Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of SAVING MISS EVERLY, an Inglewood novel by Sally Britton

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that by publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of SAVING MISS EVERLY, an Inglewood novel by Sally Britton, published November 3, 2019.

Blurb for SAVING MISS EVERLY:

Pretending she's her twin gets complicated when Hope is shipwrecked with a handsome castaway. When rescue comes, will she risk her heart to confess the truth or will they part forever?

Pretending to be her sister, Hope Everly finds an adventure at last. The Caribbean's warm waters and tropical islands fulfill nearly all her dreams. When an excursion to visit another island with a naturalist expedition is interrupted by a storm, Hope is stranded on a desert island where she and her fellow castaways are dependent on a handsome stranger for their survival.

Alejandro Córdoba, trapped and alone on the island long enough to give up all dreams of rescue, knows nothing of what has become of his war-torn homeland or his family. When he finds the beautiful Miss Everly washed up on the shore, along with her companions, he does not know if their arrival is a blessing or a curse.

Hope's behavior, acting one way with Alejandro and another with her friends, further confuses things when they begin to fall in love. If rescue ever comes, will telling Alejandro the truth mean losing him forever?

This is the third book in the Inglewood series and can be read as a stand alone. A Sweet Regency Romance.

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Connie’s Review:

Hope Everly and her friend, Miss Irene Carlbury, are traveling with Irene’s parents and brother to London where they will board a ship to sail to the Caribbean. Hope is to act as companion to Irene during the journey. However, Hope is actually Grace impersonating her twin sister Hope. It turns out that Grace’s father had forbade her to take the trip because she had recklessly caused a carriage accident. Her father said that Hope may go instead. Hope is a homebody and does not want to travel but Grace wants so much to do so. Therefore, the sisters dream up this switch. Grace hopes she is able to sail before her father finds out the truth. One deterrent of the trip is that Irene’s odious brother appears to be determined to propose to “Hope” during the trip.

Hope and a group of people get on a boat to head to an island to check out the plants. But a storm comes up and Hope is washed overboard.

Alejandro is on a deserted island and using his wits to stay alive. When Hope washes ashore, he is happy to save her and help her adjust to life on the island. But soon, the rest of the people on the boat with Hope arrive and Alejandro is faced with finding a way to feed them and cater to their arrogant ways. Many of them remain helpless but Hope is eager to learn which gains Alejandro’s admiration. However, many of the others still think they are bound by the laws of society and just cannot grasp that they have to work to feed themselves.

Before long Hope and Alejandro find themselves attracted to one another, but there is always the odious brother of Irene who thinks Hope belongs to him. Will these people survive and will they be rescued?

A very interesting and intricately written story of survival on a deserted island and all that is involved in finding food and shelter. As always, Sally Britton writes a delightful and compelling novel.

I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

SAVING MISS EVERLY, an Inglewood novel by Sally Britton, Blue Water Books, available now in ebook and print at Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. 

Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of THE TRUTH ABOUT MISS ASHBOURNE by Joanna Barker

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of THE TRUTH ABOUT MISS ASHBOURNE by Joanna Barker, published November 1, 2018.

Blurb for THE TRUTH ABOUT MISS ASHBOURNE:

Governess Juliana Ashbourne has dreams reaching far beyond the confines of her current position, hoping to someday establish her own school for girls. When she inherits a fortune from her late grandfather, she is shocked to learn that "someday" may soon be within reach. However, there is one condition: she must spend a month at the estate of Havenfield--with the very family who disowned her mother. Intent on securing the money she needs to start her school, Juliana accepts the invitation, vowing to guard her heart against those who shunned her all her life.

But Havenfield is far from what she expects. She discovers a grandmother seeking forgiveness, a cold and disapproving aunt, and a painfully shy cousin. And then there is Mr. William Rowley. Though the heir to the estate is a merciless tease, Juliana finds in him a friend and confidant--and perhaps something more. As she struggles to make sense of her new place in the world, her stubborn independence clashes with a yearning to belong and the even more confusing desires of her heart.

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Connie’s Review:

Miss Juliana Ashbourne, age 19, is governess to Charlotte and Daniel Seymour in London. Mrs. Seymour is berating Juliana for taking the children to the park for a fun, but educational, day. Irritated at the woman’s scolding, Juliana wishes she had enough money saved to open her own school which is her dream.

Juliana receives a letter from a solicitor requesting her to visit him regarding a sensitive matter. She learns that her maternal grandfather, Sir Charles Rowley, has recently passed away and she was left 10,000 pounds. With no male issue, the estate itself passed to a cousin, William Rowley. He is a wealthy man in his own right as he also owns a shipping business. However, Juliana’s inheritance comes with a condition: she must spend one month at the family estate of Havenfield. Her grandmother and aunt live there. When Juliana’s mother, Katherine, married her father did not like her choice of husband so he disowned her. But her parents had a wonderful married life and were content and now they have passed away. The solicitor gives Juliana a letter from her grandmother begging her to go to Havenfield and she agrees.

