RomanticLeads Recommendations and reviews of romantic fiction
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RomanticLeads Recommendations and reviews of romantic fiction
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HERE ARE reviews of a fine, gentle contemporary romance; a funny Victorian variation of Pygmalion; and a warm regency remake. Who knows, you might be encouraged to read all three.
The Proposition By Judith Ivory (Avon – December 1999, $8.50) Judith Ivory is an author noted for her variations on traditional story themes _ such as Beast and Sleeping Beauty. The Proposition, an adaptation of Pygmalion, is right up there with her classic variations. Mick Tremore, a scrappy bearded character with an atrocious accent meets a lady linguist with “dream legs”, Edwina Bollash. Abandoned by her cousin upon his inheriting her father’s title and properties, Edwina sees an opportunity for revenge in a seemingly harmless bet by two gambling brothers. Transform an adorable Cornish-Cockney rat catcher into a top drawer Viscount and pass him off at her cousin’s annual ball. Her success at the effecting superficial social changes only accentuates the deeper character of the man beneath the class barrier. At first it looked as thought this was a real stereotype buster, then in a slightly unsatisfying ending all the typical class strictures were brutally re-established. Not perfect, but pushing on it.
Lost Highways By Curtiss Ann Matlock (MIRA - 1999, $6.99) A beautiful moody romantic drama, Lost Highways is a touching Southern on-the-road story. Rainey Valentine is 35 and twice divorced. When Rainey’s Mama dies she feels rather lost. She inherited her Mama’s horse and truck, so she chucks her regular small town life to roam the Southern states entering rodeo races. One night while driving she nearly hits a man on the edge of the road. Turns out he’s been out driving to get away from his regular life as well. Unfortunately, Dr. Harry Furneaux’ drive ended in an accident. He hitches a ride with Rainey and together they follow a meandering path through quirky relatives and personal insecurities to find love and new directions for the future. Curtiss Ann Matlock has a wonderful ability to capture the inner workings of a mind in emotional turmoil. This is a gentle and heart-warming mid-life coming-of-age story that cannot be too highly recommended.
The Bargain By Mary Jo Putney (Signet – October 1999, $8.99) A re-write of Mary Jo Putney’s decade-old Regency Romance, The Bargain is surprisingly fresh with a hero you just have to love despite an unsatisfying ending. Lady Jocelyn Kendal is facing the loss of her inheritance if she does not marry. Casting about for a solution she meets a dying soldier, Major David Lancaster. They make an impulsive bargain. Jocelyn will provide for David’s sister after his imminent death. In return, David will marry Jocelyn securing her inheritance. But David doesn’t die as expected. He has recovered and is quite interested in his new bride. Putney’s writing style and emotional pull are impeccable as usual. Unfortunately, the revelations explaining Jocelyn’s irrational behaviour were anti-climactic, seemingly dropped on us at the end. The Bargain will be a must for Putney fans, but it’s not quite up to her recent books.
Janine Taylor is a Halifax writer. She can be reached at romanticleads@hotmail.com
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Copyright © 1999 Janine Taylor Distributed by Writers Syndication Services |
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