The Tenacious Miss Tamerlane

The Tenacious Miss Tamerlane

- Kasey Michaels

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It could have been entertaining, but the uppermost impression it created was that it tried too hard. The author picked some of the common plot elements of the genre, specially from Heyer, included ALL of them, and attempted to do it one better. So, the result is a book that comes across as labored on all fronts.

The prose is purported to be witty but often felt tedious, with many qualifying phrases and parenthesized clarifications (seriously, who thinks in brackets? ;-)) The banter between the MC is amusing in general, but there were quite a few points where I didn't see a reason for their "breaking out into laughter". The regency ladies are not expected to use slang (or "cant") in their speech, so the spunky ones throw a word here, a phrase there. In what looks like one-upmanship, the author has Tansy deliver two whole paragraphs of dialog exclusively in cant.

I love spunky, sassy RR heroines (I read the genre for the humor rather than romance), but Tansy started looking shrill and ill-mannered as the story progressed. Not considering that she is currently the duke's dependent, even as a guest her attitude towards her host isn't commendable - battle of wits with Ashley had her insulting him frequently (generally without reason) and calling names to his sister (with just cause). The hero was nice but not interesting, and the romance seems artificial. There are several quirky characters, but even they stopped being amusing after several repeat performances.

It appears as if the author created a checklist of the amusing elements of RR novels, and proceeded to include an instance of each and make it better than it has been done before.
- Heroine needed: impoverished, sharp-witted, unladylike - can't dance or sew, can ride and shoot, will speak in stable or boxing cant
- needs to shatter hero's ordered routine - fire the housekeeper within a couple of days upon arrival
- rescue a stray in an outrageous manner - don't stop or merely jump from carriage, manage to rip your dress and then wade through the lake, in full public view
- save her reputation - fool the public with help from no less persona than Beau Brummell
- Hero needed: clueless, prone to fall in love with argumentative cousin - will "kiss ruthlessly" every now and then, blow hot and cold, make an idiotic proposal without professing love, will tolerate impudence from everyone
- a beautiful 'airhead' - Emily, sister of duke, will not understand any jokes, will elope not once but twice
- quirky characters - superstitious valet, quote-speaking aunt, managing grandmother, unpredictable dog, irrational villain. Self-centered relative is missing, but we do have the thoughtless sister.

Mini Reviews - XXIII

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

- Julie Klassen

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I found it too long and boring. It seems to go over same ground repeatedly, and take much time doing that. The auxiliary plots also take a lot of space, and some of them didn't make much sense. There is a lot of drama and contrivance, but no humor.

I didn't quite like the heroine, even though she is reformed very soon. The hero seems to be a sincere person, but I do not see that she gives him any reason to move beyond his earlier infatuation and disappointment. In fact, I hardly liked any of the characters, except perhaps Hudson.

An Accomplished Woman

  - Jude Morgan

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It had its moments of wit and humor, but overall it was too long and winding. The author may be commended for a writing style inspired by Jane Austen, but terribly long sentences with many clauses made me either read them a few times to make sense, or skip them altogether. The pseudo-philosophical pondering and prosy bouts of sensible advice from one character to another, bored me. I felt that the author was trying too hard.

The story was nice by itself, though predictable as expected, but the humor was scattered sparsely. I would have enjoyed it far better if the prose was more comprehensible in places, and the length was under 300 pages.

The Village Spinster

  - Laura Matthews

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was perhaps nice enough, but I didn't find anything remarkable about out it. It was quite a run-of-the-mill story, with neither humor nor much of conflict to make it interesting. The only conflict was provided by a cheerful second cousin of the heroine (whose presence the very 'proper' hero found objectionable), who turns out to not just be married but expecting a baby! I didn't warm up to the hero - he was well meaning, but not really sympathetic to people, and worse, did not realize it until the end. Development of his affection for the heroine was not well done - it seemed sudden and without much cause, except perhaps guilt. Later on, their one fleeting contact in the past was much focused on, but it seems to be to small a thing to have so much of impact after so many years; it also contradicts the heroine's initial lament that he had never noticed her.
Overall, a very average writing and forgettable story.

Lady Elizabeth's Comet

  - Sheila Simonson

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This book was more enjoyable than entertaining, and I really liked this story of two sensible people who come to regard each other deeply. This is a gentle story about family and complex feelings, and the understated romance with touch of humor is delightful.

I liked the independently minded heroine, who is more inclined towards science than social conventions. Her passion towards her interest, and her intelligence is admirable, though her conviction that her scientific pursuit is unnatural in a woman, is jarring to the modern thought. The hero is simply wonderful - honorable, intelligent, sensitive and kind, and with a sense of humor. His strength lies not in subduing others but in exerting himself. Dark, brooding, glaring heroes may be all the rage, but something is to be said about a gentle soul who respects and encourages his lady's talent and takes the trouble to befriend her gauche teenage sisters. The cast of secondary characters is wonderful too, and gets ample focus.

The first person narrative was a bit lacking in style at times, but worked well to provide emotional depth. There are some instances of telling-and-not-showing, e.g. at a point the heroine states that she and Clanross indulge in verbal sparring whenever they meet, but I did not see much of sparring matches prior to this and some amusing exchanges later on.

Mini Reviews - XXII (Carla Kelly)

Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career

  - Carla Kelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my first book by the author, and it enchanted me. There are many things that I liked about it.

In a way this is one of the rare RRs, in having a heroine who is just not independent-minded, but also an intellectual. At the core of the story is her love for learning, in a period where education of women was decidedly frowned upon. I loved the hero, also in a different mold than usual - an eminent scholar - squeezing out a last year of studies before duty beckons. I appreciated that he encouraged the heroine in her pursuit of knowledge and admired her for her spunk as well as intellect. His courtship is sweet and unique, progressing from a friendship based on their mutual interest. One of the most wonderful aspects of the story is the heroine's growth as a person, learning a good deal about love and life.It has the usual mix bag of characters. Other than the lead pair, who are both adorable, there is her aunt, who is spirited and highly supportive. We have a toad-eating parent in her father, and a tyrannical fool in the schoolmistress. A terribly selfish relative is one of the stock characters of the genre, and here the role is played by the heroine's brother, though he redeems himself in the end.

I liked the subtle and amusing banter between the couple, and their time stolen together made possible by the unique situation. However, I did not care for the PDA in the college square at the end, which was completely uncharacteristic and unnecessary. It was lovely and enjoyable, though quite improbable (but are any romances ever believable? :D) .

Reforming Lord Ragsdale

  - Carla Kelly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a moving story, with more substance than the usual, fluffy RRs. The hero and the heroine, both have a deeply troubled past - something of greater significance than a broken heart. I really liked the characters, and the slow development of their relationship - from trust to respect, friendship and more. Emma's character is created particularly well - strong, resourceful and intelligent - though I think making her a bit older would have been more credible. Lord Ragsdale, wasting away his life as he is, is kind and honorable, and impressed me as being more than the standard reformed rake.

The author makes the story realistic by including a glimpse of the historic event of the war, and not tying up everything neat and tidy at the end. Yet, there are some aspects that are truly unrealistic - Emma's cheerful character despite all she suffered and her sophisticated learning despite the young age she had to leave her home. The overnight cure of Ragsdale's alcoholism by simply withdrawing his supply of liquor is too optimistic (whatever about the thing called withdrawal symptoms?). Sadly, the author fell into the trap of a last-minute, filmy conclusion. I definitely prefer happy endings, but they shouldn't be so uncharacteristic and dramatic.

Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand

  - Carla Kelly

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

This wasn't much fun, and I didn't like it as much as the two books I read by this author before this. It's perhaps a cute and cozy enough romance, but that is not what was looking for. so, despite being heart warming, it left me a bit disappointed. Low on humor, rather saccharine, predictably predictable. The language and the interactions felt too modern for the era at many places.

