Gallant Waif (Historical Romance) [Import] [Paperback]

Anne Gracie (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon; New Ed edition (April 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0263815269
• ISBN-13: 978-0263815269
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,316,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author, Anne Gracie, spent her childhood and youth on the move, thanks to her dad's job, which took them around the world. The gypsy life taught her that humor & love are universal languages and that favorite books can take you home, wherever you are.

As well as writing, Anne teaches adult literacy, flings balls for her dog, keeps bees and enjoys reading, music, cooking and her tangled garden.

Anne also blogs regularly with the Word Wenches; Jo Beverley, Mary Jo Putney, Patricia Rice, Susan Fraser King, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliot and Joanna Bourne. Visit them at http://wordwenches.typepad.com/

Visit Anne's website at www.annegracie.com
Subscribe to her occasional newsletter
or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Welcome New Author, August 14, 2000

By 

Susan Smith (A small rural village in the English Midlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gallant Waif (Large Print) (Hardcover)

Every now and then one picks up a book by an unfamiliar author and it like coming home - everything fits and is comfortable and all expectations are fulfilled. I had that experience with Carla Kelly's books and now with Anne Gracie. I first read her second book, Tallie's Knight, and was so impressed that I sought out her first book, Gallant Waif. I was enchanted.

The story of Major Jack Carstairs, recently returned from the Peninsular campaign badly wounded in body and spirit, and Kate Farleigh, who is hiding a shameful secret, is exceptionally well told. Anne Gracie writes with excellent knowledge of the period and draws her characters exceedingly well. It is very clear that she has done her research and the quality of her prose is excellent. Some of the peripheral characters in the story (particularly Jack and Kate's friends from the Peninsula) are briefly but memorably portrayed.

This is a story of high emotion, courage and heroism but never slips into sentimentality. There is sexual tension without sex scenes and the growing relationship between Jack and Kate is believable and moving. The scene at the ball near the end of the book is one of the most highly charged, emotional and poignant scenes I have ever read in a book of this type - it moved me to tears.

I hope that Anne Gracie's books are soon available in the USA in paperback for I think she will attract a wide and devoted following if she keeps up the level of her future efforts to the standards she has already achieved. I was delighted to note that she had been nominated for a RITA for Gallant Waif and I am also delighted to write the first review for this book for amazon.com. I look forward to more from her in future.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, funny and very romantic, May 13, 2001

By 

A. Woodley "Patroness, Janeites, the Austen list" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gallant Waif (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

A fabulous and funny debut novel by Anne Gracie. Its a regency historical - or something like that. Although its set during the Regency this is not a comedy of manners - nor is it an adventuresome historical. Rather it is quite a poignant story set with lively characters and some very clever twists.

Basically the story goes that Kate Farleigh needs to work to support herself - when along comes her deceased mother's supposed Godmother, Lady Cahill. It seems Lady Cahill has designs of her own, although they are not horribly machiavellian. Kate finds herself working in the country with Jack Carstairs, Lady Cahill's grandson. He has been living in quiet and bitter retirement thanks to injuries he received while fighting in the Peninsular War. Together they find common ground and they start to heal one another and Jack finds out some very surprising things about Kate.

This is definitely a must read author (and I'm pleased to see that she is publishing more books).

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, yes, indeedy ---, June 18, 2001

By 

kellytwo "kellytwo" (cleveland hts, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gallant Waif (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

This is one terrific book. However, as it's from Harlequin, it's slightly mis-labelled, which seems to be normal for them lately. This book, although a bit longer than the usual, is a true Regency romance. It isn't really a Historical Romance, except for the length. There is nothing even remotely resembling a love scene anywhere; just the right amount of sexual tension, an abundance of humor, strong writing and wonderful characters. Add all these in with a sensible plot that does not rely on the Big Misunderstanding in any way, and you'll easily see why I gave it 5 stars. I'd give it more if I could.

Newcomer Anne Gracie of Australia made a smashing debut with this book (which was actually published in the UK before Tallie's Knight, which rather gives the appearance of being first. Not so.) Gallant Waif was a finalist in the RWA RITA competition in 2000 for books first released in 1999. That news will come as no surprise to the reader.

Kate Farleigh was the only daughter, following two sons, of a small-town vicar. Her mother died in childbed, and of course, her father always thereafter resented the child, especially for her likeness to his wife. Until, during the war on the Peninsula, he decided to go visit his sons. There was no other choice than for Kate to go along, as well. It was here that she finally came into her own, and during the final two years of her life with her father they made a sort of peace with each other. Before the war ended, though, all three of the men in Kate's life became casualties. And then, so did Kate, herself, even though her emotional self was undaunted. She returned to England, determined to forge a life for herself as best she could.

Mad Jack Carstairs, on the other hand, came back from the war a somewhat broken man, unable to (as he thought) resume the life he'd always anticipated living. His fiancé cries off at sight of his scars and lame leg, although she blames her defection on his having been almost completely disinherited. There is one property left to him; a run-down, isolated place hardly worth having, however, it does at least get him away from society.

But Jack doesn't reckon on the strong will of his Grandmother--one of those miniature gorgons who rules with a fist of lead. She's a wonderful, full-blooded creature whose god-daughter was Kate's mother. One day, for no good reason, Lady Cahill takes it in her head to find out whatever happened to Maria's only living child. Unable to convince Kate of her sincerity, she simply kidnaps the chit, and the adventure starts.

Kate agrees to be housekeeper for Jack, as his disheveled house is badly in need of one. Eventually, her common sense begins to see past his brusqueness, and she convinces him to accept her help. In secret. But that's certainly better than nothing, and her joy in his triumph is heart-warming.

But the Dowager Countess hasn't given up yet, either. After arranging for Kate's long-lost inheritance, she then arranges for Kate to come to London to have a Season, in spite of Kate's reluctance to do so. If you can read Chapter Seventeen (the main ball in London) without a tear or two, why are you reading a romance novel? This is the essence of a romantic novel, and you'll feel refreshed and renewed by the vicarious experience of this extraordinary book. I'm eagerly awaiting more from Ms. Gracie. But hurry! Please!