REVIEW: Valentines: A Trio of Regency Love Stories for Sweethearts’ Day by Barbara Metzger

JayneB Reviews / B- Reviews / Book ReviewsHistorical / novella / Regency / Valentine’s Day5 Comments

A trio of Regency love stories for Sweethearts’ Day! BALD LIES Audrina is desperate to ensure that Lord Blanford not only notices her beautiful cousin but marries her as well. However, Max’s head is beset by larger worries than matrimony–though he is curiously diverted by the antics of the flame-haired matchmaking minx. . . .THE LAST VALENTINE Exiled into obscurity by her odious father, Martine can only assume the romantic love notes on her doorstep are a mistake–intended for another. Who could it be? Only Cupid knows–as mischief and merriment mark the countdown to Valentine’s Day. . . .LOVE AND TENDERNESS Few blushing brides have their wedding night ruined by a ghost only they can see, but Senta’s hysterics send her groom running. Reconciling these stubborn newlyweds is no easy task–even for a handsome, oddly dressed apparition who calls himself the King . . .

Dear Ms. Metzger,

Here we have three novellas/short stories for Valentines. Was Valentine’s Day widely celebrated in the Regency era? Who knows but considering what else is out there in Regency books these days, that’s a minor niggle for me.

Bald Lies – I think I’d heard of the climactic scene in this one years ago and it certainly lives up to my expectations. There are three couples in this one. A married couple who need to rekindle their romance decide to have a country house-party to help the husband’s boyhood chums – Franny, a Baron with pockets to let due to his pater’s gambling habit, and an ex-military Earl who’s losing his hair. There they meet two cousins – one who is a sweet, rich beauty while the other is the daughter of a poor but (truly) saintly vicar.

Poor Dree desperately tries to help her meek cousin by steering the rich but balding Earl Max her way (something that amuses Max once he figures out what Dree is doing) but for Carinne and Franny it’s love at first sight. They’re also relieved that neither wants to make or hear any ballroom chit chat. To each his own and Dree finally gives in to their happiness. But what about her position now that Carinne will be leaving? Well Dree decides to go all out for once in her life which leads to a mid-dance disaster at which point Max has to decide what to do about saving Dree from public humiliation. He sizes up the situation, makes his decision, and shows his feelings in a way that will never be forgotten. All for the Regiment! B

The Last Valentine – This one is short but sweet. A young woman defied her father’s wishes and ran off with (worthless but handsome) Digby, a man who allowed himself to be bought off by dear old dad when they were only halfway to Gretna Green. For the past four years Martine has lived in a small village, in a rented cottage, with a dragon “companion,” a cook, and George the cat. A week before Valentine’s day, mysterious messages and gifts begin to appear at the front door when Martine lets George out in the morning. Could Digby have changed his stripes and come back for her?

I had a feeling this one was going to turn out as it did but I still think it’s delightful. Martine has become a different woman over the past four years which probably accounts for her decision once the mysterious gift giver arrives. As she and Mystery Man both agree, marriages have started with less than they have discovered about themselves and each other. Plus, there’s George the cat. B

Love and Tenderness – Well, this is different. Newlyweds have a wedding night from heck when the bride spots a specter in the bedroom. The Ghost can’t remember his name or where he’s from but he helps bride Senta eventually reconcile with her husband while they solve the mystery of what happened to hubby’s brother, a soldier in Spain. I already knew the identity of the Ghost but attentive readers can figure it out by watching for phrases that almost match song lyrics. Of course if you don’t like this singer or don’t know his music then lots of the fun of catching these hints will be lost and the story will seem even stranger than it is. I liked this but the tone sometimes veers from fun to dark then back. B-

~Jayne

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