Books: The House on Becket Lane
Exclusive interview with author Elizabeth Chanter and a review of her fiction novel about secrets and how love triumphs *** 3 Stars
By Gabrielle Pantera
“When trying to find a publisher I went to my local library to look at the list of publishers in the Writers’ Digest to see if I could find one,” says The House on Becket Lane author Elizabeth Chanter. “Time and again I read, ‘No new authors will be taken’ or, ‘Will only work through an agent’, or words to that effect. Rather than waste time trying to find a publisher or an agent, I thought of self-publishing and approached iUniverse.”
The House on Beckett Lane has romance, mystery, strong characters and a strong plot. It’s the story of Caroline Wardlock, whose mother and sister died mysteriously while under the control of her stepfather. You will be transported into the story, but at times there’s so much detail it throws you out of the story. The writing is reminiscent of a Charlotte Bronte novel.
In The House on Beckett Lane, Caroline meets Lord Lonsdale by chance when she saves a child in the streets of London. Lonsdale takes her home and can tell there is something not right with her stepfather. Lord Dashell Lonsdale is considered one of the most eligible bachelors in London. Despite appearances, his family fortune is not as secure as he believes. His family is on the brink of financial ruin due to the gambling debts of his brother. Can Lonsdale save his family’s fortune and honor? Caroline also has a secret. If she tells him, will it end their love before it’s hardly begin?
“The idea for my book just came on its own, even if that does sound rather vague,” says Wardlock. “I was care-giver to a friend and began writing during the evenings. It was surprising how the characters seemed to write themselves as the story developed. In fact, they got ahead of me. I had to write to catch up.”
There wasn’t a great deal of research in writing the book, says Wardlock. “I did check on the Internet the dates of the beginning of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race and also that of Scotland Yard. I did not have to check any documents.”
Wardlock says it was no real challenge to complete the book and hired her own editor. “I found the staff of iUniverse to be very helpful and events just progressed. I engaged a local person to do copying-editing.” iUniverse created Wardlock’s web site, Twitter and Facebook pages. She describes herself as not at all computer-savvy.
The House on Beckett Lane is Wardlock’s first book. It has yet to be optioned for film or TV. She’s currently writing the sequel.
Elizabeth Chanter was born in London, England. She lives in Mill Bay on Vancouver Island, Canada.
http://elizabethchanter.authorsxpress.com/
The House On Becket Lane by Elizabeth Chanter
Trade Paperback: 308 pages, Publisher: iUniverse (August 22, 2011)
Language: English ISBN-13: 978-1462036028 $18.95
