Cold April

Phyllis A. Humphrey
Camel Press (2010)
ISBN 9781603818223
Reviewed by Tracey Rock for Reader Views (3/11)

 

Elizabeth “Beth” Shallcross has just returned from the United States where she served three years as a governess to Lord and Lady Wheatly.  Being in London now, she realizes that her future lies back in the United States.  She no longer wishes to perform governess duties.  She is more interested in a professional career for women of her generation.  Perhaps a typing career in an office would be ideal.  As one last favor to the Wheatlys, Beth agrees to travel to the United States to help with finalizing some of the Wheatlys’ personal matters.  This would also help her in getting settled with her new life as well.  While making final arrangements for her boat trip, Lord Wheatly has asked Beth to perform a small governess duty to one of Lord Wheatlys’ employees, Richard Graham.  Richard is a single parent who agrees to pay her well for her to accompany his daughter and him to New York.  Although a bit reluctant, she agrees.  This would be Beth’s last governess duty and should make this boat trip on the RMS Titanic, traveling to New York in the month of April, her final and last one. 

Beth knew she was attracted to Richard the moment she saw him and she could tell he was interested in her.  Beth knew their attraction was a mistake since they still lived within a class system in England.  The likes of Richard Graham would not be a match for her by anyone’s standards - except, Richard had no need for class system.  Growing up in the United States, he preferred Beth’s company to the more noble class that was aboard the ship they were traveling on.  While on board, Beth meets another young man, Harry Palmer, who is a magician.  He too, is interested in Beth.  Just as Beth’s relationships begin to bloom, the ship they are traveling on hits an iceberg.  Beth knows the boat will sink and with it all the hopes and dreams of a new life would go down with the ship. 

When I first started reading Phyllis A. Humprey’s “Cold April,” I tried to get the James Cameron movie, Titanic, out of my head.  I found this really hard to do.  There were so many similarities.  In fact, seeing the movie made me understand this book better, such as how the lower class were treated, which was a huge underlying part in the movie and this book.  The main characters were not evolved enough for my taste and once again, I found myself trying to relate their personas to the characters from the movie.  I want to add though, that if you liked the movie Titanic, then you will find that what drew you to the movie, like the fact that parts of the movie were true, or the fact that there was a love story in the midst of all the chaos, then, this too, will draw you into “Cold April.”  You will get caught up in the story and will want to know what happens in the end – even though you will already know what will happen.  So, sit back and enjoy.  “Cold April” will be a quick and fun read for anyone looking for a Titanic romance novel. 

Make comment on weblog

FTC Disclosure