Title: My Lord Husband’s Ring
Author: Darlene Porter
Publisher: Author’s Tranquility Press
ISBN: 978-1-965075-65-4
Genre: Romance
Pages: 320
Reviewer: Margie Przybylski
Pacific Book Review
Author Darlene Porter eloquently combines drama, history, and romance in My Lord Husband’s Ring. The tale surrounds the married lives of Marie and Dominique; young newlywed royals of France in the 1500s. This book is a true delight, as the romance between the newlyweds grows as they face challenges together and start a family. As the story begins, it seems they are unimportant to the order of royalty. However, as events begin to unfold throughout the book, they seem to garner more influence.
Darlene Porter’s attention to detail and historical accuracy shines through in the descriptions of the characters, their clothing, the places and people around them as well as their dialogue. The characters’ meticulous diction reads like a period drama, without causing any confusion or taking away from the plot. Porter tastefully sprinkles in French phrases which help the reader hear the dialogue in their imagination while reading. This element adds depth to the setting of the novel and makes the dialogues between the various characters more fun to read.
What makes the book such a page turner is the romance between the characters. As the story progresses, new lovers are introduced. There are mistresses and affairs, scenes between husband and wife – anticipation and loss. One-page features infatuated fancy while the next leads to heartbreak. The range of emotions present in the 300 pages of historical fiction makes for an intoxicating read – as characters enter and depart the pages, it is easy to keep devouring the book to find out what finally happens next.
The relationship between Dominique and Marie is wholesome and pure. They perfectly complement each other more and more as their love grows and time goes on in their marriage. They are true partners, and Marie can rely on Dominique’s kindness and tenderness throughout the novel. Porter truly composed a beautiful work of romance which is healthy, desirable, and worth aspiring to.
The ending of My Lord Husband’s Ring leaves the readers with nothing but a happy heart. While the family suffered throughout the tale, it seems that may all be over so Dominique and Marie can enjoy their growing family and legacy now as leaders. A book for mature lovers of historical fiction with a tinge of tasteful yet detailed romantic scenes, My Lord Husband’s Ring takes readers back to 14th century France, a time of lavish elegance during political unrest. The drama and romance make this book delicious and easy to devour in a short amount of time.
