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It’s Such Great Escapism
Maids of Maddington: Welcome To The Madhouse follows two women from the servant class, one on trial for loving a noble, the other her friend and defender. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
As a reader, I always like to be transported to another time and place. It’s such great escapism. I deliberated on many different eras in history before finally deciding on Victorian times. And choosing to write about women of the servant class provides so many possible scenarios!
Eliza shows a lot of character and dedication to those she deems her friends. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Along with many people of her class in the Victorian era, Eliza had a tough life. As the eldest child in her family, she was forced to take on a lot of responsibility, but never once questioned this. She had an innate sense of duty and felt obliged to help others—a common trait amongst women, no matter what century they were born in!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I did a lot of research on the Victorian era, and was horrified to discover how working-class people in the big cities lived. Many of them didn’t even know where their next meal was coming from. So, poverty and the living conditions of the poor were a big focus for me, along with the abysmal working conditions of servants at that time.
What can readers expect in book two of the Maids of Maddington, and when will it be available?
In Book 2, the reader will be thrust forward seven years to 1905. Many of the same characters will appear, with some interesting new additions. Some of the themes will include the Suffragette movement and the London underworld.
It should be available in August, 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
When young Eliza first joins Maddington House, known locally as ‘The Madhouse,’ as an under housemaid in 1895, she finds herself alone in the world of the rich and privileged.
A world where everyone takes what they want and no one takes responsibility…
Enter Annie.
Kind, pretty, vivacious Annie. The housemaid everyone loves to be around. Eliza’s new friend and close confidante.
Annie’s beautiful aura and charming spirit are hard to resist, so it doesn’t come as a surprise when Edward Montague takes notice.
Edward, the only son of the house, is handsome, charismatic, and manipulative, but Annie doesn’t seem to see him for who he really is. Charmed by his relentless pursuit and bold promises, she falls in love with him hard…
Only to crash even harder.
Eliza knew right from the start that their secret meetings and love confessions would not end well, but she never expected her friend to end up on trial because of that man.
As hidden secrets, back-door deals, and scandalous love affairs unfold before the shocked circle of high society and her friend is accused of a horrible crime, Eliza must do what she knows is right: stand by Annie even if no one else is willing to.
After all, her friend is innocent.
It’s someone else that should be put on trial.
Welcome to the Madhouse
Stories about grand houses with lots of servants are a staple in historical fiction. A lot of the time, the house and servants are a backdrop for the story. Author Valerie Anne Hudson’s Maids of Maddington: Welcome To The Madhouse is a twist on that kind of story. Yes, it takes place in the home of a fabulously wealthy family. However, the story is very light on the “upstairs” part of the drama. Instead of focusing on fashionable upstairs intrigue, this story is told entirely by a housemaid.
Our narrator, Eliza, is a young woman who comes from grinding poverty. She works as a servant in the homes of wealthier people as a means to support herself, her mother, and her siblings. She is good-natured and dutiful. Eliza has no flaws to speak of. The story kicks off when Eliza starts working in the eponymous Madhouse’s Montague household. She finds a true friend, only to nearly lose her in a classic morality tale.
On the first page, the reader is immediately flung, in medias res, into the hubbub surrounding a high-profile murder trial. But, while a crime was committed, there is a long buildup. Hudson takes readers on that journey, seen through Eliza’s eyes, which builds the suspense. Eliza’s character is one that you grow fond of as she is courageous and kind, and you follow her on her journey as she struggles to take care of her family. Eliza and Annie form a beautiful relationship, and the drama that surrounds them makes this one read that is hard to put down.
Welcome To The Madhouse is an entertaining and engrossing story. The reader gets to see the ugly side of life in the Victorian era is at the heart of the tale, and Hudson effectively uses the contrast between the elegant lives of the Montagues and the difficult lives of Eliza’s family. This cozy little story is definitely worth reading, and I look forward to reading more books in the series.
