If society misfit Eliza Merriweather can make it through the season without obtaining a marriage proposal, she can move to Italy with inheritance in hand and pursue her dream of becoming a painter. But Eliza's aunts will hear of no such thing, and have turned to an old military guidebook entitled Rules of Engagement to help them secure Eliza a husband. Attempting to thwart her aunts' match making, Eliza makes a deal with sexy Scotsman Magnus MacKinnon. She will help him find a rich young lady if he poses as her suitor, thereby dissuading other gentlemen. But between Magnus's kisses and her aunts' schemes to throw them together, Eliza finds it harder and harder to remember that she doesn't want to get married.
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Eliza Merriweather watched her sister pace the floor of their great aunts' Hanover Square town house with such unforgiving force that she was compelled to examine the Turkish carpet for damage. Read the first page
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Eliza Merriweather watched her sister pace the floor of their great aunts' Hanover Square town house with such unforgiving force that she was compelled to examine the Turkish carpet for damage. Read the first page
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
There's a time for love and a time for war - but the same rules apply!
31 May 2007
By crimecatuk
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Eliza Merriweather doesn't want to marry; she wants to go to Italy to study painting. But then she loses her heart to a dashing Scottish Earl. Luckily, her two spinster aunts have an old military strategy manual with which to secure their niece's future happiness. So far, so not really that new, And not so good.
I know Kathryn Caskie won a prize for her (at the time still unpublished) manuscript. I just don't know why. "Her writing sparkles with wit and humor", gushes one of her fellow romance writers quoted on the cover - proof again that romance writers stick together closer than doctors in a negligence law suit. Personally, I did not find anything "sparkling" about this book or Miss Caskie's writing. In fact, hardly ever before have I been so untouched by the trials and tribulations of two star-crossed lovers. Yes, it is a romance novel, not "Romeo and Juliet", so chances are they will get together in the end (and a couple of times in between ...). The art lies, of course, in the suspension of disbelief. Sadly, here there is no suspension of any kind, or suspense, for that matter. The characters are one-dimensional, unbelievable and despite all this still horrendously annoying. The plot is laughable, contrived and stupefyingly drawn out. And there is absolutely no humour. You can tell exactly which scenes and verbal sparring bouts are supposed to be funny - none of them are. And don't even let me get started on the dottering aunts.
At the end of the book, there is an "Editor's Diary", but it is doubtful that any editor ever read the manuscript, at least any editor worth his or her salt.... Read more ›
I know Kathryn Caskie won a prize for her (at the time still unpublished) manuscript. I just don't know why. "Her writing sparkles with wit and humor", gushes one of her fellow romance writers quoted on the cover - proof again that romance writers stick together closer than doctors in a negligence law suit. Personally, I did not find anything "sparkling" about this book or Miss Caskie's writing. In fact, hardly ever before have I been so untouched by the trials and tribulations of two star-crossed lovers. Yes, it is a romance novel, not "Romeo and Juliet", so chances are they will get together in the end (and a couple of times in between ...). The art lies, of course, in the suspension of disbelief. Sadly, here there is no suspension of any kind, or suspense, for that matter. The characters are one-dimensional, unbelievable and despite all this still horrendously annoying. The plot is laughable, contrived and stupefyingly drawn out. And there is absolutely no humour. You can tell exactly which scenes and verbal sparring bouts are supposed to be funny - none of them are. And don't even let me get started on the dottering aunts.
At the end of the book, there is an "Editor's Diary", but it is doubtful that any editor ever read the manuscript, at least any editor worth his or her salt.... Read more ›
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By J. Geddes
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book on the strength of the synopsis above, expecting a light and diverting read. From the first page I knew I was in for a disappointement.
The story is set during the Regency period but I found the dialogue and actions of the characters too crude to fit this period. The author has tried to write a historical romance using modern language and maners which felt crass and unbelievable.
At one point Eliza tries to create a fuller bosom by stuffing a handkerchief into her corset in the middle of a crowded drawing room, at another she makes a headlong flight through a crowded opera theatre perused by Magnus without anyone appearing to notice.
In addition to this I did not enjoy Kathryn Caskie's style of writing. Alliterations are used unsparingly and, for my taste, too much detail is given leaving no room for imagination e.g Eliza did not just sneeze on the Queen, she 'spewed saliva' in the Queen's face and an unwelcome suitor was a 'slimy garden slug' rather than just a slug.
Although I think the idea behind this book is brilliant, I cannot recomend it. The is no subtlety nor any feel for the period resulting in a crude and unlikely tale.
However, this book has won America's prestigious Golden Heart award so somebody somewhere likes it.
5 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Fiona
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I read this novel in one full day. I was highly amused and found myself chuckling all day long. This is not a read for those who prefer staid tales where the heroine follows every societal rule. This heroine clearly does not, which is in large part what makes her so unique. This book is different and fresh and I highly recommend it.
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