jjares reviewed All Regency Collection (Timeless Romance Anthology, Vol 10) on + 3413 more book reviews
Since there were no previous publication dates on the reverse of the title page, I believe these are all new to this publication.
THE WEDDING GIFT (Anna Elliott) -- VG
Generally, I avoid stories that involve a literature classic. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is just such a classic; improvement or further adventures are not something I'm desiring. However, I read it with real angst; I can quote whole passages from Jane Austen's novel. This author has captured the wit and humor of Elizabeth Bennett. She also shows a clear understanding of Jane Austen's intent. However, why does a writer latch onto someone else's work?
DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON (Sarah M Eden) -- VG
As the younger sister, Elizabeth is waiting for her older sister to marry so that she can enter society. To Elizabeth's frustration, this is an English custom that her parents have decided to honor. The truth is that Mary, the elder, is a shrew. She has little chance of marrying except for the long-ago agreement between two neighboring households. Julian and Mary were casually betrothed. However, now Julian is an adult and wants nothing to do with Mary. This is an unusual and entertaining story. I was surprised by how complete the story felt, with just a few pages. However, I thought the author used a heavy hand on the mean older sister.
THE MENDER (Carla Kelly) -- E
As wonderful as ever, Carla Kelly's story hits the spot. Thankful Winning is an interesting Quaker looking for adventure before she settles down to marriage. The author gives her readers real insight into the Quaker mind and philosophy. Thankful goes on a trip with her cousin, a ship's captain, to Italy. It is 1805, and their ship runs into the remainder of a devastating battle. Lord Nelson has just died in action. Because Thankful calls herself a 'mender,' the captain of one of the severely damaged ships asks for her help. This is a winning tale; don't miss it.
BEGIN AGAIN (Josi S Kilpack) -- 3 stars
Two people promised themselves to each other fifteen years ago and finally (after both life and parents intervened) get back together to sort out things. I don't know how an author thought that a lost romance (almost 1/2 each party's life) would be interesting.
THE AFFAIR OF WILDEMOORE (Annette Lyon) -- VG
This Stanhope couple has been married for 20 years. They both have noticed that the fire has gone out of their marriage. Each recounts that it happened 12 years before, at the death of their only son, William, at birth. At the ball that the whole family has been invited to, Anthony Stanhope remeets someone he was betrothed to years before. Her husband has died (2 years ago) and she is flagrantly flirting with Anthony. Ellen Stanhope sees this and is devastated.
THE DUKE'S BROTHER (Heather B Moore) -- VG
Mabel Russell is dedicated to the sciences even though her father, and mentor, has died. A cousin inherited the estate and generously allowed Mabel to remain. However, the new owner sent all of the deceased Mr. Russell's scientific displays and papers to a London museum, "where folks who like that kind of stuff can see them." Things are tense in the household when Mabel is blamed for the children breaking into her shed and breaking her collection and samples. Accepting an offer of a visit from her sister, Mabel travels to London. There, Mabel meets her brother-in-law, Gregory. He's immediately smitten with her. With such a long explanation of why Mabel left her home, the romance between Gregory and Mabel seemed rushed.
THE WEDDING GIFT (Anna Elliott) -- VG
Generally, I avoid stories that involve a literature classic. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is just such a classic; improvement or further adventures are not something I'm desiring. However, I read it with real angst; I can quote whole passages from Jane Austen's novel. This author has captured the wit and humor of Elizabeth Bennett. She also shows a clear understanding of Jane Austen's intent. However, why does a writer latch onto someone else's work?
DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON (Sarah M Eden) -- VG
As the younger sister, Elizabeth is waiting for her older sister to marry so that she can enter society. To Elizabeth's frustration, this is an English custom that her parents have decided to honor. The truth is that Mary, the elder, is a shrew. She has little chance of marrying except for the long-ago agreement between two neighboring households. Julian and Mary were casually betrothed. However, now Julian is an adult and wants nothing to do with Mary. This is an unusual and entertaining story. I was surprised by how complete the story felt, with just a few pages. However, I thought the author used a heavy hand on the mean older sister.
THE MENDER (Carla Kelly) -- E
As wonderful as ever, Carla Kelly's story hits the spot. Thankful Winning is an interesting Quaker looking for adventure before she settles down to marriage. The author gives her readers real insight into the Quaker mind and philosophy. Thankful goes on a trip with her cousin, a ship's captain, to Italy. It is 1805, and their ship runs into the remainder of a devastating battle. Lord Nelson has just died in action. Because Thankful calls herself a 'mender,' the captain of one of the severely damaged ships asks for her help. This is a winning tale; don't miss it.
BEGIN AGAIN (Josi S Kilpack) -- 3 stars
Two people promised themselves to each other fifteen years ago and finally (after both life and parents intervened) get back together to sort out things. I don't know how an author thought that a lost romance (almost 1/2 each party's life) would be interesting.
THE AFFAIR OF WILDEMOORE (Annette Lyon) -- VG
This Stanhope couple has been married for 20 years. They both have noticed that the fire has gone out of their marriage. Each recounts that it happened 12 years before, at the death of their only son, William, at birth. At the ball that the whole family has been invited to, Anthony Stanhope remeets someone he was betrothed to years before. Her husband has died (2 years ago) and she is flagrantly flirting with Anthony. Ellen Stanhope sees this and is devastated.
THE DUKE'S BROTHER (Heather B Moore) -- VG
Mabel Russell is dedicated to the sciences even though her father, and mentor, has died. A cousin inherited the estate and generously allowed Mabel to remain. However, the new owner sent all of the deceased Mr. Russell's scientific displays and papers to a London museum, "where folks who like that kind of stuff can see them." Things are tense in the household when Mabel is blamed for the children breaking into her shed and breaking her collection and samples. Accepting an offer of a visit from her sister, Mabel travels to London. There, Mabel meets her brother-in-law, Gregory. He's immediately smitten with her. With such a long explanation of why Mabel left her home, the romance between Gregory and Mabel seemed rushed.