The place is lovely and her grandmother is so happy to see her. William Rowley is welcoming as well. He is attracted to Juliana and is amused by her tendency to say what she thinks. He enjoys teasing her because he recognizes her stubbornness and hurt from her mother’s family that had abandoned their own daughter. She wants to forgive and is trying to do so.

As she is introduced to the neighbors, she finds some people welcoming and others who look down on her because she was a governess. Juliana is proud and stands up for herself. The attraction between Juliana and William continues to grow and blossom. At the end of her month at Havenfield, will she decide to perhaps stay or leave and return to London?

This is a clever and clean rags to riches love story complete with the perfect hero. Totally swoon-worthy romance. I really liked the hero but got a bit frustrated at times with the heroine’s stubborn ways. But in the end, this is a good one.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MISS ASHBOURNE by Joanna Barker, Covenant Communications, available now ebook, print, and audio at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Unwrapping: Review of SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale

Having read all of the Writing Girl series by Maya Rodale, I knew that as soon as an eARC of SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY was available that I just had to read this final book of the series. I also wanted to get a jump on it so that could bring you an interview with the lovely authoress herself, Maya Rodale - stay tuned for that on Wacky Wednesday's Halloween addition - she'll be visiting and we've got some great prizes to give away. But until then hold on to your breeches and enjoy what I have to say about this best book of the series and how 'bout that cover? *smiling*

***eARC provided by publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY:

He’s the only man she’s ever loved…

For ages it seems advice columnist Annabelle Swift has loved Derek Knightly, editor-owner of The London Weekly from a distance. Determined to finally attract her employer’s attention, she seeks advice from her loyal readers—who offer Annabelle myriad suggestions…from lower-cut bodices (success!) and sultry gazes (disaster!) to a surprise midnight rendezvous (wicked!).

She’s the only woman he never noticed…

Derek never really took note of his shy, wallflower lady writer. But suddenly she’s exquisite…and he can’t get Annabelle out of his mind! She must be pursuing someone, but who? For some inexplicable reason, the thought of her with another man makes Knightly insanely jealous.

Will Dear Annabelle find her happy ending?

But Knightly’s scandalous periodical has been targeted for destruction by a vengeful Lord Marsden, and the beleaguered editor now faces a devastating choice: either marry Marsden’s sister to save his beloved newspaper…or follow his heart and wed his Writing Girl.

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Annabelle Swift has been working for Derek Knightly at the London Weekly for years and in love with him just as long. Having watched her dear friends, and fellow Writing Girls, find and fall in love with their prince charmings, Annabelle is tired of dispensing advice to the masses and decides to turn the tables. As Dear Annabelle, her column usually gives advice on how to get stains out or such but when she asks the people of London for advice on how to get a man to notice her, the column becomes the talk of the Town and the ton.

 

Derek Knightly has made a name for himself and is revered in the publishing world. He's built a fortune and has many friends and more than one woman who wouldn't mind turning his head but he's only got one goal to which he truly aspires. He wants to marry someone who would place him in the position where his half-brother would finally recognize him as a gentleman and an equal. The only way he sees this happening is by marrying the right woman. A woman who would provide him the place in the ton he needs to be recognized by his half-brother. He believes he's found her, but at what cost?

 

Threatened with the destruction of his newspaper and everything he's built up, Derek must marry the vengeful Lord Marsden's sister or watch his name and fortune destroyed by scandal and false accusations. Even as he struggles to solve this problem, his newspaper is soaring in popularity all because of a little noticed column written by an even less noticed Writing Girl. Ever since Dear Annabelle asked the good people of London to help her gain the notice of one particular nodcock, it's all that anyone including his best friends are talking about. Not only has the column grown in popularity but suddenly, Annabelle is much more noticeable.

 

Will Annabelle succeed in winning the attentions and affections of her nodcock, better known to everyone else at the London Weekly as Derek Knightly, or will she lose to the woman with society and a title behind her?

 

SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale is absolutely delightful from the first page to the last. We suffer Annabelle's angst as she attempts to capture Derek Knightly's attention. Just when we think it's safe, we suffer Derek's worry over whether or not he will be able to recapture Annabelle's love and convince her that she is worthy of all she wants. Maya writes SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY with humor, laugh out loud slapstick, and makes us remember that lack of confidence feeling that everyone, who has ever tried to capture the attention of a first love, has experienced.

