Lord Calthorpe's Promise

The Waterloo Trilogy #1

by Sylvia Andrew

An Honorable Promise

Lord Adam Calthorpe had been rash in his promise to look out for a fellow soldier's sister before the soldier was killed at the battle of Waterloo. For Miss Katherine Payne was a golden-eyed shrew who took genuine delight in flouting Adam's authority at every turn. Surely bringing her to stay with his mother for the Season would absolve him of his responsibilities--though he sincerely doubted such a headstrong young woman would ever find herself a husband in the marriage mart. But when an unscrupulous man starts pursuing Katherine, Adam comes to realize that fulfilling his promise might actually involve marrying her himself....

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency

299 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

Sylvia is a great reader, whose preference in fiction is for thrillers and historical romances. She married Simon Andrew, the boy next door, and they have one daughter, Catherine, who is married and works in London. Catherine lives in Maidenhead quite near the river, and they have a small house in Normandy, which they visit whenever they can. They are great travelers — from a shopping weekend in Paris to a three week tour of Vietnam on a bicycle!

They both took early retirement and now live in the West Country with their dog and cat. Simon is an active town councillor in Crewkerne, and very well-known there. Until Sylvia retired she was busy to write, Teaching full-time as vice principal of a large comprehensive sixth form college, while also running a house and a family didn't really give her much time. She never attempted to have anything published before she sent in her first historical romance to Mills & Boon, in the days when the series was called "Masquerade." She was somewhat flabbergasted — though absolutely delighted — when it was accepted. Perdita first appeared in 1991, and she is still surprised at the idea of herself as a writer.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical romance is set shortly after the battle of Waterloo. Adam Calthorpe makes a promise to Tom Payne,his friend and fellow soldier, that he will "take care" of Tom's sister should he die in the upcoming battle. However, his first impression of Katharine Payne is that she is a shrew and way too independent for a woman of nobility was expected to be in that era. There are reasons for her fiery and independent persona, which I will let a reader discover for themselves. I really liked Kate's willingness to ignore the societal norms but also is a rational and intelligent person. This book reminds me a lot of the classic romances by Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. There is no "love at first sight" and in fact the main characters, Adam and Katharine, detest each other at first meeting. Love develops over time as it does in real life. Those people that detest the "sex first, love later" formula that seems to become the norm for today's romances will enjoy this book.

[Shiyai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the comic version before I searched like crazy the original version. This also made me started to like sylvia andrew's work. Suitable for me because I don't really like too many sensual stuff. I really like main characters and all the good side characters😀

[Michaela (Journey into Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regency romance books are so fun to read ☺ I swear I was born in the wrong century.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard, enjoyable, light hearted.

[HistoricalHussy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

Bland.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would up purchasing this book on a lark and in the end I have really enjoyed it. Over the years I have read it around 3x or so. It is a pretty standard historical romance. The MFC struggles with the idea that women are chattel and gains the help of an elder woman to fit into society after a lifetime of being left to run an estate whilst largely left to her own devices. Sure I would've wished that rather than change her, that she was allowed to thrive as she was. But, alas, it is a historical romance...so. That said, it is rather "My Fair Lady"-esque in its approach so I found it very cute and enjoyable. Which is weird because I have read a fair few historical romances over the years and they just are not my favorite-- I tend to favor the ones that "buck the system" as the historical treatment of women tends to ick me out. This book appears to be an exception to my norm. Initially I rated it 4 stars but I have reread it. So I am bumping it up. Hence, 5 stars.

[Annii · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has the same basic set-up as Mary Balogh's "Slightly Married." However, Andrew takes it in a completely different direction. This book is charming in its own way, the classic story of how two people who hate each other from the beginning end up loving each other at the end. It's well written and rather clever, although it is important to state that there is no sex whatsoever in this book. And I found it a bit annoying at the end how it went so obviously into the next story instead of ending this one with a nice satisfying sex scene. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book, and would pick up the other ones in the series if I see them.

[Teri-K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I encountered this book when it was mentioned several times during a discussion of favorite regency heroines. And I must agree - I liked Kate quite a lot. She's strong and feisty and doesn't suddenly become a submissive mess when the hero kisses her. :) I also liked the hero who may fumble a bit but he's never stupid. I can't give it more than three stars, though, because the plot was too predictable. I found myself thinking of what would happen before it occurred - and I was never off even a bit. These characters deserved a better story.

[Casia Pickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant at first because I'm not big at Historical Fiction. However, this book has my favorite concept, character tension. This book reminds me of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE in more than just the setting. If you don't like a lot of sex in your book, but gotta have that emotional drama and romance, this is it. For more of my opinion, check out my blog. But, this says it all; LORD CALTHORPE'S PROMISE is awesome.

[Ame ^_^ · Rating 3 out of 5]

like the manga version. now want to re-read the actual book version.