Entries Tagged 'Guardian/Ward' ↓
December 15th, 2009 — 1 Star, Book Review, Dukes and Earls, Great Britain, Guardian/Ward, Mistaken Identity, Rogues and Rakehells, S-U, Scarred Hero, Victorian, Virgin Heroine
The cover is fantastic on this book. The color scheme is wonderful with gorgeous yellows, blues, and shades of brown. It was an impulse buy because of it. The back blurb was intriguing. That’s about the last truly good thing I can say about the novel.
The writing made me wince several times. I’m not a reader who will nitpick when it comes to phrases and objects in historicals, simply because outside of reading I don't have a background in the time period. That said, this book is filled with contemporary phrases that read very out of place. It started innocuously enough with ‘what a relief’ and fell apart from there with common curse wordage especially the jarring use of the word fuck.
I had no patience with the hero, Greyden Kane. The Duke of Ryeton is a scarred recluse determined to shun all of society in an effort to stay good. He was the worst sort of rakehell when he was younger and treated women abominably. One so much so she had him attacked. He's very good at getting in his own way and being too obtuse to notice. His change of heart at the end just didn't do it for me and left me vaguely bored.
Rose Danvers is practically a ward under Greyden’s care. When her father died he left her and her mother in a heap of debt and greatly diminished prospects. Rose knows she and her mother must be a burden on Kane but can’t do anything about it. She suspects he has feelings for her but she can’t get him to admit it. Their relationship takes off when she decides to seduce him at the beginning of the novel. I would say she's sheltered and should have no idea about this but she's been stealing her mother's Voluptuous magazine which publishes how-tos and erotica. It didn't seem very believable. Why would her mother have the magazine subscription when she remains in mourning?
Lady Margaret Devane was a virgin until Greyden Kane. She is the one society and Grey think most likely behind the attack, but there isn’t any proof. Is she determined to ruin Rose as she was?
Rating: 1 Star
Buy: When Seducing a Duke
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December 2nd, 2009 — 5 Stars, ARC, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Cross-Dressing Female, Dukes and Earls, Eliza Doolittle, France, Gentry, Georgette Heyer, Great Britain, Guardian/Ward, Kidnapping, Regency, Revenge, Rogues and Rakehells, Travel, Virgin Heroine
For a truly exceptional read, Regency or otherwise, that makes you giddy with glee you need to pick up These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. It’s a delightful story about a cross-dressing female who goes from rags to riches and from unloved to abundantly loved. It’s even a guardian/ward romance! Not to mention the kidnapping sequence and the revenge plot! It’s positively action packed.
The hero is a cross between a dandy-like Corinthian, with his scented handkerchief, heeled shoes, and fan -- and -- the veriest devil of a man with fierce eyes, keen intelligence, and a merciless thirst for revenge. The heroine is a Nonpareil who can sword fight, capture princes with a flutter of eyelashes, and shock matrons with her language!
What really pleased me is the slightly different formatting. There seemed to be much more dialogue in this novel than in others also by Heyer. In addition, every chapter has a little summary-like heading telling you what you’ll find in the upcoming section. It was very nice and a source of amusement with titles such as 'Lady Fanny's Virtue is Outraged' and 'Mr. Marling Allows Himself to be Persuaded.'
One of my absolute favorite parts is a reflection of what’s going on between some side characters:
'I don’t trust him.'
'Why, I think I do for once.' Hugh laughed a little. 'When last I saw Léonie – Léon she was then – it was "Yes, Monseigneur" and "No, Monseigneur." Now it is "Monseigneur, you must do this," and "Monseigneur, I want that!" She twists him round her little finger, and, by Gad, he likes it!'
'Oh, but there’s naught of the lover in his manner, Hugh! You have heard him with her, scolding, correcting.'
'Ay, and I have heard the note in his voice of – faith, of tenderness! This wooing will be no ordinary one, methinks, but there is a bridal in the air.'
'She is twenty years behind him!'
'Do you think it signifies? I would not give Justin a bride his own age. I’d give him a babe who must be cherished and guarded. And I’ll swear he’d guard her well!'
'It must be. I do not know. She looks up to him, Davenant! She worships him!'
'Therein I see his salvation,' Hugh said.
These Old Shades, pg 274
I hardly have the words to describe how awesome that last line is and indeed this whole section. The only thing that could make this story better is more of it! I did not want it to end!
These Old Shades is a must read for Heyer fans and one I would very much recommend for new comers to try first. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: 5 Stars
Buy: These Old Shades
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November 23rd, 2009 — 3 Stars, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Dukes and Earls, Georgette Heyer, Great Britain, Guardian/Ward, Heiress, Regency
Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer is loosely based on the premise of Pride and Prejudice. I would not go so far as to say it's a retelling of the classic tale, but there are elements of this Regency romance that bring to mind the farce that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet went through before getting out of their own way to declare love for one another.
