Sister Rain’s Note:
The stories I write share the things that make up big parts of my life: Piper, travel, vision loss, US history, my marriage. Recently finishing a book that I really enjoyed, I realized reading should be added to this list. And that I have a platform for book recommendations.
The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage
I have always been intrigued by the British Royals. I was home sick from school the day that Charles and Diana married, and was able to watch all the festivities on TV. With the bride not much older than me, it was not difficult to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance.
My mom and I were at the New Jersey shore for Labor Day when Diana was killed, my husband called us in our hotel room to tell us; we did not have cell phones yet. I watched the funeral and felt terrible for her boys, keeping up with them as they became men, the internet making it quite easy to do so from across the pond.
William and Kate wed when I worked for a UK company. My colleagues in Britain had the day off, we did not. I stayed at home watching until I absolutely had to leave for my commute to the office; I was able to see the obviously happy couple kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace before racing out the door and down the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I love Kate. I am a straight, heterosexual woman who would like nothing more than to bury my face in her hair. Too much? Welcome to Sister Rain.
We all know what happened next: They had children, Harry found Meghan (or did she find him?), the family imploded (again), and on it went.
I have read many biographies about the Royals, watched documentaries, and, of course, The Crown. So when I saw The Heir Apparent online, I was curious. As I always do when I see a book title or a cover that piques my interest, I read its synopsis, deciding to try it.
It is the story of Lexi Villiers, the twin sister of the future King of England. After the death of her father and her brother in the first chapter, you will spend the next year with her as she agonizes over her future.
Will Lexi remain in Australia, where she has created a life for herself as a doctor about to enter the final year of her residency and a woman in love, far away from the palace, castles and royal engagements, or will she return to the life she was born into, with its F’ing complexities: Family and The Firm?
Though it is a work of fiction, you will not miss the many similarities to Queen Elizabeth & Co.
I have never dreamt of being a princess or a queen, but I could not help but to place my size 7 1/2’s in Lexi’s glass slippers. I will not tell you what Lexi, or I, for that matter, chose. But I strongly encourage you to read this book and try the crown on for yourself.
#SisterRain #ALittleSightALotOfHeart #LegallyBlindWriter #HumanInterest #Life #LifeIsGood #LifeStories #Storytelling #BookRecommendation #TheHeirApparent #RebeccaArmitage
