What I Read Last Weekend

What I Read Last Weekend . . .

Regency Christmas Spirits by Nancy Butler, Emma Jensen, Edith Layton, Barbara Metzger, Andrea Pickens

Nancy Butler takes the spirit theme literally in A Merry Wanderer. A mischievous spirit is sent to earth to ensure the safety of a rare and precious book that has the means to destroy the faerey world. His attempts to find the book bring him in contact with the beautiful Julia, Lady of Islay. An impoverished spinster caring for her younger brother, Julia has little time or inclination for preserving the treasures of her father's vault. The mania for rare books and manuscripts led to her father's death and bankrupted the family, so naturally Julia feels animosity towards the vault. At first she dislikes and mistrusts Robin, but when her obnoxious relative comes to call with dire news on Christmas, Robin helps her battle her cousin and maintain the holiday spirit. A wicked villain is trying to destroy the faery realm and Robin has to choose between his love for his home and his growing love for Julia.
I'm not really into the whole paranormal romance thing, but Robin Goodfellow is my favorite sprite so I got over my disinterest quickly. The romance develops nicely from friendship with some sensuality. There's one major kissing scene that I didn't like, otherwise the romance is fine. I liked Robin a lot. He's charming and funny and a bit naughty at times. Julia is harder to like. She's prickly but she's frustrated because she loves her home and her brother and doesn't want to lose it. She learns to relax a bit and let love in. I especially loved the vault. As a special collections librarian, a place like that is a dream come true!

The Wexford Carol by Emma Jensen is another story about an impoverished spinster trying to save her family home. Miss Elizabeth Fitzhollis is working desperately hard to save her family home and the loyal servants still at her disposal. When her horrible cousin brings Yuletide tidings that Hollymore has been sold to a Duke who plans to raze the old manor house, Elizabeth is dismayed. Yet, she refuses to give up. When the new owner's land manager, Lawrence Jones, shows up, Elizabeth is determined to make him see the beauty in the place. Captain Lord Rhys Edward-Jones is just home from many years in the Navy. He can't believe his brother wants him to stay in this crumbling ruin with a sharp-tongued spinster even though that lady has lovely curves. Rhys's nephew tags along and quite enjoys himself. He's determined to bring Christmas spirits to Elizabeth and his uncle. It won't be easy because of their respective prejudices and Rhys's hardened heart, but those closest to them can see what's happening and work hard to ensure there's love under the mistletoe this holiday season.
 The plot is interesting and at times, funny. I loved Elizabeth. She's a very tough heroine and her devotion to her family home is touching, but even I had to admit that it was time to let go. Rhys is an interesting hero if you like the brooding type. I would have liked more of his back story. This story follows The Irish Rogue so there may be more about Rhys in other books. More back story would help me to understand why Rhys has such a hard heart and why he's very unpleasant at first. I liked this story the best of them all.

High Spirits by Edith Layton features a shy heroine, Arabella, who has no interest in the delights of the Season. All she wants to do is go home, but her stepmama won't allow it. Arabella's brother pledges his moral support and offers a bit of Dutch courage to his sister. Soon Arabella is the belle of the ton and all due to the spirits. The hero is sent by his aunt to find out Arabella's intentions towards his younger cousin. He expects a jade and instead finds a sweet, compassionate girl who inspires him to search for a wife. Rupert watches Arabella and discovers that she exhibits a different personality by night than by day. She must be playing a game with him! When he learns of her secret, he's determined to show Arabella what could be in store for her and make her see herself as he sees her.
This story is vaugely Christmas Carol-esque and rather depressing. I'd never read about an alcoholic heroine before and I'm not interested in reading about another one. Of course there's a moral to the story. The moral is very heavy handed and I just didn't like this story. As for the romance, the getting to know you stage is mentioned in passing. There's not much of a romance until the end. I would have liked more early interaction between the hero and heroine. This was my least favorite story in the collection.

