Miss Haycroft's Suitors

Wedding #2

by Emily Hendrickson

On the verge of being married off to man she does not love to settle her uncle's gambling debt, Anne Haycroft finds sympathy from Lord Justin Rochford, who lends a hand by sending imaginary suitors her way to delay the proceedings, all the while harboring his own desire for the lovely Miss Haycroft. Original.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency, Historical, Regency Romance, Traditional Regency

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Doris Emily Hendrickson lives in Reno, Nevada, with her husband, a retired airline pilot. Of all the many places she has traveled around the world, England is her favorite, and the most natural choice as the setting for her novels. In addition to her Regency romances, she has written a Regency Reference Book.

She is also the recipient of the Romantic Times award for the Best Regency of 1993 for Elizabeth's Rake and the Colorado Romance Writers 1997 Award of Excellence for The Debonair Duke. She is a nominee for the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Regency Romance.

Emily also enjoys stamps and stamping, and several of her flower designs, originally created for bookmarks for her Regencies, have been made into stamps.

Many of my books were re-published in England by Robert Hale Publishing House of London. My publisher requested that I use three pseudonyms for my English hard cover books. I chose the names: Emily Hendrickson, Emily Johnson, and Emily Harland.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, those dashing Regency men!

Another great read. I enjoy learning the customs and history in Emily's books. Worth and entertaining, they are a great way to pass an evening. Well done.

[Carrie]

Let's be honest, I wrote this book off during the "meet cute," which occurs when Lord Justin kisses Anne while she's sleeping in the back of a church. Because he felt bad for her, crying alone at a wedding. Who goes around kissing crying, sleeping girls in churches?

[Anne Patkau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind Justin falls for Anne, cute blonde curls, both are in funds and looks. Greedy Uncle Cosmo sold her, generous Aunt Mary accepts her, sees own past beau from Canada, invents Anne fiancé. Typos 4.17 anecdote IS antidote 11.2 Chronicled IS Chronicle 11.9 1 IS I 12.6 women IS woman

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are definite hints of writing potential here, but the silly ending about did me in. I kept reading hoping for things to improve. Of course, I am used to reading Georgette Heyer and she is a master. This is as good if not better than most of the modern attempts at Regency romance.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend asked me to read this. It was just okay. I'm not big on romance novels. I found the idea appalling that an unpleasant uncle could arrange a marriage for a young lady.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wee bit slow at times, but it is a good story!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Anne Haycroft's uncle wishes to marry her off to a man she can't stand and Anne can't think of any way out of it. Justin, Lord Rochford happens to discover Anne's dilemma and offers his help. He brings Anne to his very respectable Aunt Mary's home, where they try to figure out how to thwart Anne's uncle and keep her safe until her 21st birthday in a few weeks. They invent tales of prior bethrothals and Justin enlists the aid of his younger cousin and friends to act as Anne's suitors. Anne's uncle and her would-be fiance do not give up easily and as Anne relies more and more on Justin for her safety, she discovers that she relies on him for happiness as well. If only Justin felt the same. Aunt Mary is not immune to the attentions of eligible gentleman either.

This is a fairy typical traditional Regency plot. The characters are, however, unconventional. Anne handles her situation in an appropriate manner for her class and time period and Justin is all that is respectable and proper. I admire the way Anne deals with her wicked uncle and horrible suitor. I also like the way the characters gradually realize their feelings for one another and act on their feelings in a sweet and subtle manner without lengthy passages about desire. I do not feel that the romance rings true towards the end though. Both characters doubt where they have no reason to and it makes the ending of the story drag on to long unnecessarily. The characters don't have any opportunity to really grow and develop because they're both so respectable. This is an average sweet Regency and I like it but it's not a keeper.

[H2bourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This storyline had more substance than expected which I appreciated. The suits and countersuits filed added to the tension of the story as well as the attempted abductions of the main character who has escaped from her cruel uncle and aunt who are trying to force her into an unwanted marriage with a most unpleasant man. Of course, the ending was wrapped up rather tidily in a rather quick fashion but everyone loves a happy ending so it still satisfied.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regency

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most regencencies avoid court battles. This one has two. The gossip's punishment seems cruel, but just -- collecting the feathers of a pillow torn open during the fashionable hour in Hyde Park.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts ok, parts oh my slow, & parts unbelievable. (For example, I find it hard to believe that the law courts even then ever moved THAT fast.)