Customer Reviews

A Regency Valentine II

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

 

 

In Canada, the month of February is bitterly cold and forlorn. It is little wonder, the merchants play up the joy and romance of Valentine's Day, and what better way to pass the month's long, bleak days then to read a perfectly timed anthology written by five romantic authors. A REGENCY VALENTINE II, was a seasonal-focused anthology first released in January 1992 . . .

1): CAROL PROCTOR: "A Task for Cupid." - 4 (2 Stars).
Definitely, this story contained a disturbing image . . . Denzil Huntingford lacks suavity around the ladies. He is too shy, too timid, and he agonizes over idle chatter. Nevertheless, he is in love, in love with Miss Amabel Penworth.

So his Grandmama, the Marchioness of Witley, comes to Denzil's rescue and gives personal instructions:
** "Kiss my hand. No, no, no, I mean kiss it as if I were Miss Penworth! Now look into my eyes! I want to see that you can do it properly!" ** EAUWW!

And when that didn't work, Grandmama tried the browbeating approach:
** "Stop acting as if you're pigeon-witted! . . . Imbecile! . . . Close your mouth, you look quite idiotic!" ** EGADS!

Of course, Grandmama lends the instruction to woo Miss Penworth, and in the end all is well; nevertheless A TASK FOR CUPID is my first CAROL PROCTOR read and with that statement I will say no more . . .

2): MARY BALOGH: "A Waltz Among the Stars." - Rating: 10 (5 Big Stars).
Get the tissues out, Mary Balogh pierces the heart with this tale . . . Lady Barbara Hanover is the Duke of Durham's daughter. She is the mother of little Zachary and she is unwed and rejected. Lord Caleb White is the Viscount Brandon and a lonely widower. He is at Durham Hall to ask permission to court Durham's daughter - Eve. But then he meets Barbara - beautiful, shunned Barbara. MARY BALOGH wrote A WALTZ AMONG THE STARS in her classic style - dignified, sensitive and gentle.

3): CARLA KELLY: "The Light Within." - Rating: 6 (3 Stars).
This was a pleasant story, but it bordered on silly . . . Lord Thomas Waggoner would stop at nothing to end his brother's foolish endeavors. Lord Thomas would even kidnap a woman. The impeccable Blessing Whittier was in England searching for answers and legal documents. The British authorities ignored this gentle American-born Quaker at every opportunity. No one would help her, no one until Lord Thomas Waggoner accidentally kidnapped her! THE LIGHT WITHIN is a CARLA KELLY! So the reader can expect a skillfully written story. Even the speech patterns of "Thee and thy" are fun. Yet, by the end, the entire affair screamed cockeyed.

4): SANDRA HEATH: "The Midsummer Valentine." - Rating: 8 (4 Stars).
This author can write description! If you truly want to visit Regency England, pick up a Sandra Heath story . . . A memory enchants Georgina Hartford - a Midsummer dance that ended in a kiss. The captivated dancers exchanged no names and arranged no plans. Instead, the tormenting man quietly disappeared. Yet, he returns, if only to haunt Georgina's dreams. Sir Richard Marriot will announce his betrothal at his Valentine's Ball, until he recognizes the beautiful stranger with the lavender eyes? In THE MIDSUMMER VALENTINE, SANDRA HEATH once again displays her masterful proficiency at gentle romance.

5): EDITH LAYTON: "The Legacy." - Rating: 4 (2 Stars).
This is a strange, grim story . . . Valerian Blackwood, ex-Captain in His Majesty's Light Hussars, and his cousin Bolton Blackwood are struggling with their eccentric uncle - a collector of antiquities. It seems the old baron has nothing of value. Bolton Blackwood is sure the old man is selling off his legacy, while Valerian Blackwood doesn't care! In fact, very little sparkles in Valerian Blackwood's life these days . . . nothing . . . until he gazes into the eyes of the gardener's daughter - Sybil Prentice. EDITH LAYTON wrote THE LEGACY with a sluggish hand. The results: a dreary story.

MaryGrace Meloche
Reviewer for: Romance Designs