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Rating: 
Summary: The Inspiration for Lord St. Claire's Angel
Review: As an observer of people, I have long thought that men are getting short-changed when people refer to women as born nurterers, ignoring totally the many devoted fathers, husbands, sons and grandsons who give unstintingly of their time and love to those around them. Numerous examples abound, but I was touched by an elderly gentleman I know of who devotedly visits his wife in a nursing home twice each day to feed, bathe, talk to and comfort her. If that isn't nurturing, I don't know what is. I started wondering what kind of woman would appeal to a man with latent nurturing in his soul, and the result was the plot for Lord St. Claire's Angel. By the way, for the sharp-eyed readers who pointed out my mistakes in titles of the nobility, thank you! Thank you a thousand times. My writing has been forever affected by your intelligent criticism.
Rating: 
Summary: An Uplifting Romance
Review: Celestine Simons knows she was hired as a governess not because of her skills, but because she is so plain. Her employer is trying to thwart her rakish brother-in-law, Justin, from dallying with the servants again.Partly out of anger, Justin decides to go ahead and charm Celestine, even if she is plain. Then, he sees Celestine sing in the local choir. And everything changes. In this book, we get to see the rake grow up. Readers can also revel in the quiet strength of its heroine. If you like Regencies that are about people, rather than romps and intrigue, try this one. I gave this book Desert Island Keeper status at All About Romance.
Rating: 
Summary: implausible
Review: Here we have a 28 year old governess who has no fortune, who is not pretty, whose character is in no way prepossessing, whose knuckles swell painfully with arthritis which even looks ugly, and whose only above -average attribute seems to be a lovely singing voice. so why does the handsome, rakish, rich nobleman fall in love with her? I haven's got a clue. The plot is absurd on several levels. Not the least of which is that the heroine is neice to a wealthy, childless woman with whom she could have made her home. Dear Ms. Simpson, please understand that becoming a governess meant utter social degradation. Only a young woman with no options chose this route. A lady forced to live as a poor relation might wish for independence, but she would have had to be a complete imbecile to seek a position as a governess as a means of obtaining it. I give the book two stars because if you can ignore the fact that no young woman with a kind, personable and wealthy aunt would ever have elected to become a governess, and if you can overlook the fact that there seems to be no reason why the hero would fall in love with a young woman of so few attractions, the love story that develops is sweet and rather well told.
Rating:
Summary: Good new author with excellent characters.
Review: I am VERY pleased to have happened on this book by a new Regency author. The plot is a bit predictable with the "poor governess/rich nobleman" theme but don't let that put you off. This book is full of interesting people you identify with or want to get to know better. All the characters have exceptional depth for books in this genre, and I especially enjoyed the secondary ones: the details given about the heroine's aunt Emily make you long for the author to give her a book of her own. Even the antagonists in this book have lots of interesting personality traits. No one dimensional characters here! My only complaint - and it is not unique to this author - is that she needs a crash course (or a better editor) in English titles. It was especially irritating to me that even the title of the book is wrong. Her hero is NOT Lord St. Claire, as the younger brother of a Marquess, he is Lord Justin.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT START FOR A NEW AUTHOR
Review: i enjoyed this book immensely. it had a very "phantom of the opera" theme. he falls in love with her singing despite her plainess,status,and arthritic condition. i think this author has great potential
Rating: 
Summary: A terrific start for a new author
Review: I read this book when it first came out a few years ago and liked it immensely. The characters are heartwarming and the story is so enjoyable. As a Regency romance, this book flows easily and the only bad thing about it is how quickly it ends.