The Christmas Curse by Barbara Metzger begins with an ancient curse condemning Sir Olnic and Lady Edryth to a lifetime of wandering the ether unless their heir finds her ladyship's ring and places it on the finger of his beloved. The ghosts can only become corporeal at Yultide and they are determined to make the most of it. When the ghosts frighten the carriage of two elderly ladies, the ladies are forced to stay at Worth Keep. Oliver Nicholson, Baron Worth, has returned to his ancestral home weary and battle scarred (both physically and emotionally). He doesn't believe in ghosts and is not amused that he's been saddled with two houseguests. He needs an unmarried lady to play chaperone and enlists the aid of his late best friend's cousin, the poor widow Amelia Merriot, much to the dismay of her autocratic aunt. Amelia enjoys feeling needed and she comes to know the Baron and fears she's in danger of losing her heart. Nick discovers that he likes the way his household is run with a lady in residence and begins to think of asking Amelia for a marriage of convenience. If the spirits have any say about it, the pair will not be falling in love and do all they can to prevent the match while also trying to coerce Amelia's dog into finding the cursed wedding ring.
This story isn't quite as zany as her usual. The dog only plays a secondary role and it's the ghosts who play comic relief in this story. I did not like the crude, bawdy humor exhibited by the ghosts. I also did not like how the getting to know each other stage was glossed over in summary. With it, the romance would have been more interesting and believable. I liked Amelia a lot. She's a heroine who knows her own mind and isn't afraid of anything. Nick is a brooding hero. His back story adds an extra dimension to this story which I liked. This was my second favorite story.

A Gathering of Gifts is about a spoiled brat appropriately named Emma, who injured herself and ends up on the couch of the new neighbor, Noel Trumbull, the new Lord Kirtland. Though he has a (new) title, he is not rich and Emma is certain to be bored in this modest home. She orders her cousin Charles to visit often to amuse her. Soon Emma is charmed by Noel's sweet nephew and enjoys gossiping about fashion with Noel's recently widowed sister Anne. Helping prepare the cottage for Christmas brings cheer to Emma's convalescence. If only Noel didn't think her a nuisance and despise her. Noel is not happy having such a spoiled girl on his hands. He's determined not to let any member of his household give in to her whims. He finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her beauty and spirited personality but there's no way a grand lady like her could ever come to care for an old soldier like him.
The heroine of this story, like her namesake, is hard to like. She's very much like Gwendolen in Daniel Deronda, but still wealthy. She turns into a watering pot and a stutterer around the hero which I found highly annoying. The romance develops quickly and is partly based on physical attraction. Noel has a brief back story that explains his character. He's kind and considerate but becomes grouchy with Emma. She learns a lesson and becomes more likeable by the end, but I am not truly convinced by the romance. This story is good but not great.

What I Read This Weekend

What I Read This Weekend . . .

Counterfeit Kisses by Sandra Heath -- Regency Romance

Sir Gareth Carew, passing time at his club while awaiting orders for his next government assignment, intently watches a card game between the notorious Duke of Exton and the young Stephen Holland, a youth fresh from the country.  The men are both vying for the favors of Fleur Fitzgerald, who is currently gracing the younger man's bed - for a price. She demands the ruby tiara that has been in the Holland family for centuries, for she believes the tiara belongs to the Fitzgeralds. When a drunk Stephen loses the tiara to the Duke, he's dismayed and worried what his twin sister will think. Gareth helps Stephen home and must put up with verbal abuse from the young man and his sister for his pains. Three years later, a widowed Susannah Holland Leighton is returning to London from her home in Bengal with her Indian servant and pet monkey, Chatterjee. She's determined to find the tiara and get it back before Exton sells it. A chance meeting with Jane, Duchess of Exton, reunites her with Gareth. Susannah is thrilled to be able to enact revenge on both the perpetrators of her brother's destruction. Before she can bring down Carew, however, she must pretend to be his long lost childhood sweetheart, a job which gets easier with every kiss. An invitation to the Duke of Exton's country home provides Susannah with the excuse she needs to retrieve the tiara, but not everything goes as planned and a series of adventures will bring her closer to what she really wants.

