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The Marriage Brokers
SHE would never have believed him to be such a slowtop
When her brother informed her that to clear off his debts he had agreed to find her a husband, Miranda Branscombe was horrified, chiefly because she could not trust her rackety young brother's notion of a suitable suitor.
To ensure the best results, Peter Kerswell, their childhood friend and companion, was persuaded to add his greater connexions and maturity to the search. Miranda agreed to co-operate with fewer misgivings than before.
Soon she was forced to choose between a wicked London lord and a rich hypochondriac. There appeared to be no recourse until another eligible parti stepped forward, who but for his blockheaded blunder, Miranda would have accepted in the blink of an eye.
When her brother informed her that to clear off his debts he had agreed to find her a husband, Miranda Branscombe was horrified, chiefly because she could not trust her rackety young brother's notion of a suitable suitor.
To ensure the best results, Peter Kerswell, their childhood friend and companion, was persuaded to add his greater connexions and maturity to the search. Miranda agreed to co-operate with fewer misgivings than before.
Soon she was forced to choose between a wicked London lord and a rich hypochondriac. There appeared to be no recourse until another eligible parti stepped forward, who but for his blockheaded blunder, Miranda would have accepted in the blink of an eye.
218 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1983
21 people want to read
About the author
Irene Northan
17 books1 followerPseudonyms: Nerina Thorne, Elizabeth Lowther
Rene (as she was known to her friends) was born on Tyneside, NE England but moved to South Devon with her parents at the age of 10. She trained as a teacher, specialising in history. Her research led to countless articles on history, travel, social customs, and short stories appearing in a wide variety of newspapers and magazines at home and abroad. After receiving over 100 rejection slips, her first novel, ‘PHYLLIDA’, was published in 1976. A steady stream of books followed, which she fitted in between caring for her husband and two daughters, becoming a founder member of Brixham Writers’ Circle, a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association, Librarian of Brixham Museum, and Reader for the South West Arts. Rene enjoyed meeting readers and writers in all genre, fiction and non-fiction. She gave talks at various writers’ schools and clubs across the country, often acting as an awards adjudicator for competitions throughout SW England.
Until her death in June 1993 Rene had written 20 fiction titles and 1 non-fiction. These have generated 47 reprints, 28 of them being issued posthumously. Her Devon trilogy, TO DREAM AGAIN, A SAFE HAVEN and DAUGHTER OF THE RIVER, her last novels, were re-issued in paperback in 2000 by Caxton Group Publishing, 20 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QA.
Rene (as she was known to her friends) was born on Tyneside, NE England but moved to South Devon with her parents at the age of 10. She trained as a teacher, specialising in history. Her research led to countless articles on history, travel, social customs, and short stories appearing in a wide variety of newspapers and magazines at home and abroad. After receiving over 100 rejection slips, her first novel, ‘PHYLLIDA’, was published in 1976. A steady stream of books followed, which she fitted in between caring for her husband and two daughters, becoming a founder member of Brixham Writers’ Circle, a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association, Librarian of Brixham Museum, and Reader for the South West Arts. Rene enjoyed meeting readers and writers in all genre, fiction and non-fiction. She gave talks at various writers’ schools and clubs across the country, often acting as an awards adjudicator for competitions throughout SW England.
Until her death in June 1993 Rene had written 20 fiction titles and 1 non-fiction. These have generated 47 reprints, 28 of them being issued posthumously. Her Devon trilogy, TO DREAM AGAIN, A SAFE HAVEN and DAUGHTER OF THE RIVER, her last novels, were re-issued in paperback in 2000 by Caxton Group Publishing, 20 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QA.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 14, 2023
Miranda is kind-hearted, efficient, intelligent, and a great sister, daughter and friend. Unfortunately, she's also 6-foot tall and extremely plain. Not even the vigor of exercise can change her plain features into something more attractive. Also, unfortunately for her, her father and brother are good looking but not very bright individuals who can see worth in women only if they're married. Her father, in particular, forces Miranda's brother to find her a husband and the brother, in turn, enlists their good friend and neighbor, Peter, into helping him out. The action starts in the country but soon moves to London where the characters participate in the season while looking for suitors for Miranda.
This is a very typical Regency story, except that the writing and the characters elevate the book to above the ordinary. For starters, Miranda is truly a sensible heroine. She understands that her looks might keep her from ever marrying, but that doesn't affect the way she treats other. She also doesn't go around pining and feeling sorry for herself. She's a woman of action, and she does what needs to be done. When she finds out what's afoot, instead of getting angry, she decides to take control of the situation. Moreover, she does not get a makeover and somehow becomes pretty. She remains plain and others remark on it quite frequently. I absolutely adored her, and she's the main reason why I'm giving the book four stars. The author did a marvelous job creating a heroine who's truly worthy of a happy ending.
I also appreciate that her father and brother are not villains (in fact, the story has no villains). They're products of their time, and they want to see Miranda married because being a spinster is not quite the thing. Her brother is very fond of her, and her father appreciates how efficient she is.
