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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Non-stop excitement!, August 14, 2009
This review is from: Lady Jane's Ribbons (Hardcover)
Following in the path previously trod by Eleanor of Aquitaine and Elizabeth I, in 1820 there was Lady Jane Derwent. Yes, she is fictitious, but surely, there must have been such a creature at that time--she comes so vividly to life on the pages of this book. With all her foibles and strong passions, she is a woman to be reckoned with. And so discovers Lewis, Lord Ardenly. Granted, Jane has been misled by Lewis's current chere amie, but the sparks literally fly off these two whenever they meet--by chance or on purpose.
Jane's brother is so totally infatuated with the art of coach-driving, he virtually ignores everything else in their lives in order to follow his dream. Unfortunately, he has neither the money nor the oomph to make his dream come true. When Jane discovers a rival coaching company is for sale, she decides to buy it, and see if she can teach her brother a lesson!
Well. Jane and Lewis try hard not to resurrect their past, but it proves impossible, in spite of the obstacles thrown in their path by nearly everyone in the book. Some are inadvertent, some are on purpose, but the excitement never lets up.
Coachmen of the Regency era were the NASCAR drivers of their day, and this book is so crammed with the lure and lore of the road, you'll think you've been on one of the coaches competing in The Midsummer Day Race from London to Brighton. Fortunately, the good guys--and girls--win, as does the reader. This one is top-notch, all the way!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Georgian Genevieve, May 3, 2009
This review is from: Lady Jane's Ribbons (Hardcover)
This unusual and above average Georgian romance is a bit like a version of the classic film "Genevieve" taken back in time to 1820.
Strictly speaking this is a Georgian romance rather than a Regency one, since it is set a few months after the Prince Regent has finally ascended the throne as George IV. The opening scenes of the novel refer to the remarkable scenes of public disorder after his separated and highly disreputable wife, Caroline of Brunswick, made an unexpected return to England shortly afterward.
The heroine of the story, Lady Jane Derwent, is the sister of Henry, Fifth Earl of Felbridge, who is engaged to her friend Blanche Lyndon. Unfortunately, the earl has become obsessed with racing stagecoaches: he has established a coaching business between London and Brighton and is engaged in a battle for prestige with a highly unscrupulous businessman, Edward Chapman. And this obsession is causing him to neglect his fiance.
When Henry causes Blanche great distress by thoughtlessly missing her birthday party through tearing off to Brighton on a coach, his furious sister decides to teach him a lesson. It would serve him right if a woman succeeded in winning the forthcoming London to Brighton coaching race. So she approaches another coach proprietor who is on the verge of being put out of business by Edward Chapman's dirty tricks, and agrees to sponsor his coach to enter the race.
But the villanous Chapman will go to any lengths to deal with both rival coaches. And in the process of organising her bid, Lady Jane comes back into contact with her former fiance Lord Lewis Ardenly. Jane had broken off her engagement to Lord Lewis when she was given reason to believe that he was unfaithful to her, and has not forgiven or forgotten this betrayal. But he has the horses which she needs for her coach to have any chance of winning the race ...
A very amusing book, which had me laughing out loud in several places. Some of the details are a little unlikely, though the description at the start of the book of the disorder in London when Queen Caroline returned is quite accurate. Well above the normal standard for the genre.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stellar! 4.5 stars!, March 6, 2009
This review is from: Lady Jane's Ribbons (Hardcover)
The year is 1820. Caroline of Brunswick, Queen of England, has returned to claim her rights. Mobs walk the streets nightly in her favor. It has been six months since Lady Jane Derwent's hear was broken due to a humiliating visit from Alicia, Duchess of Brantingham. Alicia had been almost everywhere, on the arm of Lord Lewis Ardenley, Jane's intended. Alicia's horrid details of her involvement with Lewis was too much. Jane broke off with Lewis and left town to lick her wounds. It was the letters from her friend, Blanch Lyndon, that brought Jane back.
Blanch is the fiancé of her brother, Henry Derwent, fifth Earl of Felbridge. The problem is that Henry has become obsessed with stagecoach racing. Henry now owns the Fleece Inn and coaches his own stage in races. His bitter rival on the road is Edward Chapman, who is well known for his ruthlessness. Everyone is noticing how Henry keeps forgetting important functions, such as Blanch's birthday party. Blanch's father is now attempting to break the Felbridge betrothal.
When Jane spies an ad about a coaching inn being up for sale, she decides that it is the perfect opportunity to teach her brother a much needed lesson. Thus Jane becomes a silent partner with Mr. Wheddle and arrangements are made for her to be in the Midsummer Day race to Brighton. But Lewis does not seem to believe Jane is up for the task she has set for herself. Well perhaps Jane can teach him a lesson or two as well.
***** Author Sandra Wilson has created a wonderful romance with a good bit of adventure while keeping the time setting historically accurate. Even readers, such as I, who care nothing for races will find themselves enjoying this romp. Stellar! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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