I do not know what possessed me to read this book. It must have been the promise of an amusing animal companion. Even with Chatterjee, I really couldn't like this book very much. First, the hero and heroine have no basis for a romance other than physical attraction. She's a lonely widow, I understand why an attractive, fit, male with a whiff of danger would be appealing, but I did not find him an interesting hero. The story is told from the third person omniscient, making it difficult to know what the characters are thinking and feeling without being told. This makes for a difficult time understanding the characters. The secondary romantic pairing are so juvenile and ridiculous that I had a hard time being convinced to believe in them. The plot premise has potential to be a screwball comedy like Georgette Heyer or Barbara Metzger, but for me, it never really got there. It was very silly and unbelievable. In the first place, I gather than gentlemen took cheating at cards as a serious offense, so why didn't Carew say something, especially after the tiara was lost? I am certain he could won a duel easily and he was leaving soon for St. Petersburg anyway so he would have been able to flee the country quickly. Was it that he was worried he would loose his government post if he fought a duel? We don't know. The plot gets crazier and more unbelievable as it goes on. I figured out quickly who the man in the woods was. Yet I couldn't put the book down. I stayed up far too late. I did not even like Chatterjee, whom I found annoying and spoiled. He should have been left free in India where he belongs and never made into a pet. The best part of this novel is the descriptions of life in India and Indian customs. The other best part is the descriptions of the clothes worn. It's obvious the author did research, though I can't say as to whether her description of life in India at the beginning of the 19th century is correct. I would not recommend this story to those who appreciate a well-written, believable story. 

The Irish Rogue by Emma Jensen -- Regency Romance

Ailis O'Neill is perfectly happy living life as a Dublin spinster. She's more at home in the country than in the drawing rooms but Dublin provides her lively mind with something to do. She's passionate about the Irish cause and teaches English to Irish peasants and paints pictures of Irish wildlife. Her dreams are filled with the mysterious romantic An Cu, an Irish Robin Hood figure. When her brother, Eammon, decides to run for parliament, some London gentlemen come calling to consider him. Ailis loathes these pompous, arrogant English Tories and worries they'll turn her brother into one of them. Christor Moore, Lord Clane has returned to Dublin in search of An Cu, but not the real An Cu, an impostor who is making a mess of things and angering the local nobility and gentry. Only Christor knows that he is the true An Cu. He's instantly attracted to the well-endowed, shrewish Ailis. He longs to have her and can't understand her hatred of him. He's never been rejected by a lady before. What can he do to make her his?

This book had great promise but failed to live up to it's potential. I loved the heroine. She is fiercely independent, smart, witty and passionate. I could easily identify with her and I think if I were a 19th century Irish gentry woman, I would be a lot like her. The hero has potential to be great. Like the heroine, he's deeply passionate and caring. He starts to bear his soul to her and I can see why they would love each other, but then the book derails from there. Christor acts like a gorilla around Ailis. He's driven by lust not love and his realization that he is in love comes way too late and too sudden to make up for his lustful urges. The book would have been much much better if the author had been able to develop the romance instead of the physical urgings of her characters. This story is not exactly clean as Christor frequently thinks about what he wants to do with Ailis and there's a make-out scene that has no business being in the book. It doesn't serve to move the story along and can be skipped easily. The plot about An Cu was very interesting. I liked the idea of an Irish Robin Hood a lot and I kept trying to guess who the impostor was. I guessed completely wrong. The reveal was a bit shocking and it was also lacking in a real motive and resolution. The conclusion of the novel feels rushed because too much time was spent on Christor's urges. The mystery kept me interested but not interested enough to devour this book in one night. It took me three nights because I couldn't get over the lack of plot. The secondary characters also have potential to be great but lack any real sort of characterization. Anne is way too an indulgent mother and her children, especially Ailis, do not act within the acceptable bounds of proproiety. I liked the local color of Dublin and the inclusion of the importance of Gaelic into the plot, but the book needs a glossary because I don't speak Gaelic and found many of the phrases impossible to pronounce. I know enough to know the heroine's name is said Aylish and that's about it. 

