Hay, New South Wales, in 1877, to be precise. And while Jane is obviously Cinderella, there’s a lot more to her than a fairy tale character. She grabbed me from the first page.

Jane comes across as vulnerable yet strong, hopeful even though she’s been continually let down, and, like us all, she simply wants to be loved. She doesn’t think she deserves it though, and the reasons for her misbelief made me want to slap some sense into a few people on her behalf.

Prince Charming, a.k.a. Price Moreland, is a barber-surgeon – interesting combination – and has come from America because … well, I’ll let you find that out for yourself. Whilst I found him interesting, I didn’t feel there was as much depth to him as there was to Jane. However, Jane finds him tall, dark and gorgeous, and he thinks the tree-climbing Jane is tall, beautiful and intriguing, so that’s all that matters.

The rest of the story takes them both on a spiritual as well as romantic journey. I particularly enjoyed the following passage:

            “Aunt Ruby, why would God love me?”

            Without hesitation, her aunt’s face it up with a broad smile. “Because you breathe,     lovey. He don’t need any more reason than that. Because you breathe.”

Beautiful, isn’t it?

In my opinion, Jane and her idiosyncrasies make the story sing. (Wait until you find out the names she’s given her beloved animals.) As I read, I envisaged her played by a young Judy Davis. (Anyone remember My Brilliant Career?) Or, going back even further, Katherine Hepburn.

So. ‘Unnoticed’. A beloved fairy tale with quirky characters and an Australian twist … what’s not to love?

  Andrea Grigg lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and is author of two contemporary Christian romance novels, and a novella. She would love to connect with you via: 

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Twitter: @andreagrigg https://twitter.com/andreagrigg

Email:    andreagrigg@live.com