Lessons in French [Mass Market Paperback]

Laura Kinsale (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 2010

Laura Kinsale's unique and powerfully written love stories transcend the romance genre. In this, her first new book in five years, she delivers a poignant, funny, sexy, Regency romance sure to delight her many fans and attract a whole new readership.

Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and, in a furious frenzy, drives Trevelyan away in disgrace. Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie discovers that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with excitement, but he can't give her the one thing she wants more than anything—himself.

For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last goodbyes, he's determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them.

***

Praise for Lessons in French:

"Laura Kinsale creates magic. Her characters live, breathe, charm, and seduce, and her writing is
as delicious and perfectly served as wine in a crystal glass."
Lisa Kleypas

"I loved it! Lessons in French is a delicious new Kinsale that couples the charm of Midsummer Moon with the intensity
of Seize the Fire or The Shadow and the Star. Intrigue, drama, secrets, passion, and a grand romance make this
a wonderful addition to Laura Kinsale's already excellent repertoire."
Jennifer Ashley | USA Today bestselling author of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

"A rich and rewarding romance from the legendary Laura Kinsale!"
Mary Jo Putney | New York Times bestselling author of Loving a Lost Lord

"A truly gifted writer, Laura Kinsale is one of the romance genre's brightest stars."
Loretta Chase | New York Times bestselling author of Don't Tempt Me

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Often flat and uninspired in its interactions, this by-the-numbers 1820s romance relies on complicated subplots and the heartstring-tugging tale of reunited childhood sweethearts. Lady Callista Taillefaire has been jilted three times and is resolved to devote herself to raising cattle, particularly her prize-winning bull, Hubert. When her lost love, Trevelyn, returns from nine years away, that resolve is firmly tested, but no sooner is their romance rekindled than he is convicted of forgery and forced into exile. Readers may enjoy the history lessons in several creaky but soundly constructed tales of Trevelyn's wartime experiences with another of Callie's former suitors, but Kinsale neglects to fill in the background details for Trevelyn and his unsavory valet, ex-boxer Jock, preferring to follow romance conventions with monotonous regularity. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Lessons in French was a lesson in life, love, and laughter for me... This wonderful novelist has been "missing in action" for the past five years and I, for one, am elated that she's returned. " - Once Upon a Romance

"Heartbreaking, poetic, and desperately hopeful -- Lessons in French just might be Laura Kinsale's best yet. A Night Owl Romance Reviewer Top Pick" - Night Owl Romance

"One of the most beloved authors of the genre returns with a lighthearted, joyous love story... [Readers] will delight in the engaging characters, Kinsale's sparkling sense of humor and the pure joy of reading a romance crafted by a master. " - The Romantic Times

"The characters crackle with energy and life." - Coffee Time Romance

"Playful and amusing." - Romance Reader at Heart

"A classically romantic and elegant read. " - Barnes and Noble Heart to Heart

"A lighthearted romantic romp. " - Mrs. Giggles

"From one of the genre's much-admired historical authors... a worthy valentine for the season. " - BookPage

"Kinsale takes us on a journey of intrigue. " - Affaire de Coeur

"Lessons in French has everything a reader is looking for in historical romance. " - Thoughts from an Evil Overlord

"Laura Kinsale is an absolute star... the story is beautiful." - She Read a Book

"A perfect balance of drama and farce, weighty and trivial, darker and lighter. Whether you're new to Kinsale or a longtime fan, I encourage you to pick up Lessons In French. C'est l'amour!" - Alpha Heroes

"Smart and witty and adorable." - Musings of a Bibliophile

"Her prose, as always is enjoyable and smooth, her history feels historical, and her setting seems fully realized. " - All About Romance

"An entertaining tale... Welcome Back Ms. Kinsale!" - Cindy Reads Romance

"Laura Kinsale demonstrates her trademark wit, depth, detail and romanticism can serve a light-hearted historical romance just as well as they can with a darker one." - Gossamer Obsessions

"A great read with a wonderful romance. " - My Over-Stuffed Bookshelf

"An adorable Regency story that is sure to tickle your fancy." - Yankee Romance Reviewers

"A beautiful love story about friendship and loss, loyalty and love. " - Leslie's Psyche

"Giving LIF to someone feeling down or disheartened would be humanitarian service." - Apprentice Writer

"A wonderful addition to the genre. I sincerely hope Laura Kinsale doesn't leave such a long wait for her next romance!" - Medieval Bookworm

"Twenty pages into reading, I stopped and thought, this is the reason I read historical romance. Welcome back Laura, we've missed you dearly" - Babbling About Books and More

"A heartwarming love story... very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. " - Scandalous Women

"A lighthearted, romantic romp." - BookPleasures.com

"Lessons in French was such as sweet and quiet romance." - Books Like Breathing

"Cute, witty, with a bit of fun adventure, I recommend Lessons in French to those who'd enjoy reading a light romance." - The Book Faery Reviews

