Customer Reviews

Somebody Wonderful (Zebra Debut)

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Kate Rothwell's fresh and fascinating debut novel, SOMEBODY WONDERFUL, is a must read for every romance lover. The setting--late nineteenth century New York--is unusual. But it is the characters that make this book special. Mick and Timona are two of the most unforgettable characters you will ever meet in life or fiction. They are surrounded by a cast of characters that will make you laugh, cry and laugh again as Timona's uniquely optimistic world view slowly wins the day over poverty, prejudice and greed. This book is a keeper.

Policeman Michael McCann has a heart of gold - one that extends to his neighbors, orphans and even to the beat-up dog he adopted named Botty. Mick walks his beat on the streets of 1882 New York when he rescues a female being attacked by a gang. The possibility that she's a prostitute doesn't deter him from taking the beautiful injured woman to his small apartment to treat her wounds. After all, he knows she won't get good treatment at the local hospital.

Timona Calverson boldly sets out to take photographs during her short stay in New York City before departing with her rich paleontologist father, Sir Kenneth Calverson, and his personal secretary, Mr. Blenheim, to the next dig site. Why should she be scared? After all, she has traveled the world with her father, lived among primitive tribes and hard conditions. Besides, she learned self-defense from her older brother, Griffin. Those experiences don't help her, however, when she's outnumbered by several men.

Timona awakens in Mick's small apartment, believing she's in a brothel and the man treating her wounds has less than honorable intentions. She soon realizes her misconception after she learns the handsome Irishman is a policeman. While her initial concern is for her father-that he and his secretary made the train heading to the next digs in time-her thoughts swiftly return to Mick. She hides her true identity, determined to win his heart. But first, she wants to learn more about Mick, whose heartwarming smile and reassuring manner set her so at ease. The following day, after Mick responds to a fire in the apartment building, she realizes he has a heart of gold - a commodity that, to Timona, is worth far more than her father's riches.

Though Mick has his doubts about Timona, he can't avoid being captivated by her natural beauty, sense of humor and loving personality. Then he meets Timona's brother, Griffin, and the obvious wealth that surrounds Griffin brings the stark reality of their relationship to Mick. He and Timona come from different backgrounds entirely. Even though Mick does his best to explain this to Timona, he can't quite bring himself to force her out of his life...especially when she insists on staying in his apartment.

Then her father's secretary, Mr. Blenheim, learns of her whereabouts and sends hired men to bribe Mick to forget Timona - an attempt that fails. But Blenheim has his own personal reason for wanting to break up the couple's growing love. He wants to marry Timona himself - even if it means kidnapping and forcing her into marriage.

Kate Rothwell's premiere novel, "Somebody Wonderful," is an absolute joy to read, full of humor, an exciting plot, and characters so believable you can't help falling in love with them. I couldn't put it down! I certainly look forward to reading her next release, "Somebody to Love."

Reviewed by Linda Morelli, award-winning romance author of FIERY SURRENDER and SHADOW OF DOUBT

Loved the fact that the characters were not stereotypical, and that a sense of humor and intelligence colored the writing all the way through. I was hooked from the opening paragraph right up to the end. Kate Rothwell and I have the same editor at Kensington- a terrific lady who wants her heroes to be men she - and the reader- will adore. Mick is adorable! No doubt about it. Thanks, Kate, for not only giving us a peek at an era not common to historical romances - but for creating one very enjoyable read! Can't wait for Somebody to Love!

Kate's book was warm, witty and wonderful. She captures the setting of 1880s New York with charm and detail, and puts wonderful, strong characters in the space. I loved the story and the people who populated it. Several times, I laughed out loud and other times, felt my heart jerked by the characters' vulnerabilities. Can't wait to see what Kate has in store in her next book!

Kate Rothwell's historical romance "Somebody Wonderful" is a delightful read from beginning to end. The heroine, Timona, a strong-willed independent type, draws you in, grabs your sympathies, and has you championing her side almost as soon as you meet her. The hero, Michael, a brawny Irishman with gentle ways is blindsided by Timona from the beginning and by the end of the story is, of course, glad of it.

I started reading this book late one evening and finally forced myself around three in the morning to put it down till the next day. Timona reminds me of a couple of people I've known - they were all brilliant in their own areas, and a little naive in others. Mick, on the other hand, sounds like someone I'd love to curl up with and never let go. I REALLY wanted to reach out and smack the villains on several occasions, maybe even kick them a few times as well. I am one of those people who will laugh or cry while reading. Most of the time I was reading this book I was grinning or laughing out loud. It will definately go on my "special" bookshelf, to be brought back out regularly and reread. *grin*

I will be waiting impatiently for Araminta's and Griffin's stories, whether they are together or with someone else.