For instance, Lord Worth is the Mr. Darcy character of this little drama. While not despised to the extent of Mr. Darcy by his heroine, Lord Worth is on the brunt end of a lot of negative criticism from his ward Miss Judith Taverner. He can do nothing right and is as cold an aloof in presence as Mr. Darcy appeared to be. His manners and arrogance nettle Judith beyond the telling many times throughout the novel.
So how did Judith and Peregrine get to become Lord Worth's wards?
Their father wrote in his will that they would be placed under the fifth earl of Worth until coming of age. Of course he meant to direct them into the hands of Julian Audley's father, the fourth earl of Worth but confused the matter and bungled it entirely. Julian finds the matter tiresome and can't wait to be rid of them fast enough though maybe not for the first reasons that come to mind. He tells them to stay in the country.
Of course Judith and Peregrine disregard this and the novel starts with them en route to London. They stop overnight in the village of Grantham, where a fight is about to occur. Peregrine is ecstatic and decides they must stay longer in order to see it. Of course the room they wrote ahead to let has been given away because of the crowd swarming the village. Distressed, Judith presses on the innkeeper to make amends. However it is not the innkeeper but a charming stranger that gives up his room for them.
Similarly later that day before the day of the match, Judith and Peregrine are wheeling about the country in search of ruins when they happen upon another carriage speedily racing down the lane in the opposite direction. A near accident occurs, nobody is hurt, but the horses are startled and the stranger driving is unaccountably rude. Both Judith and Peregrine take exception to the man's behavior and write him off as a bad sort indeed.
Shortly thereafter, Judith and Peregrine recognize their estranged cousin as the kind stranger at the inn and formally establish the acquaintance.
Once in London, the siblings look up their guardian and are dismayed to find the nasty aristocrat from Grantham is their keeper.
Add a dash of mystery - who wants Peregrine dead?
Peregrine as heir to the Viscountcy is being attacked left and right. The attacks are not always obvious; they come in many forms upon his person. Sanguine and completely obtuse, Peregrine does not notice them for what they are. Even Judith, usually kept in the dark on some of her brothers less savory ongoings, sees a pattern and admits her qualms to Worth who prevails upon her to keep her suspicions to herself.
The question becomes who will profit most from Peregrine's death. His sister will receive even more money for her dowry, making the current 80,000 pounds seem paltry. But Judith loves her brother enormously, it can't be her. It must be the man who vies for her hand... Julian Audley, Lord Worth, their guardian or Mr. Taverner, their cousin. Each man lays the blame on the others feet, but Judith trusts them both. What's a girl to do?
Locales: primarily London and Brighton.
Real famous people who appeared in the book: Beau Brummell, Prince Regent.
This novel has a sequel in An An Infamous Army
.
Overall I found it focused less on the romance and more on the mystery. I almost wished Brummell was the lead male because he and Judith found teasing and comfortable conversation between themselves on many occasions.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Buy: Regency Buck
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Originally posted 2008-11-24 05:43:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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April 17th, 2009 — 3 Stars, Book Review, Cursed Lead, Dukes and Earls, G-I, Great Britain, Guardian/Ward, Heiress, Regency, Rogues and Rakehells, Virgin Heroine
A Duke to Die For is an amusing romp across land, air, and ballrooms. It combines one randy and obscenely jealous duke, the best kind, and one beautiful, forthright but tragically cursed miss. Match made in heaven – or at least on paper.
It was nice to see an heiress story where the money is not needed at all by the hero. It’s just like a really, really big bonus… and who wouldn’t want that? Very refreshing and many props to Grey for writing it that way.
It all begins when the beautiful and intelligent Miss Henrietta Tweed shows up out of nowhere on the Duke of Blakewell’s doorstep claiming that she is his ward. Blake is flabbergasted and can’t believe that he is now a guardian for anyone let alone a young female of marriageable age. So what does he do? He decides to put her through a London Season in order to marry her off, which while not working perfectly with Henrietta’s plans at least ensures he won’t be affected by the curse that follows her like a plague.
Spoilers follow be wary:
Blake’s opinion on the curse as being complete poppycock is true. I expected the mystery behind the curse would be more than plain dumb luck coupled with a bunch of circumstantial happenings. I kept waiting for a person to be responsible for everything in an attempt to get the Henrietta’s huge inheritance. After all it made sense to me on that level. It would also explain everything and allow Blake to ride to the rescue.
However the non-curse self-fulling curse makes for an interesting twist as it were also. But how does an intelligent girl fall for it? Well, I suppose it isn’t completely unlikely for her to completely hoodwinked if you think about the time period where there are still many elements of lingering superstition. Henrietta was also seven, an impressionable age, when she was first told about the curse by an irrational old ninny who looked like a witch. By the time evidence stacks up, doubt is already firmly entrenched. In time, following the deaths of all of her guardians save Blake, she’s utterly convinced that the witch woman was right and that she is indeed very cursed. It’s a good thing Blake has a plan to show her that she’s not or they’d never be able to establish a happily ever after.
