Helpful Score: 2
Robert Rothmore, the Earl of Rockford, is a very important and successful diplomat, always busy promoting his country's interests; so that it is absolutely essential that his days not get bogged down by tedious little details concerning his estate, his tenants and his two sons. That is until he receives news that his latest steward has run off with money from the estate, a Rembrandt painting and his 40 year old sister. Rockford immediately makes for Rock Hill, where he discovers that things are in even further disarray, and that his younger son, William, is now living with the widowed Mrs. Alissa Henning and her family in a badly thatched cottage. Even though he is loath to do so, it doesn't take Rockford long to realize that what he needs is a new wife -- a capable and loving woman, who would be perfectly happy to take care of his sons, estate and tenants -- someone exactly like Mrs. Henning in other words. And so he offers Alissa a marriage of convenience: money, security and his name in exchange for her agreeing to be caretaker. With few options open to her, Alissa has no choice but to accept. But the very thought of a cold and unloving marriage to a very stiff and impeccable Rockford chills Alissa. And she begins to wonder if she can change the state of her marriage, if she can she influence her new husband enough so that he will look for love and companionship from her instead of elsewhere?
The heroine, Alissa, was likable, easy to relate to and empathize with; the hero, on the other hand, was so incredibly high-handed and arrogant that it really did take a while to warm up to him. Swiftly paced and thoughtfully executed.
by tregatt (of Portland, Oregon)
The heroine, Alissa, was likable, easy to relate to and empathize with; the hero, on the other hand, was so incredibly high-handed and arrogant that it really did take a while to warm up to him. Swiftly paced and thoughtfully executed.
by tregatt (of Portland, Oregon)
Helpful Score: 1
Barbara Metzger is one of my favorite regency authors, however this book was not one of her best. I couldn't really come to like the 'hero,'Robert, Earl of Rockford ... and the story became much too confusing near the end, and was difficult to follow, I thought. Just not my cup of tea!
Robert Rothmore, the Earl of Rockford, is a very important and successful diplomat, always busy promoting his country's interests; so that it is absolutely essential that his days not get bogged down by tedious little details concerning his estate, his tenants and his two sons. That is until he receives news that his latest steward has run off with money from the estate, a Rembrandt painting and his 40 year old sister. Rockford immediately makes for Rock Hill, where he discovers that things are in even further disarray, and that his younger son, William, is now living with the widowed Mrs. Alissa Henning and her family in a badly thatched cottage. Even though he is loath to do so, it doesn't take Rockford long to realize that what he needs is a new wife -- a capable and loving woman, who would be perfectly happy to take care of his sons, estate and tenants -- someone exactly like Mrs. Henning in other words. And so he offers Alissa a marriage of convenience: money, security and his name in exchange for her agreeing to be caretaker. With few options open to her, Alissa has no choice but to accept. But the very thought of a cold and unloving marriage to a very stiff and impeccable Rockford chills Alissa. And she begins to wonder if she can change the state of her marriage, if she can she influence her new husband enough so that he will look for love and companionship from her instead of elsewhere?
The heroine, Alissa, was likable, easy to relate to and empathize with; the hero, on the other hand, was so incredibly high-handed and arrogant that it really did take a while to warm up to him. Swiftly paced and thoughtfully executed.
by tregatt (of Portland, Oregon)
The heroine, Alissa, was likable, easy to relate to and empathize with; the hero, on the other hand, was so incredibly high-handed and arrogant that it really did take a while to warm up to him. Swiftly paced and thoughtfully executed.
by tregatt (of Portland, Oregon)
I can truly say that the author knows how to set a scene for drama. It takes a "stuffy-know-it-all" and pits him againest a woman that has to "make ends meet" for her 2 boys and sister.
Has romance- sigh - a bad guy- (he is really a bad one) - a couple of scenes that had me laughing so hard- I caused people to stare at me while I was waiting in a Dr. office. It is a jewel!!!!!!
Has romance- sigh - a bad guy- (he is really a bad one) - a couple of scenes that had me laughing so hard- I caused people to stare at me while I was waiting in a Dr. office. It is a jewel!!!!!!
This is a wonderful book, very funny and romantic. The children are delightful characters too. I really enjoyed this more than any other Metzger book I have read so far. Highly recommended for light reading.
Twice widowed Robert Rothmore, Earl of Rockford, enjoys a breezy, carefree life in London as a diplomat and friend of the king. His two sons are being raised by competent caregivers in different parts of the country. All of that comes to an abrupt halt when Robert is notified that his spinster sister has run off with the bailiff and has left his estate in an uproar.
When Robert arrives at his estate, he finds that the bailiff has been stealing from his for years. His son William is not at Rock Hill; he's been left in the care of a destitute widow. His groom tells Robert terrible things about Mrs. Alissa Henning. He also tells Robert that Alissa trapped her husband by being pregnant -- thus losing his father's support. Robert rushes over to grab his son and confront the awful Mrs. Henning.
However, Alissa lives with her two sons, her sister and Robert's younger son William. Robert's shouts and censure change to apologies when he realizes that he knows precious little about his son.
The pages fly past because the story is funny, with lots of sparkling dialogue. Alissa is more than a match for Robert when he asks her to marry him in a marriage of convenience (for him). Although Alissa is doubtful, she is pragmatic enough to understand that it will solve several problems she is facing. As soon as they are married, Robert returns to London, leaving Alissa with the four boys (he had one son in each marriage and Alissa has two sons).
After Alissa puts things in motion to correct the problems on Robert's estate, she decides she wants more than an absentee husband. It is also common knowledge that Robert left her immediately after the wedding and people are talking.
Alissa decides to broach Robert in his well-ordered life in London. By the time she and the four boys get through with Robert, he is shaken to his core. This is a delightful tale.
When Robert arrives at his estate, he finds that the bailiff has been stealing from his for years. His son William is not at Rock Hill; he's been left in the care of a destitute widow. His groom tells Robert terrible things about Mrs. Alissa Henning. He also tells Robert that Alissa trapped her husband by being pregnant -- thus losing his father's support. Robert rushes over to grab his son and confront the awful Mrs. Henning.
However, Alissa lives with her two sons, her sister and Robert's younger son William. Robert's shouts and censure change to apologies when he realizes that he knows precious little about his son.
The pages fly past because the story is funny, with lots of sparkling dialogue. Alissa is more than a match for Robert when he asks her to marry him in a marriage of convenience (for him). Although Alissa is doubtful, she is pragmatic enough to understand that it will solve several problems she is facing. As soon as they are married, Robert returns to London, leaving Alissa with the four boys (he had one son in each marriage and Alissa has two sons).
After Alissa puts things in motion to correct the problems on Robert's estate, she decides she wants more than an absentee husband. It is also common knowledge that Robert left her immediately after the wedding and people are talking.
Alissa decides to broach Robert in his well-ordered life in London. By the time she and the four boys get through with Robert, he is shaken to his core. This is a delightful tale.
This is a great read. It just gallops along. Strongly recommended. Metzger usually has decent characters, plot development and this novel doesn't disappoint.
Barbara Metzger writes with such humor but keeps the romance real without all the sex that has flooded the current books. You can just feel the stuffiness of The Earl of Rockford. The widowed Alissa shows the strength that many women find within themselves when travasty comes to their life. Her morality and her love of life shows in her dealings with the Earl and his son. But it also show that sometimes we have to make decisions for the preservation of our life or livelihood.
