Rating: 
Summary: A few quirks, but a great book
Review: I'm fast becoming a regency fan, and this book is partially the reason why! :)"Mad Jack" Carstairs is a bitter, angry man. After returning from the Peninsula Campaign with a scarred face and a pronounced limp, he is jilted by his shallow fiancee because he was ugly and nearly destitute, as his father had left him practically nothing. Jack retreats to the home his father left him, content to drink away his life in the country. His grandmother, however, is not content to see her grandson waste away his life in such a manner. A feisty older lady, she learns that her godmother's daughter, Kate, is destitute and is nearly about the enter "service" as a maid. She "kidnaps" Kate on the way to visit her grandson, and soon discovers that Kate is able to bring Jack out of his black mood because she has a temper that rivals Jack's! Kate, who is determined to become a housekeeper because she believes she has no prospects of a respectable marriage because of an incident that happened during the war, becomes Jack's housekeeper (although Jack insists that she is NOT his housekeeper). Jack and Kate are hilarious, especially since they were always at each other's throats and are constantly bickering. There was little substance behind their relationship, however, in my opinion - there was a good deal of lust, and anger, and anger that led to lust, but little else (so if you're looking for a tender romance, you may want to pass on this book). On the other hand, if you enjoy a good laugh, this book is excellent! I could certainly identify with Kate, especially since I have a similar temper problem! :) I also liked the fact that the heroine was not a virgin, although the circumstances surrounding that were a little unrealistic. The ending of the book was also unrealistic, from what I know of the era (and I must admit, that's not much), it would be highly unlikely for such a course of events to take place. In the end, however, I think this book was a good one, and I especially loved the sparring that occurred among Jack, his grandmother, and Kate. It's going on the keeper shelf!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I'm not even through with this book yet but had to come and see if Anne Gracie had more books available. She does--do a search for her previous title. I love this author's dialogue! Her characters, both primary and secondary, each have their own unique way of seeing the world and Lady Cahill especially had me laughing out loud. The sparring between Kate and Jack is vivid and engaging--and downright hilarious at times. Kate is NO flighty heroine--she is a strong, admirable young woman with backbone who takes no gruff, even from the very gruff Jack Carstairs. Now, I think I'll go finish this delightful read. Congratulations to Ms. Gracie for an excellent story! You are now a must-buy author for this reader!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I'm not even through with this book yet but had to come and see if Anne Gracie had more books available. She does--do a search for her previous title. I love this author's dialogue! Her characters, both primary and secondary, each have their own unique way of seeing the world and Lady Cahill especially had me laughing out loud. The sparring between Kate and Jack is vivid and engaging--and downright hilarious at times. Kate is NO flighty heroine--she is a strong, admirable young woman with backbone who takes no gruff, even from the very gruff Jack Carstairs. Now, I think I'll go finish this delightful read. Congratulations to Ms. Gracie for an excellent story! You are now a must-buy author for this reader!
Rating:
Summary: Two war torn protagonists
Review: Kate Farleigh is on the brink of selling herself into service when Lady Cahill arrives only to kidnap her in an attempt to save her from herself. She claims to be the godmother of Kate's long deceased mother. Not given the chance to question this claim, she finds herself spirited to Leicestershire, which is next on Lady Cahill's itinerary. There, she finds herself being confronted by Jack Carstairs, Lady Cahill's grandson, who has consigned himself to a reclusive existence due to war-related injuries he suffered on the Peninsula. Despite their inauspicious beginning, Jack finds himself frequently surprised by the half-starved urchin who persistently defies him and will not be cowed by his vile temper and black moods. He slowly discovers that Kate is no stranger to war and that her own experiences on the Peninsula have forged an indelible mark that does not allow her to tolerate his constant self-pity. Anne Gracie has spun a beautiful and poignant story about two people who have been marked by war and how they have learned to deal with it in England where it seems to have had far more tragic repercussions. Kate Farleigh is a spirited and charming heroine despite the negligence of her father and the defection of her betrothed. Despite having been kidnapped and put into an unfamiliar situation, Kate makes the most of her existence. Once a concerned Lady Cahill installs Kate as Jack's housekeeper and to see to his well being, Kate truly does what she can to clean the place and comes to care for Jack despite the fact that he defies her at every turn and argues with her about her unsuitability when it comes to housework. Jack firmly believes that Kate deserves far more than what life has bestowed upon her. As he comes to understand her negligent childhood and to love the challenging girl who does all she can to help him, he begins to wonder whether she can ever love him despite his wounds. Gracie's skillful use of cunning and clever secondary characters only serves to emphasize the appeal of her protagonists as they struggle with their own insecurities and the scorn of society in order to find their happiness.
