"A delightful Regency from one of the best writers in Romance"
Katie Macalister is one of the most delightful (and
prolific) writers in Romance today. She is not Shakespeare,
but then I, for one, thank goodness for that! We already
have old Will. When I want the Scottish Play, I blow the
dust of my very ancient copies and read it. When I want
sheer fun, I look to Lynsay Sands and Katie Macalister. I
love British humour (works out nice since I am Scot!), but
that dry wit is often missing in the works of a lot of
American writers. I am not talking about highbrow humour,
but that you-can't-help-but-howl-aloud Benny Hill wacko
laughs! The kind that has your erupting with buffos, has
people looking at you as if you have gone around the bend
one too many times, the kind that has your husband exiling
you from the living room while he is trying to watch CASI
because you are making too much noise. Many writers can
provoke a giggle. Few make me laugh so hard I hurt. There
is nothing more special a writer can do for you. They leave
you feeling good all over. This book is a sheer delight from page one! One of my
favourite Hitchcock movies carries this name. It was
deadpan humour that was just so on target, so it's not
surprising to find this book is the same. It's a delightful
Regency -- and from the opening scene where beleaguered
Harry is trying to explain the facts of "womanhood" to his
eldest daughter - you are already laughing out loud! The Trouble with Harry, 45-years-old is a father, coming to
parenthood late in life. There is little India -- no longer
the little angel sent to grace her life since she is in
urgent need to know about the birds and the bees, the twins
trying to "fly" from the barn roof again, Marston --
Harry's heir - who thinks he would rather be a blacksmith
than the next Marquis Rosse, and MacTavish who presents his
father dear with his latest "finds". Harry, left to raise
his five hellions...um, precocious darlings on his own,
faces the decision he has to remarry, find a good stable
woman who can bring some semblance to his chaotic life.
Being a smart man, he immediately instructs Templeton, his
man of affairs to find him a suitable wife by advertising
for one. He would like a companion suited to him, and one who could
bring peace to his herd, so he wants Templeton to move
quickly before word gets out Lord Harry needs a wife. He
dictates he wants a woman between 35-50, who must like
children and be possesses a "certain charm to her
appearance", though it's not absolutely necessary. While
she might not have to be toothsome, he would like to look
at her and not think of a bulldog! Enters Plum. She desperately wants a family, would love
children, but no man in all of Dorset would accept
her "after the scandal" - well, no man except Harry. She
was married once, well almost married. Charles her husband,
forgot to mention one little thing before their marriage --
that he already had a wife! But Plum is understanding and
does not judge all men by Charles. Also, she is an author
of "The Guide to Connubial Calisthenics" -- a book deemed
so obscene to be banned by the government. Plum answers the
ad in the paper and is shocked to find after answering
three questions that Harry and she are engaged to be
married the day after tomorrow. And the fun begins. Katie Macalister gives us a wonderful, funny tale of middle-
age people who think romance has passed them by. Three
cheers for Macalister and let's hope she keeps them coming!
No one does them quite like she does! Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted August 11, 2004
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 22, 2006
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The third book in the loosely connected Noble series, The Trouble With Harry tells the tale of Frederica "Plum" Pelham, a woman with a past, and Harry, Marquis Ross--a man who has a few secrets of his own. Although Plum thinks Harry is the answer to all her problems, she quickly finds out that he's not quite as perfect as she thought...there's the matter of his five hellion children, his refusal to let her hide from prying eyes, and oh yes, the man from his past who's trying to kill them all. Not to mention the first husband she thought was dead...
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