Gabriella: Brenda Hiatt

He lost a wager . . . but won a treasure. Due to a lost wager, the Duke of Ravenham is obliged to bring a pretty little nobody from the country into fashion among the high-sticklers of London Society. Ravenham would never refuse a debt of honor, no matter how unorthodox, so he overlooks Miss … Continue reading →

Barbara Cartland: The Cross of Love

When Rena’s father dies she is alone in the world, forced out of the vicarage that has been her home, with nowhere to go and no money. She seeks help at the large wooden cross standing in the nearby grounds of The Grange. And there in the earth she finds three golden coins, which she … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: The Talisman Ring

Pitched as a Regency romance/mystery, The Talisman Ring is actually a hilarious romp full with the Heyer staples; a grumpy (in this cased described as “cautious”) older man, a dippy and romantic young woman, a handsome young buck, and an older, independent woman with a brilliant sense of humor. And, as I have discovered and … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: Friday’s Child

When the incomparable Miss Milbourne spurns the impetuous Lord Sherington’s marriage proposal (she laughs at him-laughs!) he vows to marry the next female he encounters, who happens to be the young, penniless Miss Hero Wantage, who has adored him all her life. Whisking her off to London, Sherry discovers there is no end to the … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: The Grand Sophy

Everything about Lady Sophy is grand.  Her figure, her laugh, her pets, her ideas…and her skillful machinations with other people’s love lives.  She is Emma, if Emma had been raised by a flighty international diplomat of a father, travelling throughout the world. Sophy arrives in London after living abroad to be placed in her Aunt’s … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: The Corinthian

I had read somewhere that this was reported to be Heyer’s funniest Regency romp.  While I haven’t given it a second read yet, I wasn’t laughing out loud quite as much as with Sylvester. Nonetheless, the Corinthian was a funny, delightful and sweet romantic tale involving some very devilish villianry, gender bending dress up, and … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: Sylvester

Oh my. I was giggling throughout this whimsical tale.  Outloud, enough so that my husband asked “What are you laughing at?” “This book,” I replied, “its just so funny.” And it is. We have our typical heroine and hero ala Heyer in Sylvester–the stuffy pompous Lord and the plain high flyer provincial gal.  But there … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: The Nonesuch

So my favorite used bookstore must have scored from a library, because a trip this week landed me a cache of Georgette Heyer books. The first I picked up to read was The Nonesuch, as I remember another reader saying it was her fave. What a wonderful (as expected) read!  Full of fantastic, interesting characters … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: Cousin Kate

After a several month search for Georgette Heyer novels, my book buddy, Mom, finally came through with Cousin Kate. Heyer’s foray into the romantic gothic novel is every bit as delicious as Arabella, with a sweet and feisty heroine who becomes embroiled in a very wicked situation! Impoverished and forced to work, she must find … Continue reading →

Georgette Heyer: Arabella

Could there ever be anything more perfect than Arabella?  Heyer picks up where Austen leaves off, presenting a charming and perfectly engaging story of a country miss (the eldest daughter of a vicar) who tells a little fib when faced with the snobbery of the Nonpareil. Our hero, Mr. Beaumaris, is really just a Corinthian … Continue reading →