Another plus for the book is that it's a light-hearted story that felt like a quick and breezy read. Her eventual suitors are a hoot, and I particularly appreciate the author's treatment of Lord Oxenham, a Byron-esque poet who could have been a horrible coxcomb but was actually a bit of a lost soul. At first, he becomes acquainted with Miranda due to boredom but soon he cannot help but continue a friendship with her. I loved his attempts at giving her a cut direct to regain his dignity, only to be completely captivated by her once more.
If anything, Miranda is so awesome that I found none of her suitors were worthy of her (although the one she ends up with is a good man). You pretty much know who her love interest is, but I found there was a serious lack of romance on that end. This is one of those books where the acknowledgement of love come on the last couple of pages, then the book is over. I prefer to spend some time observing the couple falling in love or, if they're already in love, at least showing little signs of affection towards each other.
All that said, this was a great read, and I'm looking forward to reading other books by the author.
This is a very typical Regency story, except that the writing and the characters elevate the book to above the ordinary. For starters, Miranda is truly a sensible heroine. She understands that her looks might keep her from ever marrying, but that doesn't affect the way she treats other. She also doesn't go around pining and feeling sorry for herself. She's a woman of action, and she does what needs to be done. When she finds out what's afoot, instead of getting angry, she decides to take control of the situation. Moreover, she does not get a makeover and somehow becomes pretty. She remains plain and others remark on it quite frequently. I absolutely adored her, and she's the main reason why I'm giving the book four stars. The author did a marvelous job creating a heroine who's truly worthy of a happy ending.
I also appreciate that her father and brother are not villains (in fact, the story has no villains). They're products of their time, and they want to see Miranda married because being a spinster is not quite the thing. Her brother is very fond of her, and her father appreciates how efficient she is.
Another plus for the book is that it's a light-hearted story that felt like a quick and breezy read. Her eventual suitors are a hoot, and I particularly appreciate the author's treatment of Lord Oxenham, a Byron-esque poet who could have been a horrible coxcomb but was actually a bit of a lost soul. At first, he becomes acquainted with Miranda due to boredom but soon he cannot help but continue a friendship with her. I loved his attempts at giving her a cut direct to regain his dignity, only to be completely captivated by her once more.
If anything, Miranda is so awesome that I found none of her suitors were worthy of her (although the one she ends up with is a good man). You pretty much know who her love interest is, but I found there was a serious lack of romance on that end. This is one of those books where the acknowledgement of love come on the last couple of pages, then the book is over. I prefer to spend some time observing the couple falling in love or, if they're already in love, at least showing little signs of affection towards each other.
All that said, this was a great read, and I'm looking forward to reading other books by the author.
September 27, 2014
This is my first book by a relatively unknown author, Irene Northan. I enjoyed this light attempt at having two men try to find a husband for an almost six foot amazon. Miranda Branscombe is both tall and gangly. Her hobbies cause her father to cringe. Sweet natured, many adore her but no one wants to propose marriage. In defense to Miranda, she doesn't seek marriage either. Unfortunately her vain and shortsighted father feels this is the only solution to help her better herself.
Her brother and male neighbor are another story. The brother follows in his father's footsteps and gets his neighbor and companion to agree to help him. If you are like me you'll want to knock some sense into the brother and give the friend/neighbor a pair of glasses for his nearsightedness. He has a problem seeing the patient, kind person in front of him.
I enjoyed the different storyline. I liked the fact that the heroine wasn't the typical beautiful woman I usually see when reading a Regency romance. There is a HEA and it may seem a little too-fast and neat. I almost wanted another suitor to win her hand but Miranda deserved some happiness.
Her brother and male neighbor are another story. The brother follows in his father's footsteps and gets his neighbor and companion to agree to help him. If you are like me you'll want to knock some sense into the brother and give the friend/neighbor a pair of glasses for his nearsightedness. He has a problem seeing the patient, kind person in front of him.
I enjoyed the different storyline. I liked the fact that the heroine wasn't the typical beautiful woman I usually see when reading a Regency romance. There is a HEA and it may seem a little too-fast and neat. I almost wanted another suitor to win her hand but Miranda deserved some happiness.
March 13, 2008
Total Romantic Schmaltz- I absolutely adored it!! If you are a regency era fan- this is another fun read. It has the right amount of courtly manners, regency "season" events, uppity English gentlemen, and humor. It's a really quick read- best enjoyed in the bath surrounded by bubbles of both the soapy and champagne kind!
January 6, 2020
Uma história super fofa de se ler. Não tem grandes acontecimentos, e senti falta de um epílogo. Mas foi bem prazeroso de se ler, tem personagens no mínimo engraçados pela sua excentricidade. Mas acho que a versão publicada pela Nova Cultural fez algum corte na história, principalmente no fim. Mas estou viciada nesses romances de banca que faz a gente esquecer de tudo...
August 5, 2019
Sono stata incollata al libro fino all'ultima pagina, sarà historical vecchio stile, ma è adorabile!
March 24, 2017
Dala bych přednost romantice před rádobyvtipným popisem zdegenerované šlechty.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews