Evelyn Richardson

Lady Catherine has scandalized her relatives by insisting on doing something, rather than sitting prettily and enjoying her widowhood. In fact, she has opened a school and is teaching young ladies to think for themselves.

The Marquess of Charlmont has agreed to investigate this school at the request of his latest flirt. It turns out that they are acquainted.

Rather unbelievable romance ensues, dastardly relations try to interfere, but true love conquers all.

Not a favorite, as the heroine is not very believable and both main characters are too modern in their outlooks and relationship. I'm put off when writers of historical fiction try to make their characters behave in a way that is acceptable by today's standards. I can't really recommend this one.… (mehr)

The bulk of this story occurs in Spain and France in the final years of the Peninsular Campaign (1813-1814). Major Lord Mark Adair is a cavalry officer doing reconnaisance work for Wellington and his staff. Sophia Featherstonaugh is the daughter of Lord Harry Featherstonaugh, a hard-drinking, selfish, faithless, reckless, irresponsible cavalry officer who was killed in action at Talaverra. Each of the protagonists have life experience which provide them with excellent arguments against marrying for love, or trusting love.

This beautiful character-driven story allows for a slow evolution of love over months with deepening intimacy. Several poor choices by Adair are offset by his consistency in taking Sophia and her talents seriously. He recognizes her gifts from the beginning, and gives her recognition and acceptance she gets from no one else. Both Adair and Sophia come across as strong, intelligent, caring, honorable people.

I enjoyed reading a story that tells of a love which begins with mutual attraction and unfolds, deepening over time.

Sensuality rating: PG
E-book available from Regencyreads.com… (mehr)

So a librarian (or someone) who never reads romances created a genre list for libraries to have and included this author (though my local library didn't have that particular book, so I took out another one) Well unless this book was vastly misrepresentative, the original list maker was way off the track. This book was both cookie cutter and fundamentally boring. There was no romance, sparkle or passion. It was tedious with cipher characters and nothing interesting or remotely unpredictable happening. You compare this to Loretta Chase's Not Quite a Lady, or Lisa Valdez' Passion (which had a hero who was already engaged, and that was so emotionally wrenching! ) and it falls with a thud.… (mehr)