A Capital Holiday [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Janet Dailey (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jocelyn Wakefield, the president's gorgeous unmarried daughter, receives more press attention than Jackie in her heyday. Longing for a single day without scrutiny, she enlists her grandmother's aid, dons a disguise and escapes into Washington via a secret tunnel. Before Jocelyn can begin to enjoy her newfound freedom, she bumps into political columnist Grady Tucker. He falls in love with her at first sight, despite her dark makeup and ugly clothes, and contrives an injury to entice her to hang around. She lingers to help yet remains wary, fearing that he'll discover and report on her antics. When Jocelyn and Grady finally part, she doubts she'll ever see him again. But Grady talks his way into the president's private residence a few days later to persuade her that his love is real. Dailey (Calder Pride, etc.) references the film classic, Roman Holiday, in both title and text, but this version lacks the movie's sophistication. The couple's aimless banter and the frequent interventions of a Santa reincarnation spouting Christmas lore leave little room for the bold conflict and romantic tension that mark the author at her best. With his corny one-liners and country-boy "good gollies," Grady falls especially flat. Could any Washington columnist much less any true romantic hero be quite this clueless? (Oct.)Forecast: The bizarre plagiarism scandal that tarnished Dailey's career in the early '90s is gone but not necessarily forgotten, and this first book for Zebra will be the subject of some attention. Despite print advertising in the New York Times and the perennial popularity of Christmas-themed love stories, this awkward misfire will do little to rebuild the author's status.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

In a risky attempt to have one day in Washington free from the scrutiny of the public, press, and security agents, Jocelyn Wakefield, the President's daughter, arms herself with a wig, makeup, rumpled clothes, and an alibi from her creative and unconventional grandmother and sets out to enjoy an incognito holiday adventure. But when she is suddenly bowled over on the Mall by a black Lab owned by political columnist Grady Tucker, her day takes a totally unexpected, and ultimately romantic, turn. An elegant, dutiful but daring heroine, a charming, deceptively laid-back hero, and the mysterious, snowy-bearded Obediah Melchior combine in a lively, comedy-laced story that takes its plot straight from Roman Holiday (but adds a happy ending) and its Christmas magic from A Miracle on 34th Street and then adds a sprinkling of White House trivia and a well-depicted Washington setting. Although the Saint Nicholas/ Santa Claus historical detail is a bit pedantic, this fast-paced modern tale has some hilarious and touching moments, and fans of sweet contemporaries and Christian romance should find it a light, diverting read. Dailey (Calder Pride) is a best-selling romance author of longstanding and lives in Branson, MO.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Thomas T Beeler (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574904183
• ISBN-13: 978-1574904185
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,234,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Light Reading, July 25, 2002

By 

Eric Klauda (Gothenburg Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Capital Holiday (Zebra Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

"A Capital Holiday" is a good read and an enjoyable "feel good" book. It reminds me, especially the part about the cane, of the original "Miracle on 34th Street" film with Maureen O'Hara. The part about Christmas according to Obediah makes you take another look at the celebration of Christmas. Other than that, it is not a "deep" book, but fun. It is somewhat contrived but, no matter, forget that and you'll have fun with the vivid characters and learn a bit of history at the same time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, November 9, 2001

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Capital Holiday (Zebra Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

Presidential daughter Jocelyn Wakefield grows weary of living in a glass prison. She longs to escape, just once, to wander the tourist attractions of Washington D.C. and drink in the freedom most folks take for granted. Hosting too many state events, and being compared to Jacqueline Kennedy can have that effect. In a sudden burst of inspiration, Jocelyn enlists the aid of her grandmother, an old tunnel once used as part of the Underground Railroad, and transforms herself into an ordinary woman for twenty-four hours. Once she makes good her escape, however, a rather rambunctious dog trips up her plans. Literally.

The man who pulls her to her feet is political column writer Grady Tucker. In a time of the acerbic political humorist, Grady just pokes fun; bringing his targets with wit but without rancor. Yet Jocelyn fears that a representative of the very people she seeks to escape will blow her cover. A helpful passerby that remarkably resembles Santa Claus pauses to assists them. Soon Jocelyn finds herself grudgingly acknowledging her attraction to Grady. Unfortunately, her false identity makes any kind of relationship impossible.

Readers in need of a bit of entertaining fluff will find Janet Dailey's A CAPITAL HOLIDAY a lovely read. While impractical, and in wake of terrorist activities, entirely too dangerous, A CAPITAL HOLIDAY does live up to the need to escape and have fun. Main characters are captivating while secondary characters like the grandma and her butler add special zest. The lively spirit that pervades the novel pays its debt of gratitude when characters acknowledge "Roman Holiday" and "Miracle on 34th Street" for inspiration. Lighthearted and amusing, this comedy sparkles with starry-eyed holiday spirit, coming recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Capital Holiday, October 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Capital Holiday (Zebra Book) (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this book was a stupid waste of time ! I did finish it because I thought it would get better. No such luck.. Janet Dailey usually does better than this. Maybe she wasn't feeling so well. The best character was Obediah. I could picture him as santa claus.. He was warm, compassionate and funny. The rest of the characters were limp.I will say though I did feel sorry for Jocelyn Wakefield. I would not like to be in her shoes and thank heavens for Gog.