 

With a Cinderella meets I Love Lucy feel to this delightfully endearing story, Maya Rodale has conjured her best writing to date for her final Writing Girl. She's succeeded in creating a happy-ever-after that leaves you smiling and wishing Mr. Knightly and his Dear Annabelle all the best. This one is, by far, my most favorite and I so didn't want it to end.

 

I highly recommend SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale whether you've read anything by this fabulous Regency authoress yet, or not. If you love a light-hearted comedy romance, you will love SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY. It will have you smiling, giggling and possibly laughing out loud as I did. Warning: be prepared to have people stare as if you've lost your mind if you read it in a public place.

 

Happy Reading Everyone!

 

SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale, Avon Romance, available Oct 30, 2012 in print and ebook formats. Run, don't walk, to get this one!

                                                                 

Unwrapping: Review of MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT by Gaelen Foley

Okay, I admit it - I love the men of the Inferno Club created by romance author Gaelen Foley and so when I got a chance to get my hands on an eARC of her newest installment in the series, MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT, I jumped at it and then promptly inhaled it!

***An eARC was provided by the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT:

Meet the courageous men of the Inferno Club as they face their greatest challenge yet: marriage!

Sebastian, Viscount Beauchamp lives by a code of honor, and now honor dictates he must marry Miss Carissa Portland. He has no regrets over stealing a kiss from the adorable little busybody—a fitting punishment for putting her delectable nose where it didn’t belong. But now, caught in a compromising situation, he knows he must make her his bride. He’s faced danger before—but nothing like this!

Carissa is not a gossip—she’s a "lady of information." And all she was trying to do was warn the rakehell Beauchamp away from an irate husband. But even she can’t flaunt Society, and while her head tells her that Beau’s a notorious scoundrel, her heart–and her body–are captivated by his dangerous charm. But when Carissa next goes snooping, the secrets she uncovers about the Inferno Club may prove even more hazardous than falling in love with your own husband!

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How 'bout a glimpse of the gorgeous stepback too!

 

Carissa Portland is a lady of information - meaning she is a snoop. Ever since an unfortunate event regarding a poet and cad, she has stayed on top of every word of gossip amidst the ton for she is in a constant bother that she might become the main topic.

Sebastian Walker, Viscount Beauchamp  - better known to his friends as Beau - is an agent of the Order and is currently holding down the fort, so to speak, in London while Rotherstone and the others seek out to destroy the last of the Prometheans and return Drake, Lord Westwood to the safety of the Order (story told in MY RUTHLESS PRINCE). He has to deal with an investigation being conducted by the Home Office and now Nick, Baron Forrester, has re-appeared relieving his suspicion that he’d been killed but revealing that the man has chosen to leave the Order and work as a mercenary. The problem is that the only way an agent can leave the Order is by dying.

When Carissa inadvertently gets caught up in Beau’s secrets, he’s forced to do the only possible thing – marry her. He’s surprised when it actually takes him a bit of coercion to convince her to accept him but he finally succeeds. Finding himself in a place not totally unappealing, he decides to enjoy the delights that marriage to Carissa affords him but then discovers his sweet, meddlesome, precocious lady of information is not a virgin. So it seems that Carissa has secrets too. He’d been open with his yet she continues to harbor hers. Will she ever trust him enough to tell him the truth? Will he be able to trust her with the secrets of the Order that threaten the safety of so many? What will he do about Nick and can he keep Carissa safe from his old friend’s threat to her safety? Who is really behind the assassination plot that Nick is caught up in?  So much intrigue! So many kisses!

Every time I read one of Gaelen Foley’s Inferno Club installments, I think it’s the best one she’s written and even though I still have a special affinity for Rohan, Duke of Warrington, I must say that I am most definitely mad for Beau.

MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT by Gaelen Foley is fast-paced, endearing and by far, the most romantic installment of the Inferno Club yet. Gaelen’s characters have come to life in MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT in such a way as to endear themselves to you immediately. You desire to shake Carissa and scream at her to stop playing games and tell Beau the truth or you’ll do it for her. Then your heart breaks slowly into pieces when the truth does come out and you share Carissa’s tears and Beau’s shattered ego. But it's the ending, which I won't give away, that brought tears to my eyes even while I was smiling like a fool. By the way, this isn't the end of the series - thank goodness.

In MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT, Gaelen has created a romance that has been brewing for some time even as Beau and Carissa remained blind to it. Their romance arises from folly but is believable for the day even as we giggle at her missteps, busybody nature and getting trapped inside a wall. We are treated to all of the mystery and intrigue that normally surrounds the agents of the Order but get a delightful look at how Beau woos Carissa as a man who is enamored of his bride might do in Regency time. He showers her with bridal gifts that even a modern bride would envy. Gaelen’s research into Regency has struck gold again.

