Courting Trouble (Zebra Regency Romance) [Paperback]

Nonnie St.George (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"captivating, well-written romance", RT Top Pick -- Romantic Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082177591X
• ISBN-13: 978-0821775912
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Actually, excellent, June 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Courting Trouble (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

I absolutely loved this book. Other reviewers seem disturbed by how unrealistic it is, but that's the whole point. This is a book for people who have read lots of Regencies, know all the conventions, and can appreciate their being affectionately made fun of. This book is delightful parody from start to finish--the dead giveaway being when the hero's rival is introduced as Blade Masterson. The hero is appalled and says, "You can't be serious." The heroine later tries to remember his name and can only come up with Blake Masterful. Anyone who's read enough romances knows how funny that is.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 *s Another fun read from Ms St George, June 11, 2004

By 

baltimore0502 "Hon!" (BALTIMORE, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Courting Trouble (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

I guess I'm in the minority when I say that I think I liked this book better than the author's highly touted first THE IDEAL BRIDE. And I think what I liked best about it was what many others didn't - our hero, August Warburton, Duke of St Fell. I found him to be intelligent, witty, sly, irreverent, arrogant, sarcastic and mischievous and I thoroughly understood why Arabella was in love with him (`cause I was, too!). Oh yes, he is totally full of himself, supremely self-confident and often aggravating, but I couldn't seem to stop liking him - the same problem Arabella has!

Arabella Swann is the daughter of a filthy rich merchant who wants to choose her own husband and marry for love; St Fell is an impoverish duke who needs to marry a fortune. Unbeknownst to Arabella, St Fell and her father have made a deal for St Fell and Arabella to wed, but St Fell knows that Arabella must at least think it is her choice - and naturally, she'll choose him! He's handsome, he's witty, he's a duke - what more could the girl want? And when they meet, he is sure that she is smitten and just needs time to get used to the idea (he's not unaffected himself, but he'd never admit it!). All goes well until St Fell unexpectedly finds himself with a rival for her hand, war hero and poet Lord Stonecroft. Will all his machinations finally win her in the end?

OK, there were some unrealistic aspects to the story, but I still found it fun. And, though it may not have come across as well as it should have, I felt that St Fell was playing his games not only for his own amusement, but because he really did care for her. Afterall, she came to London for adventure and excitement, balls and parties and stolen kisses in "dark corners". How could she be expected to just settle for the first man her father threw at her? He wanted to make sure she had choices (though he's infuriatingly sure she'll eventually choose him!) and that she won't some day regret her choice. Though he takes a bit too long to declare his true feelings, I still preferred him to Gabriel Carr from TIB. While Gabriel was a bit of a lovable dunderhead, St Fell was sophisticated, sexy and charming. Arabella was a fun heroine who wanted to experience all that London life had to offer. Though she tries hard to meet other eligible young men, she can't seem to ignore her reluctant, strong attraction to St Fell. They are really two of a kind and very well suited for one another and St Fell seemed to realize this almost from the start. If you don't like arrogant and cocky leading men, this is likely not a story you'll enjoy, but I did. Not as LOL silly as TIB, nor is it without flaws, but still lots of fun!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unrealistic? Yes. Loads of Fun? Absolutely!, June 4, 2004

By 

Brittney Hinson "garnet17" (Ashford, Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Courting Trouble (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

Arabella and Diana Swann are the daughters of a wealthy merchant... very wealthy. Wealthy enough to snare them just about any title they could want. But Arabella doesn't give a fig about titles, she just wants someone who can love her for herself and not her hefty dowry. When her father practically shoves Duke St. Fell, a fortune-hunting rogue, into Arabella's lap, she is furious. All she wants is the freedom to choose her own husband...and she'll do it, no matter what her father says. The only problem is, even though Arabella has found a romantic war hero who is a published poet and is willing to marry her dowry or no, aka her ideal, all she can think about is the infuriating, deceitful rake, St. Fell.

I found this book to be laugh out loud funny. The dialogue is witty and sarcastic... a nice change from some of the dull as dishwater romances I've had the misfortune to read. I loved the tipsy maiden aunt, the foul mouthed Duchess, the crying Baron, the sexy hero, the father who carries a big stick, and the heroine who is not afraid to say what she means... no matter how shocking. Also, Diana and her earl, who appeared so painfully shy and backwards in company, slipping off to have make out sessions...LOL.

What can I say, this is a slightly naughty Regency that is not afraid to laugh at itself or its genre. Regency fans that are able to understand some of the double meanings and inside jokes about the Regency period and romance novels in general will find the book to be a delicious treat.

You'll love or hate it... just like sugared almonds and apricot nougets...read it and you'll know what I mean.