by Anthea Bell (1988)
An occasionally slow-going but nonetheless engaging second novel from Bell (A London Season, 1983), this one set in post-Regency England--circa 1830--and starring spunky heroine Mrs. Caroline ("Carey") Eliott, newly widowed, whose interest in botanical drawing (among other things) leads her to a long stay at scheming/greedy Cousin Clarissa's country estate. There, Carey will not only meet a (mostly) likable bunch of country folk--including the minister and his wife as well as the madam of the brothel across the street--but find a spot of real, grown-up romance. Pleasant entertainment for fans of the genre. Kirkus Review
Liz Fielding
Single mother Diane Metcalfe works as a chauffeur. The company's number one driver catches a stomach bug along with two other drivers, her boss Sadie scrambles, assigning Diane to VIP duty in the most luxurious saloon car in he garage. The rich and handsome Sheikh Zahir al-Khatib, the nephew of the Emir of Ramal Hamrah has come to London for a business trip. Can business, love and family be separated?
Heather W. Petty
Mori s abusive father is behind bars and she has never felt less safe. Threatening letters have started appearing on her doorstep, and the police are receiving anonymous tips suggesting that Mori not her father is the Regent s Park killer. To make matters worse, the police are beginning to believe them. Through it all, Lock frustrating, brilliant, gorgeous Lock is by her side. The two of them set out to discover who is framing Mori, but in a city full of suspects, the task is easier said than done.
Barbara Cartland
The Earl of Domoch arrived in Scotland -- reluctantly -- to take up his duties as Chieftain of his Clan. Raised in England, blinded by a Fakir's curse in India, the handsome, embittered peer felt lost among strangers... until lovely Vara McDorn became his guide. Spirited and gentle, Vara became the Earl's eyes and heart, teaching him to see the timeless beauty of his Clan's ancient ways, while a rival plots against him. When Vara learns how the Earl lost his sight, she thinks she may be able to help. Yet even as a healer worked her cure, the pretender was hatching treachery -- fated to be foiled by the resourceful lass. And in a joyous moment of truth, Vara and her Chieftain surrendered to the rare miracle of everlasting love.... This book is one of Dame Barbara's last ditch attempts to hold on to her fading glory of being the world's most famous writer. These books were accepted in the 30s and 40s as ooooh so romantic but by the 90s one had grown pretty tired of heroines who could read ancient languages,but couldn't string a sentence in English without taking 5 minutes between words.This...is...a...dream and the like. Very badly edited version so if you are reading this to improve your command over English,forgotten is not spelled" forgotton."No wonder Dame Barbara's yearly royalty for 40 million books published was around 1,800 pounds in the 90s.Would you buy a story with a heroine with a name made up of 1 vowel,and 2 consonants.Or some name like Zosina and her sister Helsa?How come none of her heroines were ever called Tortilla? This would be on par with names like Ola who decides to change it to Relola.Anyone sane heard names like Vava-yep BC idea of a Hungarian name- or Zoia?Zoya,yes but Zoi-a? And those macho heroes with names ending in _us. One could be easily named Platypus,the Duke of Bloomingdom.
Deborah Simmons
Lord Wycliffe Had Finally Met His Match. With golden hair and eyes of springtime green, Charlotte Trowbridge was the toast of the London Season. "An incomparable goddess" her dazzled admirers proclaimed. But the earl of Wycliffe knew she was only a vicar's daughter, with the taste of heaven on her lips...! Methodical. Logical. Orderly. Charlotte would also have to add devilishly handsome to her description of Lord Wycliffe. Still, the man was desperately in need of some loosening up, and it looked as though she was the only woman capable of rattling his famous reserve.