The Valentine's Day Ball

Rating:
Summary: Curse of the lending libraries
Review: During the 18th century, a new recreation emerged for the literate English public: gothic romance novels. They were loved by young women, the chagrin of their fathers, and spoofed by Jane Austen. With the time and expense required to gain a personal copy of a book (usually sold unbound by the printer) during this period, most readers found a more inexpensive way to "fix" their reading habit by taking memberships at a local lending library. In the VALENTINE'S DAY BALL, Author Susan Carroll takes the worst nightmare of a father of the Regency period and hilariously exploits it.

Maria Addams stood Jared Branden up at the alter. Maria jilted him because she wasn't convinced he loved her. Because of his unexpressive family, Jared had always had problems verbalizing his feelings. Ten years later, they have both have moved on with their lives, but both are unmarried. (Well, Maria is a dowager countessa after a "grand tour," but she is available.) Jared has since became a bit of a wastrel while Maria, always the romantic, has spent her life rescuing friends from unwanted entanglements. They meet again at a house party Jared's uncle, Lord Brixted, is giving for Valentine's Day. Learning Brixted, who is unaware of their history, has set his cap for Maria, Jared tricks his uncle into making the former lovers partners again, even if for the temporary games of a ball.

Maria is in the thick of another scheme to save the niece of a domineering duke from an unwanted alliance when Jared comes into her life again. She is surprised he still has the same giddy affect on her as he did when she was seventeen, although he is an irritant when he tries to talk her out of helping the "hen-witted" girl she's made a crusade. He comes to Maria's aid while she's being threatened by the duke, and her conviction against Jared starts to melt. When she turns down his marriage proposal a second time, he does what he thinks it will take to change her mind.

The characters in this 1994 novel are one of Carroll's finest ensembles. Maria's quest for the romantic, nurtured by the many gothic romances she read while growing up, brings about some of the funniest Regency contretemps that can be found since the work of Georgette Heyer. Not only do the conflicts between the two lovers provide some good laughs, but the supporting characters are also vivid and quirky, especially Miss Lucas, the "damsel in distress"; Alice, Maria's literal abigail; and Frontenac, Jared's self-righteous valet.

Whether or not this book adhers to its holiday marketing is a no-brainer. Any romance category story--no matter what the subgenre--captures the spirit of Valentine's Day. Carroll, regardless, has sprinkled this one with a Valentine's Day ball and cards, so it's overt.

It's also interesting to note that Maria's eccentricities are timeless. Although today's media has increased the methods of how these stories are delivered, females of all ages are still inspired by romance, but most keep their yearnings in perspective. Anyone looking for a good drawing room comedy is sure to love THE VALENTINE'S DAY BALL. This is an example of Carroll at her best.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet as Candy
Review: Having been awakened by Frontenac, his valet, and finding himself not in his own bed, Sir Jared Branden was not having the most splendid morning of his life, but even worse was the 'angel' that appeared across the hall from him when he was fully dressed and seeking to break his fast. None other than Maria Addams, the woman who jilted him ten years ago to the day - Valentine's eve. Although, now she was the 'dowager countessa' - widow of some infernal Italian count she had met on her 'grand tour' of the continent.

Crossing swords and words with her this very morn was not something he was expecting, but they could not seem to exchange friendly words between them if their lives depended on it. Maria did not know why he was here - but finding him standing there - handsome as ever - always seemed to weaken her knees until he opened his mouth to say something so 'Jared like' to hasten up all parries to his sword thrusts. Would he interfere with her latest scheme to save a young damsel from a forced marriage arranged by her cruel guardian?

I really enjoyed this very light regency romance - the characters were darling and their very witty and biting 'word plays' were highly amusing. Ms. Carroll also offers up a wonderful cast of secondary characters - from the stuffy and irreverent valet to the 'clueless' damsel in distress. Very, very funny and a delightful read I can certainly recommend

Rating:
Summary: Sweet as Candy
Review: Having been awakened by Frontenac, his valet, and finding himself not in his own bed, Sir Jared Branden was not having the most splendid morning of his life, but even worse was the `angel' that appeared across the hall from him when he was fully dressed and seeking to break his fast. None other than Maria Addams, the woman who jilted him ten years ago to the day - Valentine's eve. Although, now she was the `dowager countessa' - widow of some infernal Italian count she had met on her `grand tour' of the continent.

Crossing swords and words with her this very morn was not something he was expecting, but they could not seem to exchange friendly words between them if their lives depended on it. Maria did not know why he was here - but finding him standing there - handsome as ever - always seemed to weaken her knees until he opened his mouth to say something so `Jared like' to hasten up all parries to his sword thrusts. Would he interfere with her latest scheme to save a young damsel from a forced marriage arranged by her cruel guardian?

I really enjoyed this very light regency romance - the characters were darling and their very witty and biting `word plays' were highly amusing. Ms. Carroll also offers up a wonderful cast of secondary characters - from the stuffy and irreverent valet to the `clueless' damsel in distress. Very, very funny and a delightful read I can certainly recommend