Customer Reviews

Love and the Single Heiress

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Staring across the crowded ballroom, Andrew Stanton recalled how he initially fell in love with the image of Lady Catherine, his best friend's sister; later becoming more enthralled with each and every newsy letter he shared with him. He'd waited years for the day when he could finally begin to court her. At long last, Lady Catherine, now a widow, was out of mourning and Andrew who in the intervening yeas had become a close friend of the family, was ready to pursue the object of his desires. He was fully aware that as a common man, his chances at wooing a lady of the nobility would be difficult, if not fruitless. Knowing that her marriage had been disastrous and that Catherine had vowed to never re-marry, did not deter Andrew from pursing the object of his desire. She now seemed to be a devout advocate and champion of the mysterious author Charles Brightmore, the author of the scandalously popular `Ladies' Guide' that had most men of the ton ready to commit murder should they ever discover his true identity.

Secretly, while rusticating in the country with her son Spencer, Lady Catherine had been only too happy to assist a friend with the publication of A Ladies' Guide. The guide had taken society by storm but not without it's detractors. Having endured the narrow mindedness and hateful comments directed at her son's affliction she'd hope to set nobility on its ear, never dreaming that her involvement would place her life in danger. After narrowly escaping an attempt on her life she was forced to leave the city with Andrew as her able bodied protector, a task he gladly took for the golden opportunity it afforded to begin his campaign of seduction.

This was another winner from the very talented Ms. D'Alessandro who writes lively intelligent and witty dialogs and characters that endure long after you've finished the last pages. While Andrew's wooing of Catherine was utterly romantic, and sweetly sensual, the endearingly honest loving relationship he established with 12-year-old Spencer and help in teaching him to deal with his physical limitations was simply outstanding. D'Alessandro also gives another interesting secondary character in Catherine's friend Genevieve, who as the true author of the `guide' would make a terrific sequel with a story of her own. Bottom Line - While this seemed to have a bit more serious tone than her customary belly laugh humorous romances, her dialogs and finely drawn characterizations along with an inspiring romance and seduction is totally charming and heart warming... definitely recommended! --- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicromancewriters.com ---

Catherine Ashfield, Viscountess Bickley, is a widow just out of mourning. When a close friend asked her, Lady Catherine was only too happy to assist with the publication of "A Ladies' Guide". She saw it as a quiet way to get a bit of revenge on a society which had turned its cruel back on her son, Spencer, due to his club foot. It was published under the name Charles Brightmore. Soon it seems as though every female has a copy of the scandalous book and the men are NOT happy at the changes in their women. But Lady Catherine never dreamed her involvement could put her life in jeopardy and force her to flee London in the company of a disarmingly attractive protector.

Andrew Stanton knew Catherine was hiding something from him, but playing the role of protector and friend helps him keep her close by. Andrew has no noble lineage. He is the best friend of Catherine's brother, but wishes only to court Catherine now that she is FINALLY out of mourning. But Catherine's marriage had been far from happy and she is determined never to remarry. Worse yet, she seemed to live by the crazy book that has all of town abuzz. Andrew is determined to subtly court her while playing his guardian role. And not only has Catherine captured his heart, but her twelve-year-old son has too.

***** Chalk up another best seller from renowned author Jacquie D'Alessandro! This author has yet to disappoint me in her enthralling romances! In fact, she seems to get better and better with every title she publishes. Every time I believe she can get no better, she proves me wrong. Highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Gentle humor, scintillating romance, an engaging child, an even more engaging hero who befriends and encourages said child, a heroine afraid to risk her heart, and a past that haunts the present and may destroy the future. Mix it all together and you have another great read by D'Alessandro. Superior secondary characters add to the charming lead couple and increase the book's interest. Lovely -- no dictionary needed.

