Days of Gold: A Novel (Edilean)

A few of the Jude Deveraux books, like ""A Knight in Shining Armor,"are books I read again and again, year after year. She is one of the great romance writers of the time, when she is on her game. In the first fifty pages or so of" Days of Gold," she was on her game. Then things began to fall apart. Once the characters reached the shores of America, and the plot wandered away from the hero and heroine, who do not see each other for four years, I wandered as well. I skipped pages. I wondered why there were new characters. New subplots I did not care about. I wanted to see Angus and Eidelean, not every other character ever introduced. I have never been bored by one of Deveraux's books before. I can only attribute the change in writing style to the pressure that seems to be driving all my favorite writers to distraction these days...deadline pressure. One cannot be rushed to create. It has to flow. When a writer is allowed space and time, the result can be magical, like "The Duchess" or "A Knight in Shining Armor." Please, editors and publishers, let the deadline lapse! We all like a new book, but no one wishes to part with money for books that are pushed through before their time. We are grown ups. We can wait for the writer to finish writing a good book.

You know those books where the first chapter is really the ending of the story and the second chapter is really the beginning of the story? I hate those books! In this case, 'Lavender Morning' is the first book in the series and is the ending of the story, and 'Days of Gold' is the second book in the series and the beginning of the story. I say 'beginning' because it starts with the story of the Original Edilean, the one Joce alluded to writing about in 'Lavender Morning'. I enjoyed 'Lavender' so much I actually bought it, but I'm leaving my money in my wallet with 'Gold'. Check it out from the library instead. I had to overcome my aversion to the 'second-chapter-is-the-beginning' aspect of the book, but once I started to read 'Gold' the story moved along quick enough for me. One thing I'd change: I really wish JD had tied 'Gold' into the characters from 'Lavender'.

I really enjoyed LAVENDER MORNING -- and I mean REALLY enjoyed it -- so I was looking forward to this one. I ran out to get it right away, and I read it quickly -- not unusual for me. But, now I feel that maybe the author is the one who rushed this story. It moved a little too fast, I think. I am not as endeared to these characters as I was to Jocelyn in LAVENDER MORNING. The ending was too abrupt for me. It didn't leave me wanting more. Mostly, it just left me confused. And as I understand it, the next installment won't be about these particular individuals! Oh -and this does not merit the title "historical" romance. There may have been events in the past, but nothing in this book is NOT about history. It is just a romance set in the past. Not a bad thing, but I personally wanted more history.

One of my favorite romance novels, The Heiress, is a Jude Deveraux novel. So when I saw this one at the convenience store, I impulsively picked it up thinking it would be a great beach read because I loved The Heiress so much. I couldn't even finish it--the characters have no depth, the plot is so ridiculously unbelievable (even for a romance novel), and the romance so contrived that I could care less what happened to these people. In fact, I wish I could get my money back! My advice: Do not buy this book--but don't be swayed from Jude Deveraux just yet because she is capable of really great writing. You just won't find evidence of that in this particular work.

This story was nothing above average; standard at best.

The couple's personalities did not match one another not one single bit. The hero was a gigantically stupid oaf while the heroine came across as a ridiculously complaining brat.

The storyline was a bit unrealistic and trite. This story seemed to be rather rushed depicting a boring plot having long and unnecessary subplots and bland characters. Even the supporting characters came across as completely unintelligent and totally bland. They seemed to be very self centered and none the least supporting their lead characters. This book was all over the place with no plot, no suspense and very shallow characters.

I fell in love with the characters and imagery of this book. Scotland is one of my favorite places in the world, so I was thrilled it was the starting point of this book. The characters are strong and the story line is a good one, however, I do agree with some that there really isn't a "good" reason for them to be apart for so long. This book could have easily been a lot longer and I think Edilean was too eager to forgive Angus and I don't think she would have done so as quickly either. There was a lot more that could have happened and didn't and for it is rather predictable. I'm giving this four stars because all of these things are after-thoughts and while I was reading this book, I was completely engrossed!