I highly recommend MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT by Gaelen Foley if you love romance that will have you giggling with the delightful and playful antics of newlyweds and fast-paced intrigue that will have you wracking your brain to solve and all of the danger that usually accompanies the heroes of the Inferno Club. It's all here with an exceptionally Happily-Ever-After ending.

Happy Reading Everyone!

MY SCANDALOUS VISCOUNT, an Inferno Club novel by Gaelen Foley, Avon Romance, release date, September 25, 2012, available in print and ebook formats.

                                                                 

Unwrapping: Review of WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND by Shana Galen

WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND - awesome title, don't you think? I thought so and that was why I was very excited about receiving an ARC from Shana Galen to read and review. I hoped I was going to be in for a ride and she didn't disappoint me. Release date: September 1, 2012.
**ARC received in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND:

He had a perfectly orderly life...

William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next...

Until she came along...

Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's disruptive to have the duke who is the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide...

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Juliette may be known as one of a trio of the finest courtesans in London but things aren't always what they seem. She's accustomed to notoriety but when she opens the Morning Chronicle to find she's been linked with the Dangerous Duke of Pelham, she's not sure what to make of it or if she wants to be for he's not the friendliest of sorts, hence his nickname. Upon their first meeting, he proves himself to be all she had originally thought - rude, obstinate, arrogant and the most incredibly handsome man she'd ever seen.

Wil - Pelham or his grace to everyone else but Juliette - lives a life of strict regimen. He rises at the same time each day, eats meals at the same time every day, and does nothing spontaneously - ever - that is, until he meets the most incredible and spontaneous woman ever, the notorious Duchess of Dalliance, Juliette. On the cusp of his marriage to a woman he doesn't love but is willing to accept, the last thing he expects is to become entangled in a mystery involving one of the notorious Diamonds - London's most celebrated courtesans. Now, he's not sure of anything or anyone much less his own feelings about his past, his present, or his future. All he knows for sure is that his fiancée is missing - dead by Juliette's declaration. He's sure there's a dangerous man by the name of Lucifer who is endangering Juliette and himself. And he's totally sure and distracted by his attraction to Juliette which threatens to be his greatest undoing.

WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND by Shana Galen carries the reader on a delightful roller coaster of emotional ups and downs that keep you wondering if this pair will ever have a happily-ever-after. Shana Galen has a unique talent for doing this in her wonderful books and this historical romance is no different.

However, when I first started reading this regency romance, I wasn't totally sure I was going to enjoy myself. It was difficult to endear myself to the characters but that soon changed almost instantaneously as we left the ballroom. Pelham is stuffy and arrogant. He's totally unlikable and then suddenly, you start to see the twinkle develop in his eye. A twinkle brought on by a woman who, at first glance, seemed cold and unwilling to allow herself to feel anything for a man but who quickly comes to life and is soon as warm as the brilliance contained inside the most beautiful diamond for which she's named. I quickly fell in love with these characters. I was equally enamoured of the supporting characters especially the Countess Sinclair.  I'm very much looking forward to the rest of this series for, as usual, Shana Galen has me hooked - completely and desperately.

I highly recommend WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND by Shana Galen. This historical romance will have you smiling, frowning, grumbling, and then cheering! For WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND is romance at its best and most sensually charged.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Also, if you're interested in learning more about what it's like to be an Avon Addict for Avon Romance, check out my interview on the Happy Ever After Blog at USA Today Online:
YOU, TOO, CAN BE AN AVON ADDICT -- AND GET FREE BOOKS

WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND by Shana Galen, Sourcebooks Casablanca, release date - September 1, 2012, available in print and ebook format.

                                                                

Unwrapping: Wacky Wednesday - Miss Jane's Eye Candy

I've been feeling much the way Jane felt when she fell ill at Netherfield Hall and have been fighting some kind of bug since Friday which gives a whole new meaning to Black Friday for me. But I took some meds this morning that actually have my head unstuffed enough to think so I'm going to get this post done before I fall into another fog.  : )

The other day I enjoyed a delightful discussion on another blog about who was the better man, Mr. Darcy or Captain Wentworth ... personally, I think they are both lovely but have a special affinity for Mr. Knightley.  My likes and dislikes of an Austen man come from the books but I do have to admit that with the onslaught of productions made, my likes and dislikes have been greatly reinforced by the male who plays the part in the various visual versions.

Take Mr. Darcy ... we all nearly agree completely that Colin Firth is THE Mr. Darcy that we now imagine when we read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE but there have been others who haven't been too hard on the eyes or the heart.

                                                         

But when Matthew MacFadyen stutters his words and declares, "you have bewitched me body and soul." I melt completely away!!!

