The Gamekeeper's Lady By Ann Lethbridge

I had concidered for some time now doing some reviews on Regency Romances, but until now I have not had the opportunity.  Since this is a blog about my time in this lovely world and Jane Austen's world as well, I thought it would be appropriate to do so.


Since I am reading Ms. Austen's work, I thought that reading modern fiction as well as the Jane Austen re-writes, prequels and sequels along with movies based off the works and the time period would be a nice direction to help me get to where I am in need of going.  What better way to do so than doing what I do best: review!


I have never really read many Regency Romance Novels.  I had never thought that they would be that interesting until I picked up Ann Lethbridge's The Gamekeeper's Wife.


The Gamekeeper's Lady 


As the description on Ms. Lethbridge's page states, it is a lovely take on Cinderella, and quite enchanting to read.  I couldn't put this down. I fell instantly in love with Lord Robert and Frederica.  Two flawed and beautiful souls who are wonderful.


I love the way the story was written, it seemed to flow very well and each character was as great as the next.


I do  have her next book in the Rakes In Disgrace series, More Than A Mistress, and I am looking forward to spending some quality time in this one as well.


I plan to go back and get the rest of Ann's books in the future, since I am now officially a fan!


I also have Mary Balogh, Sabrina Jeffries,  and Juliet London and many others in my list of To Reads so hopefully, intersperced with Jane Austen will be these lovely authors along with Austen Authors like Sharon Lathan to get through very soon.  


~Happy Reading!

Pride & Prejudice Reading

"You are mistaken Mr. Darcy.."

I always had an affinity for our Mr. Darcy, what woman doesn't have it in her heart that she wants this kind of man?

I do question it at times because we slowly get to know him as we continue on our journey from Longbourn to Netherfield Park, and to Pemberly.

I love the way Miss Austen pens this novel, always from the feminine that you never truly know or understand why Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is so arrogant and seemingly prejudice and full of pride.

Yes, both of our main characters are a little of both in my humble opinion...both full of preconceived notions and to much pride to confront the other in any other way than to vex or hurt the other intentionally in the beginning.

As these two lovers begin to see more of each other, they start to grow on the other in my opinion, and everything falls into place as they start to understand that what they feel for one another is actually a growing love.

My heart goes out to Mr. Darcy as he admits his feeling only to have them thrown back in his face...you have to admit that he went about it in the wrong way, saying things that he shouldn't have said for the sake of justifying why he was allowing these things.

To see him admit to denying the social customs of rank for his time was, even in the modern era not something a woman truly wants to hear. Not exactly romantic if you ask me.

Yet he redeems himself as he explains his dislike of Wickam and the circumstances surrounding him.

Elizabeth is a great character. She is energetic, intelligent and loving...though a bit gullible when it comes to Wickam, willing to believe his tale of woa because he is truly like able, this is, in my opinion, Elizabeth's version of prejudice. Is a man bad because he isn't very social around strangers? And is Mr. Wickam good because he is so outgoing and charming?

I love this book because our Authoress gives such love in writing this tale of two people learning to grow into love.

In modern romance stories, I have seen many follow this format of writing in various ways, many publishing companies and how-to books call this form of conflict great for the readers and fun to write in many instances. It is the formula for a lot of amazing modern romance writers from Historical, to Regency to Contemporary. Writing of two people who are so misinformed and misjudging of the other that they have to overcome this by ways of throwing them together in various scenarios.

I could read Pride & Prejudice a million times and it never gets old and always gives me new things to think about and new things to learn and want to learn. I never tire of it!

I love the movies associated with the books and what each director gives and sees in the making of their versions. I will talk about them soon!