Customer Reviews

Courting Claudia

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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

Ms. DeHart's debut novel is both fun and deeply emotional. Claudia is an engaging character -- no skinny, empty-headed miss. She was a character I could really relate to, caring, ambitious, and self-conscious that her body isn't perfect. As for the Derrick, he's just the perfect hero for her. He's passionate, sexy, and loves her just as she is. The combination makes for a very satisfying read!

Robyn's debut novel, set in Victorian era
London, is a true gem!
When a handsome bachelor sets his
sights on Courting Claudia, with the intent
of sweeping her from an arranged
marriage and into his arms, a wonderfully
charming love story unfolds. Robyn
seamlessly melds the vibrant setting, with
two perfectly suited, and wonderfully
written characters. This is a great story,
and an overall awesome read!

Well done Ms. DeHart! This debut effort is fresh and entertaining and throughly enjoyable. I truly look forward to reading this new author in the future.

Claudia Prattley is not your average miss although she tries to be. The daughter of a Viscount she has a secret one that she doesn't want announced to the Ton. She illustrates fashion for a London newspaper. The fact that her father has no use for her boss Derrick Middleton is not her concern...that is until she resigns in person. She has no idea that Derrick is so handsome. She is shocked when he arrives at a ball only to dance with her before disappearing after securing her promise to illustrate until she marries. Claudia has no idea that she is not going to walk away from Derrick because for good or ill Derrick has plans for her that she could only just imagine about.

Derrick is instantly drawn to Claudia. He doesn't want to loose her as she's important to the success of his paper. When his aunt suggests that he court her in order to keep her at the paper he agrees but has no idea that he has just opened the door to his future and that Claudia means more to him than just paper sales, she is a very important part of his heart. A heart he didn't know he had.

Derrick and Claudia are wonderfully different characters. She's not perfect, he's not of the aristocracy. As a result this historical was fresh and very entertaining. Ms. DeHart as carefully crafted her debut effort and as a result the reader will be instantly drawn into her make believe world. This is one debut effort that speaks to the talent of it's author and one that I highly recommend fan's of historical romance to pick up!

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

From page one the characters in this charming book reached out and grabbed me. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. Robyn DeHart does a beautiful job of making Claudia and Derrick come alive for the reader, of revealing their dreams and passions, fears and courage. I don't know of any woman who won't be able to relate with Claudia, whatever her physical description may be. And what can I say about Derrick? Passion, sensitivity, strength, courage, etc. all rolled into one sexy man. I strongly recommend this sweet book. You won't walk away disappointed!

Not usually a great fan of "romance" as a literary category, it surprised me to be drawn immediately into Claudia's story set in 19th century England. That Claudia struggled with her love of being a professional illustrator at a time in history when "proper ladies" were discouraged from such endeavor, that she struggled with accepting and loving her own chubby body (well-covered with many layers of clothing), that she struggled with seeing--well, perhaps NOT to see?--the reality of the kind of father she had, even as she struggled to realize and accept the real love of a man who wanted her entirely as she is, combine to make a wonderful coming-of-age-in-love story with a plot that kept this reader turning the pages!

A lovely debut novel for author Robyn DeHart. Bravo!

Miss DeHart has a promising career ahead of her with this delightful historical romance set in England in the 1840's.

Claudia is a true heroine. A young lady who has been given little love and no encouragement by a harsh, politically driven father. Claudia's love of illustrating leads her to secretly work for the hero, Derrick's, newspaper. What proceeds after they meet is a sweet, fun and well as melancholy romance. Derrick is a fantastic, realistically drawn hero. A good man who tries to do right by people but is insecure himself from a diasterous first marriage and scandal at his paper.

The love scenes are well placed, throughly sensual, and are very wonderful as Claudia learns to not be ashamed of her pleasingly plump body. A plus sized heroine-well done! Brava to the author for writing a hero who loves his wifes curves just as she is.

The book has a few minor foibles-but not enough to take away from the overall goodness of the book. If you like quirky heroine ala' Amanda Quick or Pamela Morsi-I highly recommend Courting Claudia!
4.5 stars!

I am not sure what kind of books the other reviewers are drawn to - but I failed to notice any real tension between the main characters. We believe they are meant to be together because the author tell us that they are. It really isn't that well written in terms of character development.I found them to be uninspiring and rather flat. Claudia is so caught up in her own poor body image that it made me want to just stop reading. I found her to be weak and mostly annoying. as bad - but I just couldn't find a reason for him to fall in love with Claudia. The father was just an oddly written character- capable of blackmail, nurder and not caring a fig for his daughter - then all of a sudden depressed and drunk. There was NO indication/reason for that to happen. As far as he know, all evidence against him would he care about his daughter anymore when he didn't to start out with.

All in all, buy it used if you must read it - because it isn't worth the full price.