Then there's Elliot Cowan from LOST IN AUSTEN who isn't anything to toss in the trash although I suspect he might have made a better Heathcliff but then that's a different genre.


As for Captain Wentworth, I personally feel the eye candy is not quite as sweet but I certainly wouldn't turn any down.  I've always felt that the Captain deserved a better look when it came to casting the role after all, the man is charming, dashing and easily caught the eye of many a female.   Rupert Penry-Jones, I think has caught the eye of the viewers --

 

But I've always felt that Ciarán Hinds might have had more the look of a man who had ridden the seas and seen battle.

 

If ever someone decides to make another production of PERSUASION, and I hope they will, I hope they consider someone like Philip Winchester - now there's an American, who can do British and would make a very good Captain Wentworth - in my opinion, of course.

And then there's my favorite Mr. Knightley -
It goes without saying that Jeremy Northam is probably my ideal sweet George but other's have done the job well, too.

 

Mark Strong played the role quite well and brought out the country gentleman in Mr. Knightley to Kate Beckinsale's so-so Emma.





My least favorite George Knightley was Jonny Lee Miller's portrayal but he would do in a pinch so I'm not going to throw him out.  : )

Oh, my word but there are so many more delicious Austen men to choose from but since I'm beginning to get a bit foggy again, I think I'll save the others for another day. If you have any Austen men that you are particularily fond of, I'd love to know about it.

If remakes were made of all of Miss Jane's works, who would you like to see play your favorite heroes?

Till next time - Happy Reading Everyone!

Unwrapping: Literary Remakes

I just caught the tail end of an old episode of MOONLIGHTING, remember that funny show that launched Bruce Willis when he still had hair. This particular episode was called, "Atomic Shakespeare" based on William Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and I remembered it being funny when it first aired but I have to admit, I think I laughed harder this time because I'd forgotten how crazy that show could be. 

The innuendos and slapstick, not to mention the antics of Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd, were timely and delightful ... it's by far, my favorite episode. 

Seeing that episode got me to thinking about Literary Remakes. I know there are several stories being pulled from fairy tales right now but how about the ones that find their base in acclaimed literature such as those of William Shakespeare or others.

Immediately, THE DEVIL WHO TAMED HER by Johanna Lindsey came to mind. This delightful Regency Romance starring Ophelia Reid as 'the Shrew' and Rafe Locke as the brave man who tamed her proved to be as equally entertaining as either ATOMIC SHAKESPEARE or THE TAMING OF THE SHREW but with a lot more romance and no singing, unfortunately.

The back cover reveals the plot so similar to THE TAMING OF THE SHREW:

The heir to a dukedom, Raphael Locke is the most sought-after young lord in England. When Duncan MacTavish, the man Ophelia was set to marry and changed her mind, claims that Ophelia will never be anything but spiteful, Rafe bets his friend otherwise. Whisking her to his country estate, Rafe shows his furious, sharp-tongued "guest" the error of her ways and discovers the surprising reasons for her bad behavior. When Rafe champions the new and improved Ophelia's re-entry to London society, marriage proposals pour in. But has Rafe gone and fallen in love with Ophelia himself?

See for yourself what the poor man  is up against in THE DEVIL WHO TAMED HER by Johanna Lindsey.  The battle between Ophelia and Rafe begins at breakfast their first morning together:

"If you've finished your breakfast," [Ophelia] finally remarked, "I'd like an answer to my original question."

[Rafe] was only half-finished eating, but she'd asked so many questions that he hadn't exactly answered that he replied anyway, "Which was?"

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Ah, that again. For a number of reasons."

"Just give me one."

"You are universally disliked, except by a seemingly endless stream of men who haven't discovered yet that you're a shrew."

"I'm not a shrew.  But that has nothing to do with you, so give me another reason."

"Very well, I find it quite odd that anyone as beautiful as you are could be so obviously unhappy. I've taken it upon myself to correct that, my good deed the year, you could say. And I must disagree with your response to my first reason. I lean toward the underdog, always have, and help them when I can. In  your case, I can."

"It's well known that you champion the underdog," she allowed. "Even I've heard it mentioned. But I am not an underdog! And for you to insinuate that I am ---"

"Of course you are, m'dear," he interrupted calmly. "Name me one person who likes you, aside from your parents and that stream of idiots we've already mentioned."

"My maid," she retorted looking rather triumphant to have come up with that answer.

He rolled his eyes. "Maids don't count."

"Go to hell," she said, and surprised him by leaving the table.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to walk home," she informed without looking back.

He started to laugh. That halted her before she reached the door.

"I'm serious," she swung around to tell him, in case he doubted it. "I'll find someone who can help me get back to London."  ---

Well, Rafe has his hands full with a stubborn woman like Ophelia much as Petruchio had with Kate but just how will Rafe tame Ophelia? With love as did Petruchio? Actually, did Petruchio really tame Kate or did she just let him believe he did?

