Rating: 
Summary: The Love o' the Irish
Review: Patricia Bray turns her sharp eye and sharper wit on Regency Ireland in her latest novel. The rootless Felicity is shopping for a husband with whom to create a home. The Earl of Kilgarvan catches her attention when the impoverished (but hunky!) noble is the only one to give money to a beggar. They soon discover they have much in common, including a pragmatic streak that lets them calmly arrange a marriage that will give them both what they want... Kilgarvan gets Felicity's money, and Felicity gets a home of her own. But Felicity's lawyers have crafted a marriage contract that keeps her money firmly in her control, and Kilgarvan wants to leave Felicity in Dublin with his mother. Their efforts to build an understanding are thwarted at every turn by their steadfast insistance that they know best, and their indomitable pride that prevents them from admitting when they don't. Set in the "wilds" of Ireland (hoping to convince her to stay in civilized Dublin, Kilgarvan takes Felicity to the estate using the most roundabout route he knows), the beauty and challenge of the countryside comes through clearly. The lifestyle and manner of the people is deftly sketched with telling details, and the Irish are portrayed neither condescendingly nor with sentimental sugar coating. I enjoyed seeing such a strong female character, especially one who is so convinced of her selfworth that she is willing to take a hard line and stick to it, rather than diminishing herself by caving to societal pressure.
Rating: 
Summary: Kept Going Downhill
Review: The book started out with five stars. Felicity was an interesting character with her stubborn traits and ability to brush people off. The way that Felicity meets Gerald was unique with the beggar. Gerald's unselfishness is nicely tied throughout the book. The way that Felicity and Gerald became good friends was interesting too as you will read. In the middle, I had to take the book down another star. I realized at that time there really wasn't going to be a lot of dialogue between the two characters. Felicity's and Gerald's stubborness kept them apart a lot, so much so that they didn't really spend a lot of time together. Their interactions were fun at first but it was like a roller coaster that never stopped. The ending made me take down the book another star. The other reviewer was right when (s)he said that the conflict wasn't resolved until the very very end. Felicity ended up leaving for a while and Gerald took a long time to go and get her. The last three pages was him going there and saying come back, her revealing her pregnancy, him saying wow, and that was the end. I mean that was the most terrible ending I have ever read. The author really rushed it and the reader was left feeling miffed since endings make the book. Borrow it from the library but don't buy it.
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