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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
a good 3 1/2 star read, March 28, 2003
This review is from: Canceled Courtship (Paperback)
"Canceled Courtship" has a great many good points -- a really fantastic and interesting storyline, some really intriguing characters and a rather brilliant portrayal of pure evil. Unfortunately, it also suffers from some drawbacks like a somewhat choppy writing style, a few inconstancies in character, and some careless editing. On the whole though the positives far outweigh the negatives, so that the novel turned out to be quite the read. Since her mother's death and her father's, Sir Geoffrey, collapse, Cecilia Sentenell has been running the estate and taking care of her father. Some of this changes when her mother's old friend, Lady Rolande, comes for a visit. Lady Rolande's good cheer and herbal remedies seem to be exactly what Sir Geoffrey needs, so that when Lady Rolande suggests that Sir Geoffrey and Cecilia accompany her and her daughter, Hedra, to London for the Season, father and daughter are only too happy to comply. But once in London, Cecilia finds her life becoming complicated in unexpected ways. To begin with Cecilia attracts the attentions of a rather notorious and much sought after rake, the Earl of Arandale -- someone that Hedra had earmarked for herself. Not caring much for the stiff and rakish earl, Cecilia does her best to let him see just how much she holds him in contempt (even if he does awaken some rather thrilling sensations within her), but to no avail. It seems that the earl is intent in courting her in spite of her disapproval! And then Cecilia also begins to notice that there's something a little shady about Lady Rolande, but she's hard-pressed to say exactly what it is about Lady Rolande that's making her uneasy. How will the efficient and independent Cecilia handle all her fears and concerns? Story-wise, "Canceled Courtship" is brilliant. I liked how Gloria Gay gradually brought Cecilia and the earl together, and how she made the earl realize how shabbily he had been behaving. And her characterization of the two evil characters in the book was fantastic. A better portrayal of pure evil, I have seldom come across. The trouble is that, for me, the novel suffered from not being long enough. Certain subplots and characters (like the one involving Sadie and Violet, for example), could have done with more development and several added chapters. Also, there were certain character inconstancies where Cecilia was concerned that almost made me wonder about her -- she'd be curious and concerned about certain inconstancies in Lady Rolande's confidences in some chapters, and not care a hoot about them in others. I began to feel a little dizzy about this after a while. This, coupled with the somewhat modern language did detract a little. But on the whole, I'd say that "Canceled Courtship" was a good 3 1/2 star read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet and Endearing, February 5, 2003
This review is from: Canceled Courtship (Paperback)
Cecilia Sentenell was thrilled to have a season in London - enjoying the sights, the shops, and that her dearest father seemed to be regaining his health made her joy that much better. However, she was not thrilled over the attentions that the rakish Earl of Arandale seemed to be paying her. On her first ride in Hyde Park she was witness to the earl taking his mistress riding and giving her a full mouth kiss right there in public which gave her an instant dislike of his seemingly disregard for propriety! Not until several weeks had passed did her father inform her of the earl's request to court her and upon hearing this she begged her father to cancel his approval of the courtship - she would in no way agree to marriage to this man! Arandale had loved once, and when his betrothed was killed he seemed to have lost his way and embraced a fast and rakish way of living. As it was time for him to set up his nursery, the earl had originally wished simply for a biddable girl of noble birth, good family that would not cause him to change his way of life - or so he told his solicitor who had picked Cecilia after looking over that seasons debutantes. Naturally, the earl - arrogance personified - was aghast that this chit had refused his attentions! It wasn't until he finally thought to take a good look and actually `saw' Cecilia that his feelings began to change especially after he asked her for specific reasons for refusing his suit. This was a very `quick' story for me (224 pages), which I read in approximately four hours. Regency romances are a favorite of mine to read when I am looking for something entertaining and light after a long hard day at work. The plot was not too deep and it was sweet in it's innocence - even with the addition of the not so nice cousin who wanted to compromise Cecilia into wedding him. I especially liked the epilogue at the end that wrapped up any loose ends from so quick a story. I could definitely recommend this to a younger audience as a good `first' introduction to regency historical romance writing.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Fine & Fair Romance, September 7, 2003
This review is from: Canceled Courtship (Paperback)
I found reading CANCELLED COURTSHIP to be rather a pleasing little experience than not, having read it at my own behest of an afternoon's solitude in the sunshine. Yet to this day I cannot say whether it was the winsome aspects of this story, or the breezy day's solicitude, which gave me most the pleasure. Gloria Gay's latest Regency romance brings us a spunky young heroine, Cecilia Sentenell, embarking upon a glowing adventure coming out for her first Season in London. She and her ailing father, Sir Geoffrey are accompanied by a woman claiming to be her late mother's friend, Lady Rolande and her daughter Hedra. Lady Rolande is intrusively solicitous with regards to both the care of Sir Geoffrey's failing health and to the agenda of Cecilia's entree into high society. Furthermore, Hedra's manner towards Cecilia is an odd mixture of affectation and outright scorn - borne of jealousy, especially as regards the Earl of Arandale, a handsome and highly sought-after rake of a man. Arandale, upon a promise made to his late father, is obliged to find a bride before his 30th birthday. He is certain the young lady upon whom he bestows the honor of his choice would simply be too pleased to be Lady Arandale to have anything to say against his notorious womanizing, or in any way otherwise impede upon his lifestyle. - His choice almost immediately falls on Cecilia, as she seems modest, attractive and of sufficient social standing to court. Cecilia will have none of it, though. She has seen first hand Arandale's brash, indiscriminate ways. So, to the utter amazement of everyone, she cancels the courtship. Meanwhile, to further complicate Cecilia's life, Sir Geoffrey's evil heir, Alex Shackel is coercing his way into her life - fully intent on making her his bride, and by force if necessary. CANCELLED COURTSHIP is in many ways similar to Ms. Gay's earlier Regency romance, FIRST SEASON. It's an easy, fast-paced story - ideal for light reading. There were, however, blatant shortcomings in this that weren't so noted in the earlier book. Herein were more than a couple character inconsistencies, numerous editing flaws, and language that was uninspired: careless, contemporary and (I hate to say it) often rather bland. Apparently, the apathetic writing style here needs to catch up with the reverent knack for storytelling. Nevertheless, this was a pleasurable read. Despite the few faults I've found, I have faith that Gloria Gay is ultimately capable of very good things - and I indeed look forward to what's to come!
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