What I've Read This Week

 What I've Read This Week . . .

Regency Christmas Wishes by Barbara Metzger, Emma Jensen, Sandra Heath, Edith Layton and Carla Kelly -- Regency Romance 

This volume of Regency Christmas-themed novellas includes "The Lucky Coin" by Barbara Metzger, "Following Yonder Star" by Emma Jensen, "The Merry Magpie" by Sandra Heath, "Best Wishes" by Edith Layton and" Let Nothing You Dismay" by Carla Kelly.

In "The Lucky Coin," Sir Adam Standish is down-on-his-luck through no fault of his own. He needs a loan or a miracle to help him save his beloved estate. After confiding his woes to a stranger on the stage, the stranger gives Adam a lucky coin. At first there's nothing very lucky about the coin, but then Adam meets his Christmas Angel, a beautiful young woman who inspires him to protect her from a villain. Then Adam finds that his lucky coin may help him save the estate after all but will it win him his true love? Barbara Metzger is one of my favorite authors in the genre and this story is no exception. It's light, fluffy and improbable but a good read. I especially enjoyed this story and consider it my favorite of the collection.

"Following Yonder Star" is slightly more serious. Eight years ago, Gareth Blackwell, the younger son of an Irish Earl, went off to sea and hasn't returned to Ireland since. Eight years ago, Alice was left with a broken heart when Gareth went away. Now she cares for his family home and looks after her spoiled younger sister, now the Countess of Kilcullen. Gareth returns, reluctantly, after his brother's death, to await the birth of his brother's child. Should the child prove to be a girl, then Gareth is the new Earl, a role which he does not relish. Gareth finds Alice older and less feisty than she was but still beautiful and loving. In helping Alice with her duties, he comes to care for her even more. Alice discovers that Gareth has grown into a solid, caring man and she is determined to show him the value of their home. I liked this story because it feels like a rewrite of Persuasion and a well-done one at that. Gareth and Alice are nicely rounded characters who seem mostly realistic. Alice is a bit saintly, like Anne Eliot, but not in an obnoxious way. The secondary characters are a bit stereotypical but provide the comic relief. If you like more substance in your romance stories and love Persuasion, this is the best pick for you.

"The Merry Magpie" is an even more serious story featuring an estranged married couple.  Sir Charles Neville married his childhood sweetheart while his friends were still busy sowing their wild oats. A slight feeling of jealously led to weakness which led to his taking a mistress. He thought he could hide his misdeed from his beloved wife, but her aunt's pet magpie uncovered the secret and Charles was banished from his wife's family home. Now, six years later, Charles has returned from India more mature and wiser and ready to make amends. He wonders whether he'll be welcome at Marchgrove Park and if his beloved Juliet will take him back. Juliet's scheming aunt and her tipsy magpie interfere sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. This is one of the weaker stories in the collection. I fail to understand Charles's excuse for cheating on his wife. I commend Juliet's actions because usually in Regency stories, the wife is supposed to accept her that her husband has strayed. However, Juliet's reaction is very modern and I'm not sure it's entirely accurate. I felt sorry for her and wished more of the story had been from her point of view. The magpie character is silly and doesn't add much to the plot other than the initial disaster. I neither loved nor hated this story. It just isn't my favorite.

"Best Wishes" is a similar story about a married couple experiencing their first discord. Pamela, Lady Rexford refuses to attend a Christmas house party at the home of her husband's former mistress.  Jonathan wants to introduce Pamela to more people from Society and what better way than to attend a house party, however, Pamela is jealous of her husband's past relationship and has heard a lot of gossip about the hostess and her guests. Pamela wishes to return home to her family for the holidays and resents that Jonathan accepted an invitation without considering her wishes or consulting her. Jonathan doesn't want to visit Pamela's family where he will be an outsider. Finally, the couple decides to compromise and spend half the week with the Fanshawes and half with Pamela's family. When the time comes, neither is as happy as they believe they should be and continuously quarrel and make up. The story is very repetitive and slow moving. I had a hard time getting through this one and consider it my least favorite.