Rating:
Summary: Very readable governess-aristocrat romance
Review: This first book by Donna Simpson, an up-and-coming Canadian author with Zebra, is probably her best work to date although BELLE OF THE BALL (her fifth book, I believe) comes close. Both feature unusual heroines and somewhat atypical plots. This book features Celestine Simons, a governess with arthritis (since she had rheumatic fever as a child) who has been hired by Lord and Lady St Claire (actually the Marquess and Marchioness of Ladymead) precisely because she is plain, arthritic and otherwise unlikely to attract attention. The Marchioness has been plagued by her brother-in-law Lord Justin St Claire (the Lord St Claire of the title), who has fallen into the habit of flirting with the pretty governesses of her two daughters. This, the Marchioness (Lady Elizabeth St Claire or Lady St Claire in the book) does not like, both from the point of view of what is considered proper and also from the point of preserving class differences. To spite his sister-in-law, Lord Justin St Claire decides to flirt with Miss Simons. She will not respond to him, even though she is attracted by him. Then, he hears her sing in the village choir, and the two experience a rare moment of epiphany in the journey back to the house. Nevertheless, although our hero's feelings have changed about Miss Simons, his casual attitude towards flirtation and governesses have not changed (or he has not realized it). Celestine's well-married aunt Lady Sedgely (Lady Emily Delafont or Lady Delafont in the book) arrives and this precipitates a number of changes. I liked many many things about this book, even though it was far too short to flesh out all the characters. We had the high-minded Marquess, in love with his extremely snobbish wife (whose behavior and attitudes were normal for her era and station). We had the vicar's calculating attitudes. We have the charming but imperfect (in many ways) children of the Marquess and Marchioness. We have Lady Sedgley/Delafont, whose own history is explored in Simpson's second book (LADY DELAFONT'S DILEMMA). We are also introduced to Lady Grishelda May von Hoffen (heroine of Simpson's third book LADY MAY'S FOLLY). Since I am a lover of good secondary characterization, this book was a delight in many ways. For example, I kept worrying about the mildly retarded younger daughter after I finished the book - and someday I would like to read a book about these two sisters. Not all the secondary characters were well-rounded of course, but that is more a problem associated with the book length and its necessary constraints. I did have one major problem with this book - the titles issue. Simpson's first book showed off her strengths (great writing ability, marvellous primary and secondary characterization, an ability to write with emotion and yet restraint about sensitive issues), and they also showed her weakness for her early books - her lack of understanding of British titles and how they work. [In fairness to the author, she has corrected her mistakes in subsequent books]. The problem with this book is that there are two Lord St Claires - the Marquess and his brother (the hero) - in this book, which leads to a misunderstanding at one point. This was a slight flaw in an otherwise nearly-perfect book, because it was completely unbelievable that the housemaids would be calling both the Marquess and his brother by the same title.
I should also add that the British did not recognize foreign titles, and Lady May von Hoffen would not be a real "Lady". At best, she might be called Countess or Baroness socially but legally she would be a mere Miss in the UK. I have tried not to write too many spoilers, but Celestine's arthritis and her love for her pupils - the two daughters of the Marquess and Marchioness - form the cornerstone of this story. You might disagree with Celestine's actions which jeopardize her health, but they are understandable given the kind of person she was. I hope that in later books, I come across this couple again and find out how they are doing and how well "Lady Elizabeth" is reconciled to their marriage. I would also like to hear more about Celestine's background and that of her aunt. Recommended, despite a minor flaw.
Grade = 4.4 (A-)
Breakdown = romance element graded at 4.8 (A+; 25%), writing at 4.7 (A; 25%), characterization (of protagonists and secondary characters) at 4.5 (A-; 25%), plot development at 4.2 (B+; 25%). Average = 4.6. Deduction of 0.2 for title confusion which affects the plot.
