Customer Reviews

Suddenly

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found the story light hearted and naive, just like the young ladies of that era. Yes many time they act silly [in our views] but at least Charity Emerson was not a whiney, fainty kind of girl at 18.

Simon "Devil" Dure has inherited the Earldom on the death of his brother [never quite explained] but is protecting his emotions from being ravaged again by love. He blames himself for the death of his young wife but now must procure an heir.

He is on the verge of offering for Selena Emerson, the eldest of the Emerson girls who happens to love a lowly reverand. Not the marriage to the pastor, her mother, Caroline invisions for her. The Emerson's need someone with money in order to bring out the younger girls, Elspeth, Horatia, and Belinda.

I loved the simplicity of Charity's idea of approaching Simon Dure in his own home [which of course, is not done] - Dure is taken aback that this child/woman had the audacity to come to his establishment. He is entrigued by her arguments that he should marry her and not her sister.

She actually brings laughter and amusement into Dure's life. He is finding it hard to adhur to the year long engagement as she unwittingly sends his desire into overdrive. Shall we say that he gets a bit hot around her?

We meet Venetia, his sister who is being blackmailed by Faraday Reed, who considers himself quite a ladies man. And then there is the foolish Mrs. Theodora Graves, who deludes herself that Dure would marry her.

Oh, we can't forget the mutt of a dog, Lucky and guess what Charity brings home? Churchill, the funny little monkey who stirs up a lot of trouble.

Yup! Dure is finding it hard to resist Charity and her kisses and she does take advantage of the man and his weaknesses. She is not afraid to get down and dirty and play with her sisters or seduce Dure.

I don't care for 400 page stories but this just keeps leading you on - couldn't stop reading and was not in a hurry [as in some books] to get to the end.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --m You may want to read this one again.

Had a been there, done that feel.... The plucky heroine, falsely accused man, etc. Rescued animals, evil blackmailers, nasty ex-mistress. Maybe some books just shouldn't be reissued.

After reading The Courtship Dance, I was trilled to see that Candance Camp has published a new book. Let me say that although the story begins with so much promise, I got annoyed 1/3 into it. Initially, I liked Charity and how she enticed the duke to choose her instead of her sister, but then the story just turns ridiculous. When you see your fiance have a strong reaction towards another man, shouldn't you go see him and ask him why instead of continuing to frequent the man out of a sense of not letting him control you. On the one side, she promised to be the perfect wife for him and on the other side, she ignores his feelings. I didn't even bother to continue reading the book and choosing instead of skipping to the end. This book was a complete waste of money. I could barely stand Charity due to her immature behavior in the book and the mystery plot drags on until the end with only a couple of pages to tie it up.

I like Candace Camp so I picked up this book. When I got into the story I realized I had read this plot so very many times before in romance novels written by so very many authors. There are even bits in this I've read in old Georgette Heyer books (e.g., the heroine's penchant for rescuing strays, whether they be animals or mistreated children). Now a lot of the books with similar plots have been written since 1996 when this SUDDENLY was first issued so I'm not saying Camp is plagiarizing, by any means. It's just that the plot is so "been-there, done-that". The good thing about this book is that Camp has managed to make this heroine appealing, not annoying, and the hero is, of course, sexy but decent, as we like heroes to be. The villainess, hero's cast-aside mistress, is pretty annoying and predictable, as is the evil rake of a villain. On the whole, however, if one considers the publication date of 1996 it is a satisfactory read. Probably a reader younger than I, who hasn't read so many historical romances, will like this.

Candace Camp is one of those authors who has the magic to suck you into the story. You can actually feel, smell, and TASTE what is going on. This book becomes an obsession to find out what's on the next page. I urge anyone who loves historical romance to pick this up. The heroine is a character you can really grab onto. Charity is so full of life, you find yourself smiling. The hero is of course dark and brooding, but he literally melts with Charity. The story is witting and engaging. A must read!!!

I like this book best of all the Candace Camp stories. Is is fun, light-hearted, and sensual. Yes, the young heroine can be pretty silly sometimes, but for the most part, I enjoyed her antics. The story is quite derivative of a Georgette Heyer plot. Think "The Convenient Marriage", but with sex.

Like some reviewers have said, this book has a deja vu feeling. The plot isn't anything unique, but the relationship is very steamy and seductive. I didn't think the book was bad or boring, just predictable and too detailed. Some parts were better than others, and I really loved them. But others were obvious and expecting. Sometimes a character would go on for a looooonnngg paragraph describing what had already been inferred by the reader. But I liked the chemistry between Charity and Simon. I admit, Charity was a little oblivious to things though.

This was a very refreshing story. the main character was very bold, charming, honest and innocent. it reminds us of how life and love should really be! open and refreshing; like that cool glass of water you crave for after a long race or hike up a mountain. in the end it's so very satisfying!

There are a few problems with Candace Camp's novel Suddenly and yet I could not help but like it. This novel was written fourteen years ago, and it shows but there is still something sweet about the romance between the leads.

Charity Emerson loves her sister, Serena, so when her parents try to coerce Serena into a marriage to the Earl of Dure, Charity steps in to save the day. She offers herself to Dure as substitute bride and he is quick to say yes as Charity is beautiful and charming.

Charity is young, only eighteen and she acts like it. She is hopelessly naïve, so much so that she is completely unaware of sinister actions around her. One glaring problem in this plot is both Charity and her mother welcome a married man to call and escort Charity about town. No proper mother would allow her engaged daughter to spend so much time with a married man. Fortunately, some of Charity's naïve actions resolve themselves before the end of the novel.

Charity and Dure agree to a loveless marriage. Dure is still smarting from his first wife's death and does not want to open himself to more heartache but he quickly sees that Charity is determined to bring her sunny disposition to his somewhat staid life.

The middle portion of this novel really slows down and that's because there is little action occurring between Charity and Dure. He keeps his distance emotionally and physically. Meanwhile Charity is bent on defying Dure's commands to stay away from an old enemy. He does not explain his motives at first and this just causes the young Charity to dig in her heels.

The last half of the book is much better. Here the action picks up thanks to secondary characters that fill in many of the blanks for Charity. Finally she sees why Dure's warnings are not just ridiculous demands. Also she matures fairly quickly when her fiancé faces gossip and legal trouble. Charity is at her best when she is fiercely loyal and protective of Dure. Too often heroines are not loyal to the hero, but Charity never wavers in her faith and I immensely admired her character's stalwart belief in her hero.

Dure experiences real joy with Charity. Her sweet, honest nature is refreshing and Ms. Camp does a good job of letting the reader see how much these protagonists like each other. Both leads are at their best when they share scenes, however they are not great detectives and Charity especially is no Nancy Drew. Her lack of discernment really leads her in the wrong directions when hunting for clues.

So even though there are some issues with this novel (Charity's immaturity being one along with a slow middle portion) I still enjoyed it. I liked how Charity really stood her ground when it came to Dure, she was supportive and selfless. The plot of this novel rates around 2.5 stars but Charity's loyalty and Dure's noble nature bump this up to a 4 star read.

hello,
I normally do not write reviews,but I really enjoyed this book.Sometimes I find that mrs. camp doesd not add enough charactor to her stories,not so with this book.I really liked the heroine charity,and I felt that she was someone that was relatable and fun.