Rating: 3 Stars
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April 15th, 2009 — Author Interviews, G-I, Guardian/Ward
Hi and welcome to another fun and fabulous interview at Love Romance Passion! Today I have the opportunity to introduce readers to Amelia Grey, a multiple award winning romance author. Her latest book is A Duke to Die For
and the subject of this interview.
How do you create the back stories of your characters and create their foibles?
AG: I have a very simple way of creating either back story or present story: I always start each book with the phase "Wouldn't it be wonderful if?" For instance, after I knew that Blake would be a carefree duke who lacked discipline in his life, I said, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if I gave this duke who didn't want any responsibility, a basketful of it in the form a beautiful, tempting ward to safeguard who was organized and disciplined, the kind of young lady he usually seduced, not protected."
Most heroes are flawed by characters such as arrogance or physically by being blind, which is why I thought it was quite endearing to have the Blake be afraid of heights or more specifically balloon flights.
AG: While doing research on balloons for A Duke To Die For, I read where many people actually experience the feeling that they are falling when they go up in a balloon. People have actually crawled out of balloons and plunged to their deaths from this very real fear. Of course, I couldn't let Blake do that! But it does make characters come alive when we give them human faults and fears.
A Duke to Die For reminds me a bit of Georgette Heyer's Regency Buck
with wills directing the heroines into the charge of the son instead of the father. I guess what I am asking is what inspired Blake and Henrietta's tale?
AG: You know I haven't read Regency Buck but I would love to. A Duke To Die For is my first book using the guardian/ward plotline, and I thought it would be fun to give Henrietta several guardians, all who had died, except of course, my hero Blake! I've created heroes as protectors and bodyguards, but I loved the idea of finally writing a book where the hero was also the guardian.
This book is just the first of a trilogy. Can you tell readers more about the upcoming books in Rogues' Dynasty and what to expect?
AG: A Marquis to Marry
October 2009
Based on true events regarding an infamous five-strands of pearls' necklace, A Marquis To Marry is the story of Lord Raceworth, a man determined to find the thief who stole his grandmother's pearls. The trail leads him to Susannah Brookfield who is searching for the pearls as well. She swears the elusive necklace belongs to her family, not his. Intrigue lurks around every corner as they join forces to find the thief. But after a night of unexpected passion, Susannah wonders if the real danger lies with the thief, or in the arms of Lord Raceworth.
An Earl to Enchant April 2010
In An Earl to Enchant, Arianna Sweet has a secret. Her recently deceased father discovered a formula which could be the fabled fountain of youth. But because of suspicious circumstances surrounding her father's death, Arianna is certain whoever killed her father is after her too. For help, she turns to Lord Morgandale, the rake of London Society. After years of living on the edge of London's underground intrigues, Lord Morgandale wants only to accept his title and live a quiet life at his country estate. But once Miss Sweet arrives, the notorious bad boy finds himself in the unaccustomed position of having to keep the enchanting innocent out of harm's way.
What do you find is the hardest aspect in writing a trilogy?
AG: My editor will tell you it's remembering the correct color the characters' eyes! Yes, I do keep a chart with that kind of detail on it, but I get to writing and forget to look at the chart, thinking I know what all the characters look like-I created them. But unfortunately my memory fails me and sometimes grayish-green eyes become brownish-green or dark auburn hair is suddenly light auburn hair.
What is your favorite type of hero to write? Heroine too!
AG: Oh that is a difficult question. I think I probably love them all! I mean who doesn't dream about 'the man from the past who got away, but he's back." And who can resist "the dangerous stranger?" And having just written 'the tempting guardian' I simply can't choose a favorite. And as for heroines I like for mine to be sensible, sensitive and sexy! I do not like what I call the Scarlett O'Hara heroine. By that I mean stories where the heroine pines for a lesser man all through the book and only at the end does she realize she actually loves the hero. For a smart woman, it took Scarlett way too long to get over Ashley!
How do you define love?
AG: Love is living and I love life.
In your opinion, what makes a great written bedroom scene?
AG: I like to know what the heroine and hero are feeling and thinking as they explore, take delight in and revere each other's bodies.
What type of romances do you like to read?
AG: Historicals are my favorites, and I love Westerns almost as much as Regencies. But I read contemporaries and paranormals, too. In fact I read nonfiction, inspirational, absolutely all kinds of books except horror. I just don't like to be frightened!
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
AG: I love to write and I write what I love; romance books. I have an incredible excitement about my work. I look forward to going to the computer each morning and letting my imagination take flight with characters, conflicts, and emotional drama. I feel truly blessed I can do what I love. And the reason I can is because of my readers. Every time someone reads one of my books, I consider they have given me a gift.
Thanks for joining me Amelia! Check out Amelia Grey's website for more information on her published and upcoming books.
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