"Lessons in French has everything a historical novel should have: history about the era, romance, peppered with a little suspense and wit. " - Everything Victorian and More

"Cute, lighthearted, and full of whimsy. " - Love Romance Passion

"A definite gem of a book." - Romance Rookie

"A lighthearted romp in the romance genre." - Drey's Library

"A really sweet story of old lovers rediscovering each other. " - Chris' Book-a-Rama

"Laura Kinsale spins such a fine web of a story, you find yourself ensnared from page one with no desire to be let go." - Wendy's Minding Spot

"Charmingly written with such witty dialogue." - Pudgy Penguin Perusals

"Kinsale's gift for smart and effervescent dialogue is clearly evident." - BookLoons.com

"Enchanting and completely charming!" - Seductive Musings

"From the start of the book I fell in love with Callie and Trev. " - My Reading Room

"An intriguing Regency romance." - Genre Go Round Reviews

"Plenty of light-hearted humor, and also some serious events, making this lovingly written story pure enjoyment." - Romance Reviews Today

"Intrigue, mystery, secrets, wit, misunderstandings, miscommunications, lots of drama and a grand, sweet romance." - My Book Addiction and More

""Funny, clever, and laced with whimsy, this lighthearted charmer is pure magic; a surefire winner for all collections." A Starred Review!" - Library Journal

"A bit of mystery, some exciting romps, and odd but lovable characters... absolutely yummy! " - Huntress Reviews

"Kinsale is back in a big way. Her fans will not be disappointed with this one." - Readin' and Dreamin'

"A welcome return from Laura Kinsale." - Reading Adventures

"You will laugh, you will cry, you will sigh - you really can't ask for more." - All About the {n}

"An intriguing Regency romance." -

"A fun romp through Regency romance!" - My Ever Expanding Library

"A warm, witty historical romance that is sure to delight and captivate." - Romance Junkies

"This is a novelist who knows how to capture readers and write only keepers. " - Rakehell

"A fun, satisfying romance!" - Starting Fresh

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; No Edition Stated edition (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402237014
• ISBN-13: 978-1402237010
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura Kinsale is a New York Times bestselling author and both winner and multiple nominee for the Best Book of the Year award given by the Romance Writers of America. Her novel FLOWERS FROM THE STORM was chosen by readers of Glamour Magazine and the Washington Post as one of the Greatest Love Stories of All Time.

Laura believes that a romance novel can be more. More fascinating characters than you ever anticipated. More unexpected depth. Emotion to engage your heart and your mind. Stories that keep you awake and words you will remember long after you close the book.

Whenever readers list their "Desert Isle Keepers," the books they couldn't live without, Laura Kinsale's award-winning historical romances are included near the top.

Why a puppy for an author photo? There have been a few fake author pages on the web purporting to be Laura. So whenever you see a picture of Ventoux the Peter Pan of Great Pyrenees dogs, you know it's authentic Laura Kinsale.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 70 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars You read Kinsale For the Depth January 23, 2010

By Talvi TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Mass Market Paperback

If you have read her books in the past, then you know they tend to fall into two categories: challenging and serious - or a bit more lighthearted but with depth. This falls into the latter category and has a lot of whimsy and charm but with the same Kinsale trademarks:

- strong male character who is definitely flawed, unsure, and 3 Dimensional. It's in her heroes that her strength lies - they aren't cookie cutter ciphers but do things that are unwise or even self destructive (just as a normal person does). You don't have the usual historical hero who is wealthy, knowledgeable, self assured, super intelligent, a 'rake', and utterly perfect - and then falls for random spirited girl. Instead, you have a 'wounded' man who finds a light at the end of the tunnel with someone who can understand his pain.

- female lead who isn't the prototypical "spitfire" who says and does dumb things just so she can be rescued from her own 'spirit.' Instead, Kinsale often gives her heroines quiet strength and dignity. That's what really draws me to Kinsale's protaganists - that sensibility. The heroes and heroines play the same game we all have to play - not knowing the true feelings of the other or why they do what they do.

- Obsessive love. It's complete and unconditional and Kinsale is really good at making the reader feel the depth and commitment (and reasoning) that the male character is so in love with the female character.

- A lot of pathos and depth to the characterization of many of the people in the book. No one is purely bad or good and many are just doing what people do normally - be selfish or unobservant. Kinsale is wonderful at plumbing psychological depths and characters don't act irrationally just to create a 'situation' that moves a plot.

- The book is well written and not given to lazy or sloppy sections.

For this particular book, the story moves over a short one week time period which suits the plot of two people who really cared for each other but were separated by circumstance. At times, it does feel a lot like an Austen book since the banter can be very witty and makes sense for a couple in their late 20s who once shared a close intimacy. And you do get the feeling that neither are quite sure of what time has done to change the other.

In all, the book is a very enjoyable read. It's not one of Kinsale's challenging works (the English of For My Lady's Heart or 'plot in letters' in My Sweet Folly). Instead, it is lighter and more pleasant, with a great supporting cast of characters and two protagonists that are deeply developed and not cardboard cliches of the genre. I give it one star less because of a plot point that I really thought was ridiculously coincidental and could have been constructed differently to achieve the same effect.

I don't read romance much any more and Kinsale is the only romance author whose books I still buy. As soon as they are announced, I put them on preorder on Amazon. I know that whether she challenges me or makes me smile, I can always look forward to a well written story devoid of usual hoary cliches that can really turn one off of the genre.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Entertaining Historical Romance January 28, 2010

By Leslie VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

She's back. And what a lovely way to come back. In Lessons in French Laura Kinsale has written a beautiful love story about friendship and loss, loyalty and love. She's made the heiress wallflower a charming character and the dashing Frenchman endearing in spite of his misadventures. Callie and Trev were each other's first love, then circumstances tore them apart. Now Trev is back, whether for good or not remains to be seen.

There's something about stories of first love that we romance readers can't help but be drawn to. Add to that a second chance at love and we just have to find out what happens. Will they finally get their HEA (Happily Ever After)? For Callie and Trev the road to HEA is filled with one detour after another. It's an adventure of laughter, love, friendship, narrow escapes, hiding from the law and waking up in the arms of your true love.

It's been nine years since Trev left. In those nine years Callie has had three fiancés along with three broken engagements. She is now twenty-seven and unsure of her future. She has recently come out of mourning for her father, the late Earl of Shelford. With her cousin Jasper now the earl and his wife Dolly wishing for both Callie and her younger sister Hermione gone from Shelford Hall, Callie no longer feels welcomed in her own home. It looks as though Callie's hope lies in her sister marrying someone willing to allow Callie to live with them. Not exactly the brightest of futures. Then Trev comes back and her world is turned upside down as she is once again caught up in his adventures.

Callie is a wonderful heroine. She's practical but has this fantastic whimsical side where she daydreams of romantic and humorous scenes of her life as she would imagine it. A fairy tale of sorts with her in control of the outcome. She also has wonderful sense of humor that she shares with Trev. Their banter and joking with each other goes back to their early years together. Another side to Callie is her love of animals, specifically Hubert her large but docile bull. Callie shows that she isn't afraid of hard work and getting her hands dirty when taking care of Hubert. Then something happens to Hubert and Callie is trying so desperately to hold on to her composure, to keep the tears at bay. It's one of those moments it's obvious why Trev loves this wallflower so.

Trev was an amusing, devil-may-care hero. He returns because of his love and concern for his mother. He doesn't expect to find Callie unmarried and still there. He has no plans to stay long but with Trev, plans tend to change and as he and Callie renew their friendship he finds himself pulled towards this woman who he thinks is out of reach. Trev seemed to enjoy becoming involved in plots of intrigue and adventure. When he wasn't engaged in daring plans he was caring for his mother and trying to be a friend to Callie. His love for both of these women came through, making him both vulnerable while still giving him that air of danger. Trev is far from perfect. He makes mistakes and acts rashly with some less than stellar outcomes. But even when he is engaging in some reckless behavior, his love of life and of Callie makes him hard to resist. There were moments when I couldn't help but laugh as I thought, "Oh, what has he done now?"

Kinsale's quick wit and way with words comes through in the dialogue and descriptions of the village, the people and the emotions that make this a fun, boisterous story. Any problems I had with the plot or storytelling were minor. The ending wrapped up a little too neatly with problems that had seemed insurmountable, swiftly taken care of. Then there was Trev's French mother, who I enjoyed but it became a bit annoying when she would get the English word wrong when using phrases and clichés. It was cute the first few times, after that, not so much.

Lessons in French could certainly be called lighter fare than what Kinsale is more widely known for. I would call it an enjoyable love story full of laughter and adventure. Here's to hoping we don't have to wait too long for the next Laura Kinsale release.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A richly charming Regency January 15, 2010

By Marian Librarian

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

After young lovers Callie and Trev are separated by an angry earl, nine years' passage of time is not enough to make them to forget one another. When the characters meet again, it is clear they are still achingly in love, but as the chapters quickly unfold, the nine years' separation (and ensuing consequences) must be dealt with. This is "classic Kinsale" in that her effervescent wit and prose styling defies the reader to not smile or even laugh aloud. There is a bit of mystery, some upending of cliches, madcap humor, and conflicting claims of possession--and that's just for Hubert the prize bull! The same and even more applies to Callie and Trev. One of the best aspects of Laura Kinsale's writing is her sunlight-and-shadows portrayal of her characters. There's a poignancy about both Callie and Trev that makes them more than cardboard cutouts on a Regency paper stage. Their mistakes, eccentricities, miscommunications and efforts to both cling and let go make them fully dimensional characters. Add in lyrical eroticism and page-turning pacing, and this book becomes a gift to the reader.