Rating:
Summary: Very readable governess-aristocrat romance
Review: This first book by Donna Simpson, an up-and-coming Canadian author with Zebra, is probably her best work to date although BELLE OF THE BALL (her fifth book, I believe) comes close. Both feature unusual heroines and somewhat atypical plots. This book features Celestine Simons, a governess with arthritis (since she had rheumatic fever as a child) who has been hired by Lord and Lady St Claire (actually the Marquess and Marchioness of Ladymead) precisely because she is plain, arthritic and otherwise unlikely to attract attention. The Marchioness has been plagued by her brother-in-law Lord Justin St Claire (the Lord St Claire of the title), who has fallen into the habit of flirting with the pretty governesses of her two daughters. This, the Marchioness (Lady Elizabeth St Claire or Lady St Claire in the book) does not like, both from the point of view of what is considered proper and also from the point of preserving class differences. To spite his sister-in-law, Lord Justin St Claire decides to flirt with Miss Simons. She will not respond to him, even though she is attracted by him. Then, he hears her sing in the village choir, and the two experience a rare moment of epiphany in the journey back to the house. Nevertheless, although our hero's feelings have changed about Miss Simons, his casual attitude towards flirtation and governesses have not changed (or he has not realized it). Celestine's well-married aunt Lady Sedgely (Lady Emily Delafont or Lady Delafont in the book) arrives and this precipitates a number of changes. I liked many many things about this book, even though it was far too short to flesh out all the characters. We had the high-minded Marquess, in love with his extremely snobbish wife (whose behavior and attitudes were normal for her era and station). We had the vicar's calculating attitudes. We have the charming but imperfect (in many ways) children of the Marquess and Marchioness. We have Lady Sedgley/Delafont, whose own history is explored in Simpson's second book (LADY DELAFONT'S DILEMMA). We are also introduced to Lady Grishelda May von Hoffen (heroine of Simpson's third book LADY MAY'S FOLLY). Since I am a lover of good secondary characterization, this book was a delight in many ways. For example, I kept worrying about the mildly retarded younger daughter after I finished the book - and someday I would like to read a book about these two sisters. Not all the secondary characters were well-rounded of course, but that is more a problem associated with the book length and its necessary constraints. I did have one major problem with this book - the titles issue. Simpson's first book showed off her strengths (great writing ability, marvellous primary and secondary characterization, an ability to write with emotion and yet restraint about sensitive issues), and they also showed her weakness for her early books - her lack of understanding of British titles and how they work. [In fairness to the author, she has corrected her mistakes in subsequent books]. The problem with this book is that there are two Lord St Claires - the Marquess and his brother (the hero) - in this book, which leads to a misunderstanding at one point. This was a slight flaw in an otherwise nearly-perfect book, because it was completely unbelievable that the housemaids would be calling both the Marquess and his brother by the same title.
I should also add that the British did not recognize foreign titles, and Lady May von Hoffen would not be a real "Lady". At best, she might be called Countess or Baroness socially but legally she would be a mere Miss in the UK. I have tried not to write too many spoilers, but Celestine's arthritis and her love for her pupils - the two daughters of the Marquess and Marchioness - form the cornerstone of this story. You might disagree with Celestine's actions which jeopardize her health, but they are understandable given the kind of person she was. I hope that in later books, I come across this couple again and find out how they are doing and how well "Lady Elizabeth" is reconciled to their marriage. I would also like to hear more about Celestine's background and that of her aunt. Recommended, despite a minor flaw.
Grade = 4.4 (A-)
Breakdown = romance element graded at 4.8 (A+; 25%), writing at 4.7 (A; 25%), characterization (of protagonists and secondary characters) at 4.5 (A-; 25%), plot development at 4.2 (B+; 25%). Average = 4.6. Deduction of 0.2 for title confusion which affects the plot.
Rating:
Summary: delightfully different
Review: This is a really great different novel. The heroine, Celestine is not beautiful, rich or especially charming. Forced to be a governess by lack of funds and too much pride to become dependent on her aunt, she works at a job which brings her into contact with children-something she fears she will never know personally otherwise. Believing herself new but qualified for her job, she overhears her employers saying that her prime asset for the job was that she was plain and of no possible interest to the soon to visit Lord St. Claire-a handsome rake with lots of charm but little of any other qualities. As expected, the charming Lord St. Claire sees the plain jane governess and immediately understands that his sister in law is putting him in his place(away from any Christmas dalliances) and he is burned. With teaching Elizabeth(sis-in-law) a lesson, he decides to woo the little governess anyway. Is this an improbable story as another reviewer said- most likely yes, but it is a pleasure to read a story where the heroine is not a diamond of the first water and all grace personified but still able to gain a man's admiration and love. Sort of like love in real life-where not all couples match in looks or money and still marry and do well together. Besides, how many regency romance even come close to reality. Is the reader aware that either evening assemblies and dinners were held in near virtual darkness or thousands of candles applied to get some light. Bathing was not a regular occurence even for those well to do and without fans in summer -it does not take much imagination to visualize the state of clothes after a day in them. We read,most of us anyway, to escape today and return to what we want to see as a colorful, more frivolous era-it wasn't by any means and yet, how many of the books we are reading would still be read-if those facts were illuminated for us. Read this book with your eyes and your heart-it is a lovely romance. Want reality-read Les Miserables
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