The Courtesan's Wager
Claudia DainHistorical romance
Available from Berkley Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-425-22580-6
February 2009
| Lady Amelia Caversham has determined since she was very young that she, as daughter of a duke, should marry no less than a duke. So far she's been frustrated. Only Lord Cranleigh, second son of a duke, has seen fit to even kiss her. In desperation she seeks the help of Lady Sophia Dalby who has helped others. Amelia never expects her pursuit to become the talk of the season. Or that every man in town would want the chance to woo her for her hand in matrimony after they find out about her interview of potential suitors. Every man in town except the one she wants.
Claudia Dain gives us a story of a matchmaking Countess, Sophia Dalby, who has better percentages than any dating service. The author uses an adept turn of phrase and a view of human nature many of us will relate to in building this into a book that's hard to put down! There are many sets of interlocking relationships that keep the tale lively. We get peaks into established relationships, long married couples, that help us understand their precocious or just plain stubborn offspring very well. New people who are sure to rate a book of their own and the whole intrigue of the marriage market of eighteenth century London will delight the reader. Part of what makes this an exceptional read is that Ms. Dain builds her characters' personalities in greater depth than many authors do. We see the people come alive. There are fewer scenarios to build since there are only a few locations so we get to look more closely at what the men and women are thinking that makes them relate as they do. That just gives us more people to like and helps drive the emotion in the story. This is a fun book. Even though it's built off two previous works it stands alone as a marvelous love story.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Dee Dailey |
