Belle of the Ball (Zebra Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: refreshingly different kind of romance novel, I thought
Review: "Belle of the Ball" by Donna Simpson is quite unlike other Regency romance novels in that it is mostly contemplative in nature -- the heroine, Arabella Swinley, spends much of the novel, reflecting on her unhappy circumstances, examining her past behaviour, which she is quite ashamed of and wondering if there is such a thing as 'love.' The hero of the novel, Marcus Westhaven, also spends quite a bit of time wondering why he's so taken with Arabella especially since she is the embodiment of everything he despises in a woman: proud, self-centered and entirely too preoccupied with finding a rich husband. There isn't much 'action' in this novel -- there is a lot of flirtation between Arabella and Marcus of course, but the novel remains between the parameters of the hero and heroine trying to decide what to do, all the while getting to know a little of each other's true nature as they flirt their way through the Season. Some readers may find the ruminative nature of this novel a little off-putting, however I found it to be refreshingly different and enjoyable.

Briefly, the plot is as follows: after having spent the last few Seasons rejecting all offers of marriage from eligible bachelors for the most specious of reasons, Miss Arabella Swinley is suddenly faced with the unpalatable truth that she must find herself a rich husband this Season, or face losing her family home. And if that wasn't enough to put any woman in the doldrums, there's her mother's constant carping and the fact that this Season's eligible bachelors seem to be a rather sorry lot! And then, Marcus Westhaven, an adventurer who has just returned form the Canadian wilds, bursts upon the London scene. And suddenly the Season begins to take on a more interesting turn for Arabella. For in spite of his rough and unsophisticated ways, Arabella finds herself responding to Marcus's good looks, charm and adventurous spirit. But Marcus is quite poor, and Lady Swinley as already decreed that Arabella must somehow win 60 year old Lord Pelimore for her husband. What will Arabella do? Will she gird her loins and do her duty by encouraging the repulsive Lord Pelimore's suit? Or will she rebel and take a chance on love?

After a steady diet of the usual, it is always fun to come across a novel that is refreshingly different. Arabella was first introduced in "Miss Truelove Beckons," and the Arabella of that novel was not very likeable at all: a little whiny, cold and manipulative. Flashes of a different Arabella only came to the fore now and then. In "Belle of the Ball" we see more of the likable Arabella and see how Lady Swinley's warped preconceptions about station wealth influenced her and not in a good way either. I found myself cheering for Arabella to come out from behind her mother's shadow and to become her own person, with her own opinions and values. Donna Simpson did a wonderful job of presenting a more sympathetic portrait of Arabella, so that we are able to feel for her when she realises that she is no longer the 'Diamond' of the London scene, and we're able to root for her to find happiness with Marcus. Another nice touch, I thought, was the fact that quite obviously both Marcus and Arabella had more or less fallen in love at first sight with each other, but neither of them figures this out for quite a while, spending much of their time wodering why they are so preoccupied with each other. There were however a couple of subplots that really bothered me. One subplot involved the Swinleys sudden loss of wealth. There are a couple of hints here and there as to what really happened, but the novel never really addressed this question. And I found Arabella's lack of interest in discovering why she and her mother were suddenly so poor completely incomprehensible. The other subplot that niggled involved Arabella's best friend, Miss Eveleen O' Clannahan, whose intriguing behaviour and mysterious disappearance halfway through the novel almost stole all my attention from Arabella and Marcus. I can only suppose that this is a kind of setup to whet our interest in an upcoming novel that will feature Eveleen. I do wish that Ms Simpson hadn't done that though as I became quite obsessed with discovering what became of Eveleen, and at Arabella's and Marcus's expense!

"Belle of the Ball" is a definitely an engaging read. Donna Simpson displays her skill as a masterful storyteller by taking a character that most might not truly approve of, and making her completely sympathetic. And this, in spite of the quibbles I had with the subplots, I thought that this novel truly remarkable.

