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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some charming, some lackluster, July 4, 2005
As a general rule, anthologies are a mixed bag, and all too often, barely worth reading. This anthology, fortunately, is not the latter; it's also not so much a mixed bag and simply not the best work of the authors. James' heroine is decidedly bold; London's lead couple are such happy, pleasant people that one can't help smiling through most of the story; Lee deftly presents an unusual & harrowing situation; and Navin uses a spoiled debutante as the main "villain." I thought London's story the best, and Navin's the weakest. It's decent as anthologies go; some can be dreadful. But it's certainly not James' or Lee's best work. This is my first read for the other two; I'll read more of London, but examine Navin from the library until I read more of her work (maybe shorter works aren't her forte).
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Set Of Regency Romances!!!, May 2, 2005
This was a fun Regency anthology with some of today's most popular historical romance authors contributing to this well rounded and entertaining read.
Eloisa James "A Proper Engagement" is the story of two people that have been betrothed from childhood but who have each made it down the aisle. Earl of Kerr has been entertaining the gossips with his outrageous behavior and his fiancée who is patiently waiting for him to come to the country to make an honest woman of her gets tired of waiting and goes to him...only she pretends to be someone she's not...or does she? Will these two people finally make it down the aisle?
Julia London's "The Vicar's Widow" is the fun story of a widow who is being pursued by one of the ton's most eligible bachelors. Does he mean what he says or is he just playing loose with her affections?
Rebecca Hagan Lee continues on with her Free Fellows series with "Clearly A Couple." Lady India Burton was captured by Barbary Pirates and sold into slavery to a Sultan. She has been released and has made it back to England. Her grandfather wants her return to be calm and without fanfare. Enter Jonathan Manners. He is going to be a hero to India in every possible way. Her homecoming is not going to be as scary as she first thought it would be.
Jacqueline Navin's "Miss Jenny Alt's First Kiss" was the sweet story of a spinster who has been taken in as a poor relation and has helped to raise her cousin. She has doted on the spoiled girl but has no idea what this will cost her until an Earl comes looking for a bride and sees behind Jenny's carefully made-up façade. What will happen when she gets her first kiss?
All four stories were well written with interesting plots and characters. This was the first time this reader has read anything by Ms. James and Ms. Hagan Lee so needless to say I've begun shopping these authors' backlists! I highly recommend this read if you are a fan of Regency Romance or like a well rounded read that will offers plenty of laughs, a little bit of tears, and a lot of yummy hero's that recognize a good thing in front of them.
Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com
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4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
well written Regencies, April 27, 2005
"A Proper Englishwoman" by Eloisa James. In 1817, the Ton enjoys the scandalous behavior of Kerr rumored to have been seen about town with a Frenchwoman. That is the Ton minus Kerr's fiancée Emma who decides if Franco amour is what her wandering future spouse desires so be it.
"The Vicar's Widow" by Julia London. In 1816 Darien wildly kisses Kate, the Vicar's wife, until she sadly walks away. Three years later, he is the toast of the Ton and she is a widow that he still desires. However, Emily wants Darien so she spreads rumors to eliminate her rival by turning the Vicar's Widow into the TALK OF THE TON.
"Clearly a Couple" by Rebecca Hagan Lee. Free Fellows League agent Jonathan escort India, just freed from a harem imprisonment, to her family. The Ton blames India for her captivity though she was an innocent victim and assumes he has gotten his way with the "loose" woman. Instead Jonathan has fallen in love with India.
"Miss Jenny Alt's First Kiss" by Jacqueline Navin. Everyone knows that Jenny, her aunt's companion, is on the shelf. Everyone that is except Miles who seeks a bride and based on their first kiss knows who he wants as his permanent lady.
The four tales are well written especially the Ton exchanging malicious gossip that leaves a reader feeling like a Peeping Thomasina. However, the lead couples fall in love too fast as the novella format somewhat shortchanges the romances. Still these are four fine Regencies and fans will appreciate the titillating tremors of Polite Society causing a scandal even when unwarranted
Harriet Klausner
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