Somebody Wonderful

Rating:
Summary: My First "Bodice Ripper"! What A Great Book! I'm Hooked!
Review: First, I must say that before reading "Somebody Wonderful" I was a virgin to the genre of 21st century romance novels and their authors. I have read Nin, Miller, Lawrence, De Sade and The Kama Sutra to be sure but this was my first "bodice ripper" and now I am afraid I am hooked!

Kate Rothwell's "Somebody Wonderful" is an enchanting and quite enjoyable read. Most of the novel is set in New York City in the year of our Lord, 1882. The heroine of the story, Miss Timona "Timmy" Calverson has just narrowly escaped kidnapping, a house of ill repute, attempted rape and an altercation with a gang of hoodlums with her life hanging in the balance. Along comes a brawny Irish cop named Michael "Mick" McCann to her rescue!

Timona is a different sort of gal - a photographer and quite a traveler of sorts and Mick is an ordinary good looking Irish cop just walking his beat. Once they meet, however, things quickly start to change for the both of them. As they grow to know each other's backgrounds their love for one another is evident and their love and caring spreads throughout Mick's New York neighborhood. However, there is always someone or something standing in the way of true love and boy do Mick and Timmy have their share!

This novel has a great storyline with romance, murder, violence, lust, sex, all with plot twists and turns galore! I very nearly devoured this book. It was a great and fun read for me and it will be for you also!

I can't wait to read Kate's new novel, "Somebody To Love" once it is released!

Happy Reading!

Rating:
Summary: great debut
Review: I can't claim to be disinterested in this review, as Kate is my sister. But that disclaimer stated, I really did enjoy this book! It's fun to read. The characters are lively, funny and likable. I haven't read many romances -- it isn't my genre of choice. But if there are more like this out there, I may become a convert!

Rating:
Summary: A RT Nominee for debut book
Review: I just heard this book by new author Kate Rothwell was chosen by Romantic Times for the list of best debut books. Small surprise. This is a "kinder, gentler" romance, with very down to earth characters. I was very impressed by the period detail of the gaslight era of New York, delighted with the non-stereotpyical characters. This writer IS somebody wonderful!

Rating:
Summary: A to-die-for hero!
Review: I simply adored this debut novel by Kate Rothwell--but I especially adored the hero, Mick. He was a very real, very sexy, very endearing character. Timona was a fascinating heroine, as well. She was an unusual mix of sophistication and sweetness, and different from most romance heroines. It was a terrific, fast-paced, sexy read, and I can't wait for Ms. Rothwell's next book!

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: Kate's book was warm, witty and wonderful. She captures the setting of 1880s New York with charm and detail, and puts wonderful, strong characters in the space. I loved the story and the people who populated it. Several times, I laughed out loud and other times, felt my heart jerked by the characters' vulnerabilities. Can't wait to see what Kate has in store in her next book!

Rating:
Summary: Heart, humor and smarts!
Review: Loved the fact that the characters were not stereotypical, and that a sense of humor and intelligence colored the writing all the way through. I was hooked from the opening paragraph right up to the end. Kate Rothwell and I have the same editor at Kensington- a terrific lady who wants her heroes to be men she - and the reader- will adore. Mick is adorable! No doubt about it. Thanks, Kate, for not only giving us a peek at an era not common to historical romances - but for creating one very enjoyable read! Can't wait for Somebody to Love!

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, heartwarming tale!
Review: Policeman Michael McCann has a heart of gold - one that extends to his neighbors, orphans and even to the beat-up dog he adopted named Botty. Mick walks his beat on the streets of 1882 New York when he rescues a female being attacked by a gang. The possibility that she's a prostitute doesn't deter him from taking the beautiful injured woman to his small apartment to treat her wounds. After all, he knows she won't get good treatment at the local hospital.

Timona Calverson boldly sets out to take photographs during her short stay in New York City before departing with her rich paleontologist father, Sir Kenneth Calverson, and his personal secretary, Mr. Blenheim, to the next dig site. Why should she be scared? After all, she has traveled the world with her father, lived among primitive tribes and hard conditions. Besides, she learned self-defense from her older brother, Griffin. Those experiences don't help her, however, when she's outnumbered by several men.

Timona awakens in Mick's small apartment, believing she's in a brothel and the man treating her wounds has less than honorable intentions. She soon realizes her misconception after she learns the handsome Irishman is a policeman. While her initial concern is for her father-that he and his secretary made the train heading to the next digs in time-her thoughts swiftly return to Mick. She hides her true identity, determined to win his heart. But first, she wants to learn more about Mick, whose heartwarming smile and reassuring manner set her so at ease. The following day, after Mick responds to a fire in the apartment building, she realizes he has a heart of gold - a commodity that, to Timona, is worth far more than her father's riches.

Though Mick has his doubts about Timona, he can't avoid being captivated by her natural beauty, sense of humor and loving personality. Then he meets Timona's brother, Griffin, and the obvious wealth that surrounds Griffin brings the stark reality of their relationship to Mick. He and Timona come from different backgrounds entirely. Even though Mick does his best to explain this to Timona, he can't quite bring himself to force her out of his life...especially when she insists on staying in his apartment.

Then her father's secretary, Mr. Blenheim, learns of her whereabouts and sends hired men to bribe Mick to forget Timona - an attempt that fails. But Blenheim has his own personal reason for wanting to break up the couple's growing love. He wants to marry Timona himself - even if it means kidnapping and forcing her into marriage.

