Violet [Paperback]

Lauren Royal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 2002

Violet Ashcroft has decided not to get married. Especially since most suitors would surely have their eyes on her inheritance or her ravishing younger sister. And Violet is convinced her eligible and handsome neighbor, Ford Chase, is no exception. He'd certainly never sincerely be interested in a woman as serious and self-conscious as she.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Royal, author of the Jewel trilogy (Amber, etc.), offers up a straightforward 17th-century romance that, while not as substantial as her previous works, still entertains. Bluestocking Violet Ashcroft has no interest in men; she's convinced they'll only want her for her money, and besides, she wants nothing more than to publish her own work of philosophy. Her plans are overset by the arrival of her handsome neighbor, Ford Chase, who has returned to his neglected country estate with his flirtatious, five-year-old niece to dedicate himself to scientific pursuits. Ford and Violet soon fall for each other, but can Violet be sure that Ford isn't just marrying her to gain the funds necessary to improve his failing estate? Both Violet and Ford are charming in their intellectual single-mindedness, and Ford is refreshingly open about his intentions toward Violet. However, Violet's resistance to the winning Ford feels ever more contrived as the novel unfolds, and their difficulties are wrapped up too hastily, culminating when Violet undertakes a bit of subterfuge which never really bears fruit. Although Royal's playful story glosses over some of the more serious relationship issues probed in her earlier works, this breezy summer read will still satisfy her rapidly growing fan base. (Sept. 3)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

After being dumped by his fiancee, Ford Chase decides women are not worth the trouble, so he abandons London for his country estate to work on designs for a new type of watch. Ford did not plan on bringing his young niece, Jewel, along, but he has no choice. Hoping that his neighbor's young son, Rowan Ashcroft, will prove to be a suitable distraction for Jewel, Ford encourages him to visit. Forced to accompany her young brother, Violet has no desire to act as nursemaid; but once she realizes how different Ford is from other men, Violet suddenly begins looking forward to these visits. By pairing up Ford with Violet, Royal provides a nice bridge between her previous trilogy, which focused on the Chase family, and her new series, which features the Ashcrofts. Royal deftly mixes brief appearances from historical figures and fascinating period details into the plot of her latest engaging romance, and the delightfully unconventional cast of characters gives her the chance to display her gift for understated humor. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Signet (September 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451206886
• ISBN-13: 978-0451206886
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,267,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauren Royal decided to become a writer at the age of eight, after winning a "Why My Mother is the Greatest" essay contest and seeing her entry printed in a major newspaper. However, after college she spent fourteen years as the CEO of her own jewelry store chain before remembering her childhood dream and writing her first book. Since then, Lauren's books have been nominated for and won awards including the Golden Quill for Best Historical Romance, Romantic Times Best First Historical, the Award of Excellence, the Booksellers' Best Award, and Booklist's Top 10 Romance of the Year.

Lauren lives in Southern California with her husband, three children, and one constantly shedding cat. She still thinks her mother is the greatest.

Visit Lauren on her website at http://www.LaurenRoyal.com, where you can see the real people and real places in her books, enter a contest, sign up for her newsletter, and find recipes for the foods in her books.

Follow Lauren on...

Facebook: facebook.com/LaurenRoyal
Twitter: twitter.com/ReadLaurenRoyal

Lauren's Blogs:

"Authors Are People, Too," where your favorite writers talk about everything but writing.
http://authorsarepeopletoo.com
twitter: @AuthorsRPeople2

"Glutenless Goodness," where Lauren posts her favorite gluten-free recipes.
http://glutenlessgoodness.com
twitter: @GlutenlessGood

"Stuff Siri Said," screenshots of Siri (iPhone's humble personal assistant) in her wittiest moments.
http://stuffsirisaid.com
twitter: @StuffSiriSaid

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!, October 13, 2002

By 

Sarah W "Sarah W" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Violet (Paperback)

I loved Violet. This book was amazing. I have never read anything by Lauren Royal, but that is going to change. She is definitely a rising star in the romance genre. Violet is the story of Violet Ashcroft, the oldest of the three Ashcroft daughters. She believes herself to be unmarriageable, because she is average. Not tall and beautiful like Rose, her middle sister, or Lily, who is a kind hearted soul, just plain average Violet.

When Lord Lakefield, Ford Chase, comes to stay at his property for awhile with his niece Jewel, she gets the chance to meet a scientist, because her youngest sibling, Rowan, becomes fast friends with Jewel. Ford shows Violet things she has never seen before, and he does some of the sweetest things in the world for her, such as making her glasses so she can see correctly. Unfortunately, both the protagonists have doubts though: Violet doesn't believe a man could ever love her without wanting her money, and Ford doesn't believe he is good enough for Violet because he doesn't have enough money.

As they find their way to love, the reader will be enthralled with the amazing research that went into this novel, and some surprising guest appearances such as Sir Isaac Newton, Robert Hooke, John Locke, and some other notable 18th century scientists. Lauren Royal definitely did her research on the Restoration Period, and it shows as historical information is weaved seamlessly into the characters' lives and interactions with each other. The reader even gets a tantalizing glimpse of her next novel, Lily, and what is in store for her.

All in all, a great historical romance novel. I picked this novel up on a whim, thinking it sounded somewhat interesting, and I was right. It was great! I am going to go back and read her Jewel trilogy now. If you are looking for a interesting, fresh perspective on the romance genre, then Lauren Royal is your ticket.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I never liked romance until I read Lauren Royal!, September 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Violet (Paperback)

I don't know what it is about Lauren Royal's books -- is it the historical aspects mixed with characters I care about? Is it the steamy scenes that are evocative without being trashy? Is it the interesting plot lines that don't condescend to the reader and are actually interesting? -- but she's the first romance writer whose work I've actually enjoyed reading. The characters in the books are complex and yet easy to relate to, and there are funny scenes as well as thrilling ones. I usually opt for complex fiction titles and was happy to find that in many ways, Royal's books ARE complex fiction titles. I can't wait for the next book in the "flower" trilogy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Violet, September 20, 2002

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Violet (Paperback)

Though he is a genius, Ford Chase has no idea how to be a father to his niece when he is given care of her to prevent her from contracting the measles from her siblings. Being an uncle for a little while at a time is one thing, but full time care quite another. His luck improves when his neighbor, Violet Ashcroft, gets sent over to see him, and has her brother, Rowan, who is close in age to the niece, Jewel, along.

While the two children become playmates and fast friends, Ford and Violet find they have much in common. Though neither ever thought to find love, favoring more intellectual pursuits, love begins to find them. However, Violet can not believe that anyone, especially not a handsome man as Ford is, could prefer a schlorly, plain Jane as she to her lovely sisters. Yet, he does, and shows it in little ways, like inventing glasses for her.

Ford is indeed a genius ahead of his time, and Violet can see this. She therefore tries to help him by getting his watch design patented and attempting to sell it for him. Will he be able to accept her help? Will she be able to believe in his love and put aside her determination to never wed?

This light hearted book about two people who are able to see the true beauty in others is a quick read. Like many historical romance heroines, Violet is unconventional and forward thinking who requires a special man, like Ford, to see her as someone worthy of love. Fans of Amanda Quick will find this romantic pair to be exactly their cup of tea. The story is in no way bogged down by the child element, as some books tend to be; in fact, the "romance" between Lady Jewel and Rowan is charming. Also delightful is Violet's mother; and readers will look forward to seeing her matchmaking plans for the other two daughters in upcoming books LILY and ROSE.