MAIDEN'S MISTAKE by Elizabeth Ashtree is an emotional drama that will make you burn the midnight oil to find out what happens in the end. I give it 4 stars and look forward to reading more of Elizabeth Ashtree's work.
In MAIDEN'S MISTAKE, Juliette Markham is sent to live with the Earl of Mercia, a friend of her father's, while her parents are abroad visiting her dying grandfather. Unbeknownst to all, Juliette was found inebriated and in a compromising situation at her home, and after listening to gossip in the Earl of Mercia's house, concludes that she is pregnant.
The Earl of Mercia's life has been plagued by an arsonist, beginning with the death of his father, older brother and little sister in a house fire when he was thirteen. His own efforts to rescue his family from the fire left him scarred and unable to have children. He is attracted to Juliette when she first arrives at his estate, and when she tells him of her situation, he decides to marry her to protect her reputation and ensure the Mercia succession.
The plan goes awry when the newlyweds discover that Juliette was not quite as compromised as she originally thought. The Earl decides to annul the marriage, but Juliette is determined to stay together. In the midst of the romantic drama, the arsonist continues to cause problems.
I enjoyed MAIDEN'S MISTAKE, despite the fact that a couple of the plot twists were predictable and that the book could use another round of editing to deal with some obvious issues. The characters were well-illustrated and easily draw the reader's sympathy. The reader can easily understand the characters' emotional issues.
The romantic development was also realistic in that the passing of time is described. This is no overnight or love at first sight romance, and the characters have to fight for their relationship. The romance itself is appropriate for those 18 years of age and older due to some graphic wording.
MAIDEN'S MISTAKE is a great read and should be on any romance reader's autumn reading list.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10718.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Civilizing Frances (Mad Hatterlys #3) by Marguerite Butler - 4 stars
CIVILIZING FRANCES by Marguerite Butler is the fabulously entertaining third installment of the Mad Hatterlys series. I give it 4 stars and hope the novels keep on coming.
Frances Hatterly, the only daughter in the Mad Hatterly family, escapes from a ball after having her dress ruined by a capuchin monkey, only to end up alone in a room with Oliver James, the Duke of Ainsley, inadvertently compromised. Because it is still early in the Season, the Duke of Ainsley's mother suggests a house party where Frances and Oliver can get acquainted in relatively private surroundings before the engagement is announced.
Ainsley very nearly fell in love with Frances at first sight, that is, until she demonstrated her uncivilized nature by punching her younger brother at a ball. Now having innocently compromised Frances Hatterly, he is convinced they would not suit and seeks an alternative solution. Taking a cue from Prudence Hatterly's playbook, Oliver hopes to marry Frances off to another gentleman at the house party. He never expects to want to marry her himself, but it may be too late for them, as another gentleman has his eyes on Frances as well.
CIVILIZING FRANCES is another stellar novel by Marguerite Butler, with the same hilarity and sweetness as the previous two books in the series. Some of my favorite scenes are set at the house party dinner table. Who hasn't been to dinner with people who don't quite know how to behave themselves in public? It is so painful, it's funny.
The technical aspects of the novel--the pace, character development, editing and romantic development--are well-done as always, and the romance is still appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
As with the first two novels in this series, any historical fiction lover will enjoy CIVILIZING FRANCES immensely. I definitely consider it a reading opportunity not to be missed.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10715.
Frances Hatterly, the only daughter in the Mad Hatterly family, escapes from a ball after having her dress ruined by a capuchin monkey, only to end up alone in a room with Oliver James, the Duke of Ainsley, inadvertently compromised. Because it is still early in the Season, the Duke of Ainsley's mother suggests a house party where Frances and Oliver can get acquainted in relatively private surroundings before the engagement is announced.
Ainsley very nearly fell in love with Frances at first sight, that is, until she demonstrated her uncivilized nature by punching her younger brother at a ball. Now having innocently compromised Frances Hatterly, he is convinced they would not suit and seeks an alternative solution. Taking a cue from Prudence Hatterly's playbook, Oliver hopes to marry Frances off to another gentleman at the house party. He never expects to want to marry her himself, but it may be too late for them, as another gentleman has his eyes on Frances as well.
