From Publishers Weekly
Can a realist and a romantic fall in love? This is the central question in Hern's (The Bride Sale; etc.) atypical and often frustrating early 19th-century romance. Cynical widow Eleanor Tennant doesn't believe in love, so when her niece, Belinda, falls for a reformed rake, Eleanor urges her to choose someone with more wealth and status. Instead, Belinda follows the advice of the Busybody, a columnist for the Ladies' Fashionable Cabinet, and remains steadfast in her devotion. Enraged, Eleanor tracks down the Busybody, only to find that the "sentimental old biddy" is Simon Westover, a bookish romantic who will do anything to keep his identity concealed. In return for Eleanor's silence, Simon agrees to set things right by her niece, but their arrangement becomes far more complicated when they learn that Belinda has run away to elope. Determined to rescue Belinda, Eleanor blackmails Simon into helping her track down the couple. A strong physical attraction develops between Eleanor and Simon, despite her venomous attitude and appalling behavior (she smacks him twice and betrays his trust). By the end, readers will root for the adorable beta male to leave rather than love Eleanor. Though Hern has a firm understanding of the period, her narrow-minded heroine is unlikely to earn the reader's favor or empathy.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Furious when her impressionable young niece, Belinda, follows the outrageous advice of the Busybody, a columnist in a popular women's magazine, and runs off with a noted rake, Eleanor Tennant tracks down the columnist and finds not a woman but a man-and an extremely attractive one at that. Undaunted, Eleanor demands retribution, and together she and Simon Westover take to the road, determined to stop the fleeing pair before Belinda's reputation is damaged beyond repair. Although the novel employs a tried-and-true classic "hot pursuit" plot, the beautifully rendered characters, the depth of their conflicts, and the intriguing twist that the hero is a true romantic and the heroine is anything but make this Regency just short of brilliant. Lighter but no less enjoyable than Hern's The Bride Sale, this will appeal to historical and Regency readers alike. Hern lives in San Francisco. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
The fiery Miss Tennant wants satisfaction from the popular lady columnist who ruined young Belinda's life. But imagine Eleanor's surprise when she discovers the anonymous author of the odious advice is a disarmingly attractive man named Simon Westover! Well, the handsome cad is responsible for this outrage and he will set things right! As for Simon, he must protect his "Busybody" identity at all costs -- and therefore agrees to help Eleanor scour the English countryside for missing Belinda and her paramour. But the intoxicating nearness of the exquisite lady -- not to mention her dazzling emerald eyes and lush, kissable lips -- is almost too much for a hopeless romantic like Simon to bear. Yet how can he convince Eleanor that he is no mere meddler but a passionate male with intense desires ... and prove to the stubborn, straightforward miss that dreams of love can come true?
About the Author
Candice Hern has always enjoyed escaping into the history and literature of Regency England. After years of re-reading the novels of Jane Austen and other women of the period, she by chance discovered the great Georgette Heyer -- and all her contemporary stepchildren -- and was instantly hooked. Candice lives in San Francisco in a house cluttered with African violets, orchids, Regency-period antiques, and mountains of reference books.
Once a Dreamer FROM THE PUBLISHER
The fiery Miss Tennant wants satisfaction from the popular lady columnist who ruined young Belinda's life. But imagine Eleanor's surprise when she discovers the anonymous author of the odious advice is a disarmingly attractive man named Simon Westover! Well, the handsome cad is responsible for this outrage and he will set things right! As for Simon, he must protect his "Busybody" identity at all costs -- and therefore agrees to help Eleanor scour the English countryside for missing Belinda and her paramour. But the intoxicating nearness of the exquisite lady -- not to mention her dazzling emerald eyes and lush, kissable lips -- is almost too much for a hopeless romantic like Simon to bear. Yet how can he convince Eleanor that he is no mere meddler but a passionate male with intense desires . . . and prove to the stubborn, straightforward miss that dreams of love can come true?
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Can a realist and a romantic fall in love? This is the central question in Hern's (The Bride Sale; etc.) atypical and often frustrating early 19th-century romance. Cynical widow Eleanor Tennant doesn't believe in love, so when her niece, Belinda, falls for a reformed rake, Eleanor urges her to choose someone with more wealth and status. Instead, Belinda follows the advice of the Busybody, a columnist for the Ladies' Fashionable Cabinet, and remains steadfast in her devotion. Enraged, Eleanor tracks down the Busybody, only to find that the "sentimental old biddy" is Simon Westover, a bookish romantic who will do anything to keep his identity concealed. In return for Eleanor's silence, Simon agrees to set things right by her niece, but their arrangement becomes far more complicated when they learn that Belinda has run away to elope. Determined to rescue Belinda, Eleanor blackmails Simon into helping her track down the couple. A strong physical attraction develops between Eleanor and Simon, despite her venomous attitude and appalling behavior (she smacks him twice and betrays his trust). By the end, readers will root for the adorable beta male to leave rather than love Eleanor. Though Hern has a firm understanding of the period, her narrow-minded heroine is unlikely to earn the reader's favor or empathy. (Jan.) Forecast: A generic cover image depicting a lusty female in the arms of a brawny, bare-chested Steve Sandalis isn't likely to attract browsers, but it may entice fans of the well-known cover model. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal
Furious when her impressionable young niece, Belinda, follows the outrageous advice of the Busybody, a columnist in a popular women's magazine, and runs off with a noted rake, Eleanor Tennant tracks down the columnist and finds not a woman but a man-and an extremely attractive one at that. Undaunted, Eleanor demands retribution, and together she and Simon Westover take to the road, determined to stop the fleeing pair before Belinda's reputation is damaged beyond repair. Although the novel employs a tried-and-true classic "hot pursuit" plot, the beautifully rendered characters, the depth of their conflicts, and the intriguing twist that the hero is a true romantic and the heroine is anything but make this Regency just short of brilliant. Lighter but no less enjoyable than Hern's The Bride Sale, this will appeal to historical and Regency readers alike. Hern lives in San Francisco. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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