"A delightful Regency from one of the best writers in Romance"
Katie Macalister is one of the most delightful (and
prolific) writers in Romance today. She is not
Shakespeare, but then I, for one, thank goodness for that!
We already have old Will. When I want the Scottish Play, I
blow the dust of my very ancient copies and read it. When
I want sheer fun, I look to Lynsay Sands and Katie
Macalister. I love British humour (works out nice since I
am Scot!), but that dry wit is often missing in the works
of a lot of American writers. I am not talking about
highbrow humour, but that you-can't-help-but-howl-aloud
Benny Hill wacko laughs! The kind that has your erupting
with buffos, has people looking at you as if you have gone
around the bend one too many times, the kind that has your
husband exiling you from the living room while he is trying
to watch CASI because you are making too much noise. Many
writers can provoke a giggle. Few make me laugh so hard I
hurt. There is nothing more special a writer can do for
you. They leave you feeling good all over. This book is a sheer delight from page one! One of my
favourite Hitchcock movies carries this name. It was
deadpan humour that was just so on target, so it's not
surprising to find this book is the same. It's a
delightful Regency -- and from the opening scene where
beleaguered Harry is trying to explain the facts
of "womanhood" to his eldest daughter - you are already
laughing out loud! The Trouble with Harry, 45-years-old is a father, coming
to parenthood late in life. There is little India -- no
longer the little angel sent to grace her life since she is
in urgent need to know about the birds and the bees, the
twins trying to "fly" from the barn roof again, Marston --
Harry's heir - who thinks he would rather be a blacksmith
than the next Marquis Rosse, and MacTavish who presents his
father dear with his latest "finds". Harry, left to raise
his five hellions...um, precocious darlings on his own,
faces the decision he has to remarry, find a good stable
woman who can bring some semblance to his chaotic life.
Being a smart man, he immediately instructs Templeton, his
man of affairs to find him a suitable wife by advertising
for one. He would like a companion suited to him, and one who could
bring peace to his herd, so he wants Templeton to move
quickly before word gets out Lord Harry needs a wife. He
dictates he wants a woman between 35-50, who must like
children and be possesses a "certain charm to her
appearance", though it's not absolutely necessary. While
she might not have to be toothsome, he would like to look
at her and not think of a bulldog! Enters Plum. She desperately wants a family, would love
children, but no man in all of Dorset would accept
her "after the scandal" - well, no man except Harry. She
was married once, well almost married. Charles her
husband, forgot to mention one little thing before their
marriage -- that he already had a wife! But Plum is
understanding and does not judge all men by Charles. Also,
she is an author of "The Guide to Connubial Calisthenics" --
a book deemed so obscene to be banned by the government.
Plum answers the ad in the paper and is shocked to find
after answering three questions that Harry and she are
engaged to be married the day after tomorrow. And the fun
begins. Katie Macalister gives us a wonderful, funny tale of middle-
age people who think romance has passed them by. Three
cheers for Macalister and let's hope she keeps them
coming! No one does them quite like she does!
Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted August 11, 2004
|