Let's take a look at this scene from THE TAMING OF THE SHREW by William Shakespeare:

PETRUCHIO:  Come on, i' God's name; once more toward our father's. Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!
KATHARINA:  The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now.
PETRUCHIO:  I say it is the moon that shines so bright.
KATHARINA:  I know it is the sun that shines so bright.
PETRUCHIO:  Now, by my mother's son, and that's myself, It shall be moon, or star, or what I list, Or ere I journey to your father's house. Go on, and fetch our horses back again. Evermore cross'd and cross'd; nothing but cross'd!
HORTENSIO:  Say as he says, or we shall never go.
KATHARINA:  Forward, I pray, since we have come so far, And be it moon, or sun, or what you please: An if you please to call it a rush-candle, Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.
PETRUCHIO:  I say it is the moon.
KATHARINA:  I know it is the moon.
PETRUCHIO:  Nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun.
KATHARINA: Then, God be bless'd, it is the blessed sun: But sun it is not, when you say it is not; And the moon changes even as your mind. What you will have it named, even that it is;
And so it shall be so for Katharina.

Hmm ... always seemed to me that Kate just told Petruchio what he wanted to hear. What do you think? Can a man really tame a woman who doesn't want to be tamed?  Or is it the other way around and it's the woman who is actually taming the man?

Are there other Romances that remind you of literary works?

Love to know what you think - in the meantime - Happy Reading Everyone!

                                            

Unwrapping: Wacky Wednesday - Giving Thanks ...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. For those of us in the USA anyway and as always it gives us pause to think of all the things for which we're thankful - good health, family, friends and all things good. As I contemplated the coming day, it gave me further pause to think of the things we might not have had we not had such a close relationship with Great Britain even after we did that whole Revolution thing and told England where to go!

No hard feelings, of course, so today we have a good relationship with our distant relatives 'across the pond' and think kindly on them as we do all relatives who live far away.


As I began baking and cooking ahead some of the items that will dress our Thanksgiving table, I thought about that first Thanksgiving. It wasn't at all what it is today, it's even been recently confirmed that the Pilgrims didn't even have turkey on their menu ... can you imagine?  No pumpkin pie, either?  Shocking!

This made me wonder about where some of our Thanksgiving and holiday staples came from including decorations as well as foods. I was surprised to learn that we can trace some of our traditional constants back to Great Britain even after we threw them out.

Take our beloved CHOCOLATE, for example. Yes, it was a New World discovery but it was a Brit by the name of John Cadbury who developed an emulsification process that solidified chocolate into bars for before him, chocolate was consumed mostly as a liquid sweetened with sugar and milk.  Imagine the holidays without chocolate - shoot, imagine any day without chocolate. Thank you, Mr. Cadbury, a Regency man.

How many of you like to indulge in Mincemeat Pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Well, we're talking British origins there for sure.  Mincemeat pie was originally derived from eastern recipes based on meats, fruits and nuts brought back to Great Britain by the crusaders but eventually evolved into the spicy all fruit and nut pie of today.  Much better without the meat. 

What would Thanksgiving be without the potato?

Yes, the potato was yet another New World discovery that was slow to be accepted by most of Europe but it was the brave citizens of the British empire, in particular the Irish, who took this simple spud and discovered its great use as a staple and farm crop. They were the ones who invented new ways to use it, particularly mashed. The potato became such an essential staple to the islands of Great Britain that the population grew substantially during the early 1800's eventually culminating in the great emigration from Great Britain to America when disease struck the potato farms of Ireland in 1845.  Who would ever have thought that the potato would be so instrumental in the expansion of our country's population.

Do you like to decorate your Thanksgiving table with a lovely centerpiece?

One of the flowers that I most associate with Fall and Thanksgiving is the beautiful Chrysanthemum. 

Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are of the genus (Chrysanthemum) constituting approximately 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae which is native to Asia and northeastern Europe - Surprised?

Can you guess how they came to be in the Western World and Europe?

British explorers and merchants began traveling to the Far East where Chrysanthemums had been cultivated and grown by the Chinese since the 15th Century but may have been brought to Japan as far back as the 8th Century. The Japanese revered it as a Happiness Flower even giving it its own festival. It has long been the centerpiece of Japanese art and culture. Discovered in Asia by British merchants in the late 17th Century, the beautiful flowers were brought back to England where the short growing season proved perfect for the hardy yet delicately beautiful flowers to grow and flourish. 

