A Foreign Affair

by Evelyn Richardson

Timid and reserved, Helena Devereux unexpectedly finds herself competing against her beautiful mother, Princess von Hohenbachern, for the affections of Major Brett Stanford and will stop at nothing to win his love. Original.

Genres: Regency, Regency Romance, M F Romance, Historical

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Even before studying eighteenth-century literature in graduate school, Evelyn Richardson decided she would prefer to have lived between 1775 and 1830. Now living in Boston, she enjoys access to the primary sources that allow her to explore the specific details of the period and immerse herself in the same journals that her heroines enjoyed.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a book not set in Great Britain!

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the historical bits, but by the middle of the book, the story began to drag.

The author also struggled in her handling of the flirtation between the h’s married mother and the H. On the one hand, it’s depicted as light and chaste, just a superficial thing where the H pays her compliments and accompanies her around social functions. On the other, it’s serious enough that both the h and H worry about their relationship hurting the mother, a concern which really wouldn’t have figured if the flirtation been entirely light and casual. Moreover, in the early chapters, there was definitely the suggestion of a physical aspect to the fling, or at least having the potential for becoming so, (e.g. the mother at one point is described as being physically turned on, and seductively pressing her body against the hero), which belies a totally innocent dalliance. My guess is that the author needed the flirtation to figure as a plot point, but didn’t want to turn off readers who would consider a past affair between the H and the mother to be distasteful, with muddled results.

2.5-3 stars.

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an emphasis on character and relationship development this historical regency is low on angst and rich in historical context. The author's extensive research into the events described (Congress of Vienna and Battle of Waterloo) and historic locations (Vienna and Brussels) are key to the story and almost important enough to be another set of characters.

[Kimberly Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Great story. Enjoyed the gradual maturing of the H and h. Would really have loved to see an epilogue though.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Princess Louisa von Hohenbachern and her daughter, Miss Helena Deveraux have come from their minor German principality to Vienna for the Congress of Vienna. Hoping to enjoy herself while her husband is away, Princess von Hohenbachern strikes up a flirtation with the handsome Lord Major Brett Stanford, in town as a French translator on request from Wellington. Helena eschews the social scene, preferring instead to study politics. Helena also enjoys racing her horse in the park, where she happens to spy Lord Major Stanford practicing tricks on his handsome stallion. Helena discovers that the Lord Major is her mother's latest flirt when he mistakes her for a maid in her own house. She takes delight in watching his discomfort when he learns her true identity and soon the two are discussing politics and horses, forming a close relationship that may be more than Helena is prepared to admit. Helena is determined to be independent and self-reliant. She has seen too much of what happens when passion burns out and refuses to allow that to happen to her. When Napolean escapes from Elba, their entire way of life is threatened and Helena must realize the truth of what is at stake.

This is a quiet, better than average Regency. The heroine and hero slowly come to terms with their feelings for one another. The beginning of the book is very slow with entirely too much politics. As one who doesn't remember her European history class, I found the discussions confusing and tedious. I really liked the romance, though. It developed slowly and realistically over time as the characters share a passion for politics that develops into something more. The downside to the plot is the little bit of intrigue that never really develops. I really liked Helena and could relate to her a lot. She's a modern heroine, typical of Richardson's novels, but she's also a Regency heroine with realistic expectations about relationships. Brett is a softer, quieter hero than Richardson's usual rakes and tonnish gentlemen, but I kind of liked the change because it made the romance develop better when he wasn't lusting after Helena or visiting his mistress. The political tensions add a nice element to the story and move the romance forward. The writing is really good, aside from the boring political elements and I think this is one of the better Regencies out there, but not one of the best.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A traditional Regency, heavy on the history, set during the Congress of Vienna. Lots of name- and historical-event-dropping, which will please history buffs, but might turn off those less informed about the minutiae of the past. The love story starts out surprisingly enough—our hero, Englishman Major Lord Brett Stanford, has been sent to spy on the German factions, a task he masks by dallying with a lovely German princess. Yet it is the princess's daughter, an intellectual crusading for German rights against the threat of Prussian domination, with whom he finds himself falling in love. Despite the back cover copy's suggestion that the two women will be rivals for Stanford's regard, I was pleased to find no anti-feminist cat-fights within; mom is more than happy to cede the ground to her daughter, as she is happily married, and only looking for swains to guide her about in society while her husband is away with the army. Despite Napoleon's escape from Elba and the fighting that ensues, our Major and his intellectual love survive to declare their love for one another.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is somewhat different with a little more history. Very intelligent. There's an unsettling aspect though probably true, regarding mistresses but all comes right in the end. I would look for this writer again.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regency