Jacquie D'Alessandro does it again! Humor, wit, and a spicy love affair sprinkled with danger make Love and the Single Heiress a wonderful adventure for the romance reader. Lady Catherine, whom by right of being an Earl's daughter retains her title despite circimstances of her unhappy marriage and widowed state, is a heroine worth loving for she risks scandal and her reputation to pen a guide to help other women to personal happiness and sets the ton on its ear. Andrew, a man with tragic secrets, finally dares to open his heart and brings healing and love to Catherine and her son, whom his deceased father had despised because of a birth defect. With heartwarming tenderness and talent, Jacquie gives new meaning to Regency Romance.

Jacquie D'Alessandro continually writes fantastic books! The chemistry between the hero and heroine is terrific, as always. I laugh through her books, and I'm always touched by the emotion and depth of the story.

I was a bit aggravated by the posts here, however, regarding Lady Catherine's name. I find this odd, as Lady Catherine is the daughter of an earl. This entitled her to be called "Lady Catherine" for life, regardless of marrying Bickley before the book began. I realize she married "beneath" her station when she joined with Bickley, but she's still entitled to use the title of "Lady Catherine" given at birth.

And, really, that seems silly to harp on. The story is full of laughter, memorable characters, quiet momements of discovery and a great mystery. It's a pleasurable escape from the real world. Do yourself a favor and discover the fun and loving world Jacquie D'Alessandro creates.

I love Jacquie D'Alessandro's books and ever since the first one I read, I got hooked on it. This particular book was just ok to me. I felt that I didn't quite connect with Catherine Ashfield and felt that Andrew was too good for her.

The plot itself was interesting and it was a little unexpected towards the end when solving the mystery. I would still highly recommend Ms.D'Alessandro's books.

I just find myself in the middle on the reviews I read - to me this book is in no way a 1 or 2 star book but to give it 5 seems way too much. It ends very well - the last 1/3 make up for somewhat a dragging beginning. I cannot believe how long it takes you to find out that Andrew truly had loved Catherine for over 6 years - I think knowins some of his history and how she saved him might have helped to realize a stronger connection earlier. The fact that Catherine is so set on not remarrying becomes a little tedious too - and why she all of a sudden changes her mind -well that seemed a little lame for her strong earlier statements. However in spite of those negatives - some of the dialog and the wit between these two was beautiful. I loved how they would argue, and their references to the dictionary - and mostly I loved the FIRSTS _ that was very well done! The love scenes were beautiful - very very romantic - and emotional. There was a lot good about the book - but could have been a 5 with a little more work!

I've seen a number of romances capitalise on plots where the heroine is involved in a publication, so while the plot was predictable, D'Alessandro's writing was not - it was witty and I enjoyed every bit of conversation between Catherine and Andrew. A plot where both protagonists have been married before and one has a child with a club foot does make for quite a lot of emotional baggage, so I found this book richly satisfying.

I'm reminded of Amanda Quick's earlier books, where the conversation is almost farcical and there's a bit of mystery mixed in. If you like Quick you'll probably like this.

I was disappointed with this book because I happen to like this author a lot and I go through each of her books within a day and yet this one just dragged. Lady Catherine just irritated me. She was such a shrew!! Andrew seemed to be too good for her. In A'Lessandro's previous book, "Who Will Take This Man", Lady Catherine just seemed so much nicer as Phillip's sister but yet right at the start of this book, she seemed almost mean. I would recommend A'Lessandro' other books before recommending this one.

This book was beautiful. The heroine Catherine was sweet, lovely, alittle opionated but overall a worthy heroine. But the hero Andrew I just don't know where to begin - he's just wonderfull. His character came to life for me in this book making what would have been a good book, great. The love I felt he had for Catherine was so beautiful. He was sensitive, sweet and above all had such a intense love for Catherine it just flowed off the pages. And his interaction with the son Spencer showed just another wonderful side. The ending where he says my heart, my soul are yours. Tell me what you want to do with them. Oh my God it does not get any better than a hero like that. Well Done!