From Publishers Weekly
Royal, author of the Jewel trilogy (Amber, etc.), offers up a straightforward 17th-century romance that, while not as substantial as her previous works, still entertains. Bluestocking Violet Ashcroft has no interest in men; she's convinced they'll only want her for her money, and besides, she wants nothing more than to publish her own work of philosophy. Her plans are overset by the arrival of her handsome neighbor, Ford Chase, who has returned to his neglected country estate with his flirtatious, five-year-old niece to dedicate himself to scientific pursuits. Ford and Violet soon fall for each other, but can Violet be sure that Ford isn't just marrying her to gain the funds necessary to improve his failing estate? Both Violet and Ford are charming in their intellectual single-mindedness, and Ford is refreshingly open about his intentions toward Violet. However, Violet's resistance to the winning Ford feels ever more contrived as the novel unfolds, and their difficulties are wrapped up too hastily, culminating when Violet undertakes a bit of subterfuge which never really bears fruit. Although Royal's playful story glosses over some of the more serious relationship issues probed in her earlier works, this breezy summer read will still satisfy her rapidly growing fan base. (Sept. 3)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Booklist
After being dumped by his fiancee, Ford Chase decides women are not worth the trouble, so he abandons London for his country estate to work on designs for a new type of watch. Ford did not plan on bringing his young niece, Jewel, along, but he has no choice. Hoping that his neighbor's young son, Rowan Ashcroft, will prove to be a suitable distraction for Jewel, Ford encourages him to visit. Forced to accompany her young brother, Violet has no desire to act as nursemaid; but once she realizes how different Ford is from other men, Violet suddenly begins looking forward to these visits. By pairing up Ford with Violet, Royal provides a nice bridge between her previous trilogy, which focused on the Chase family, and her new series, which features the Ashcrofts. Royal deftly mixes brief appearances from historical figures and fascinating period details into the plot of her latest engaging romance, and the delightfully unconventional cast of characters gives her the chance to display her gift for understated humor. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