"Let Nothing You Dismay," the final story in the collection, is very unique. Lord Trevor Chase is a London barrister who insists on staying in London for the holiday to take a deposition. His solicitor is loathe to leave Lord Trevor alone but has family to visit. Lord Trevor makes a desperate wish on a star for someone to save him and thus begins the story. The heroine, Miss Cecilia Ambrose was born to unknown parents in Egypt and raised by a family of missionary philanthropists. In England she feels out-of-place and mostly sticks to Miss Dupree's Select Academy for Young Ladies in Bath where she is a teacher. This Christmas, Cecilia has been asked to escort one of her pupils, Lady Lucinda Chase, back to her home. Cecilia wishes to have a chat with Lucy's mother about Lucy's depressed behavior since learning of her older sister's engagement. After that, Cecilia thinks she will return to Bath. However, a family emergency requires Cecilia to stay and help Lord Trevor to care for his nieces and nephews. Cecilia is in awe of Lord Trevor, the famous barrister who takes on sordid cases that make exciting news stories. Cecilia isn't shy about telling Lord Trevor what she thinks of him, and he finds her a refreshing and intriguing companion. A house fire forces the family to move to the Dower House, where it is hoped the children will stop squabbling and mend their ways. Something draws Cecilia and Lord Trevor to confide each others' deepest secrets to each other. Lord Trevor reveals how he came to be the black sheep of his family by representing underprivileged children and the mistake he made in his past that haunts him to this day. As Christmas moves closer, Lord Trevor withdraws from the family and the children elect Cecilia to help draw him out and keep him from his demons. This story is darker and more serious than any of the others but no less romantic. Carla Kelly always creates interesting heroines and Cecilia is no exception. The romance is believable and sweet but there is first the hurdle of past demons to battle and that plot is what really makes the story. The writing is excellent and thought the message is a bit corny, it's not as heavy handed as some other holiday stories in the genre. This is an absolute must-read for fans of more serious, mature romances. 

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Brighton Road by Susan Carroll -- Regency Romance
Gwenda Mary Vickers dreams of a handsome hero who will sweep her off her feet. So far, he hasn't appeared but in the meantime she writes gothic romance novels. When she accidentally overhears the toplofty Lord Ravenel's prosaic marriage proposal and subsequent rejection, she feels sorry for the gentleman and offers her advice to a very unwilling Lord Ravenel. He recognizes her name as being a member of an eccentric family and wants nothing to do with her and gives her a lecture in propriety, which Gwenda accepts cheerfully and Lord Ravenel hopes never to see Gwenda again. Soon he and Gwenda, along with her boot-chewing/cat-chasing dog embark on a wild adventure together and Lord Ravenel discovers what it means to have fun and Gwenda finds the lover she's always dreamed of. This is a great read! Though the writing isn't terribly wonderful and the story lacks the historical details of Georgette Heyer's wildest stories, the madcap adventures of Gwenda make for many laughs and a wonderful romantic adventure!