Rating:
Summary: refreshingly different kind of romance novel, I thought
Review: "Belle of the Ball" by Donna Simpson is quite unlike other Regency romance novels in that it is mostly contemplative in nature -- the heroine, Arabella Swinley, spends much of the novel, reflecting on her unhappy circumstances, examining her past behaviour, which she is quite ashamed of and wondering if there is such a thing as 'love.' The hero of the novel, Marcus Westhaven, also spends quite a bit of time wondering why he's so taken with Arabella especially since she is the embodiment of everything he despises in a woman: proud, self-centered and entirely too preoccupied with finding a rich husband. There isn't much 'action' in this novel -- there is a lot of flirtation between Arabella and Marcus of course, but the novel remains between the parameters of the hero and heroine trying to decide what to do, all the while getting to know a little of each other's true nature as they flirt their way through the Season. Some readers may find the ruminative nature of this novel a little off-putting, however I found it to be refreshingly different and enjoyable.

Briefly, the plot is as follows: after having spent the last few Seasons rejecting all offers of marriage from eligible bachelors for the most specious of reasons, Miss Arabella Swinley is suddenly faced with the unpalatable truth that she must find herself a rich husband this Season, or face losing her family home. And if that wasn't enough to put any woman in the doldrums, there's her mother's constant carping and the fact that this Season's eligible bachelors seem to be a rather sorry lot! And then, Marcus Westhaven, an adventurer who has just returned form the Canadian wilds, bursts upon the London scene. And suddenly the Season begins to take on a more interesting turn for Arabella. For in spite of his rough and unsophisticated ways, Arabella finds herself responding to Marcus's good looks, charm and adventurous spirit. But Marcus is quite poor, and Lady Swinley as already decreed that Arabella must somehow win 60 year old Lord Pelimore for her husband. What will Arabella do? Will she gird her loins and do her duty by encouraging the repulsive Lord Pelimore's suit? Or will she rebel and take a chance on love?

After a steady diet of the usual, it is always fun to come across a novel that is refreshingly different. Arabella was first introduced in "Miss Truelove Beckons," and the Arabella of that novel was not very likeable at all: a little whiny, cold and manipulative. Flashes of a different Arabella only came to the fore now and then. In "Belle of the Ball" we see more of the likable Arabella and see how Lady Swinley's warped preconceptions about station wealth influenced her and not in a good way either. I found myself cheering for Arabella to come out from behind her mother's shadow and to become her own person, with her own opinions and values. Donna Simpson did a wonderful job of presenting a more sympathetic portrait of Arabella, so that we are able to feel for her when she realises that she is no longer the 'Diamond' of the London scene, and we're able to root for her to find happiness with Marcus. Another nice touch, I thought, was the fact that quite obviously both Marcus and Arabella had more or less fallen in love at first sight with each other, but neither of them figures this out for quite a while, spending much of their time wodering why they are so preoccupied with each other. There were however a couple of subplots that really bothered me. One subplot involved the Swinleys sudden loss of wealth. There are a couple of hints here and there as to what really happened, but the novel never really addressed this question. And I found Arabella's lack of interest in discovering why she and her mother were suddenly so poor completely incomprehensible. The other subplot that niggled involved Arabella's best friend, Miss Eveleen O' Clannahan, whose intriguing behaviour and mysterious disappearance halfway through the novel almost stole all my attention from Arabella and Marcus. I can only suppose that this is a kind of setup to whet our interest in an upcoming novel that will feature Eveleen. I do wish that Ms Simpson hadn't done that though as I became quite obsessed with discovering what became of Eveleen, and at Arabella's and Marcus's expense!

"Belle of the Ball" is a definitely an engaging read. Donna Simpson displays her skill as a masterful storyteller by taking a character that most might not truly approve of, and making her completely sympathetic. And this, in spite of the quibbles I had with the subplots, I thought that this novel truly remarkable.

Rating:
Summary: Not a bad book, would have liked the heroine less remorseful
Review: I agree, this book is has some problems with the pace and plotting. But most readers seem to be bothered by the fact that the heroine is (or was) an unrepentant fortune hunter.

Why is it that we can accept any sort of vile, disgusting behavior from male characters in the name of "historical accuracy", ("men behaved like that in those days!") but a woman who wants to marry for financial security is an evil *bleep*?

