Review + Giveaway: Tour Stop for The Maid of Milan by Beverley Eikli

Welcome to my tour stop for The Maid of Milan by Beverley Eikli! To check out other stops, visit IndieSage PR! :)

A little something about myself. I love world history, especially World War II. I like historical films, TV series, documentaries, historical books -- the works. But I don't usually read historical romance books. I've read a few in the past, but those were a long time ago and I've forgotten them already. So I won't pretend to be the expert here. I did some research about the Regency era though so I won't be totally clueless.

The Regency Period officially began when the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) assumed the role of Prince Regent after his father, King George III, was declared unfit to rule in 1811.  King George III is believed to have suffered from porphyria, a disorder affecting the production of hemoglobin (a component of blood cells).  Symptoms include abdominal pain, sensitivity to light and nervous system issues. George IV, his son, became Prince Regent – not quite King as George III was still alive, but wielding the power of the king when his father became debilitated and lost focus of reality. Once in power in 1811, the Prince Regent was discouraged from making decisions regarding official governing business and issues involving war.  Instead, the Prince Regent spent his time indulging in excesses.  He spent more money than the Treasury could cover on building projects and lavish parties, thus leaving the burden of restocking the coffers to the people he ruled.  He was a great patron of the arts and literature and created Regent’s Park, but was extravagant in fashion and indulgent with food, becoming quite obese. [Source]

Fans of Jane Austen and Emily Bronte know this era all too well. There are a lot of books and films (mostly adapted from books) inspired by the Regency period and the only reason I didn't know they were from the Regency era is because I usually avoid classics. Nothing against it, it's just not my cup of tea.

So why did I read The Maid of Milan? One, I wanted change. I've always wanted diversity in my shelves. Two, the blurb sounded intriguing. It screamed romance + mystery to me, a combination I am always up for. I'm glad I went for it. The Maid of Milan didn't make me feel as if I was reading a classic. Maybe that's not a good thing for some but for me, it is.

You see, I always want my books to be relatable (there's that word again. Can't help it.) and realistic -- unless it's fantasy. Despite the many differences between the Regency period and the present time, the issues that this novel tackled were not hard to recognize. Love triangles, drug addiction, infidelity, and controlling mothers -- these are still very present, if not more prevalent, in today's time. But in spite of the familiarity of these issues, The Maid of Milan was very convincing. It didn't feel forced, and not at all typical.

Adelaide's story was so complex. Again, this book is not all romance, it also contains mysteries, making it a brilliant page-turner. It's so easy to want to read the next page, because just when you thought you know what's coming, it comes and it's not what you expected at all! Needless to say, the surprises got me. There was one part which I didn't like but the ending made up for it so I'm good.

Beverley Eikli has written characters that felt real and invoked emotions. James infuriated me. I hated his guts and ugh, he's so annoying! Tristan was so easy to love, but sometimes I want to pour a bucket of ice-cold water over his head just so he'd see the obvious. Adelaide herself is an interesting study -- sometimes I like her, sometimes I don't. Her wit, determination and resilience were admirable traits... her weakness frustrated me. But among all characters, it was Mrs. Henley who affected me most. She was one of the most enraging characters I've ever stumbled upon. But knowing this is also what made me liked the novel -- because it meant that Beverley's writing was effective!

I recommend this book to readers who'd like to spice up their romance shelves. I say go for it. If you're looking for the not-so-typical romance novel, or just infuriating mother-in-laws, read this book. It won't disappoint.

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About The Author:

Beverley Eikli is the award-winning author of eight historical romances, laced with mystery and intrigue.
She has worked as a journalist, magazine editor, a safari lodge manager in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, and an airborne geophysical survey operator working in the back of low-flying aircraft on contracts around the world.

Beverley's writing career took off when she married the handsome Norwegian bush pilot she met around a camp fire in Botswana. As a pilot's wife living in twelve different countries - and, often as the only woman on the survey contracts she worked on - writing romance was her preferred entertainment when her male colleagues were playing cards.

Beverley loves exploring complex issues such as the consequences faced by characters who make errors of judgement in a punitive society. However her heroines always have the wit to triumph over the strictures of the society in which they live, even as they battle the dangerous currents which threaten to swamp them.

Beverley and her husband have finally settled in a pretty country town near Melbourne, Australia, where she teaches in the Department of Professional Writing & Editing at Victoria University.

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