Pride and Prudence

Rating:
Summary: He was made a Fool for Love
Review: Even though the handsome and dashing Captain James Ashley returned a hero from the war, it isn't his prowess on the battlefield people talk about. In multitudes of drawing rooms his name emerges in the course of conversation, and the fairer sex of society has dubbed him, "The Most Delectable Man in England" who is only good for one thing. James craves respectability, and the chance to redeem himself for losing his ship to the smuggler's canon. Now he's returning to that area to investigate the smuggling, and catch the notorious "Wolf" who is reputed to be the leader of the crimes.

Independent and beautiful, Lady Prudence Farnsworth has become the protector of her town. When Prudence and James meet, their attraction for each other is undeniable. When they are caught in a compromising position, they are forced to marry. But will their love for one another be enough when James discovers the shocking secret Prudence has kept from him, and the lengths she has gone to protect it?

This was the first and only book I've read by this author. The storyline does end up being rather original, and it wasn't a bad read, but unfortunately it also wasn't very memorable. The humorous moments were its biggest saving grace, but there were points in the book where the story just didn't seem to flow very well to me. And probably what bothered me the most was how Prudence basically made a fool of the hero at least twice - once without her knowledge of his identity, and again when she did. And in each case a serious circumstance made him look foolish. In addition, he was humiliated with the whole town's knowledge. Anyway, if you come across this book, you may want to give it a try, but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to look for it.

Rating:
Summary: FAST, FUNNY, AND TRULY ROMANTIC!
Review: I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, feeling as if all books were the same, but this book made me remember why I love romance. It has it all -- great hero (James is YUMMMMMMMY!) and a very strong and personable heroine (Pru was funny and smart and very independent -- the perfect woman to tame the hero!). The story itself was fast moving and intriguing and had plenty of laugh out loud moments.

I loved this book and I highly recommend it. Ms. Martin, BRAVO on penning such a refreshing book! I hope you have a looooong backlist because I want to read them all.

Rating:
Summary: FAST, FUNNY, AND TRULY ROMANTIC!
Review: In 1815, naval Captain James Ashley figures that stopping the smugglers would cap off a great run following on the heel of his victory over the French. However, his foe the Wolf produces a cannon coming out of nowhere that sinks Ashley's ship the Defender in Gravesley Bay. A stunned James wants his unknown father to even silently applaud his achievements. Instead the fickleness of the Ton will portray him as a laughingstock as they did last year as the "most delectable man in England". His military successes and bravery will blithely be ignored.

Feeling disgraced, James resigns his commission to find the Wolf. He opens up his command post in Lady Prudence Farnsworth's house near the location of where his ship sunk. As James seeks clues, Pru flirts with him in order to keep him away from the town's prime source of income, smuggling. When they are caught in a compromising position, they marry. However, as they fall in love, Pru worries how James will react if he ever learns the identity of Wolf.

PRIDE AND PRUDENCE is an exciting Regency romance that sub-genre fans will enjoy because the secondary ensemble provides great depth to the plot and the lead characters. The story line absorbs the audience from the start though some will feel that a spin too many occurs. Pru and James are one of the better couples in recent years as their relationship is MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVE, trust, and caring, which is why Malia Martin deservedly is gaining a growing fan following.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: exciting Regency romance
Review: In 1815, naval Captain James Ashley figures that stopping the smugglers would cap off a great run following on the heel of his victory over the French. However, his foe the Wolf produces a cannon coming out of nowhere that sinks Ashley's ship the Defender in Gravesley Bay. A stunned James wants his unknown father to even silently applaud his achievements. Instead the fickleness of the Ton will portray him as a laughingstock as they did last year as the "most delectable man in England". His military successes and bravery will blithely be ignored.

Feeling disgraced, James resigns his commission to find the Wolf. He opens up his command post in Lady Prudence Farnsworth's house near the location of where his ship sunk. As James seeks clues, Pru flirts with him in order to keep him away from the town's prime source of income, smuggling. When they are caught in a compromising position, they marry. However, as they fall in love, Pru worries how James will react if he ever learns the identity of Wolf.

PRIDE AND PRUDENCE is an exciting Regency romance that sub-genre fans will enjoy because the secondary ensemble provides great depth to the plot and the lead characters. The story line absorbs the audience from the start though some will feel that a spin too many occurs. Pru and James are one of the better couples in recent years as their relationship is MUCH ADO ABOUT LOVE, trust, and caring, which is why Malia Martin deservedly is gaining a growing fan following.

Harriet Klausner