What do readers expect a Regency gentlewoman with no money to do, start a dot.com business?

I just wish that Ms. Simpson had not "softened" Belle up by making her mother the puppeteer pulling her daughter's strings.

Rating:
Summary: Really, really, bad...
Review: Wow - getting through this book was painful. I have read many bad regencies but this (almost) takes the cake. I have no issues with the writer, Donna Simpson, making this story a bit more contemplative then typical regency fare. I love when regency authors try new and different things as regencies, in general, have grown old. Issue here is that Arabella Swinley, the awful, mean but oh so beautiful cousin from "Miss Truelove Becksons" must marry and marry fast as the family has no money left. Okay - where did the money go? Neither she or her Mother seem interested in finding out. If Arabella is so smart, wouldn't she try to figure it out? Arabella's best friend, Eveleen, the really interesting person in the story, disappears and no mention is made of that either. Where did she go? This book was written in 2001 and as we grow closer to 2003, no follow-up to her disappearance is yet on the shelves. That is not appreciated by this reader. What is the point of leaving so many loose ends? I am thinking...Miss Simpson needs a new editor or reader. Arabella meets handsome, wilde Marcus Westhaven, who is in town to claim his inheritance. Arabella is does not know that it is a big one so contemplates marrying an old geezer for money. Not that unusual from those days. However, the author goes on and on and with such drivel as what follows:
"But it was not right that a blooming girl like Arabella should wed this man, this cretinous old aristocratic lout. He refused to believe she held him in any affection. No, she was going for the biggest money pot she could find. And he did not know why he cared. If she was as money-grubbing as all that, then he should just abandon her to her fate. But he couldn't. And he wouldn't. Whether she liked it or not, she had a champion. He would save her from herself, and from making a mess of her life, if he could."
Geeze - Marcus, get over it!!! Sure, she was pretty but so rude to him why would he be interested? Why??? It makes him into a doormat, frankly. It defies logic. That is the basis of the problem - Arabella consistently shows her mean side to him yet he comes back for more. It can only be he has fallen for her face and figure, not her inner beauty as she does not display any!!! No real man, in his right mind, would be bothered with her.

Rating:
Summary: Really, really, bad...
Review: Wow - getting through this book was painful. I have read many bad regencies but this (almost) takes the cake. I have no issues with the writer, Donna Simpson, making this story a bit more contemplative then typical regency fare. I love when regency authors try new and different things as regencies, in general, have grown old. Issue here is that Arabella Swinley, the awful, mean but oh so beautiful cousin from "Miss Truelove Becksons" must marry and marry fast as the family has no money left. Okay - where did the money go? Neither she or her Mother seem interested in finding out. If Arabella is so smart, wouldn't she try to figure it out? Arabella's best friend, Eveleen, the really interesting person in the story, disappears and no mention is made of that either. Where did she go? This book was written in 2001 and as we grow closer to 2003, no follow-up to her disappearance is yet on the shelves. That is not appreciated by this reader. What is the point of leaving so many loose ends? I am thinking...Miss Simpson needs a new editor or reader. Arabella meets handsome, wilde Marcus Westhaven, who is in town to claim his inheritance. Arabella is does not know that it is a big one so contemplates marrying an old geezer for money. Not that unusual from those days. However, the author goes on and on and with such drivel as what follows:
"But it was not right that a blooming girl like Arabella should wed this man, this cretinous old aristocratic lout. He refused to believe she held him in any affection. No, she was going for the biggest money pot she could find. And he did not know why he cared. If she was as money-grubbing as all that, then he should just abandon her to her fate. But he couldn't. And he wouldn't. Whether she liked it or not, she had a champion. He would save her from herself, and from making a mess of her life, if he could."
Geeze - Marcus, get over it!!! Sure, she was pretty but so rude to him why would he be interested? Why??? It makes him into a doormat, frankly. It defies logic. That is the basis of the problem - Arabella consistently shows her mean side to him yet he comes back for more. It can only be he has fallen for her face and figure, not her inner beauty as she does not display any!!! No real man, in his right mind, would be bothered with her.