Before the Season Ends (A Regency Inspirational Romance) [Paperback]

Linore Rose Burkard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008 | Series: A Regency Inspirational Romance

In her debut novel of what she calls "spirited romance for the Jane Austen soul," author Linore Rose Burkard tells the intriguing story of Miss Ariana Forsythe, a young woman caught between her love for a man who doesn't share her faith and her resolution to marry only a fellow believer in Christ.

Trouble at home sends the young woman to her aunt's townhome in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Ariana is soon neck-deep in high society and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London's current darling rogue. Then a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her heart, her faith, and her future are all at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent's attention.

Will Ariana's faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it's Ariana's heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to the wrong young man, how can it ever turn out right?

Jane Austen readers and fans of Regency romances everywhere will love Before the Season Ends.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Country girl Ariana Forsythe is sent to a wealthy aunt in London to head off an unsuitable match in this faith-based Regency romance. After being modishly outfitted by said aunt, Ariana is thrust into the London season, with all its attendant social conventions: status distinctions, formal etiquette and gossip, gossip, gossip (the Regency antecedent of dishing). Ariana meets her match in the disdainful paragon of society, Phillip Mornay, who quickly becomes her ally after an unexpected turn of social events threatens her good name. This period romance lacks sufficient romantic tension between the principals. The plotting is also uneven, with some complications (the matter of Arianas correspondence with her family, for example) not driving the plot forward, instead frittering narrative energy. But the author's command of period detail is impressive, evident in material details but also in dialogue. The theology is also period authentic. The novel even contains a glossary to help non-Regencyphiles get up to speed about the difference between ladies pelisses and spencers. Despite some technical problems, on the whole its a tasty confection. (Dec.)
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Review

Julie Lessman, Author  -  With the delicious flavor of Jane Austen, Ms. Burkard woos the reader with a captivating romance...   What transpires is a deftly woven tale that not only transports us to an era brimming with the pomp and splendor of 1800 high society, but a gentle romance that simmers beneath the pages.

 
From Publishers Weekly ..the author's command of period detail is impressive, evident in material details but also in dialogue. The theology is also period authentic. ..On the whole its a tasty confection.

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected jewel

By 

wickedgal84 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Before the Season Ends 

I found this as a free ebook on my Nook and as an avid Jane Austen fan, decided to give it a shot. I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for her readers! There are other authors that have tried writing Austen-eque novels, but I find them terribly lacking. I was genuinely impressed with this series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Worth Reading, April 4, 2012

By 

Sammy This novel (is) what may result if Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and Janette Oke collaborated on a project... The plot is original and surprising.. Just when I thought there would be no more twists, there's one or two more, and I really liked that.

Last but not least,.. the all-important matter of salvation and forgiveness are included in such a way as to never sound preachy or out of place in the story. I will definitely read the sequel!

5.0 out of 5 stars 

DeeIngram "D"You may feel like a better person for having read this book. It had an immediately positive effect on my mood and I was surprised to find an inspirational period romance full of substance and real-life dilemmas still relevant... The author effortlessly evokes vivid images of another era and her style is easy to follow and enjoy. Not the sort of romance I THOUGHT I was going to read, but I was not disappointed to be taken on such a surprising and thought-provoking journey. I will be reading the others in this series. I want more!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736925511
• ISBN-13: 978-0736925518
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (192 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Linore Rose Burkard grew up in New York City in a family of ten. She loves History and books, and graduated from the City University of New York with a magna cum laude degree in English Literature. She lives in Ohio with her husband and five children where she enjoys being a wife and mom, homeschooling, writing, and giving writing seminars with Greater Harvest Workshops. Find Linore on the web at www.LinoreBurkard.com, or visit her healthy-living blog at todayswomanoffaith.blogspot.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend! November 8, 2005

By Armchair Interviews

Format:Paperback

Before The Season Ends is a charming romance set in 1813 Regency England with a strong Christian theme which, while a constant thread in this book, is not overwhelming. The author draws the readers into the time period with feisty characters and an entertaining story.

Ariana Forsythe is a strong-minded, impish 19-year-old living in small village with her close-knit religious family. However, she is causing her family concern as she has decided that her "calling" is to marry a man of the cloth. Given that the only man meeting her criteria in their village is 60 years old, the family has a dilemma. Ariana is certain and unyielding in her decision, and so a solution must be reached quickly.

Each season their wealthy aunt, a London socialite, has begged the family to allow her to sponsor their daughters as they came of age. It was not at all unusual for a girl to be sent to London for the season. Although Ariana's family thinks they are the best judge of who is right for her, they feel that they must send her.

In London she is quickly entangled with London society's most formidable bachelor, Mr. Mornay, whose reputation is his delight in ruining any young girl's season should she dare approach him. Everyone looks to his approval--and simply by ignoring the girl who crosses his path, it can destroy her in society's eyes. Her aunt has warned her to avoid him at all costs. She tried, but she literally runs smack into him during her first society affair.

Ariana also meets a young man who is just what she is looking for. Why is it that despite this seemingly perfect match, her thoughts are constantly coming back to Mr. Mornay?

Well-written, interesting, captivating, romantic, inspirational, and addictive, I highly recommend this book. It shows how the Lord can influence every part of your life without being overly preachy. To be honest, this was my first "inspirational" Regency romance, and I was not expecting much. However, to my surprise, I could not put it down, and I am now recommending it to all my friends.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Enjoyment September 26, 2005

By Alice Tjiong

Format:Paperback

I just adored the characters in "Before the Season Ends" Ms. Burkard has a gift for bringing her characters to life with humor and faith. I laughed out loud and was also brought to tears while reading this beatifully written book. I love reading stories that show the impishness of a heroine, while never concealing the lady underneath, and Ms. Burkard captured that brilliantly. She also brought to life a period that we can only dream about, when men were gentlemen and women were ladies and young women were respected for their virtue. I can't wait to go back in time again with another Inspirational Regency by Linore Rose Burkard.

Alice Tjiong

Holland, Michigan

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Original, nice regency for those who like traditional, or sweet romances October 8, 2005

By A. Woodley

Format:Paperback

A really nice surprise! This is definitely an original regency romance and more in the style of Georgette Heyer rather than Amanda Quick.

I was impressed that Burkard made good efforts to get a Regency Tone rather than relying on (as is often done) bad use of slang to imply this tone. Her whole structure and manner was very well done.

This is a Christian Regency and the christian theme is predominant in this. This was my only niggle with it but I don't think it was a drawback to it - or shouldn't be for other readers. It is definitely a unique feature in her writing to use this as an underlying theme. It is also interesting to use this theme in a Regency where standards of conduct were judged by whether you did it in public or private. The times were certainly changing and a greater emphasis on good christian conduct was entering society - a precursor to the more devout Victorian era.

It is always nice to read new Regency authors, and I will be reading more of Burkard, as her tone and originality were refreshing.