Forever Remain: Roxton Letters Volume Two

Roxton Family Saga, Book 7

By: Lucinda Brant

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

This second volume of previously unpublished letters from the private correspondence of the Roxton family spans a 20-year period, from the 1760s to the late 1780s, and includes extracts from the diaries of Antonia, Duchess of Kinross, and her younger son Lord Henri-Antoine Hesham. Also included are letters by the fifth Duke of Roxton, written in the final stages of his illness, and addressed to his youngest son, Lord Henri-Antoine. The volume concludes with a letter by the latter’s wife, Lady Henri-Antoine Hesham, to her mother-in-law, the Duchess of Kinross, while abroad on her bridal trip. These letters complement the later chronology of the award-winning Roxton Family Saga: Dair Devil, Proud Mary, and Satyr’s Son. With a foreword by a late-Victorian descendant, Alice-Victoria, 10th Duchess of Roxton.

©2018 Lucinda Brant (P)2018 Lucinda Brant

The Roxton's at their best

I always enjoy the dialogue between the characters in the Roxton family. However, what I love about this is we get a chance to see their inner most thoughts which is more genuine in my opinion. I already feel connected to this fictional family but this makes me feel even more connected. I think my favorite correspondence was those penned by the Old Duke' - I love that man! This will endear you to the Roxton's even more. A very delightful read. Lucinda Brant does it again. I hope that we will get more of the letters volume. ♥

Alex Wyndham is, as always narration perfection. He will go down in history as one of the best narrators, hands down. I hope to hear him in more books.

5 stars all around!

Understanding the Roxtons

What did you like about this audiobook?

The narration is "off the chain" pitch perfect. Mr. Wyndham recaptured every voice from the original audible Roxton family series of books. Secondly, Ms. Brant has an acute ability to write material that transcends the norm. The dialogue appeals to the very heart and soul of her readers. The letters and diary entries are personable and you believe, that it would be what they would write, had they actually lived. The characters jump off the page (you'd swear that you know them). I am gripped by very word that is mouthed. I smiled, laughed, cried and felt deeply touched, wishing families could actually be that loving and close.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I already have all of the books and all of the audio series. I am hoping that the author will return to the Roxton family and address stories of the extended family members (other children and grand children).

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Ms. Brant is a delightfully skilled wordsmith. She writes almost poetically during her sagas.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

This is the best narrator I have ever heard. Alex Wyndham was perfect for the era and dialogue.

Do you have any additional comments?

Please keep using Mr. Wyndham as an Audible narrator. He would be excellent for the "Dragon Archives" by Linda K. Hopkins (the present narrators are so awful, I decided not to get the audible versions). He would also be excellent for the first three books in the Legacy of the King's Pirates by M.L. Tyndall. I have the other audible books in that series. Thanks Audible for continuing to provide great listening opportunities.

Awesome conclusion to this series.

I took the advice of a few reviewers and listened to all the books in this amazing series before listening to the last two. I really recommend that you do the same as there are some spoilers. Both Eternally Yours and Forever Remain are just awesome and will fill in all the gaps that you might have wondered about. Alex Wyndham's brilliant narration left me breathless once again. Brilliant! Worth 10 stars all round.

Like a peek behind closed doors.

Forever Remain is just wonderful, It gives you more information that is only hinted at in the novels. You find out about former characters that are off the stage, and if you're like me you have been wondering about. Perfection.

Alex Wyndham is so very easy to listen to. We are so lucky to have the continuity of his, stellar performances through out all of Ms. Brant's books.

Insightful letters

This was an fascinating insight into the private thoughts of the people involved. It gave an added glimpse to their feelings and perceptions of the events described. The letters filled in the background from some of the events that were mentioned in the books. As for the narrator, it was Alex Wyndham at his best, the different voices for the characters were excellent, I had to have a chuckle over the voice he used for the Dowager Countess, I could just imagine her speaking in that supercilious way. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook and would highly recommend it. I would say that ideally you should read the books first, not a hardship I can assure you! I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved this whole series!

This series is excellent! I have read it through twice, including the letters. I only wish that the letters were integrated with the books. But better separate than not at all. Alex Wyndham is an artist! Not only doing awesome men’s and women’s voices, also accents and every man and women has their own cadence, pitch, pace and power. Making each character easy to identify. Wonderful performance! Great family story.

Enjoyed the chance to revisit the Roxtons

Alex Wyndham does a great job staying true to the characters as he had originally performed them in the reading of the series. I enjoyed getting to see (hear) details in “letters” written by the family. The Roxton letters vol 1&2 ties up some loose strings and give the fans some closure. It worked so well because throughout all the original stories there was mention of correspondence which these books share with us. I especially appreciated Evelyn’s letter to Mary.

Don’t forget the tissues

It has been an age since I have had the privilege to read a family saga that brought forth such emotion. (more than Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and rivaling if not better than Diana Gabaldon) LB does not hide from the unpleasant realities of death, betrayal, and human failures we are all witness to in day to day life. Her gift lies within her ability to bring to life, unconditional love and devotion to flawed imaginary beings.
I was hesitant to purchase this audio book, knowing all the while it has letters written on Renard’s death bed to his youngest son, but I am so happy I did. These stories are a treasure and truly makes you feel witness to this magical family. I will admit, I was heartbroken when Antonia lost her husband and could not truly buy into her second marriage until reading these letters. I also better understood reactions within the family saga by peering into the inner most thoughts of several characters portrayed. I do hope LB will write a piece about reuniting the 5th duke with Antonia. I cannot conceive of them being without one another for eternity and attribute my conviction for that outcome on an imagination captured by an author who makes her characters come to life and demands a level of empathy from her reader by captivating an audience with a beautiful story that transcends time. Well done!

Wonderful Letters

Like other reviewers, I recommend reading the entire Roxton series before enjoying both volumes of letters.

And what enjoyment they are! Lucinda Brant has given her characters distinctive modes of expression and Alex Wyndham performs with genius - he somehow retrieves each of the voices and cadences he invented for each person in each book - truly amazing.

The letters and diary entries give depth and further information to the Roxton stories.

I confess I'm still confused about a few of the blood relationships - just a few - how nice it would be to have family trees...but I digress.

Splendidly written and performed- endlessly wonderful.

Revealing what they wrote..

If you read the novels of these letters(and if you did not you should!), you will enjoy listening to this audiobook. Here you will understand the emotions of those who received the letters and why they reacted the way they did. Each letter is wonderful, some will make you sigh, laugh and even make you shed a tear or two. My favorite were the letters of the 5th Duke of Roxton, knowing he was dying and not being there for his youngest son Henri-Antoine. How emotional and loving they were as he pens those letters for the most important time of his young son's life which he will not be alive to share them with.

Lucinda Brant did a wonderful job writing these once again and narrator Alex Wyndham narrating it. Bravo to you both!