This book was a Library Club book. I was apprehensive, since I haven't read "romance" novels since I was a teenager. My apprehension was well-founded: the characters are two-dimensional and unbelievable (Edilean shaves Angus, then discovers he is not only "handsome" but "beautiful"); the plots predictable. I could not finish the book (and I read voraciously, 3-6 books a week, I read ANYTHING). I looked up Jude Deveraux on my Kindle and found that Days of Gold has only 3 stars, and many negative reviews. So it's not just me. I found A Knight in Shining Armor and will read that, since a writer of 37 books has to have SOMETHING. But Days of Gold is not it.

Englishwoman Edilean Talbot is young, beautiful, wealthy and privileged. In 1766 Scotland, she should be happy and content with her lot in life. And she would be if not for the terrible fate about to befall her --- marriage to one of two men, both of whom repulse her.

Stuck in the backwoods of Scotland, Edilean is smart enough to know that her greedy uncle and guardian is all too eager to marry her off to one of his cronies. In spite of her dearly departed father's wishes for her to marry a man of her choice, her Uncle Neville plans to take control of her considerable fortune and marry her off to a man who is willing to do as he says. Edilean is simply a convenient means for him to replenish his coffers.

But Edilean has other plans. Not one to be easily thwarted, she springs into action and formulates a plan for her escape. All she can think of is joining James, the man she loves in Glasgow and sailing away to start a new life in America, far from the reach of her wretched uncle. The only problem is that she must put herself and her fortunes in the hands of Angus McTern, a man she despises. Angus is the laird of the clan, which unfortunately is now defunct. While his people are still together and look to him for leadership, their lands are no longer their own and they now work for Englishman Neville Lawler. Ever since Angus's grandfather carelessly gambled with their heritage and lost, the clansmen have been under Neville's rule.

While Angus is impressed with Edilean's beauty, her personality leaves much to be desired in his eyes. When Edilean hires the most scurrilous member of his clan to assist her, Angus steps in and helps himself in spite of his better judgment. As we all know, however, no good deed goes unpunished; in helping Edilean, Angus seals his own fate.

When things go awry with James, Edilean's beloved, she ropes Angus into helping her again. Unable to return to his lands and his clan, Angus sets sail for America posing as Edilean's husband. During the voyage, the two develop a closeness that neither is ready to relinquish when they reach America despite their difference in class. With all the odds against them, will Angus and Edilean be separated by the circumstances in this new and wild land, or will they find a way to rise above all that distances them and find happiness together?

DAYS OF GOLD is an amazingly good read. Angus and Edilean wormed their way into my heart from the first pages, and their growing relationship amused and touched me all the way through the book. There is something about these two characters that make them both memorable and endearing. With this second installment in her Edilean series (which began with LAVENDER MORNING), Jude Deveraux has returned to her roots --- the historical romance. While her books are a pleasure to read no matter what period they are set in, DAYS OF GOLD took me back to a time when romance novels were fun and satisfying, and everyone lived happily ever after.

--- Reviewed by Amie Taylor

The writing is certainly fine, but the story just doesn't hold water. It was pretty unbelievable to this reader, first of all, that there would be posters about Angus as wanted for kidnap and murder up in the town before anyone even knew she was missing.
The whole premise of the book is that Angus had to watch out because he was wanted for kidnap and murder. It would have taken them maybe an hour or two to clear up that she was alive and had left to protect herself and her inheritance of her own free will, thus clearing his name.
Not the worst story I've ever read, but was frustrated by how very flimsy the plot was. I personally don't like books that assume simple problems can't be solved or at least worked out.

When Edilean Talbot leaves England for Scotland in 1766 to live with her uncle, she feels out of place. However, worse she is despondent because rather than take care of her, he is marrying her to one of his odious friends once she turns eighteen so they can use the gold she inherited from her late father.

Although he believes no good deed goes unpunished, Angus McTern agrees to help her escape from her nefarious uncle. Both must flee Scotland as she runs from an unwanted marriage and he from the law accusing him of kidnapping her. He escorts her by pretending to be her husband, across the ocean to the colonies though he also conceals he loves her. However, upon reaching Boston, they separate, but meet soon afterward when mutual friends help Edilean with an adversary.

This historical prequel to Lavender Morning provides readers the background to the founders of Edilean, Virginia, but readers do not need to have read the second tale to enjoy this fun Georgian romance. The story line is fast-paced with a damsel in distress theme enhanced by the hero seeming to always get in trouble when he rescues her. Although the cast is somewhat stereotyped, the plot is refreshed by Angus who cannot prevent himself from rescuing Edilean, which he knows is trouble with the law, her enemies, and his heart.