I love Chrysanthemums and love that their origins in the western world start in England with their popularity growing during the Regency era so I included them in my own Work in Progress. Since I usually share an excerpt with you on Wednesdays, I thought I'd share the scene with you, hope you enjoy it:

“Miss Embry, may I say how beautiful you look this evening?” the Earl of Parkhurst remarked with a smile as he awaited his bride at the bottom of the great staircase. As she reached the last steps, he offered his hand to her. Rose shifted her nosegay from her left to right hand before she placed her free hand in his.

“Thank you, Lord Hawkings. Please, do feel free to tell me how beautiful I look.” She teased humorously as she flashed him a brilliant smile. Was it possible his compliments were sincere?

The man smiled with amusement as he allowed his eyes to take in her overall beauty. As he perused the whole of her stunning image, his smiling green eyes came to rest on the pearl that rested just above the creamy hills of lush flesh. Warm luscious flesh that he hoped to sample very soon.

A sly smile playing on his lips, he reached out and gently lifted the pearl. As he cradled the pearl in his fingers, the back of his hand brushed his soon-to-be bride’s exposed bosom as it peeked above the lace of her bodice. Rose gasped when she felt the warmth of his hand brush against her bare skin. “I’m glad you accepted my gift and you honor me by wearing it.”

“It is far too extravagant, milord.” Rose exclaimed nervously as her eyes dipped to the pearl resting in his long fingers. She blushed as the back of his hand pressed slightly against her bosom. He removed his hand and let the pearl fall back against her skin. The pearl suddenly felt cold against her skin after the heat of his hand. Expecting him to lower his hand, the Earl surprised her by reaching into her nosegay and pulling loose one of the beautiful pale yellow chrysanthemums. As he lifted it from the collection, he slowly slid it along her breast to her collarbone and along her neck before raising it to her nose. She inhaled its wonderful spicy scent without hesitation.

She saw the Earl smile before he pulled the flower away and tucked it into her hair above her left ear. He leaned forward as he did and whispered near her ear. “Only someone as beautiful as you could ever do justice to nature’s own beauty.” He lingered a moment and she heard the intake of his breath as he drew in her scent. Rose felt the warmth of his breath on her neck as he slowly exhaled. His cheek briefly brushed against hers as he paused to take another inhalation. He liked that she smelled of gardenias. It was even more delightful than the fresh bloom he had just tucked into hair. Gardenias was a familiar scent from his youth in Louisiana. Perhaps, he would tell her that later when they were alone.

Rose was shivering with nervous energy as she contemplated what to do about halting the proceedings so when she felt his cheek brush against hers, she reacted more out of instinct than rejection by taking a quick step backward. This man’s touch, his scent, his flirtations had caused a flush of heat racing over her body. Had he been another man, perhaps she would not have minded but his similarity to Hawke was becoming unbearable. She wanted the man to be Hawke not his arrogant cousin who was now attempting to woo her only moments from their vows. She was tempted to run back up the stairs and escape. She stopped herself from fleeing but when she glanced up at his lordship’s face, she saw hurt and disappointment there. Wondering if she had truly offended him by her reaction, she opened her mouth to apologize but too late. Lord Hawkings stepped back, straightened his waistcoat and spoke before she had the chance.

“Think of the pearl as a small token of my appreciation or payment if you so choose. You shall surely earn it.” His tone was flat, dry and full of annoyance not to mention cruelty. Rose nearly gasped at his reference to payment. He saw the shock in her face and regretted it immediately. He had forgotten the role he was playing and had not considered that Rose would not expect such an intimacy from a man she had only met the day before. She had injured his pride with her physical rejection. Perhaps this was a mistake after all. Had he really thought she might have feelings for him? He didn’t care. They had an agreement and if she refused him later, he would simply leave. Perhaps he would anyway.

“Sir, I wish a private moment with you, if I may?” Rose demanded politely in a lowered voice.

“You may have it after the ceremony for it is time to begin.” The Earl of Parkhurst was no longer in the mood to play at courtship. The sooner this charade was over the sooner he could return to his own life. He turned and walked toward the doorway leading to the ballroom. He turned sightly to find his bride had not followed. Impatiently, he crooked his arm and waited.

Rose watched him, she knew he expected her to follow but she contemplated running away instead. Could she really proceed with this farce? He’d dismissed her needs as if she was a servant. Was that what she was to be in his household? Fine with her, she decided. He needed a wife so she would be one, in name only. If the despicable man wanted an heir, he would have to get one from one of his village whores.

She saw him crook his arm. He expected her to take her place at his side. She hesitated. Seeing his niece's hesitation, William stepped forward, took her arm and led her to the Earl. “You are a vision of beauty, my dear. It’s a shame your father isn’t here.”

