Courting Trouble [Mass Market Paperback]

Winifred Appleton, the bluestocking of the Appleton sisters, has taken it upon herself to actually apply to a number of law schools with the hope that at least one will take her seriously. It is quickly apparent despite her passion and knowledge of the law, she is rejected by the mere fact she is a female. Men of this era find a women who wants to step out of societal norms are to be abhorred or at the very least discouraged. However, this won't stop our Winnie from pursuing her dream to one day practice law and defend women who should have the same legal rights as men. So her only recourse is to become an established lawyer's "intern " and learn the law that way. But who? Alarmingly though her best choice seems to be family friend, Charles Howe. Her hesitation comes from the annoying .although intense feelings of attraction. she finds she is susceptible to towards him.

Charles Howe is from a family of distinction and political promise who do not understand why he continues to befriend the quirky if not conventional Appleton sisters. Figuring that Winnie will not stick around once the mundane work of being a law clerk becomes boringly tedious, he has plans of his own to woe the beautiful but headstrong young woman. What he watches as the clerks are quick to take advantage of her quick mind and unique ability to comprehend the law and do research. As well his colleague are none to happy to have her on staff until the quality of her work far surpasses their clerks as they come to rely on her to lighten their load. Although in true male fashion, none would admit they need her more than she needs them. That is all, except Charles.

Charles sees a startling passion in this young woman which he hopes to cultivate as soon as Winnie gives up. However, she surprises him when she instigates an intimate passion between them as a means of settling her awakening intimate feelings for Charles. This turn of events finds Charles delighted as he is surprised to find Winnie as passionate in their intimacy as she is for the law. This passionate nature however will quickly find them on opposites sides in the courtroom, providing readers with moments of laughter, tears, hope as they cheer on our heroine as she tackles the male establishment.

But what about our hero? Charles is a refreshingly unique hero who is as a cut above the men of an era who were more frightened by women of passion than attracted to them. Although he finds much angst in his love for Winnie and her courtroom antics do nothing to help, he is a hero willing to learn from his lady love, this alone makes his great hero material. Ms Rose has given both Winnie and the reader a very special hero in the persona of Charles Howe.

Courting Trouble is much more than an entertaining read, as Ms. Rose has created a remarkable story rich in historical detail with characters the reader will come to care about. Although it is apparent that she has a vivid knowledge of the time period and the important personages which gives the story substance, she never lets the history take over as she effortlessly keeps the romance at the forefront for the reader. The only draw back I found was I felt Winnie seemed too quick to ignite intimate passions with Charles; seemed out of character for women of that era ,even one as enlightened as Winnie. Yet, the end result was a deliciously rich moment of passion, a pleasing surprise for this reader. Brava, Ms Rose!

Courting Trouble is filled with humor, passion and characters readers will find delightfully fresh even if this historical period is not their favorite.

Jody S. Allen Reviewer

Charles is a brilliant attorney who desperately wants Winifred to be his wife. Although he admires her determination and intelligence, he secretly believes that women aren't cut out to be lawyers and that Winifred will eventually give up her goal and be satisfied with the role of wife and mother.

They disagree, however, on the case of a woman accused of attempting to murder her husband with poison. Charles points out that evidence points directly at the accused Mrs. Black. Winifred contends that Mrs. Black will never receive a fair trial because the jury judging her will contain no women. Are men capable of understanding the circumstances of women who have been beaten and mistreated by their husbands, who are legally allowed to do so? And with divorce laws so strict, will an all-male jury understand the desperation felt by so many women trapped in unhappy marriages?

Ms. Rose has written a delightful tale of an independent, ambitious heroine and a hero who learns to appreciate her talents and goals as well as her physical attributes. As this story is a sequel to "A Hint of Mischief" (the love story of Winifred's sister Jennifer), you might want to pick that one up as well. (I highly recommend it!) And you can bet I'll be anxiously awaiting the story of the youngest sister Penelope's romance in the future.

In spite of the howling of the media about this appointment that defies God's words, Charles goes ahead and teaches Winifred the law. He loves Winifred and sees this as an opportunity for him to spend time with his beloved. Though he loves watching Winifred's use her Joan of Arc like passion to further the suffragette movement, Charles figures this is just a passing phase. He plans to marry his apprentice. However, the best laid plans of mice and Charles goes astray when they end up on opposite sides of a murder case.

COURTING TROUBLE pays homage to the late nineteenth-early twentieth centuries' women who led the suffrage movement. Clearly done with respect and awe towards the great women of the past, Katie Rose crafts a wonderful historical romance that will please sub-genre fans as well as readers of historical fiction. The story line is fast-paced and entertaining with insight into a bygone Americana era. The lead couple is an exciting duo while the secondary players make the tale brim with the feel, mood, and tolerance of Reconstruction era New York. Ms. Rose shows her talent by making A CASE FOR ROMANCE an entertaining means to learn about our heritage.

Harriet Klausner