It’s difficult to write a plausible twins-switching-places story. The author must convince the reader that the twins are superb actors and/or that all the characters around them are either blind or so simple-minded that they don’t notice anything different about the twin they’ve supposedly known for a long time. I was not convinced of either…
Shirley Kennedy’s latest Regency Romance has a wonderfully authentic feel to it. It also effectively works a lot of the elements of Gothic romance into its Regency setting. Although its romance wasn’t gripping, I did find The Selfless Sister hard to put down. Lucinda Lindley’s father is having a hard time finding dowries for his…
I was excited when I read that the heroine of Miscalculations by Elizabeth Mansfield was a mathematics whiz. Cool, I thought – math has always been an intimidating subject for me, and I was ready to be impressed. Jane didn’t prove to be much more of a math genius than I am, but this was…
Lady Jane’s Nemesis begins with a somewhat shocking scene – particularly for a Regency Romance. The heroine is out gathering flowers when she catches the hero, who is her fiancé, in a compromising position with another woman. The couple goes on to marry anyway, and the book explores issues like forgiveness and trust. The end…
Recently, on one of AAR’s discussion lists, there was a discussion about the quality of current Regencies. I used to buy Signet Regencies quite regularly, and although April Kihlstrom wasn’t a must buy like Joan Wolf and Carla Kelly, I did often buy and enjoy her books. When I received Miss Tibbles Investigates, I was…
The Nabob’s Daughter contains loads of snappy dialogue, a bit of exciting action, a hint of intrigue, and an assortment of characters who range from stereotypical to original. Perhaps the only real lack is romance, and this is what keeps this story from rising to the top. The ever-so-proper and reputed woman-hater Lord Stone Chance…
The Grand Hotel is an anthology of Regency Romances stories which all feature guests from the brand-new Grand Hotel. The stories vary in quality, but none are outright duds, and three are pretty good. Overall it’s an enjoyable read.
Diane Farr’s first Regency Romance, The Nobody, marked her as a writer to watch in this sub-genre. Her second one, Fair Game only reinforced the impression that she was a writer of rare talent. With this, her third Regency, Falling For Chloe she has surpassed herself. This is as good a traditional Regency Romance as…
Breach of Promise is a rural Regency Romance set mostly in the village of Chipping Campden in the Cotswold region of England. It is one of the most frustrating books I have recently read – beautifully written with some of the best rural scenes I have read in a long time, but marred by characters…
Who says we at AAR don’t “get” Regencies? When one is done as well as Lord Stanhope’s Proposal, with delightful characters and a wonderfully written plot, what’s not to get? If you’re looking for a very pleasant way to pass a few hours, I highly recommend this book to you. Tristan, Earl of Stanhope, is…
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