Modern Twists in an Historical Novel

Readers often ask me which of my novels in the Lizzie Millett Series is my own personal favorite, the one I recommend they read. Often, I surprise them by selecting Francena Hallett’s Heart (2023) because it is by far the least read… so far. Why? Well, it is a novel exploring the emotional life of one character, allowing enough space for Francena to be more fully developed than she was in PROSPECTS, Mining Maine for Riches. Also, as you can see from the following reviews, many readers find that the narrative contains what might be called “a modern twist.”

Fellow author Peggy DeBlois (The Toll Road North) writes that “Francena is a multi-faceted woman who faces challenges akin to the modern age: leaving her home to pursue a career in dress designing, being a steadfast friend to her hapless friend Lottie, and having to choose between two very different suitors.”

Reader Camila Adams on Goodreads says, “Francena's internal tug-of-war between love, ambition, and societal expectations is touching and real.”

Catherine Pafford, also on Goodreads, interprets that twist in a way like my own opinion, when she writes “Robert W. Spencer paints a vivid picture of 19th-century Maine while exploring the timeless challenges women face in carving out their own paths.”

Francena is not the only woman in this novel who carves out her own path. Lizzie and Mary’s relationship is a road not taken by most. Widow Lottie Potter struggles through the tragedy of her miscarriage to restart a happy family life. Even Aphia Stephens, in all her twisted ways, proves that incarceration can’t thwart her revenge.

The roles played by female characters in all three titles of the Lizzie Millett Series between 1881 and 1912 often stretch the expectations of their society. However, if we look honestly at the histories of our ancestors from that same time, strong women were always present. In the upcoming fourth title in my series (coming Spring 2027), Francena continues to grow. Another young woman, Hazel Merle Potter, daughter of miner Clarence Leslie Potter from PROSPECTS, Mining Maine for Riches (2020) shows her strengths and foibles.

If you have read any of the books in the series, PLEASE let me know what you think. Your opinions are important to me, helping me become a better writer. If you have the chance, a short review on Amazon or Goodreads would help other people find my work.