Rating:
Summary: Tender, real, honest characters that you will never forget
Review: The strength of this book is the depth of the characters. I was hooked from the very beginning. The book makes you laugh, cry and you really care about these people. A very very good book. Kat
Rating:
Summary: Tender, real, honest characters that you will never forget
Review: The strength of this book is the depth of the characters. I was hooked from the very beginning. The book makes you laugh, cry and you really care about these people. A very very good book. Kat
Rating:
Summary: I can't believe it is this good!
Review: This book is wonderfully good. Well written. Emotional. It will make you glad that you read romance, and will make you feel smug when you recommend it to others. Give it a try, and don't be put off that it is a Harlequin Series Historical (like I almost was).Brava, Ms. Gracie!
Rating:
Summary: A fiesty heroine, stubborn hero and really romantic story
Review: This is one of those romances that builds slowly into something quite unexpectedly good. The heroine is unexplainedly living a quiet life when taken on by a managing distant family member. She is partly being taken to look after Lady Cahill's nephew Jack Carstairs who has shut himself away from society. While some of the original conventions of Regency and historical romances are true at the start, Gracie does a great job of tipping them on their head as the book goes through. We find out the reason which Kate Farleigh shut herself away (and it is both unexpected, original and quite believable). I also found the resolution of the situation - in a memorable ballroom scene - to be incredibly romantic and tear-making. It is quite a feisty book, the heroine is independent (and with just cause to be) and the story is definitely unusual. I quite liked Kate for her independence and pride. It worked in the story and it wasn't out of the realms of possibility for a woman of her class to be caught in a situation like that, and wish to take some kind of similar response. After all this was the tail end of the loose-moralled Georgian era, before the stifling sensibilities of the Victorian age really took hold. Gracie manages quite a romantic story but also imbues it with a lot of humour - often the two are combined. The setting is mostly around Jack Carstairs house, where he lives in relative isolation and privacy and that works well for the increasing emotion and dependence which grows up between the two characters. Very convincing and very nice I really liked this book - definitely a keeper for the shelf and to be re-read again.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, yes, indeedy ---
Review: This is one terrific book. However, as it's from Harlequin, it's slightly mis-labelled, which seems to be normal for them lately. This book, although a bit longer than the usual, is a true Regency romance. It isn't really a Historical Romance, except for the length. There is nothing even remotely resembling a love scene anywhere; just the right amount of sexual tension, an abundance of humor, strong writing and wonderful characters. Add all these in with a sensible plot that does not rely on the Big Misunderstanding in any way, and you'll easily see why I gave it 5 stars. I'd give it more if I could. Newcomer Anne Gracie of Australia made a smashing debut with this book (which was actually published in the UK before Tallie's Knight, which rather gives the appearance of being first. Not so.) Gallant Waif was a finalist in the RWA RITA competition in 2000 for books first released in 1999. That news will come as no surprise to the reader. Kate Farleigh was the only daughter, following two sons, of a small-town vicar. Her mother died in childbed, and of course, her father always thereafter resented the child, especially for her likeness to his wife. Until, during the war on the Peninsula, he decided to go visit his sons. There was no other choice than for Kate to go along, as well. It was here that she finally came into her own, and during the final two years of her life with her father they made a sort of peace with each other. Before the war ended, though, all three of the men in Kate's life became casualties. And then, so did Kate, herself, even though her emotional self was undaunted. She returned to England, determined to forge a life for herself as best she could. Mad Jack Carstairs, on the other hand, came back from the war a somewhat broken man, unable to (as he thought) resume the life he'd always anticipated living. His fiancé cries off at sight of his scars and lame leg, although she blames her defection on his having been almost completely disinherited. There is one property left to him; a run-down, isolated place hardly worth having, however, it does at least get him away from society. But Jack doesn't reckon on the strong will of his Grandmother--one of those miniature gorgons who rules with a fist of lead. She's a wonderful, full-blooded creature whose god-daughter was Kate's mother. One day, for no good reason, Lady Cahill takes it in her head to find out whatever happened to Maria's only living child. Unable to convince Kate of her sincerity, she simply kidnaps the chit, and the adventure starts. Kate agrees to be housekeeper for Jack, as his disheveled house is badly in need of one. Eventually, her common sense begins to see past his brusqueness, and she convinces him to accept her help. In secret. But that's certainly better than nothing, and her joy in his triumph is heart-warming. But the Dowager Countess hasn't given up yet, either. After arranging for Kate's long-lost inheritance, she then arranges for Kate to come to London to have a Season, in spite of Kate's reluctance to do so. If you can read Chapter Seventeen (the main ball in London) without a tear or two, why are you reading a romance novel? This is the essence of a romantic novel, and you'll feel refreshed and renewed by the vicarious experience of this extraordinary book. I'm eagerly awaiting more from Ms. Gracie. But hurry! Please!
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