7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Golden Heart Winner Lives up to its Promise, September 21, 2007
This review is from: Scandal's Daughter (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
The aspirations of many an unpublished romance writer includes winning the coveted "Golden Heart" award sponsored by Romance Writers of America. In 2006, "Scandal's Daughter" won the Best Short Historical Romance category, and after reading this charming Regency-set novel, I believe the accolade was well-deserved.
Author Christine Wells paints the English setting beautifully and introduces us to Gemma and Sebastian, two likeable characters whose lifelong friendship forms a bond that gradually evolves through tenuous bouts of passion into a deep love capable of healing the wounds of the past.
Gemma is plucky without being obnoxious, and Sebastian is a complex character driven by a dark childhood filled with abuse and culminating in the loss of his beloved brother. The author's skill at portraying the deep emotional ties between the hero and heroine brings an emotional context to the story that makes it a very satisfying romance.
Ms. Wells employs a skillful balance, using humor to occasionally lighten the mood and deftly working in the Regency-era details that form the flagstone of this type of novel without making them an intrusion. She creates an interesting world populated with endearing characters and provides the requisite happy ending. As a reader of romance, I couldn't have asked for more .
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Surprisingly Fresh Regency, with Heart, September 30, 2007
This review is from: Scandal's Daughter (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
Wow, a Regency that doesn't do the soiree/ball/sightseeing thing in London? It's a first for me, but I like it!
Our heroine, Gemma lives at her grandfathers' estate of Ware. There's no reference to how long she's been there, but one gathers it's been a very long time. So long, in fact, that she has assumed some of the duties of an estate steward. A situation her grandfather is not happy with.
Gemma's grandfather realizes he is dying, and asks his godson, Sebastion, Earl of Carleton to Ware to talk with him about Gemmas' future. Hugo asks Sebastion to marry Gemma!!! Sebastion, who has no plans to marry demurs, but offers to find someone for Gemma within the next three months, or he will marry her himself.
I admit, this novel, while very enjoyable, was definitely a first novel. Several areas left me wondering why put them in at all if you're going to rush to a conclusion?
Example:
1: The arrival of Charles Bellamy was initially created as a romantic interest of Gemmas' mother. I won't ruin the ending, but it just wasn't plausible.
2: Gemmas' mother was "scandalous" but there was no mention about what caused the scandal or why her mother left Gemma all those years ago? The ending provided another possibility for the appearance of scandal. I felt that was too rushed.
Gemma and Sebastion were fascinating. They both eventually realize their love for one another and the bedroom scene -while out of character for Gemma to be so direct - was good.
All in all, I look forward to more from this author.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent debut!, October 1, 2007
This review is from: Scandal's Daughter (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)
Scandal's Daughter is entertaining and heart-warming, filled with characters who intrigue and delight and a storyline that keeps you turning the pages. If you want a book to make you sigh with happiness and satisfaction at the end, this is it!
Christine Wells has done an excellent job in her debut novel - I can't wait to read her next one.
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