Jacques Murlione has just lost his grandmother, the last living member of his family and the person who raised him and influenced his life the most. His boyhood friend, who also lived with them, has decided to seek greener pastures in London. Haunted by the memories of his true love Amy Barstow, he isnt ready for the changes that the new school teachers family will bring to his life. First, they move into his house, while he moves to the shed, wiping away the last traces of his grandmothers presence. Andrea, the oldest daughter, looks much like his departed Amy, and like Amy, encourages his prodigious talent for music. Just as he thinks that he may be starting to heal, he whispers Amys name after he and Andrea share their first kiss, possibly ruining everything that he has not yet dared to truly hope for. Amadeus Barolini, Andrea's father, has encouraged and sponsored him to play his music at the London Musicfest. Recently, hes turned cold, causing Jacques to wonder if hes discovered the mistake he made with Amy...or something worse. Anyway, does it matter? How can a poor man, used to milking cows and hard work in the 1860's ever hope to rise above his station?

This book has but one flaw...it's too short. Short creates engaging characters that youd like to live with a bit longer. Otherwise, its rather well done. The change in Jacques from boy to man is realistic, and this story of love and music is quite triumphant and charming. Short employs all the things that we want to see in this kind of story, huge, unbeatable odds, a well done background and people that you can genuinely care about, using them to create a story that is very pleasing.
Cindy Lynn Speer
Midwest Book Review

A Gentlemans Tale

J. A. Short