Do You like book Kiss The Bride (2002)?
I really liked Educating Caroline and wanted to try more books by this author but the blurbs for the other don't seem to grab my attention. Which one would you recommend next?
—ChloeLeeNH
The historical romance genre is not universally known for being progressive or socially conscious. Which is odd, because from the first novels looking at marriage prospects from a female point of view, they've all of them pushed the boundaries in little ways and big. Pride and Prejudice waged war with inheritence laws that women still suffer under in the UK today. Those many novels of governesses demonstrated the dangers of depriving girls of education, money, and the ability to seek employment. It may not be beside the point of the books, but it's there, authors observing and commenting upon the lives of women, and suggesting better ways (albeit, on a personal, rather than a political or social justice level).So I shouldn't be surprised to read a novel set in 1833 that addresses poverty, free education, infectious outbreaks, and lack of medical care, one that in addition questions church positions of the time. But I was surprised. And delighted. It's refreshing to see a character performing missionary work among people she values.And also, it's great fun to see the hero of the piece trying to find ways to show he's worthy of her love other than just bashing bad guys about the place (although that aspect is there, too, for glorious comic effect). No man has wooed so hard since Darcy.What I don't understand is why the cover doesn't in some way refer to the primary setting of the Shetland Isles, or to the time frame. The font, the bouquet, it all suggests something contemporary and frothy which is at odds with the text itself.Personal copy
—Kaethe
I read this book because I was a fan of the author's books for teens, and I was not disappointed. Emma Van Court is an orphan raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle. At eighteen, she elopes with Stuart Chesterton, a well-meaning but impractical man who takes his new wife to live with him on a small Scottish island village, much to the anger of Stuart's cousin, James Marbury, the Earl of Denham. Within a year, Stuart is dead, and Emma is struggling to survive on her meager salary as a schoolteacher. Without marrying, she cannot claim her inheritance. So when James comes to the island, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Having always loved Emma, he hopes she will come to love him, and wish to stay married. This book was written in the same clever, funny style as the author's other books. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a romantic and funny historical romance read.
—Rebecca
