Welcome back everyone, after a few false starts I finally got here with this review!
I honestly thought going into this that the story would have more emphasis on Duff Taylor and his past. I swear I re-read the blurb when I wasn’t far into the book and it had more emphasis on Duff than when I read it on the back cover of my jacket after finishing. Yet the entire story revolved around Autumn and her relationship with Cyril.
As a romance story, it’s quite good. Autumn goes through quite a journey, has ups and downs, moments when it feels like Cyril and Autumn wouldn’t make it. Which is the typical arc of a romance story so that’s all good. Yet there was nothing about this book that really drew me in and kept me in.
If you’re looking for a book on the side, or maybe you don’t have a lot of time to read some having something you can read a little bit of as and when you have the time, this book is perfect for you.
In terms of the writing, I think the way the dialogue is written is one of the ways I couldn’t fall into the story. My dad was about the same age as Autumn in the same years and yet he doesn’t sound anything like Autumn or any of the other characters.
The dialogue felt really stilted, formal and more like it belonged in the 50s or earlier. Speaking to my dad he doesn’t remember the feel of how people speaking feeling formal back then. But he did admit he doesn’t really remember (granted that was almost 50 years ago) so he’s not 100% sure. Yet, when I think on how a lot of the movies, I’ve seen set in the 60s, 70s and 80s speak, they are all a lot more relaxed than this was written so I’m really not sure.
All I know is that I enjoyed it, I just didn’t love it or feel like I just had to keep reading at any point in time. Even when I knew I had less than 12 pages left.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this review, tomorrow I’ll be reviewing Christmas Kisses on Hollywell Hill by Jackie Ladbury. Continue to read further down to find out about the author and any extra giveaways available.
Author Bio
Top ranking romantic fiction author Rusty Blackwood, who chose her plume de nom by combining the colour of her russet hair with her husband’s great, great, Scottish grandmother’s maiden name, was born in St.Thomas, Ontario, Canada on October 5th, and grew up on her paternal grandfather’s farm in the County of Elgin, located in the south-western portion of the province of Ontario.
She acquired her love of literature while still in elementary school where she entered her original compositions into county fairs, school contests, and whatever venue allowed participants in the writing field. She has carried that love ever since and has put it to use many times since becoming a professional writer in 2001.
From the time of youth she has loved the Arts in their many unique forms, she is a graduate with honors in Interior Decorating & Design. She spent many years on the south-western Ontario stage performing with her family’s country music band: The Midnight Ramblers, followed by the country – rock – blues band: ‘MIRAGE’ as an accomplished vocalist, bassist, and rhythm guitarist. She now resides in the cultural city of St. Catharines, Ontario.
Check out Rusty’s socials on BookBub and the ones below:
5 Replies to “The Perils of Autumn – Rusty Blackwood”
Good morning Anthea;
I wish to thank you for taking part in this Blog Tour. I am a seasoned author with many years and books under my belt and have received poor reviews for work in the past. Good and bad reviews are all part of an author’s plight. However, your ‘review’ of The Perils of Autumn was totally out of context. If you read correctly, you would have seen that the story builds as it goes; this also relates to Duff Taylor, and if you also read correctly, you would have seen this novel is to be followed by a second. I announce this at the end of the book. Obviously you don’t read words well. I also assume your age to be somewhere in the twenties, if not younger, and the dialogue used from the 70’s is very in keeping with the decade, I know, I lived it during my twenties. I cannot speak for your father. I would also like to know how you should receive any monetary compensation should anyone purchase this novel through your Blog. You did not write the book. This novel has received a 5 star rating from Readers Favorite Books, is a 2019 International Book Awards Finalist in Romance, and a 2019 American Book Fest – Best Book Awards Finalist in Romance. I suggest in future, should you read the follow up novel Return to Autumn when it is released, then write me and let me know if you are then satisfied with the juicy details you hope to find out about Duff Taylor which appeared to be all you centered on in this review.
Rusty Blackwood
Hi Rusty,
No author can appeal to all readers, and sometimes what sounds great to a reader and up their alley doesn’t quite translate to that when they read the book. And that’s ok!
I also believe that you need to be nicer to those reviewing your books rather than criticising them. You don’t know what else might be happening in their lives and how that might have impacted their review. In my case (not that you seem to care given your attitude here and on Twitter) I started reading your book while I was on a plane to Vietnam. Got a bit read but then ended up doing no reading for 2 weeks because it was so nice there. Then when I got home it was straight back into full time work and study meaning I had almost no time to read. That meant I had to shuffle prioritie and move several book reviews back because I didn’t have time to finish them. Between starting and finishing your book it took me 2-2.5 months. And I still had a lot of things going on in my head.
Since I wasn’t alive in the 70s I asked my dad who would be a similar age to you. Given your saying you did speak that way then maybe it’s the difference between Australia (where I live by the way) and America. Just because it felt weird to me doesn’t mean it’s wrong. I read plenty of Regency romances and have no issues with the formal language there because I’m expecting it. None of the books I’ve read or movies or TV shows I’ve seen set in the 70s used such formal language so I was surprised and found it hard to engage with. That doesn’t mean your wrong. But telling people prepares them so they won’t have the same problem.
I understand it’s disappointing not to get 5 star reviews all the time. But please don’t make it out as if I’m some immature moron just because I didn’t happen to enjoy your book as much as others have and because in a private digital world I can’t tell who’s computer a request has some from.
Anthea
Dear Anthea;
The reason I came off sounding so derogatory toward you, was the way you worded your review, and the impression I felt you gave to those reading it. Maybe it wasn’t something you cared for in the way in which you expected. Of course, everyone judges and absorbs books differently, depending on their mood, health, and life circumstances at the time of reading, and I am sorry that you have been experiencing personal and or difficult situations, we all do, unfortunately that is life. I now, nor have I ever expected constant applause for my work, nor do I expect 4 or 5 stars with every publication I release, and I do not like be painted as if I do. We have a huge age gap, so it is understandable that we don’t see eye to eye. Maybe if we were to ever meet, we might overcome that. In future, when reviewing an author’s hard work, try and relate to their breath, heartbeat, and soul that has gone into what you are reading; it can truly help you to understand the stories they write. I wish you well in your future endeavors.
Kind Regards,
Rusty
Great review, it’s really clear what you liked and didn’t. Doesn’t seem like the book for me, but books for in between are always nice to have.
The story was good. And it was a great way to finish off my day. I’d read a chapter or two before going to bed each day. Perfect way to unwind