First, I must say that before reading "Somebody Wonderful" I was a virgin to the genre of 21st century romance novels and their authors. I have read Nin, Miller, Lawrence, De Sade and The Kama Sutra to be sure but this was my first "bodice ripper" and now I am afraid I am hooked!

Kate Rothwell's "Somebody Wonderful" is an enchanting and quite enjoyable read. Most of the novel is set in New York City in the year of our Lord, 1882. The heroine of the story, Miss Timona "Timmy" Calverson has just narrowly escaped kidnapping, a house of ill repute, attempted rape and an altercation with a gang of hoodlums with her life hanging in the balance. Along comes a brawny Irish cop named Michael "Mick" McCann to her rescue!

Timona is a different sort of gal - a photographer and quite a traveler of sorts and Mick is an ordinary good looking Irish cop just walking his beat. Once they meet, however, things quickly start to change for the both of them. As they grow to know each other's backgrounds their love for one another is evident and their love and caring spreads throughout Mick's New York neighborhood. However, there is always someone or something standing in the way of true love and boy do Mick and Timmy have their share!

This novel has a great storyline with romance, murder, violence, lust, sex, all with plot twists and turns galore! I very nearly devoured this book. It was a great and fun read for me and it will be for you also!

I can't wait to read Kate's new novel, "Somebody To Love" once it is released!

Happy Reading!

Now, I might be skeptical of most books where the herione decides to marry the hero in chapter one, but I was already in love with him myself by then. The pursuit of her goal takes the hero and heroine from the rougher streets of nineteenth century New York to the countryside of Minnesota, and I was pulling for them every step of the way. The heroine is the kind of woman you'd like for a best friend, and the hero will make you sigh. The passion sizzles, the adventure romps. What a great summer read!

Author Kate Rothwell has a delightful way with words and an enviable talent for yanking the reader out of the present and setting her firmly into the past. Her feisty, before-her-time heroine is the perfect foil for this debut novelist's sexy, true-to-period hero. SOMEBODY WONDERFUL is a thoroughly enjoyable read I'm recommending to friends.
Sandy Blair, author A MAN IN A KILT

I just heard this book by new author Kate Rothwell was chosen by Romantic Times for the list of best debut books. Small surprise. This is a "kinder, gentler" romance, with very down to earth characters. I was very impressed by the period detail of the gaslight era of New York, delighted with the non-stereotpyical characters. This writer IS somebody wonderful!

Setting - New York City, 1882 --- Timona Calverson was something of a legend what with all the adventures of traveling over the world on famous archeological digs with her father Sir Kenneth. She tries to stay out of the limelight, a difficult enough thing to do with all the amazing adventures that have been written about her. Though wealthy and related to British aristocracy she'd rather shun that particular society. Strolling through New York City, enjoying the light reflected off the buildings, she is abducted and brought to a bordello where luckily she befriends a young girl who helps her into a disguise and escape before any permanent damage to her is done. From the frying pan, into the fire, while attempting to find her way back home she is set upon, beaten, and stabbed by a street gang. Luckily for her, Michael McCann, a recent Irish immigrant and New York City police officer, on his way home chased off the gang and rescued the `poor lad'.

Mick was tired, wanted nothing more than his bed but he slung `the lad' over his shoulder thinking that the shortest distance for help would be his one room flat, rather than trying to locate a doctor for some homeless waif. Mick was something of a hero in his neighborhood, attracting strays of all kinds and doctoring some of the smaller injuries when he could. When Timona wakens, she sees not only the kindest, bluest eyes but feels an awareness for a male that she's never felt before - she likes what she sees and asks him to marry her. Mick originally thought her a `lad', then a cheeky prostitute, and now he was simply baffled by Timona and her unusually frank and outrageous comments - marry her indeed!

What a wonderful debut! This was so unusual, in both period and characters with protagonists that will gently ingratiate themselves into your heart. The different adventures Timona had gotten herself into while accompanying her father all over the world made a wonderful case for her embracing Mick, the Irish immigrant for what he was -- a wonderfully warm and charming hero that she immediately wanted to spend the rest of her life with - in whose strong arms she'd finally found a home. The numerous secondary characters were all memorable, from the ugliest dog Botty, to the youngest Tucker who was a bit of a `puker' - all-unusual to say the least! Ms. Rothwell has a rich and fresh voice that is a most outstanding welcome addition to this historical romance genre!

Bottom Line - Embrace this author, I predict a rising star! --- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---