Customer Reviews

Before the Season Ends (A Regency Inspirational Romance)

5 star:		(118)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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.

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

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.

Nineteen year old Ariana Forsythe is convinced that God has called her to marry a man of the church, and she sets her sights on the elderly vicar of her family's country parish. Not wishing her to marry a much older man, her parents send her off to London to stay with her father's wealthy sister. Ariana looks forward to seeing the sights of London but her aunt has grand plans for the beautiful girl and they include being the toast of the ton and marrying a wealthy peer. On a visit to a country estate, Ariana literally runs into one of the patronesses of Almacks and innocently offends her. Next, Ariana invokes the ire and the interest of The Paragon, Phillip Mornay. When Lady Worthington tries to cause a scandal involving Ariana and Mr. Mornay, he rises to the occasion to rescue the innocent young girl. Ariana gets caught up in a whirl of high society and even catches the eye of the Prince Regent. Even though she's enjoying herself, Ariana knows Mr. Mornay would not make a good husband, even if he were interested in her, for he is not a true Christian. Ariana prays for his soul and prays God will direct her to the right husband, one of true faith and good character. Mr. Mornay seems to fit the character requirement but a Mr. O'Brien fulfills the faith requirement. Ariana prays a lot more for guidance and help coming to a decision while preaching to the ones she loves and badgering them to become true Christians. I absolutely hate preachy books, preachy characters and people who try to beat others into believing what they believe and this book has them all. At first Ariana is charming and funny with lots of country innocence but the author ruins the book by making Ariana turn wishy-washy. Ariana prays constantly and quotes Scripture as she tries to figure out what to do. I can't relate to that. The story would have been a lot better if she had accepted that it was God's will to marry a kind and generous man who loves her and whom she loves back. It also would have made the story shorter. Mr. Mornay isn't all that likable either. The story never gets inside his head and the reader only learns about the events that shaped his life second hand, as Ariana learns them from someone else! He is also overbearing at times, wanting to protect Ariana but also demanding that he choose her clothes, forever! It's hard to like a character without knowing what he's thinking. Ariana's aunt is a stereotypical dowager of the ton, scheming matchmaker and demanding aunt who never listens to Ariana or cares what the girl thinks or feels. This story starts off well but deteriorates towards the last quarter of the novel. I wouldn't recommend this one except maybe to Christians. As far as Christian Regency romances go, I much prefer All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt.

Excellent book. I couldn't put it down after a few chapters because I was curious as to what would happen between Ariana and Phillip. This book had the perfect mix of suspense and romance. I looked forward to the ending and then was glad to find out there was another book with these characters. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

Jane Austen fans beware. You will not be able to put this book down. Before the Season Ends is one of those books with a permanent place on my bookshelf that I intend to read over again.

Ms. Burkard is a talented author. Her writing style is that which pulls you in and doesn't let go until you've reached the end. And even then you wish there to be more. Thank goodness there's a sequel. Indeed, I was quite astounded at the aptitude of the author not that I discounted Ms. Burkard before reading, but that she is just so very good at writing Regency. You might even believe you're reading a period novel. Her writing stays in tune with the time period to the extent as to even match the spelling of certain words like-connexion- for connection. The same way Jane Austen spelled it.

The writing does resemble that of Jane Austen if not in style than in technicalities. Just like Jane the POV (point of view) does switch from head to head in certain places within a scene while primarily staying with the heroine. There is even a hint of the narrator just like Jane at times. For those certain comments could not come from the heroine but an all-knowing narrator.

The author's description of Regency England and especially London is so detailed that you would have thought she slipped back in time to take down notes. There are also such stunning descriptions of places and homes and the things within the home. Being a historian myself, I appreciated this side of her book as well. Very well researched. As one who loves classic literature of the Regency and Victorian era, I thought her book fit right in with the likes of Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens.

The heroine, Ariana Forsythe, starts out seeming quite young and naive at the onset of the book. As we aren't allowed into her POV much in the 1st 3 chapters, I wasn't quite sure of want kind of character she would turn out to be. She is a young woman of great moral fiber who loves God and in following His commandments receives the desires of her heart. Ariana is such an endearing character. I enjoyed her very much. What an example she is to all young women even today in their Christian walks. The reasons that the unattainable Mr. Mornay falls in love with her are the very same reasons you will find her delightful.

Mr. Philip Mornay is called the Paragon. Every lady wishes to attract him and every man tends to emulate him. From fashion, wealth, and society he is at the peak of the swell. He's very proud and at times seems angry. He can be brusque and rude and everyone allows it because he is the Paragon. Then he meets Arianna and his heart and behavior begin to change. For every action there is a reaction and Ariana soon learns the reasons for the behaviors in the man she has come to love.

