Violet Hayes was barely twenty when her father gave her news that changed her world upside down. Not only was he remarrying, Murderous Maude, but now her father has admitted lying to her by telling her mother was dead. Violet begged her father to tell her the reasons behind his betrayal but for reasons unknown he would not reveal.

Coupled with the knowledge that her mother is alive and lives in Chicago, Violet convinces her father to allow her to visit her grandmother who also lives in Chicago. Violet along with her 3 great- aunts and grandmother all have missions in mind for Violet’s summer visit. Aunt Agnes is determined to find Violet the wealthiest husband which in turn will boost her up the social ladder. Aunt Matt purposes in her heart to make sure Violet understands that women have rights and no longer have to be told what to do by their male counterparts., and Aunt Birdie, bless her heart, just wants to live as if the world hasn’t changed one bit.

Feeling torn and confused most of the time, Violet does her best to manage, social calls, rally’s and undetected trips to places to find her mother. Along the way she encounters and befriends Nelson, a wealthy but down to earth bachelor and Silas, a sleazy elixir salesman. To add to the entourage Herman, her beau from her hometown seeks her out in Chicago expecting to court her. Adding to her stress her father shows up unexpectedly to take her back home but eventually gives her an ultimatum-choose a husband or I will choose for you.

A PROPER PURSUIT, by Lynn Austin was a very fine read. The touches of humor were placed all in the right areas. When reading, I read as if I was twenty, Violets age. I felt the change in her as the book progressed. In the beginning she was naive and full of imagination As the book closed she became bold and a much more sensible young lady The book ended wonderfully and finished with a very pleasant surprise.

Reviewed by Maisha Walker for the ROAD TO ROMANCE

July 7, 2007