Harriet Klausner

I thought this book was okay. I felt Edilean was shallow and spoiled. Angus's behavior and actions were frustrating and annoying at times. Many secondary characters and plots, which was confusing at times. I do not think any of the characters were developed. They were just thrown into the story. I was not moved by this book. I read it with no emotions. Did not laugh, did not cry, did not have butterflies in my stomach. I have yet to read a book and be moved they way I am when reading Judith McNaught novels.

Days of Gold, like much of Jude Deveraux's recent work cannot hold a candle to her earlier works. The plot, subplots and characters are insipid and uninspiring. I neither like them nor hate them; they are simply boring. This book seems rushed and choppy and overly politically correct. The sensibilities of the charcaters (where they have them) are 21st century and lacks the old world romance, intrigue and passion of the Jude I used to know. What a waste of money for me and a waste of talent for Jude Deveraux.

Have read this author for years and always looked forward to her books. After living outside of the states where it was hard to get some books; especially romance novels. I have looked forward to catching up on some authors and unfortunately I was very disappointed. Where has the romance gone and what happen to making a story believeable? I finished because the characters were quirky and typical jude so you were drawn in but on the whole the book was hapazard.

I came across this book in our lending library at work. I usually love her work but was very disappointed in this book. I read 200 pages, skimmed 200 pages and finally just gave up altogether. I never developed an attachment to the characters, never got drawn into the story and could not recommend this to anyone.

This book had potential, but the main characters could have been more likable. Edilean was constantly described as breathtakingly beautiful and rich, but for a reader it's not enough to make up for all her self-pity. I kept waiting for her to stop whining, but she still felt sorry for herself even after she started making more decisions for herself and started a successful business. I liked Angus a lot more for his sense of responsibility and caring, but I thought he should have had more self confidence for the laird of a clan. So what if she's beautiful? He should have known that she would be better off with him. I found myself thinking that he would have been better off with Tabitha.

The story was entertaining enough. The characters were sort of stock, plot a little contrived. I realize this is fiction, but it is set in a real historical era. I am surprised that neither Ms. Deveraux or her editors paid the slightest attention to historical detail. For examples: The heroine shoots a rifle at the hero. Certainly muskets were available, but the first rifle was not introduced until the 1860's. Loans of pounds were rather casually given to workers. The British pound would have been valued at about $76.00 in today's money, not chump change in any era. Very distracting.

Very good book. I studied the book flaps of "Days of Gold" and "Lavender Morning" and decided to read this book, "Days of Gold" first, even though it is book #2. It occurs several generations before the first book so I enjoyed reading them in that order very well. If you love Scottish historical romance, this is a goodie!

I loved this book! I grew up reading Jude Deveraux historicals, and when I saw she was writing them again, I couldn't wait to read this one. It did not disappoint. Loved it! Pure charming Deveraux on every page. I love the strength of her heroines and the stubborness of her heroes...it's always great reading.

This book is important to the trilogy. It goes back in time to explain the history of the town and it's descendents. I am usually not one to enjoy historical fiction but, I did like this book. It helps to read the books in order. I love Jude Deveraux' s books because she never disappoints!!!

I agree this wasn't the fastest paced or consuming of the books by JD but I still enjoyed it....Especially the fight - holy cow. The Edileans sure are spunky! The girls are just as fiesty and independent as I expect from JD.

I am looking forward to knowing either about more the family line or about the other girls in the house.

I bought Days of Gold on Thursday, started to read it on Friday night and finished it on Saturday night. I could not put it down! Jude Deveraux has fantastic way of
telling stories so that you are never bored. Just when you think you know what is
going to happen next, she turns the tale and makes it more exciting. I hope there will be a sequel or three.

I loved the first book in the Edilean series, and was looking forward to this one. So, I purchased it and couldn't wait to sit down and get lost in the story. I was still looking for that experience 3/4ths of the way into it. At that point I was just jumping ahead as some of the plot points got completely implausible and irrelevant. I will keep my fingers crossed for the next installment. This one was a complete bust.