Knave's Wager by Loretta Chase -- Regency Romance
Lilith Davenant has been in charge of her own life for the past five years since her rakeish husband died. She's lived simply, however, she is responsible for financing the come-outs of her nieces and thanks to some bad investments, is in need of money. She decides to accept Thomas Bexley. She doesn't live him, but she needs the money and Bexley will make a comfortable husband. On the road to London with her niece, Cecily, they rescue a victim of a carriage accident who turns out to be the Marquess of Brandon, the man whom Lilith believes ruined her husband. She refuses to see or acknowledge Brandon except through her man of business. The Marquess won't accept her refusal because he has made a wager with a lady of the demimonde that the Marquess can seduce the seemingly icy Lilith in exchange for the promise that the lady will give up all ideas of marriage to the Marquess's younger cousin. Meanwhile, Lilith's beautiful, outspoken young niece makes her impresses on Brandon's cousin. The book jacket promises the reader will fall in love with the hero before the heroine does, but this was not the case with me. I didn't even find him likable, nor Lilith either. The Marquess acted despicably through most of the book and Lilith responded to his flirtations though she was engaged to another man. The only character I really liked was Cecily because she spoke the truth even when it wasn't polite and she knew what she wanted and didn't stoop to any of the usual tricks to make a man fall in love with her. The book dragged on for the first 3/4 of the story and then I found myself more interested in Cecily and Robert than Lilith and Julian. This is not one I'm likely to read again or recommend.

The Impetuous Twin by Irene Saunders -- Regency Romance
Lady Georgina Forsythe can ride better and faster than her twin brother and prefers wearing his old clothes to gowns and getting her brother into scrapes. When their guardian, Lord Meridith, decides to buy William a pair of colors and a position in his regiment on the Continent, Georgina proposes she tag along as William's manservant in order to escape their cruel grandmother and poor estate. William reluctantly agrees and the twins head off to Portugal, where Gina is befriended by a Gypsy woman who sees through her disguise and persuades Gina to dress as a Gypsy camp follower. Unfortunately for Georgina, when it is discovered that William is living with a camp follower, Georgina's disguise gets her into trouble and makes Lord Meredith extremely angry. When he discovers who Gina really is, he sends her packing off to a lady friend in Lisbon where Georgina learns to act and dress like a lady. Then Lord Meredith decides to send Georgina back to England to stay with his mother for a time while he investigates the management of William's estates. While visiting the dowager Lady Meredith, Georgina builds family ties with Lord Meredith's mother, eldest niece, and young daughter. Lady Meredith decides to sponsor Gina's come-out and during the Season, Gina learns about family, danger and true love. I found Georgina very appealing as a heroine in a novel. She was spunky and smart; willing to learn but still be true to herself. I had problems with Lord Meredith and his temper and the romance seemed to kind of just happen and it was rather odd given the relationship between the two characters. There were also too many subplots that didn't appear until halfway through or more and then were wrapped up in the last few pages with very little action. I did like this book but I wouldn't choose it as one of my top favorites.

A Grand Design by Emma Jensen -- Regency Romance
Tall, redhaired and positively ancient at 26, Cate Buchanan does not dream of romance but of architecture! Living with her younger sister and two eccentric, artistic uncles, Cate has a plan to bring the family some money and all her sister the dream of marriage and her uncles the freedom to pursue their art, she has started an architectural firm with her uncles as the front for her unladylike occupation. Buchanan & Buchanan have been hired to renovate the home of the Marquess of Tregaraon, who has returned to London from eight years of self-imposed exile in Wales after a tragedy that has condemned him in the eyes of society forever. Cate tries to hide her true role in the business and avoid the man who once nearly seduced her. Cate's carefully laid plans start to crumble as the Marquess takes more and more interest in the renovations and seems to always be on hand to rescue her from the wicked man who once tried to seduce her. The Marquess seems drawn to Cate and she to him but someone is sending him mysterious messages that may ruin everything. The plot doesn't follow the traditional model very much and the backstories of the characters are revealed slowly over the course of the story, which I really liked. I have since discovered that this book is part of a series of novels featuring the same characters, so some of the backstory may have been revealed in a previous novel. This one stands well on it's own and is very well-written. The architectural theme makes it a bit different and provides some new historical details. I wasn't crazy about the Marquess, though he gets bonus points for having an adorable Corgi. The epilogue reveals the "what happens next" in a rather hurried manner leaving the reader to wonder how the problem of women's role in society was resolved or whether Cate doesn't care, not being one to focus on gossip. If you're looking for something different and like brooding gentlemen and heroines who dare to be different, pick this one up!