5 stars for The Viscount and the Orphan by @writerinagarret #historicalromance #romance #bookreview
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  • N. N. Light
    • Dec 21, 2022
    • 3 min read

5 stars for The Viscount and the Orphan by @writerinagarret #historicalromance #romance #bookreview



Title: The Viscount and the Orphan

Author: Rosemary Morris

Genre: Historical Romance


Book Blurb:


This classic historical romance erupts in 1703 England. Gabriel, Viscount Cavanagh is bankrupt, his fortune wasted on mistresses, extravagance, and gambling. Orphaned, emotionally neglected, deprived of his inheritance and his own person by his grandfather, Adam Maynard, his only option to avoid disaster is acceptance of an arranged marriage proposed by Adam, a ruthless merchant prince. Adam summons his sixteen-year-old ward, wealthy Dorinda Davenport, from boarding school to be Gabriel’s bride. An orphan, she yearns for love. Well-educated, but naïve, she clings to her fantasy of a happy-ever-after marriage to a gentleman as handsome, and charming as her favourite fictional hero. Gabriel is the romantic hero of her dreams, but bitter disillusionment follows the wedding. A connoisseur of beautiful women, Gabriel conceals his distaste when he meets dumpy, sallow-skinned, socially inept Dorinda. Nevertheless, he soon appreciates her innocence, intelligence, and kind heart.


My Review:


Rosemary Morris has penned another riveting historical romance. She’s taken us into 18th century England where arranged marriages were the norm, not love. This is the story of two people who aren’t in love yet find common ground to make living as husband and wife abideable.


Whenever I read one of Rosemary Morris’ book, I’m astounded by the sheer amount of research she does. Hours upon hours of research which then is expertly woven into the pages of this book. Not only is the narration historical down to the last detail, but so is the setting and dialogue. The reader is able to truly experience what life was like for the characters.


The characters are not people I would want to be associated with in real life but they are fascinating to read. Gabriel, the hero, made me want to throw him off a cliff. My heart went out to Dorinda time and again. She deserves so much love and attention. The way these two treated each other brought home the reality of their circumstances.


If you’re longing for a well-written historical romance, you’re going to love this realistic romance.


My Rating: 5 stars


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Author Biography:


There is a gigantic canvas for a historical novelist to choose from.


I am a multi-published historical novelist whose novels are set in the reign of Charles II’s niece, Queen Anne Stuart, who reigned from 1702 to 1714, and the ever popular Regency era. I have also written a mediaeval novel set in in the reign of Edward II.


I chose those periods because each of them affected the course of history. If the Duke of Marlborough had not won The War of Spanish Succession, and The Duke of Wellington had been defeated by Napoleon at The Battle of Waterloo, the history of Britain and that of Europe would be different. Defeat would also have had far-reaching consequences for the rest of the world. If Edward II had won the Battle of Bannockburn, it is feasible that he would have conquered Scotland and, perhaps, as it is claimed, he would not have been murdered.


The more I read about my chosen eras the more fascinated I become, and the more aware of the gulf between the past and present. Those who lived in the past shared the same emotions as we do, but their attitudes and way of life were in many ways very different to ours. One of the most striking examples was the social position of women and children in in bygone ages.


My characters, are of their time, not men, women and children dressed in costume who behave like 21st century people.


Research of my chosen eras sparks my imagination. The seeds of my novels are sown, and from them sprout the characters and events which will shape their lives.


I was born in Kent. As a child, when I was not making up stories, my head was ‘always in a book.’


While working in a travel agency, I met my Hindu husband. He encouraged me to continue my education at Westminster College. In 1961 I and my husband, by then a barrister, moved to his birthplace, Kenya, where I lived from 1961 until 1982. After an attempted coup d’état, four of my children lived with me in an ashram in France.


Back in England, I wrote historical fiction, joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association, The Historical Novel Society, Watford Writers and on line groups.

Apart from writing, I enjoy classical Indian literature, reading, visiting places of historical interest, vegetarian cooking, growing organic fruit, herbs and vegetables and creative crafts.


My bookshelves are so crammed with historical non-fiction, which I use to research my novels, that if I buy a new book I have to consider getting rid of one.


Time spent with my five children and their families, most of whom live near me, is precious.


The second editions of my historical novels and my new ones will be published by Books We Love. http://bookswelove.net


Social Media Links:



Reviewed by: Mrs. N

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