11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fabulous debut!, July 26, 2005
This review is from: Courting Claudia (Mass Market Paperback)
Claudia Prattley wants to do the right thing. And in Victorian times, working as an illustrator for the fashion page of the newspaper is not it. Her father is pressuring her to marry Richard Foxmore, who has been courting her for a year with no proposal because he's waiting for the right time. Claudia decides to put her energy into finding that right time. She goes to the newspaper office to resign in person, though everything else has been done through the post, thus keeping her identity, and her gender, a secret.
Derrick Middleton, the owner of the paper, is surprised that his star illustrator is a woman. He's even more surprised that she's quitting to get married when she's not even betrothed. She's increased his sales greatly among Society with her skill and the mystery surrounding her identity. Selling his paper to Society is important to Derrick since the death of his father. He knows he can't replace Claudia, so he decides the best way to keep her on the job is to court her himself.
Claudia doesn't have much confidence in herself. She hides her plump figure in ruffled dresses. She bows to her father's wishes, especially in regard to Richard. The only thing she's secure in is her talent for drawing. So when Derrick declares his intention to court her, she'd wary. Why would Derrick, the most handsome man in London, want her?
What is wonderful about this book is that, in spite of Derrick's selfish motivation, he DOES want Claudia. And he lets Claudia know it. He admires the form she finds too fleshy. He kisses her, awakening her desire.
But most of all, he gets her. He gets her talent, inviting her to an art show. He talks to her. And despite his vow never to love again, he falls for her.
I love how Derrick loves her (despite his vows to the contrary), and how Claudia blossoms under his adoration. Every time they're on the page together, the tension vibrates between them. She begins the story thinking Derrick is the worst thing that can happen to her, and even though some of her fears come to light, she grows into a confident woman. Derrick, who survived a loveless marriage, learns he can trust his heart to Claudia.
Rich secondary characters (I love Poppy!), sparkling dialogue and an intriguing scandal round out this novel, a luminous debut
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A New Voice To Watch In Romance, September 1, 2005
This review is from: Courting Claudia (Mass Market Paperback)
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't the best book I have read but it gave me a good feeling inside. I really enjoy the courtship of Claudia. Claudia was a different kind beauty than most and her father made her feel ugly. Claudia is a voluptuous woman. Derrick was able to show her how beautiful she was. Inside and out.
The plot and characters seemed fresh, the pace was quick, and it was a totally engrossing read. It was written with an amazing level of intensity and feeling that my heart was pumping furiously with both the palatable passion and the keen sense of danger infused in the story.
What was lacking for in the story first was Robyn DeHart made you fall in love with Claudia's best friend Poppy. Poppy gets hurt badly by a man. I want to see hope for Poppy and none was given. Also the story was a little slow at first but it kept getting better and better towards the end.
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11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
fabulous Victorian romance, July 26, 2005
This review is from: Courting Claudia (Mass Market Paperback)
In 1848 Claudia J. Prattley visits London's Illustrated Times editor owner Derrick Middleton to inform him that she will no longer illustrate the Society Fashion Report. He stays calm over her gender deception as he thought C.J. Prattley was male, but cannot afford to lose her as her pictures has brought in a lot of new aristocratic customers. Claudia explains that her father the Viscount expects her to marry soon though she does not want his choice.
Derrick's Aunt Chloe tells him to court the girl so that he can be her husband. Though he knows her father openly hates him, Derrick agrees as not only is CJ intelligent but also pretty besides which she can save his paper. Derrick deceives CJ into thinking he desires her and tricks her into marriage. As they work together on a nasty case involving death and blackmail amidst the Ton including her father, Derrick needs to tell his wife the truth about his ruse because secrets can destroy a relationship even between loved ones.
COURTING CLAUDIA is a fabulous Victorian romance because of how easily Derrick accepts a female illustrator and the need he has to have her continue to work for him though courting and marriage seems an extreme solution. The story line is fun to follow as Derrick woos Claudia while her father objects to him and tears into paper every chance he gets. A final twist will surprise the audience as Robyn Dehart writes a solid historical tale that reminded this reviewer of the classic play/movie Front Page except a romantic relationship between the stars in the middle of the nineteenth century London.
Harriet Klausner
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