“Thank you, Uncle William. I wish he was here, too.” To save me from this wretched marriage, her brain screamed even as Rose gave her uncle a weak smile as she allowed him to place her arm in her soon-to-be husband’s. Her knees shook and the temptation to flee struck her again but before she could act upon it, the tall man at her side moved forward and her turncoat feet followed.  ---

Thanksgiving fills us with so many thanks. So tomorrow when you're sitting down to indulge in turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and pie while enjoying the lovely chrysanthemum centerpiece surrounded by friends and family give thanks to the world for making it a lovely day. There's a little bit of world history on that table not just good ol' American ingenuity. Although, the turkey, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and bourbon are all ours.

Any Thanksgiving trivia you'd like to share or perhaps just a comment on the world or my story perhaps ... I'd be thankful to share it.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends, family and the world.  Happy Reading as always.

Unwrapping: Romantic Education in Regency Romance

Readers of Romance Novels love the romance and the scenes that seal the love between the hero and heroine. I wonder if one of the things that makes Regency Romance Novels so popular among readers is that we tend to see innocent young ladies being swept off their feet by man who are abundantly more experience in the ways of lovemaking. In our modern age, we learn about the birds and the bees from more places than we should and some not always the best sources of information but in comparison to our blushing lovelies in Regency England, we are nearly as experienced as any gentleman's mistress.

Most young ladies of Regency England learn from their mothers, aunts, or perhaps an older married sister about the events that will unfold on their wedding night. With what most are told, it's amazing that any of them consent to be married at all. Typically, they're told such silly things as "it will be your duty to lay with your husband in the marriage bed. Just be still, let him finish and then you'll be able to go to sleep."

Yikes, it sounds more like they are being given instructions about a doctor's exam minus the going to sleep part rather than what's really going to happen.

So, where then do our young innocent heroines gain their lovemaking skills?

Usually from their heroes, of course, but some of our young ladies are much more enthusiastic about the concept and so do a bit of reading beforehand. It's only natural for them to have a curiosity after all they live in another era not another world. Despite what the men of the time, and some since believe, women need and desire release through lovemaking just as much as any man. 

Take our dear Celia Seaton in THE AMOROUS EDUCATION OF CELIA SEATON by Miranda Neville. She delighted in learning a thing or two from a book she found, The Genuine and Remarkable Amours of the Celebrated Author Peter Aretin and when the opportunity arose, so to speak, she decided to try out what she had learned.

"Tarquin," she said and nipped at his ear.

"Celia," he muttered again beginning to feel sleepy. "I think you've killed me."

"I'm so sorry."

"What a way to go."

She snuggled closer and kissed his neck. "Riding St. George is fun."

"Where did you hear that phrase?"  He refrained from pointing out that it was whore's cant.

"Er, I read it in a book." ---

Or our dear impetuous Suzette Madison in THE HEIRESS by Lynsay Sands.  Suzie was determined to find a poor man who would rescue her father and her sisters from ruin for a poor man would enable her to gain her dowry and pay her father's gambling debts.  Upon meeting Daniel, she was instantly taken by her attraction to him and believed him to be as poor as a church mouse making him a prime candidate for her needs only to discover her needs extended far beyond monetary.  She was more than willing to explore those needs and those of Daniel but surprised him a bit with what she thought she knew.

"Daniel."

He stiffened and felt his jaw drop as she suddenly stood before him, completely naked, apparently having shed the gown he'd all but removed himself. Daniel had been struggling with his cravat as he'd thought, but now she brushed his hands away and took the ends as if to manage the task for him. However, she paused and peered up at him solemnly instead.

"It is very chivalrous of you not to want to take my virginity, and I do understand and think it's honorable, but in one of the books I've read, they wrote of a way I could give you the same pleasure you gave me without you actually putting your maypole in me."

"What the devil have you been reading?" Daniel got out in a choked voice ...   ---

Goodness such an education our dear Suzie was getting from her books.

But then her sister, Christiana in THE COUNTESS by Lynsay Sands was so uneducated in the ways of lovemaking that she hadn't even realized that after a year of marriage to her husband that she was still as virginal as the day she wed him. It wasn't until the real Richard Fairgrave gave her a tumble that she knew what it meant to consummate the marriage.

Whatever are the young ladies of Regency Romance to do? Read books, get advice, wrong advice from female members of their family or their friends? Or wait to be 'instructed' by the hero that not only saves the day but captures their hearts? Perhaps if they had someone like Amanda Price from LOST IN AUSTEN to travel back through time and given them all a twentieth century take on the whole romance thing, they wouldn't be so innocent - but then would we really want them less innocent?

Now I'm wondering if, in fact, we are really better off today knowing everything we need to know about the ways of making love or perhaps, would it be more exciting to greet it head on with a large dose of innocence urging us forward as we investigate the mysteries that only our own hero can uncover for us?

Happy Reading Everyone!