What I've Read This Week

What I Read Last Week . . .

A Gypsy At Almack's by Chloe Chesire -- Regency Romance
Lucy St-Clair is not a typical Regency miss. She's 21, stout with a big bossom, bookish and enjoys discussing things young ladies shouldn't be interested in or know about. Three Seasons ago she came to London to stay with her godmamma to be brought out but did not succeed in finding a husband. Now her parents want her to come home so they can send her younger sisters to be brought out. In one last attempt to find Lucy a husband, her godmamma, Tabitha, asks her dissipated, confirmed bachelor brother Ernest, Lord Rune to attend some of the events of the Season in order to bring Lucy into fashion. When Lucy discovers the plan she is angry and decides to make Lord Rune dislike her. She nearly succeeds until she opens her mouth to sing and then he becomes interested in her remarkable talent and she falls madly in love with him. The more time they spend together, the more Lord Rune enjoys their discussions and Lucy's frank openness but he's certain he's not interested in her. Ernest's notice of Lucy succeeds a little too well for his taste and his pride nearly prevents the happy ending Lucy dreams of. I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I could really relate to Lucy. I think the author must have had me in mind when describing Lucy! Lucy is a refreshing change from simpering misses and hoydenish heroines. She is who she is and nothing is going to change that. Lord Rune at first does not seem like the idea hero but he and Lucy get along well together and I think they're perfect for each other. I highly recommend this book for those who prefer story over romance.

The Beauty's Daughter by Monette Cummings -- Regency Romance
The beautiful and charming Lady Alice has a court of admirers in London where she lives the life of a young widow by pretending to be 31 years old. Lady Alice is really closer to 40 and she has a 22 year old daughter who Lady Alice would prefer didn't exist and shows no love for. Priscilla Holladay was sent away to school at the age of 8 after the death of her beloved father and stayed on as a teacher until ill health forced the kind headmistress to close the school forever. Priscilla joins her mother in London, hoping that absence made her mother's heart grow fonder. However, she discovers that far from wanting her, Lady Alice wants to ship Priscilla off to a dreaded great-aunt in the country forever! Instead, Lady Alice discovers she can put Priscilla's education to good use and "employ" Priscilla as her secretary. She also puts Priscilla to work doing menial tasks for free. Priscilla's life changes forever during a brief meeting with one of her mother's beaux, a Mr. Sean O'Rourke, who kindly chats with Priscilla about farming. Though Priscilla lost her heart, she knows her mother is fond of Mr. O'Rourke and Priscilla believes he will marry Lady Alice so Priscilla endeavors to stay out of the way. A fateful houseparty in the country brings Priscilla to notice in an unexpected and not very pleasant way. Finally, Priscilla takes control of her own destiny and finally learns what it means to have somebody love her. The plot is very slow moving and nothing much really happens. There's very little chemistry between the romantic leads and Priscilla is very innocent and sheltered. Lady Alice is the true villain of the story and she's so dreadful, it's hard to feel sorry for her when things don't go her way. I wasn't crazy about this book and wouldn't recommend it.


The Wind Blows Free by Loula Grace Eardman -- Middle Grades/Family Historical Fiction
First published in 1957, this is the story of the pioneering Pierce family who move from East Texas to the Texas Panhandle in the 1890s where Mr. Pierce has taken a homestead and begun farming. Fourteen-year-old Melinda is reluctant to leave her family and friends behind in the city. She is promised that in a year and a half she can return to her grandmother in East Texas to attend the young ladies' academy where her mother went. Life in the Panhandle is difficult. Their nearest neighbors are a dirty, unkempt, illiterate family whom Melinda is reluctant to associate with. She'd rather associate with the proper Kennedys, especially teenage nephew Dennis who loves to read as much as she does. Melinda soon learns to appreciate the wide open country and blowing wind and to enjoy the company of her neighbors. When the time comes to return home, Melinda must make a difficult decision. This is a great story for families! It reminded me a lot of the Little House series and deals with many of the same issues. The tone is a little preachy at points but overall, the story is well-written and worth a read for those who have devoured all of the Little House books a million times!

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street (audio) by Jeanne Birdsall -- Middle Grades Fiction

The Penderwicks are back in this amusing sequel. Their father's sister arrives bringing presents and a letter for Daddy from Mommy written before Mommy's death. In her letter, Mommy urges Daddy to date again. This news sisters the Penderwick sisters into a tailspin. Dreading a stepmother, they come up with operation Save Daddy to turn him off dating forever. Their plan almost succeeds, but who is the mysterious Marianne Dashwood their Daddy continues to date without introducing her to his family? Meanwhile, the sisters befriend the new neighbor next door, a young widow and mother of a toddler who is a professor at the same university as Mr. Penderwick. Each of the sisters also has her own worries and adventures before the story reaches its' predictable conclusion. I enjoyed listening to this book a lot. The narrator pitches her voice differently for each character and is especially effective as the male characters and young Batty. The adventures of the Penderwicks were a little sad but mostly funny. I liked this one much more than the first and especially loved the literary references.