CIVILIZING FRANCES is another stellar novel by Marguerite Butler, with the same hilarity and sweetness as the previous two books in the series. Some of my favorite scenes are set at the house party dinner table. Who hasn't been to dinner with people who don't quite know how to behave themselves in public? It is so painful, it's funny.
The technical aspects of the novel--the pace, character development, editing and romantic development--are well-done as always, and the romance is still appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
As with the first two novels in this series, any historical fiction lover will enjoy CIVILIZING FRANCES immensely. I definitely consider it a reading opportunity not to be missed.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10715.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Compromising Prudence (Mad Hatterlys #1) by Marguerite Butler - 4 stars
COMPROMISING PRUDENCE by Marguerite Butler is a short and funny story about how one should remember one's name when responding to life's troubles, or alternatively, one should not name thy children after virtues, lest they become ironic names. I give this novella four stars.
In COMPROMISING PRUDENCE, The Honorable Miss Prudence Wemberly has landed herself in a pickle after being found in a kiss with a gentleman. The gentleman agrees to do the honorable thing, but then flees to his family's collective bosom and disavows any obligation to marry Prudence. Prudence disobeys her father and goes to find her missing betrothed, only to be heartbroken by his rejection and the jeers of his friends and family.
Prudence anticipates her father disowning her and decides to seek a position as a courtesan with one of the most illustrious Madams in London, concluding that if one has to be ruined, one might as well enjoy it. While at the brothel, she drinks too much and ends up going home with the marriageable Charles Hatterly.
Charles Hatterly goes to town every year for a month in order to satisfy his father's urgings that he marry. After leaving a private party where no young lady suited his criteria for a wife, Charles runs randomly into an intoxicated Prudence as she awaits an interview with the Madam, and he is almost instantly intrigued. The rest, as they say, is history.
I enjoyed this novella immensely. It was funny, witty and well-written. There was a lesson / reminder for all in being patient, avoiding rash decisions, and acting wisely when faced with life's challenges. The pace of the novella was quick, and the plotline simple.
The romance was believable, even for a novella. There were just enough background and character details to make it so, and no hyperbolic declarations of love to baffle the reader. The romance was also respectfully done, making the content appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
Any historical fiction lover or anyone who has ever had a spat with a parent would enjoy this novella. Take an afternoon to relax with COMPROMISING PRUDENCE; you won't be disappointed.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10714.
In COMPROMISING PRUDENCE, The Honorable Miss Prudence Wemberly has landed herself in a pickle after being found in a kiss with a gentleman. The gentleman agrees to do the honorable thing, but then flees to his family's collective bosom and disavows any obligation to marry Prudence. Prudence disobeys her father and goes to find her missing betrothed, only to be heartbroken by his rejection and the jeers of his friends and family.
Prudence anticipates her father disowning her and decides to seek a position as a courtesan with one of the most illustrious Madams in London, concluding that if one has to be ruined, one might as well enjoy it. While at the brothel, she drinks too much and ends up going home with the marriageable Charles Hatterly.
Charles Hatterly goes to town every year for a month in order to satisfy his father's urgings that he marry. After leaving a private party where no young lady suited his criteria for a wife, Charles runs randomly into an intoxicated Prudence as she awaits an interview with the Madam, and he is almost instantly intrigued. The rest, as they say, is history.
I enjoyed this novella immensely. It was funny, witty and well-written. There was a lesson / reminder for all in being patient, avoiding rash decisions, and acting wisely when faced with life's challenges. The pace of the novella was quick, and the plotline simple.
The romance was believable, even for a novella. There were just enough background and character details to make it so, and no hyperbolic declarations of love to baffle the reader. The romance was also respectfully done, making the content appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
Any historical fiction lover or anyone who has ever had a spat with a parent would enjoy this novella. Take an afternoon to relax with COMPROMISING PRUDENCE; you won't be disappointed.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10714.
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