A Spinster's Luck

Rating:
Summary: 2 1/2 stars -- plot didn't quite hold my interest
Review: Book reviewing is a highly subjective thing. What it boils down to is your (the reviewer's) own personal reaction to the book -- the characters, the language and plot development. It also (fairly or unfairly) depends on what the reviewer has been reading along with the book under discussion. Having owned to all that, I'll admit that "The Spinster's Luck" did not impress me very much. But not because it was badly written, or because it was full of plot developments that beggared belief or that its character had me wanting to spit nails, but because the plot really had very little tension/conflict.

Celia Langston was 16 when her parents (the vicar and his wife) died and left her all alone in the world. Fortunately for Celia, Imogene, the youthful Duchess of Harbrooke (a recent widow) decides to take her in and make her a governess to her children. However, the duchess's brother (the Duke of Severly) is not so sure about this plan. In his mind, Celia is just too young for such a responsibility (and who would have thought I'd find myself agreeing with an autocratic duke?). The duchess however holds her own ground, and insists on keeping Celia on. Unknown to the duke and duchess however, Celia had overheard every single damning word of that fateful interview, and the duke has coalesced in Celia's mind ever since as a hard and overbearing man.

Ten years pass, and Celia is now a very beautiful young woman. Something that the duke notices when he comes over for a visit. Celia, however, still thinks of the duke as a despicable man, and takes great pains to avoid him. And for a duke who has been at the receiving end of a lot of female adulation, Celia's behaviour is a conundrum, and one he is determined to get to the bottom of...

The thing is that for me, no matter how much Rhonda Woodward tried to dress up, both the heroine and the plot proved to be little uninteresting to me. Celia Langston proved to be a very sweet natured heroine with a heart of gold, and if the storyline had been a little more compelling than this novel probably would have worked for me. As it is, "The Spinster's Luck turned out to be a bit of a bland read for me. Also, the romance that develops between Celia and the duke seems to be based solely (on his part) on her beauty and her kind nature, and on her's because he's good looking, dashing and behaves in a totally unexpected kindly fashion towards her. (Remember that she thinks of him as a hardhearted ogre.) The couple never really talk or exchange ideas, and I found myself wondering about how their marriage would turn out in the years to come once Celia had shed some of her dewy-eyed naivety. Also for a 26 year old, Celia behaved and acted more like an unsure 18 year old most of the time -- I think that this was supposed to show how very unsophisticated her character was. Except that her lack of maturity/self-possession sometimes grated. There was also the fact that the romance between Celia and the duke lacked sizzle.

"The Spinster's Luck" read like a Cinderella novel without the stepmothers and stepsisters and whole cruelty bit -- in other words (as I noted before) no tension or friction. The only friction seemed to stem from Celia's bad opinion of the duke which jarred with her blossoming attraction to him, and the fact he may or may not be in love with his mistress. This, however was not quite enough for me. The characters were, on the whole, rather well 'fleshed out.' And truth be told, this is rather well written novel. But the romance and storyline just didn't do it for me -- even the secondary romance involving Imogene, the Duchess of Harbrooke and an old admirer, failed to snare my interest. What I'd like to add though is that even though this novel failed to capture my interest, it doesn't follow that others may not enjoy "The Spinster's Luck" themselves. And what I'd advise is that you decide for yourselves whether or not "The Spinster's Luck" is a worthwhile read.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it! Loved it!
Review: Celia Langston was a sixteen-year-old orphan. Her father had been the vicar of Harford, so she was considered to be well-bred. She took a position of governess, offered to her by Imogene. But Imy's husband, Philip, had died and left Imogene's brother, Drake (the Duke of Severly), half guardianship of their two sons. Drake did not feel Celia to be up to the task of caring for the boys. However, he would give her a chance. If she proved able to care for Henry and Peter, she could keep the position.

Ten years later, 1816

Celly had always been intimidated by Drake and avoided him whenever he visited Harbrooke Hall (in Kent). This time, however, Drake would be staying for quite awhile. Celia could not avoid him all the time. She tried though.

Drake saw Celia with different eyes this time. She was lovely. It was obvious how much his mother, Imogene, and the boys governess, except that she seemed to go out of her way to avoid seeing him. The chase began ...

Major David Rotham was Drake's close friend from the military. When David came back from Scotland, Drake invited him. A romance began to bloom between him and Imogene.

***** That is as much as I can tell without giving anything vital away. I found the story so well done that I read the entire book in one afternoon! Then I went to several on-line book stores to purchase he previous releases. Unfortunately, it looks as though this is Rhonda Woodward's first novel to be published! I have found myself a wonderful new author to keep an eye on here. If Signet is wise, they will get a long-term contract on this author - FAST! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting characters in a regency with a twist!
Review: I really enjoyed the characters in this story. This new author provided a good plot with a different twist to the governess meets powerful guy story! I found the book held my interest and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Woodward. I always like to see local authors in the bookstore.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting characters in a regency with a twist!
Review: I really enjoyed the characters in this story. This new author provided a good plot with a different twist to the governess meets powerful guy story! I found the book held my interest and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Woodward. I always like to see local authors in the bookstore.

Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable read from a great new author
Review: This character driven story provided me with a pleasant escape from the holiday rush! I needed a break from all the pressure I was feeling and when I found this book I planned to sit down and read a few chapters. Several hours later I found myself reading the last chapter and feeling sorry that I was coming to the end of my afternoon escape! I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters, Celia Langston and the Duke of Severly, and the series of events that eventually brought them together. I also enjoyed the secondary plot line revolving around the budding romance of Drake's sister, Imogene, and his close friend, Major David Rotham. Several unexpected plot twists were very satisfying to this reader, and I found "A Spinster's Luck" utterly charming. I look forward to more from this author whose characters kept me enthralled through the entire book. It was great to find a new author with a unique outlook on the Regency genre.

Rating:
Summary: Gentle, sweet romance; pleasant reading!
Review: What a lovely romance with likeable characters. Celia Langston, an orphaned vicar's daughter has lived with the Duchess of Harbrooke (Imogene) for over ten years. She is a friend and companion to Imogene and a governess to the young widow's sons. Celia also has a special friend in the eccentric Edna Forbisher, a recluse who lives nearby. The only thing that spoils this idyllic life for Celia is Imogene's brother the Duke of Severly (Drake).

When Celia was sixteen, she overheard Drake telling Imogene that she was too young to care for children. Where would she go if Imogene insisted she leave!!! But Imogene would not back down and the Duke decided to bide his time and just watch over the situation. When the Duke of Severn made his infrequent visits over the years, Celia made sure she was never in the same room and she harbored the hurt and anger about the overheard conversation. When the Duke and a friend visit, Celia is forced into his company. Drake notices her dislike for him and tries to draw her out.

Celia and Drake learn to hide their hearts, because during the course of Drake's stay at Harbrooke and a subsequent trip to London, they fall in love. Celia thinks that Drake is a faithless rake, and then thinks he's in love with another. Celia inherits some money and property from Edna and Imogene presents her to society, hiding the fact that she has been paid companion and governess. Gossip and snotty interference from Drake's jealous mistress turns that stay in London painful and after a bitter argument with him, Celia returns to the country. How can all the misunderstandings be resolved? A bolt of blue-green velvet fabric smooths the way for Celia and Drake to express their pent up feelings of love for each other.

I liked the flow of this story from country to city. The characters are well fleshed out. This is not a "deep" emotional book but I liked that the trauma was mild. Imogene finds romance along the way too making this pleasant, happy and recommended reading.