Two By Kasey Michaels

There are many books on the shelves. Many writers create plots and fictional characters to enact those plots.

There are fewer true Stories. In the hands of the best Authors, you have a sense of being in a another, very real, world. The characters come alive; you feel that you know them. The dialog sparkles. These events happened. You hate to see the end.

Kasey Michaels is such an author.

We have recently finished two of Kasey's latest Regency-period romances. If you enjoy historical fiction, romantic comedy, warm and wonderful characters, snappy dialog, and lots of laughter, try these. (Warning: Each book contains two or three pages of "obligatory soft-core" descriptive passages, not suitable for minors. Feel free to skip these if they're not your cup of tea.)

The time is 1820 (approximately) The place is London.

The Butler Did It

Morgan Drummond, Marquis of Westham, has been hiding out at his country estate for five years, determined to change his personality to one less ready to anger. Five years ago, he hurt his best friend in a drunken duel.

In Morgan's absence, the household staff keeps the mansion in order but... it's boring work keeping an empty house running. So Thornley, the loyal (but enterprising) butler has found a way to keep the staff on their toes (and put some extra money in his own pockets). For the past four Seasons, he's been renting out rooms in Morgan's mansion.

This Season's tenants include Miss Emma Clifford, a beautiful debutante hoping for an advantageous marriage; her twitty, but loving, mother Daphne, who has a tendency to Speak in Capitals; her rather useless younger brother, the unfortunately named Cliff Clifford; and her spit-fire grandmother, Fanny, who's quite happy to resort to a little blackmail to improve her grand-daughter's chances of a good match.

Rounding out the party are Edgar Marmon, Adventurer (and con-man) and Mrs. Olive Norbert, a former seamstress who has "come into" some money. And then, of course, there is the staff — Thornley, the butler; Mrs. Timon, the housekeeper; Claramae, the buxom but rather vacuous maid; and Riley, man-of-all-work (and always happy to accept a tip).

Things have been going rather well so far. But this is the Season when Morgan decides to return to London.

Shall We Dance

Some months have passed since the events chronicled in The Butler Did It. Many things have happened, including the death of King George III. Soon the new King will have his coronation, preferably without his long-estranged "Queen" Caroline by his side. Unfortunately, Caroline has other ideas. She has come back from the Continent to "claim her rights".

The King wants a divorce. The Whigs want Caroline crowned. The Tories want Caroline discredited and exiled. The people want a good show.

Enter Perry Shepherd, Earl of Brentwood (and best friend of Morgan Drummond). Perry is, in fact, the very same friend who was hurt in that infamous duel over five years ago. (He believes the scar makes him even more attractive.)

Perry's Uncle Willard, a staunch Tory, dispatches him to find a way into the Queen's household and search for anything that can be used against her. But in that household, Perry finds... Amelia.

Our cast includes Amelia Fredericks, adopted "daughter" and close confidant of Queen Caroline; Georgiana Penrose, former school chum of Amelia's; Sir Nathaniel Rankin, baronet (sent by his dotty Aunt Rowena to "save the Queen"); Clive Rambert, Bow Street Runner (Uncle Willard is hedging his bets); Bernard Nestor, Whig; Esther Pidgeon, Tory; and Maryann Fitzhugh, housekeeper (among other things). There are also various servants and relatives rounding out the group. And, last but not least, we have the dishonorable Jarett Rolin, villain. Bested but not beaten in The Butler Did It, Rolin wants revenge... on Perry Shepherd.

Two By Kasey Michaels ( in category Books, Movies, Music ) - posted at Thu, 08 Sep, 22:13 Pacific | «e»