My one qualm with the book is that I wish there had been more time spent in the POV of the hero, Mornay. Of course, the same could be said of Jane Austen which of course has resulted in all those modern written spin off novels.

Before the Season Ends was simply enchanting from the first page to the last. It is very romantic and yes even passionate at times. Such a sweet romance and one that got my heart to pounding to see these characters get together. The Christian message is quite transparent from the very first chapter. No watered down Christianity here. It was wonderful to see the plan God had in the lives of these two people. I look forward to reading the sequel.

I have read Before the Season Ends twice already and what a great book! Both times I got so caught up in the story that I stayed up late into the night, not willing to put it down! The characters are real and delightful, and Linore really helps to paint a picture of that time period; you feel as if you are there with them! You never know how the book is going to turn out, and I would love to see this turned into a movie. The main character also reminded me that prayer is not some last-ditch effort; it is a lifestyle of conversing with the Friend who is always with you and loves to work His miracles in your life. It is a must-read, a story that will lift you up and stay in your thoughts long after you've finished the last chapter.

Throughout the beginning and middle of novel it was clear that the main character is fervent in her faith, however the way it was incorporated didn't detract from the story. If the author had wrapped up the story at about 75% through, I would have given it a significantly better rating, but the last quarter of the book really drags. At this point it stops being a historical romance and the story revolves around the heroine coming to terms with her faith and how/if she can accept the man she loves since he isn't as Christian as she is. The hero is Christian, is charitable, and doesn't lie, but isn't a "true" Christian in her opinion. Its just boring to read, and the author's eventual solution seems ridiculous. The hero doesn't feign his faith to win her over, which I credited him for. But in the end all he has to do is say the sinner's prayer and all of her concerns fly out the window. Moreover he doesn't even say the prayer because he chooses to, he loses a bet. I'm sorry, but if that was the solution I wish the author had written it a few chapters earlier and just gotten it overwith. I won't be reading the sequels.

I realized right off that Ms. Burkard was totally familiar with the Regency period. Having recently read Pride and Prejudice and Emma, both by Jane Austen, I immediately felt the pull of this time period. The dress, the language, the actions (what is proper and what is not), the interiors of the homes, the mode of travel, the personalities of people in different social clases all combined to transport me to the early 1800s.
The author did a marvelous job of setting up the tension of Ariana and Mr. Mornay's meeting even before it happened. All of the characters in this novel were fleshed out no matter how minor they were.
I enjoyed the humorous incidents involving Ariana and Mr. Mornay. They served to bring these two characters closer together. In fact, I detected the magnetism right off between them, despite their spiritual differences.
I was refreshed by Ariana's refusal to compromise her faith just to be with the most desirable bachelor around. I'm reminded of the character of Moses having been brought up in Pharoah's household. Later Pharoah tried to get Moses to compromise and Moses refused. So it was with Ariana who refused to be influenced to go the easy route and thus compromise her spiritual foundation. It was an admirable trait of Ariana to remain firm in her convictions.
Ms. Burkard provided a glossary of terms in the back of her book which was helpful. However, her knack for weaving these terms into the context of the novel made it unnecessary to constantly consult that glossary.
I rate this story five stars and am looking forward to her future books.

Review by Jill Williamson

England, 1813. A time when a young lady's life was all about finding the best husband. Country girl Ariana Forsythe's parents do not approve of the man she has set her sights on and send her to London to live with her rich Aunt Bentley. Ariana can hardly wait to see the city, a place filled with history, museums, and art. Aunt Bentley has different ideas of how Ariana will spend her time, however, and drags Ariana on countless shopping trips to prepare for her debut into society.

But Aunt Bentley over exaggerates. Arianna is not the eldest daughter nor does she have a large inheritance, though no man could doubt it the way Aunt Bentley presents her niece. Ariana feels as though she is deceiving everyone she meets. She does not wish for a rich husband. She only wants one who loves God as much as she does.

Ariana seems to attract disaster. A misunderstanding with a rich and powerful woman results in a vicious rumor about Ariana and London's current rich and rouge bachelor, Philip Mornay. Despite Philip's indifference toward young women seeking a husband, he offers to help Ariana dispel these rumors by pretending to court her. Ariana's faith and future are on the line. Will Philip's intentions help to clear her name? And can she resist giving her heart to a man who does not share her love of God?

What a delightful read! I love books based on this period in history. Ms. Burkard has written a wonderful story of the complications of high society life in regency England. Her characters were both charming and deep. I longed for Ariana to find what she really wanted and get away from her manipulating aunt. But Ms. Burkard found clever ways to overcome each worrisome development Ariana managed to get herself into. I highly recommend this novel for those who love Jane Austen and romance stories.