Pages: 195 | ASIN : B09ZK9RB7P
Runaway Princess
![Runaway Princess by [Valerie Anne Hudson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Cw2VNdJAS.jpg)
Runaway Princess, by Valerie Anne Hudson, is a story about Princess Louise-Marie who feels trapped in the Royal Palace of Limolou. After a botched runaway attempt when she was nine, Louise quietly accepts being stuck in the palace. This attempt opened her eyes to the plight of the commoners. Louise learns as much as she can from her tutor. It’s not until she’s seventeen and being forced to marry an abusive Duke that Louise finally takes action again.
This riveting historical fantasy is written in the first person point of view which enables readers to be pulled into this story from the start and I was able to really connect with Louise’s character.
We don’t meet Louise until she’s nine years old. Author Valerie Anne Hudson speeds us through the years until shortly before her seventeenth birthday. With the first person point of view, we get to see and feel what Louise does, which is important in this emotionally resonant story coming-of-age story. It means that we don’t get the intrigue of the palace. I find that I’m glad that Hudson didn’t focus on that. She focused on Louise’s story, her growth, and what needed to be done for the people.
While I heartily enjoyed this effervescent historical novel, especially the beginning I felt like the ending was a bit rushed, as I felt that she was able to fix the problems of the commoners rather quickly.
Runaway Princess is an enchanting historical fiction novel in the depths of the tumultuous French Revolution. This is a vibrant story that takes readers on a subtle but deep exploration of a character that never ceases to be intriguing.
Pages: 133 | ASIN: B0981FXW22
Mariposa Mysteries
Watch What You Wish For follows a group of friends who accidentally unleash the evil powers within an ancient Wishing Tree. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Many people are dissatisfied with some aspects of their lives, and never more so when they are teenagers. I was originally going to have the characters make their wishes at a wishing well, but then I decided that a wishing tree could be a lot more dramatic!
Sophie is an interesting and well defined character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Sophie’s a bit of a follower, tending to be easily influenced by those around her. Had she ended up hanging out with the wrong crowd after her move to Mariposa, she could have ended up in trouble again. But through pure good luck, she ended up befriending a couple of really good kids who showed her the meaning of kindness and true friendship.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The theme of friendship was the most important one. I’m always amazed by the extent to which friends can affect a person’s life choices.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
‘Watch What You Wish For’ is now the first book in the trilogy entitled ‘Mariposa Mysteries.’ I’m currently working on a YA novel that will probably be available in late March.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Book One of the new Mariposa Mystery Series.
Watch What You Wish For
![Watch What You Wish For: After all, wishes aren't always just about fairy tales... (Mariposa Mysteries Book 1) by [Valerie Anne Hudson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xtSyR3cjL.jpg)
Watch What You Wish For is a middle-grade story following a girl named Sophie and a tree with magical powers, infamous for being evil. I absolutely enjoyed this rousing adventure story! Although the characters are in seventh grade their age did not take away from the story’s depth; I was entertained from beginning to end.
I personally loved the character of Sophie, she’s troubled and easily influenced because she wants to be liked and she yearns for companionship–all of that made her relatable and realistic. Sure, this book has a clear morality lesson: be careful what you wish for, because you never know the outcome, but the story goes beyond the conceptual with a mystical narrative filled with expressive characters. The reader witnesses Sophie’s character slowly develop throughout the story. She has made bad decisions in the past, influenced by someone she thought was her friend and we are able to see her take accountability for her actions by the end of the story, and it is satisfying to see.
Author Valerie Anne Hudson does a wonderful job in portraying different types of friendships and relationships that Sophie has had that lead up to the beginning of the story. The refreshing writing style definitely compliments this creative story as each chapter leads up to and hints at what is to come in some entertaining ways. I am even more intrigued by how the story ended, wrapped up quite nicely but with potential for a must-read sequel. I would love to see the story behind Merle and his magic tricks.
Watch What You Wish For is a fast paced coming of age adventure novel that infuses magic and adventure into the story in inventive and captivating ways. This is the type of story I loved when I was younger. With some unforgettable scenes, inspired characters, and a fun storyline, this book will entertain anyone.
Pages: 80 | ASIN: B08SHTH5J7
LITERARY TITAN 