Celia's Grand Passion (Regency Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lynn Kerstan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Regency Romance | Publication Date: February 28, 1998

EVEN OUTRIGHT REJECTION WOULDN'T STOP HER FROM PURSUING HER GRAND PASSION. . . .

No man in London could match Lord Kendal's cool elegance nor rival his skills as a diplomat. His icy calm was as notorious as his untouchable heart. And few women had any illusions of finding love in his arms. Lady Celia Greer, however, was not among them.

Young and very determined, she has made it her mission to melt the ice around his lordship's heart. Though charmed by the exuberant young widow, he is not willing to toy with one still innocent in the ways of love. But if ever there was a gentleman worth saving from his own cold prison, it was Kendal. And if ever there was a woman for the job . . . 'twas she!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Another vivid and lively masterpiece by one of the sub-genre's most respected writers. believable, likeable, and humorous. They are written so well that the reader will feel like she wants to meets these lovely people. -- Romance Communications, 1 March 1998

Celia's Grand Passion is the best new Regency I've read since Balogh's last and suggests that the genre may have discovered a new star who can create the kind of emotionally intense stories in the tradition of Balogh and Kelly that we love so well. This is a very well written book. Kerstan sets her story against the peace celebrations in the summer of 1814. She creates a cast of well-drawn secondary characters, many of whom add a leaven of humor to her tale. I was especially delighted with the poetry loving Russian general whose determination to meet his idol Wordsworth is an important part of a well-structured plot. Indeed, Kerstan exhibits in Celia's Grand Passion an unusual ability to combine an emotionally intense love story with lighter moments in a seamless story. Suffice it to say that the ending left me both laughing and emotionally satisfied. -- The Romance Reader, April 1998

Ms. Kerstan is just a pure delight, and her characters are precious; best of all, she gives us a story to love. Splendid! -- Bell, Book and Candle, Feb. 1998

From the Inside Flap

EVEN OUTRIGHT REJECTION WOULDN'T STOP HER FROM PURSUING HER GRAND PASSION. . . .

No man in London could match Lord Kendal's cool elegance nor rival his skills as a diplomat. His icy calm was as notorious as his untouchable heart. And few women had any illusions of finding love in his arms. Lady Celia Greer, however, was not among them.

Young and very determined, she has made it her mission to melt the ice around his lordship's heart. Though charmed by the exuberant young widow, he is not willing to toy with one still innocent in the ways of love. But if ever there was a gentleman worth saving from his own cold prison, it was Kendal. And if ever there was a woman for the job . . . 'twas she!

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Ivy Books (February 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449001830
• ISBN-13: 978-0449001837
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,637,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Slow and Moderate Steamy Romantic Drama, August 30, 2010

By 

AUPoohBear "aupoohbear" (New England, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Celia's Grand Passion (Regency Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Celia Greer, recently widowed is determined to cut a dash in London for the first time in her life. Her plans include taking a lover, and not just any lover, but the handsome widower, James Valliant, Early of Kendal, who has been the object of her fantasies for many years. Lord Kendal's first meeting with Celia is awkward and embarrassing and she asks him to forget it ever happened. He believes that will be an easy task, however, forgetting Celia is not easy. Celia's moment of Grand Passion is thwarted by a misunderstanding and masculine pride and James runs back to the Continent and Celia back to the country to settle her late husband's estate. In the country, Celia makes the acquaintance of Christopher "Kit" Valliant and a charming little boy, Charley, Lord Paxton. Celia soon falls in love with the emotionally starved boy and the boy with her until James returns to find Celia has interfered with his strict regimen he has planned for his son. Celia discovers Valliant family secrets and tries to set things right, regardless of her interest in Lord Kendal. James can't help being drawn to the charming, outspoken young woman, yet their past and his pride could prevent Celia from experiencing the passion she's long dreamed of. This story has all the trappings of a Lifetime movie. It is incredibly cliched, and if I had known that the hero was a widower, I could have predicted the plot without even reading the book. Celia is a great character and I admire her for her actions and recognizing her desires, however, I hate James and don't understand why Celia loves him. Attraction/desire is not the same as love. I prefer stories where there's courtship and romance. The story has more depth than most novels with the same plot and it may bring the sentimental types to tears. I would recommend this book if you prefer the spice and melodrama of Regency Historicals.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!!!!!, April 1, 2005

By 

E. Lynch "romance book fanatic" (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celia's Grand Passion (Regency Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I expected a pleasant tale but was not ready for the maelstrom of emotions this book contained. Every character was so well introduced and fleshed out! You were allowed to form opinions and then have them dashed as you found out each person's background.

My slight relating of the story will not do it justice -- Lady Celia Greer, widowed and wealthy has arrived in London to take in the season. On her first day, she sees a man (Lord Kendal) who has dominated her dreams - they have never formally met. She had seen Lord Kendal (James) leaving a church many years before on his wedding day, beautiful beloved bride on his arm. Chance has thrown them together again. He is now a widower, and being an experienced diplomat, he possesses the ability to both charm, yet distance himself from everyone. Thinking to have a quick, meaningless affair with the beautiful Celia - James finds himself faced with much more than his icy heart can deal with. Their unorthodox first meeting and subsequent encounters and conversations are amongst the best I have ever read. Will Lord Kendal be Celia's "Grand Passion?"

The romance will take you from London to the Lake District where you become better acquainted with Lord Kendal's son Charley and James's brother Kit. Along the way you will learn of Celia's disappointing marriage and Lord Kendall's disastrous union also. Some diplomatic adventures are introduced as you meet a Russian general and famous poet. You will also be reacquainted with deep love, for family, for friends and for life itself. I was truly moved.

This is Regency Romance at its very best. Do not miss reading this book.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boy, is this good. A terrific Regency by a great author., September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Celia's Grand Passion (Regency Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this book-- the impulsive, idealistic heroine, the dashing hero, and the sweetest kid... I just felt like I knew the characters and suffered with them. And I loved the connection to the great romantic poets of the time. She's a great author-- I've read her earlier books-- and I think she's really reaching her pinnacle here.