The Black Rose of Blaby - a mystical mythical romance

Myth, legend - or reality?

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You never know the truth behind author John Morey's romantic novels in his 'Love should never be this hard' series.

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That's what makes them an intriguing read. Many of the locations actually exist - or used to, so they are captured here for austerity.

 

Some of the characters enjoy a life of their own, given that they may be 'composites' of the several people who actually lived. These features add credibility to what are, after all, enjoyable works of fiction. (Here's a real-life example that inspired the story.)

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Readers often comment that they recognize this or that place, or can see someone they may have known in those portrayed. That stems from the reality that Morey did actually live in, or was a regular visitor to, many of the towns and villages, as well as growing up with characters like the ones described.

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Beyond that, however, you will relish in the escapism built into the plot and sub-plots, right to the final page where an unexpected twist or celebration of the tale holds you to the end.

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In The Black Rose of Blaby you will experience once again a rite of passage through the eyes of those who make up the story. This includes capturing for all time some otherwise forgotten historical moments in Leicestershire's rich heritage, settings for all the drama as it unfolds. (BTW - check out Blaby - The Lost Village.)

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Those who grew up in the village may remember these lost locations - like the Tomato Farm and the mysteries it still retains (albeit now buried under a vast housing development), the country lanes that joined each village and were 'sites' for travelling gypsy families, year-in-year-out.

 

And it also poses questions: Did a Dutch rose specialist really create a black rose back in the 1950s?; and where is the spot where the alleged standing stones and dancing maidens were claimed to have appeared?; and were there really queues at the gates to a local farm during the war, just to buy a pound of humble tomatoes?  (I told you this was riveting stuff. Ed.)

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Some aspects will remain unsolved, but one thing is certain - if you enjoy romantic writing with a bit of substance which takes you into a 'make-your-own-mind-up' place about its authenticity, then this series, and this book in particular, will be for you.