The Lady's Companion

  - Carla Kelly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was very different from a traditional regency - the hero is neither a peer, nor rich, nor English (he is Welsh). The setting is rural, with farm-work consuming his time and energy. The usual balls and morning visits and other pastimes of aristocracy have no place here. The instant attraction between the lead pair is not something that I digest easily, but their banter is fun.
We get glimpses into the Napoleanic wars, including some battlefield action - I found that interesting. There is also more than the usual lovemaking, and more intimate in nature, which I didn't quite care for.
It gives a significant focus to emotions and relationships, and I like that most of the characters are nice and sympathetic, and care for others. The heroine's family is cruel and despicable, but for the most part we are treated to human kindness, and the end was particularly moving.

Mini Reviews - XXI (Barbara Metzger)

An Affair of Interest

- Barbara Metzger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is perhaps one of the most entertaining story of this genre that I have come across so far. It uses several many of the usual tropes, but the sum total is absolutely hilarious. We have a young, intelligent and spunky heroine - spirited enough to devise outlandish (at least for the times!) schemes, and innocent enough to keep falling into scrapes. Then we have a stiff and sensible hero, who always ends up rescuing her. And add to the mix, a bunch of most comical villains. So what you end up with is a series of madcap adventures! The writing is very amusing, though by the end of this, the third book I read by this author, it kind of feels forced. The plot is a big hoot, and I found myself laughing out several times.

My first exposure to regency romance was through Georgette Heyer, and have only recently started exploring other authors. I am not sure if Heyer's interpretation of the language and mannerisms of the period are most authentic, but in comparison, the tone and and style of Metzger feels much more modern.

Where I certainly appreciate Metzger more is, that her heroines are much more enterprising. Sydney here shares some similarity with 'The Grand Sophy' and 'Frederica'. Like Frederica, she wants her sister to have a London season, but instead of appealing to a rich, distant relative, she tries to raise funds on her own. Like Sophy, she keeps on creating elaborate, outrageous schemes. Sophy is confident, worldy-wise, and backed by her father's support and resources, and most of her plans are prompted by doing what she believes is best for other people (meddling indeed). Whereas Sydney had nothing going for her, and all her ideas are prompted by a desire to support her family. So, I definitely find Sidney most creditable of all.

Lady Whilton's Wedding

- Barbara Metzger

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an entertaining comedy of errors - with the body of a despised uncle disappearing and reappearing, a couple of terribly inept thieves, and chaos reigning in the wedding of the lead couple's parents.

The plot is as contrived as can be, but the situational comedy and the witty dialogs make it a good fun read. I liked the heroine, sensible yet a little naive, but the hero is a bit of a jerk. Rest of the cast is quite engaging, including the bumbling villains. I would have preferred it if the hero's character had rectified his ways after his first error, but I suppose it would have been a blow to the situation created in the story.

Another downside to the book was the long time spent on relating the back story, done in an intrepid manner with only occasional witticism to break the monotony. It was about 30% mark when any events of interest take place.

A Worthy Wife

  - Barbara Metzger

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was glad to find in Barbara Metzger another regency author I like, but very soon her work has become a hit-or-miss with me.

The start of this novel is a bit strange, but not inconceivable for a regency novel - Kenyon, an earl marries a commoner Aurora in order to save her reputation. The rest of the plot consists of a sequence of predicaments that Aurora handles with great ease. She looks such an epitome of sense and perfection, that I couldn't assimilate that she landed in the trouble that she did at the beginning. Kenyon's character didn't endear himself to me, starting from his behavior towards Aurora on their wedding night. He later keeps distrusting her yet wanting her, and his laments to himself become intrepid. Eventually, there are reasons for him to appreciate Aurora, but I see no reason why she should place such confidence in his ability to settle everything.

The suspense that was, was evident since the question first arose. There are not very explicit scenes, but more sensuality that usual, or at least my expectation. There were some amusing antics, but overall I didn't much like the characters or the plot.


An Enchanted Affair

  - Barbara Metzger

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I did not like this much, particularly because there was too much of abuse (not graphic) at the hands of greedy relatives. RR as a genre have some very standard tropes, and this one employed two of my least favorite - MoC and MisUnderstanding (I feel MU has to be the most idiotic things; just a little bit of communication, even in the times of that high degree of formality should have easily avoided it).
I found it quite average, with run-of-the-mill plot and no humor to redeem it.