jjares reviewed A Regency Summer: The Treasure Hunt / Louise's Summer Escapade / Brighton Betrothals / A Country Wedding / Midsummer Masquerade on + 3268 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Of the five authors, I've read something by most of them. I've read several books by Mary Balogh and 2 or 3 short stories by Sheila Walsh and Sandra Heath. I'd never heard of the other two authors.
SUMMER ESCAPADE (Charlotte Louise Dolan) --
Marigold Kinderley is leading a miserable life because her uncle treats her like an invalid with special meals and strong restrictions. She has been attending a private school in Bath but is restricted from doing anything more strenuous than reading and embroidery. When Lady Sylvia's friend must decline the invitation to Sylvia's house for the summer, Marigold and Sylvia conspire to take Marigold instead. They do not tell Marigold's uncle, knowing that he won't allow it. Thus, Terrence Kinderley starts on a chase to find his niece. This is a cute, pleasant way to while away some time.
THE TREASURE HUNT (Mary Balogh) --
Sidney Hayes, younger brother of Jonathan, Viscount Whitley, has an 'understanding' with Constance Manning. In fact, she is waiting for her 20th birthday so Sidney and she can announce their betrothal. Sidney convinces his brother to make his excuses, he's decided he doesn't want to marry but doesn't want to tell Connie. Jonathan has been in love with Connie for years but feels he's too old for Connie. Jonathan goes to his estate and tries to drop hints to Connie, but she keeps waiting for Sidney. However, she worshiped Jonathan when she was younger and starts to notice how nice he is to her. One thing leads to another.... Another well-crafted story from Mary Balogh.
A COUNTRY WEDDING (Melinda McRae) --
The family and friends of Susannah and Harry are gathering to celebrate their wedding. The only difficult thing is that Ainsley Powell has been invited and Cicely Montford is not pleased. An embarrassing incident happened six years ago and Ainsley has avoided Cicely since then. However, Ainsley and Cicely's brother are really close friends and he cannot avoid this wedding. This is a sweet story.
BRIGHTON BETROTHALS (Sandra Heath) --
Patricia Fairbourne is not happy about going to Brighton; she's a bluestocking, her aunt wants to find her a husband. When they (Patricia and her aunt, Lady Lindsay) find out that there is a mystery afoot because the lovely Laurinda Beresford is missing. She was going to marry Sir Daniel Kershaw and her guardian, Lord Haldane put the kibosh on that idea. Then, suddenly Laurinda disappeared and people were wondering if Lord Haldane had done something to her. Frankly, this was the most interesting of the stories.
MIDSUMMER MASQUERADE (Sheila Walsh) --
Caroline Maitland has traveled with her father, Sir Humphrey Maitland, over the world on diplomatic works. They are back in England for about three months and immediately enter the swirl of society in London. One of Caroline's friends entreats her to act in Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' opposite Gideon, the sixth Marquess of Grenville. Caroline meets Gideon's half-sister, Lucy, and becomes instant friends. When Lucy's friend from the country arrives to see her, (Jack Smedley), he is instantly shown the door by Gideon. When Caroline meets Jack, she urges patience.
Here's my evaluation of the stories, from most interesting to least interesting: Sandra Heath, Mary Balogh, Charlotte Louise Dolan, Melinda McRae, and Sheila Walsh.
SUMMER ESCAPADE (Charlotte Louise Dolan) --
Marigold Kinderley is leading a miserable life because her uncle treats her like an invalid with special meals and strong restrictions. She has been attending a private school in Bath but is restricted from doing anything more strenuous than reading and embroidery. When Lady Sylvia's friend must decline the invitation to Sylvia's house for the summer, Marigold and Sylvia conspire to take Marigold instead. They do not tell Marigold's uncle, knowing that he won't allow it. Thus, Terrence Kinderley starts on a chase to find his niece. This is a cute, pleasant way to while away some time.
THE TREASURE HUNT (Mary Balogh) --
Sidney Hayes, younger brother of Jonathan, Viscount Whitley, has an 'understanding' with Constance Manning. In fact, she is waiting for her 20th birthday so Sidney and she can announce their betrothal. Sidney convinces his brother to make his excuses, he's decided he doesn't want to marry but doesn't want to tell Connie. Jonathan has been in love with Connie for years but feels he's too old for Connie. Jonathan goes to his estate and tries to drop hints to Connie, but she keeps waiting for Sidney. However, she worshiped Jonathan when she was younger and starts to notice how nice he is to her. One thing leads to another.... Another well-crafted story from Mary Balogh.
A COUNTRY WEDDING (Melinda McRae) --
The family and friends of Susannah and Harry are gathering to celebrate their wedding. The only difficult thing is that Ainsley Powell has been invited and Cicely Montford is not pleased. An embarrassing incident happened six years ago and Ainsley has avoided Cicely since then. However, Ainsley and Cicely's brother are really close friends and he cannot avoid this wedding. This is a sweet story.
BRIGHTON BETROTHALS (Sandra Heath) --
Patricia Fairbourne is not happy about going to Brighton; she's a bluestocking, her aunt wants to find her a husband. When they (Patricia and her aunt, Lady Lindsay) find out that there is a mystery afoot because the lovely Laurinda Beresford is missing. She was going to marry Sir Daniel Kershaw and her guardian, Lord Haldane put the kibosh on that idea. Then, suddenly Laurinda disappeared and people were wondering if Lord Haldane had done something to her. Frankly, this was the most interesting of the stories.
MIDSUMMER MASQUERADE (Sheila Walsh) --
Caroline Maitland has traveled with her father, Sir Humphrey Maitland, over the world on diplomatic works. They are back in England for about three months and immediately enter the swirl of society in London. One of Caroline's friends entreats her to act in Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' opposite Gideon, the sixth Marquess of Grenville. Caroline meets Gideon's half-sister, Lucy, and becomes instant friends. When Lucy's friend from the country arrives to see her, (Jack Smedley), he is instantly shown the door by Gideon. When Caroline meets Jack, she urges patience.
Here's my evaluation of the stories, from most interesting to least interesting: Sandra Heath, Mary Balogh, Charlotte Louise Dolan, Melinda McRae, and Sheila Walsh.
