The Foundling

The Foundling

by Georgette Heyer

Edition: Paperback, 1977

Synopsis: The Duke of Sale is out to prove himself

The shy, young Duke of Sale has never known his parents. Instead, his Grace Adolphus Gillespie Vernon Ware, Gilly for short, has endured twenty-four years of rigorous mollycoddling from his uncle and valet. But his natural diffidence conceals a rebellious spirit.

A mysterious beauty provides the perfect opportunity

When Gilly hears of Belinda, the beautiful foundling who appears to be blackmailing his cousin, he absconds with glee. But he has no sooner entered this new and dangerous world than he is plunged into a frenzy of intrigue, kidnapping, adventure, and surprises at every turn.

This has to be one of my favorite books written by Georgette Heyer, the writer who established the historical romance genre.  Gilly (a much easier nickname to remember him than “Adolphus Gillepsie Vernon Ware”) is such a likeable character, a young man who wants to just wants to be a nobody from "Nowhere in Particular". He lives with his uncle, Lord Lionel. Lord Lionel and his team of servants baby the Duke and treat him like a child. He is also informed that he is expected to propose to and marry a young woman named Harriet, who he respects but isn’t sure that he loves.

The chance to prove to himself that he can take care of himself comes when he learns his cousin Matthew is in a fix. To help his cousin, Gilly sets off on his own and takes on his cousin's identity. He meets the beautiful Belinda, who caes about gaining a diamond ring, a purple dress, and finding her true love.

This whole book is just fun to read. While Gilly is the main story, we also read of his uncle’s frantic search to find him. Harriet is unsure of her feelings for her betrothed. And Gilly’s older cousin, Gideon, finds himself under suspicion of harming Gilly.

Georgette Heyer is a favorite author of mine. Her grasp of the era she wrote for, and the amount of research she put into it, really shines through her novels.

Five gold stars here!

The Marriage List

The Marriage List
by Dorothy McFalls

Edition: 2009 ebook

Synopsis: Compelled by his family to marry, Viscount Radford Evers makes a list of his requirements for a wife. Humble tenant May Sheffers meets none of these, so why does his heart beat madly at the sight of her?

Viscount Radford Evers was injured at Waterloo when his horse fell on him, leaving his leg crippled. The novel begins with him in Bath to take the waters. He is not in the best of moods, frustrated by the pity his injury brings him and his leg's slowness to heal. Enter Miss May Sheffers, a young woman attempting to care for her elderly aunt to the best of her ability. She rents one of Radford's properties, and approaches the viscount to convince him not to evict them. Her parents had gone traveling many years previous, and with no word from them, her uncle presumes them dead, and now May cannot access the family funds to continue paying the rent.

She has none of the qualities that Radford had put on his recent list for a suitable wife, but attraction develops anyway. Even though Radford has already found a young lady who does in fact possess all the qualities he thinks he wants.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The heroine was an intelligent young woman, with her own flaws to deal with. She was not afraid to call Radford out on his behavior when he becomes too much of a grouch. May's best friend, Iona, was as loyal as they can come. Aunt Winnie was an absolute dear. May's competition for the viscount's affections is Iona's sister, who was quite the selfish young lady. The 'villian', I suppose is the right term, of the novel was easy to dislike.

I will definitely keep this one on my Kindle bookshelf to re-read, and I will happily read more by this author.

A Lady In Name

A Lady In Name

by Elizabeth Bailey

Synopsis: On discovering she is the illegitimate daughter of a peer of the realm, Lucy Graydene, bereft and grieving, sets out to confront Lord Pennington with the result of his misdeeds. She finds instead his autocratic heir, Stefan Ankerville, and is dragged willy-nilly into the new earl’s unconventional family. Lucy is driven to battle for her independence while she struggles against the venom of the half-sister she never knew she had.

When the secrets of Lucy’s past begin to unravel, she is reluctantly obliged to rely on Stefan’s help. Can Lucy overcome a dangerous attraction to the earl, with whom an alliance is impossible? Or is there a faint hope of happiness in the hidden truth of her origins?

This was an interesting novel, and left me with mixed feelings at the end. I thought the premise of the novel a refreshing change from other historical fictions. But...I just couldn't bring myself to like the main character, Lucy, who set off to have words with her biological father. Coupled with Stefan’s instant acceptance of her, this didn’t exactly ring accurate to me. I thought the emotional aspect of what should have been a highly charged situation came off a bit flat. Lucy said she was angry, but none of her actions seemed to give any weight to it.
My favorite character had to be Stefan’s sister, who was a bit lazy, selfish, but an incredibly amusing person nonetheless.
While this is a clean novel, there is a scene leading to Stefan and Lucy spending a night in bed together. No details were given, and the scene ends with them embracing. Still, you’re left with no doubt that further intimacies occurred and it disappointed me because it seemed out of character for them both to allow such a thing to happen.

Will I read this again? Maybe. If I was extremely bored and had nothing else to read. Would I read more from this author? I’d say yes. Her plot was interesting enough here that I’d like to see what else she has up her sleeve.

Pride and Prejudice

In a quest for clean books, what better novel  to start with than Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen? First published in 1813, and set in the early 19th century, this book is a classic that can be found on bookshelves around the world. It has sold over 20 million copies since it was first published, and though over 200 years old, it is a favorite for many readers.

The story follows the main character, Elizabeth Bennet, as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage. It all begins when the rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, have moved into the Bennets’ neighbourhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with the second-eldest Bennet daughter, Elizabeth.

I first read Pride and Prejudice when I was fourteen, and I have read it countless times since then. It became, for me, the standard of a good romance. I search for heroines with the spunk of Elizabeth Bennet, young women with minds of their own but who still adhere to the manners and rules expected of them. And heros like Mr. Darcy, who are gentlemen with the same respect for the rules of society.

What I especially love about this book is that it is a clear glimpse into history. This, and her other novels, show clearly what Jane Austen’s world was like when she lived. The issues her characters dealt with were real for young women back then.

This is a book that has been adapted to film several times. Notably, the 1940 black and white film version, the 1995 BBC mini series and the 2005 film version. It has also had many sequels published throughout the years, some good and some not so enjoyable.

All in all, five stars for this one and a permanent place on my bookshelf!

Books Worth Reading

There are few things I love more than a great book. Especially ones with intriguing plots and great characters.

So I’m always super excited when one comes my way. I will read almost anything. If it has words, I’m probably willing to read it, whether its science fiction, mystery, choc lit, romance, or a biography. Above all of these, though, I love historical fiction, Regency London setting especially.

There’s just one rule I follow with all of these: it has to be clean or “sweet” as its also known. I don’t want to read sex scenes, plain and simple. For me, nothing is worse than enjoying a book and suddenly the author is taking things into the bedroom (or sometimes not even there). I know I’m not the only one.

The books are out there. I’ve found them, and I will happily share them here.

Let the reading begin!