The Charm School (Calhoun Chronicles, Book 1) [Paperback]

S Wiggs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2005

The Mira books feature a range of novels by well-known and sometimes new authors. The common thread running through the series is the focus on love, romance and man-woman relationships.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: Boston and Rio de Janeiro, 1851

Sensuality: 7

Isadora Peabody is the brilliant but socially inept sibling in an otherwise perfect family. And although she struggles to fit into Boston society, her awkwardness dooms her to repeated failure. Fate intervenes when she learns that a sea captain, Ryan Calhoun, is in need of an interpreter for his next voyage to Rio. And despite Ryan's adamant opposition to hiring a female interpreter, Isadora gains a berth on his ship, thanks to a little blackmail.

Life aboard ship and away from the strict confines of Boston society finds Isadora losing weight, gaining confidence, and blooming like a rose. She befriends the motley crew of rough sailors, and in turn, they become a charm school of sorts, tutoring her in gracefulness--which comes in handy when climbing the rope rigging--dancing, and friendship. Isadora's transformation fascinates Ryan, but he is determined to stay away from her for he has secretive, dangerous plans. Unaware of Ryan's interest, Isadora struggles with her growing attraction to the reckless sea captain. But before they can resolve their feelings, prior commitments surface and endanger their chance of finding a happy future together.

The Charm School is a tale of the evolution of two complicated people and the powerful love that binds them. Wiggs skillfully peels away the layers that conceal the real Isadora until the transformation from misfit to confident woman is complete, while Ryan develops from a wild, rebellious southerner into a man who can overcome impossible odds to reach his goals. If you like swashbuckling adventure, fascinating characters, vivid settings, and surprising plot twists, this wonderful novel will be just your cup of tea.--Lois Faye Dyer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

A cargo-hauling clipper ship would seem an unlikely place for a Boston spinster to acquire social polish, but the insecure Isadora Peabody, who wangles passage aboard the Silver Swan and sets sail for Rio, is not the confident, self-assured woman who returns to set society (and the unworthy object of her former affections) firmly on its ear. A crew of rough, lovable seamen, a single-minded captain who is caught up short by love, and a heroine who finally learns to believe in herself draw readers into this lively, funny story. While a love scene in which the hero gets the heroine high on hemp may tarnish this story for some, the ugly-duckling aspects of the plot and the concern with slavery issues will appeal to fans across the board. Wiggs (The Drifter, Mira: Harlequin, 1998) is a popular, RITA-winning author and lives in the Pacific Northwest.AKR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 399 pages
• Publisher: Clearway Logistics Phase 10-12 (March 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778300498
• ISBN-13: 978-0778300496
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,907,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.

When her recent novel, FIRESIDE, hit #1 on the New York Times, the author reportedly reacted to the news by "putting on my lipstick and sweeping the patio." Why? Because she knew that within a matter of minutes, her girlfriends would show up to pop the bubbly and help her celebrate. [Update: FIRESIDE has been chosen of one of Amazon.com's Top Ten Romances of 2009.]

According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. Her books make frequent appearances on Amazon's "best of" lists. Several of her novels have been listed as Indie Next picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.

The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting story of love between two black sheep., May 2, 1999

By 

B. S. Andrews "barbiesa" (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Charm School (Paperback)

She's the gauche misfit daughter of prominent Boston socialites. He's the "bad boy" abolitionist son of a slave-holding Southern plantation owner. Although they hate each other on sight, it soon becomes obvious to everyone except them that they need each other to reach their full potential. Falling in love in the lush tropical paradise of Rio de Janeiro (I'm ready to buy my ticket!), they must be prepared to face the reality of their respective families back home.

This book has something important to say to all of us who have endured the "ugly duckling" years. Between the poignant tears and uninhibited laughter of self-discovery aboard a ship with a very special crew and the ugly reality of slavery in the pre-Civil War South, no reader will be able to escape with dry eyes.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming story, January 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Charm School (Paperback)

The Charm School is the first book that I've read by Susan Wiggs, and I must comment that she is an wonderful author.

Isadora Peabody is a brilliant spinster with dreams of marrying a certain young man who doesn't even know she exists. Overweight, wearing spectales, shy and smarter than any man Isadora has little chance of ever marrying or fitting into society. When she hears of a ship leaving for Rio that is owned by the father of the man she is infatuated with, she jumps at the chance to go on board and learn the ways of the shipping business.

Captain Ryan Calhoun isn't happy about Isadora's appearance on board his ship. He'll do anything (and does!) to make her miserable. He's surprised when he finds himself attracted to dowdy Isadora.

A wonderfully written novel, The Charm School is one of those romances that must be read over and over again!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what a book should be!!!, August 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Charm School (Paperback)

It had everything. Wonderful characters, strong plot, touching momments. It is probably the best romance book I have read this year! I felt connected to these characters and wanted to find out more about their future. I reached the last page I could not let them go, they were too dear. This book could easily have followed the basic "romance formula" but S. Wiggs gave this story depth and poignancy.

Buy this book and keep it forever.