It seems a perfect backdrop for what Violet Hayes longs to experience: a little mystery, a little romance.
To be honest, it is more than a little mystery. She schemed her way to Chicago to discover the mother she barely remembered. As for romance--well, with the help of her grandmother and three great aunts, that is coming along nicely as well--perhaps too well. Each of her relatives--including her saintly grandmother--seems to have a separate agenda for her.
In the course of a summer, Violet's world will open wide before her eyes. But in the wake of discovery, she must find a way to determine which path--and which man--will ultimately be the right lifetime choice for her.
A Christy Award Winner
Reviews
"When young Violet Hayes hears that her father plans to marry the ghastly widow Maude O'Neill, she sets off for Chicago in 1893 under the guise of visiting the World's Fair, but Violet's real purpose is to find her mother, who had divorced her father years ago, and to prevent her father's ridiculous marriage. A three-time Christy Award winner (
Fire by Night, Candle in the Darkness, Hidden Places) and one of the genre's best historical fiction novelists, Austin delivers another agreeable saga that draws on America's rich, turbulent history and features distinctive characters. This sure winner will please readers who enjoy high-spirited, adventurous heroines and vivid details of bygone eras. Highly recommended. Austin lives in Chicago." --
Library Journal
"In this new historical novel by a most talented author, Austin works her magic to captivate her readers' attention without burdening with overdone details." --Romantic Times Book Club (Sept. 07)
"A Proper Pursuit, by Lynn Austin was a very fine read. The touches of humor were placed all in the right areas. When reading, I read as if I was twenty, Violet's age. I felt the change in her as the book progressed. In the beginning she was naive and full of imagination As the book closed she became bold and a much more sensible young lady The book ended wonderfully and finished with a very pleasant surprise." --Maisha Walker, roadtoromance.ca
"A Proper Pursuit is a book that slips down easily. But along the way I realized it had raised questions and issues far weightier than I expected to find while hanging out with such a coquettish and lively heroine. Fans of romantic comedy and Americana will want to add A Proper Pursuit to their collections." --Violet Nesdoly, blogcritics.org