Kate Rothwell's premiere novel, "Somebody Wonderful," is an absolute joy to read, full of humor, an exciting plot, and characters so believable you can't help falling in love with them. I couldn't put it down! I certainly look forward to reading her next release, "Somebody to Love."

Reviewed by Linda Morelli, award-winning romance author of FIERY SURRENDER and SHADOW OF DOUBT


Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Debut!
Review: Setting - New York City, 1882 --- Timona Calverson was something of a legend what with all the adventures of traveling over the world on famous archeological digs with her father Sir Kenneth. She tries to stay out of the limelight, a difficult enough thing to do with all the amazing adventures that have been written about her. Though wealthy and related to British aristocracy she'd rather shun that particular society. Strolling through New York City, enjoying the light reflected off the buildings, she is abducted and brought to a bordello where luckily she befriends a young girl who helps her into a disguise and escape before any permanent damage to her is done. From the frying pan, into the fire, while attempting to find her way back home she is set upon, beaten, and stabbed by a street gang. Luckily for her, Michael McCann, a recent Irish immigrant and New York City police officer, on his way home chased off the gang and rescued the `poor lad'.

Mick was tired, wanted nothing more than his bed but he slung `the lad' over his shoulder thinking that the shortest distance for help would be his one room flat, rather than trying to locate a doctor for some homeless waif. Mick was something of a hero in his neighborhood, attracting strays of all kinds and doctoring some of the smaller injuries when he could. When Timona wakens, she sees not only the kindest, bluest eyes but feels an awareness for a male that she's never felt before - she likes what she sees and asks him to marry her. Mick originally thought her a `lad', then a cheeky prostitute, and now he was simply baffled by Timona and her unusually frank and outrageous comments - marry her indeed!

What a wonderful debut! This was so unusual, in both period and characters with protagonists that will gently ingratiate themselves into your heart. The different adventures Timona had gotten herself into while accompanying her father all over the world made a wonderful case for her embracing Mick, the Irish immigrant for what he was -- a wonderfully warm and charming hero that she immediately wanted to spend the rest of her life with - in whose strong arms she'd finally found a home. The numerous secondary characters were all memorable, from the ugliest dog Botty, to the youngest Tucker who was a bit of a `puker' - all-unusual to say the least! Ms. Rothwell has a rich and fresh voice that is a most outstanding welcome addition to this historical romance genre!

Bottom Line - Embrace this author, I predict a rising star! --- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---


Rating:
Summary: Looking forward to more!
Review: Somebody Wonderful is a breath of fresh air in a romance market filled with predictable plots and high-brow aristocrat heroes and heroines. Timona and Mick feel like real people, flawed, loveable and interesting, people you enjoy getting to know as they fall in love with each other and to whom you are sad to say goodbye when you close the cover. The dialogue is engaging, charming and witty. Ms. Rothwell's keen sense of humor shines through. The unusual time period and adventurous atmosphere adds to the story's appeal. I'm looking forward to more from this delightful new author!

Rating:
Summary: a wonderful first novel!
Review: Somebody Wonderful is just that - wonderful! Kate Rothwell's first novel hints at a gentle talent, a talent to warm the heart. She does not create a hero that is a prince - legitimate or otherwise - a duke, a viscount, an earl, a baron. She does not add another to the flood of Scottish Historicals, she chooses New York City, 1882, and her hero is a caring, hard-working policeman. So refreshing! Often, in Historical Romances you get the impression love was for a feisty heroine and some titled nobleman, that no one else fell in love and lived happily ever after. So it's delightful Rothwell gives us a romance between a beleaguer New York Copy, Michael McCann, and an adventuresome young woman, Timona Calverson.

Mick rescues Timona, who is dressed like a boy. She had been kidnapped off the street and deposited in a brothel, but the resourceful lass has made good her escape. Only, she is run to ground and attacked by the thugs. Fortunately for her, Mick is there to save her. He takes her home, stitches her up and she in turn proceeds to upset the man's life.

Mick is an Irisher barely off the boat. He saves his money and sends it back to the homeland to the family left behind. He is mistrustful of the rich English, so off the bat, Timona with her British accent sets him off. When he finds she is not a street
urchin, but a rich, world-traveler - the famous Timona Calverson - he is not happy. Mick is seeing the delightful, "valley girl" Daisy. Daisy likes Mick, but her family has higher hopes for their beautiful daughter. Mick believes they have a bit of an understanding, but quickly learns this is not the case. Timona has already decided you don't let a good man slip through your fingers, so Daisy's open flirtation with another man gives her the chance to claim the wonderful and caring Mick.

It's a gentle sweet romance, with a lot of strong research into the period, into the Gaelic and Mick's Irish background. All around, Rothwell gives a delightful tales that touches the heart and puts a smile on your face. Somebody to Love is the sequel to this delicate gem, so I am looking forward to Rothwell's second effort. Her voice marks her as a unique talent, one to watch.

I especially appreciated Kate's use of multi-POV(Point of View). The rapid anti-headhoppers are beginning to wear thin with me. I appreciate a talented writer who can blend both male and female characters in the same scene instead of the current fad of remaining in single POV. It's give such a richer, more well-rounded story and such stronger characters.