First Season

Rating:
Summary: good read but characters need a little more depth
Review: "First Season" by Gloria Gay could actually be subtitled 'Pride and Prejudice' -- as the plot centers on the prejudices of the heroine of the romance, Fantine Delmere, and the pride of hero, the Earl of Ashcom.

Briefly then: for almost a century, the Delmeres have been under the care of the Earls of Ashcom. The current Earl would like to end the practice, but has indolently allowed for things to slide. And then he receives a letter from Mr. Delmere (a wasteful gambler), extolling the beauty of his daughter, Fantine, and asking the earl to foot the bill for her London debut. The earl makes for Evergreen (the estate at which he has installed the Delmeres): it is his intent to put a stop to Delmere's demands, but upon reaching Evergreen, he is treated to Fantine's scorn. Fantine Delmere is truly an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, but she is also a very angry young woman as well. Tired of being dependents of the earl, as well as the rather scornful treatment that her family has always received form the earl's family, and appalled by her father's crass desire to make use of her beauty in order to advance the family's fortunes, Fantine is furious that the earl has fallen in with her father's plans for her, without having given a thought for her needs and feelings. and when she finally meets the earl, she roundly lets him have it -- no holds barred! The earl of course is furious at being told off by a young lady who should by rights be trying to win his favour, and maliciously agrees with Fantine's father to give Fantine her season is London. Fantine is appalled with what her impetuous anger is wrought, and is rightly nervous about having to live under the earl's roof and care while she is in London, esp when, once calmer, she comes to see that much of her anger against the earl is misplaced. But the earl refuses to accept her apologies or to soften his attitude towards her. Can Fantine deal with the shallowness of the haut ton as well as the contempt with which the earl seems to hold her? Can she change his mind about her? Or will the earl nurse his grievance against her for her entire stay?

"First Season" is quite an entertaining read. Given that the plot is a rather run-of-the-mill one, it was a shame that the synopsis at the back of the book gave away the one thing that made this novel interesting: the fact that someone wanted Fantine removed from the London scene, and that this person would do anything to achieve this end. Like the reviewer at Huntress Book Reviews, I liked Gay's trio of villains immensely. They were truly brilliant, and reminded me of the kinds of villains one usually reads of in 18th century French novels. I also liked the heroine of this romance novel quite a bit too, esp in the second half of the novel, where she displayed remarkable courage in the face of everything that had happened to her. However this novel did have a couple of flaws that made no sense given that it was a novel about the Regency period in England; for example, Fantine unrealistic impression at the beginning of the novel that either her father or the earl would consult her about her future and her wishes. This, truly rarely happened. Also, the British police force had not yet been established at this time. Another problem I felt was that many of the characters could have done with more development -- in fact, Fantine's character is the only one that is really developed well, while I thought that the earl's character could have done with more 'fleshing out.' And because of this, the romance that develops between the two main characters did not always ring true. It would have made more sense if the couple had spent more time together in the first half of the book, before they realised that they were attracted to and drawn to each other. Other than that, "First Season" was quite the pleasant read. The language is quite modern but, fortunately, not overwhelmingly so. So here's my take: enjoy this novel for it's heroine and for it's trio of villains.

Rating:
Summary: A Splendid First Season
Review: First of all, I loved this book and found it very difficult to put down. As the description states, the very beautiful Fantine Delmere totally starts out on the wrong foot by contemptously insulting the Earl of Ashcom out of hand. The same Earl on whom her family's subsistence is dependent. As a form of punishment he forces Fantine to a London Season with the ton she disdains with the instructions that she find a husband who will offer not only for her but will also take over the support of the family that has been the responsibility of the Earls' family for over a century.

The Earl's resentment of Fantine is so fierce that he is quite surprised to find that somewhere along the way he has fallen for this beautiful 'diamond of the first water'.

Knowing that she has made a major mistake, it takes some time for Fantine to discover that her trepidation in meeting the Earl's eyes, and her inability to apologize without further insulting him is masking her 'strange feelings' towards him as well.

I loved the sexual tension so deftly implied by Gloria [Gay's] style of writing. You didn't need a blow by blow description of an act to intensify the sensuality that came easily to the forefront proving that ofentimes, less is better. This, I felt, is the mark of a truly outstanding author! This book is definitely a keeper not only for the story which I hated to see end, but also for the beautiful cover which showcases the artistry of Gloria [Gay's] painting ability.

Rating:
Summary: A Splendid First Season
Review: First of all, I loved this book and found it very difficult to put down. As the description states, the very beautiful Fantine Delmere totally starts out on the wrong foot by contemptously insulting the Earl of Ashcom out of hand. The same Earl on whom her family's subsistence is dependent. As a form of punishment he forces Fantine to a London Season with the ton she disdains with the instructions that she find a husband who will offer not only for her but will also take over the support of the family that has been the responsibility of the Earls' family for over a century.

The Earl's resentment of Fantine is so fierce that he is quite surprised to find that somewhere along the way he has fallen for this beautiful 'diamond of the first water'.

Knowing that she has made a major mistake, it takes some time for Fantine to discover that her trepidation in meeting the Earl's eyes, and her inability to apologize without further insulting him is masking her 'strange feelings' towards him as well.

I loved the sexual tension so deftly implied by Gloria [Gay's] style of writing. You didn't need a blow by blow description of an act to intensify the sensuality that came easily to the forefront proving that ofentimes, less is better. This, I felt, is the mark of a truly outstanding author! This book is definitely a keeper not only for the story which I hated to see end, but also for the beautiful cover which showcases the artistry of Gloria [Gay's] painting ability.

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining, light read
Review: I just finished FIRST SEASON by Gloria Gay. Let me say that I think Ms. Gay is a very talented writer and I enjoyed the story very much. The villan, Lady Laura Vladim, a former diamond of the first water, was appropriately wicked. Lady Vladim has been in love with Lord Ashcom for years and almost had him, until her caught her in the arms of another man. I was pleasantly surprised that Ms. Gay did not succumb to the standard villanous behavior for her but allowed her to have good moments as well as bad. For instance, instead of have Lady Vladim dress Fantine in poor colors and attrocious style, she does as she is asked and dress her to the nines in beautiful fashions and colors.

I found Fantine's initial outburst troubling and childish and it took me a while to warm to her. I too felt like things were missing, that the turnaround of Lord Ashcom was too abrubt yet I was glad that he finally did realize how much Fantine meant to him. It was very amusing to watch him unable to restrain himself from kissing her, then abrubtly release her, leaving her bemused and wanting more.

The only things I would ask for is more showing, instead of telling, less of description of the houses, the country, etc and more time with the h/h together. I did find it disconserting that some technical issues were over looked by her editor, like missing quotation marks, and the over use of "-" though out the dialogue in the book.

I loved the end of the book where Ashcom takes her to his country home. I won't give away the ending, but suffice it to say it was quite nice and just too short. I wanted the story to go on longer.

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining, light read
Review: I just finished FIRST SEASON by Gloria Gay. Let me say that I think Ms. Gay is a very talented writer and I enjoyed the story very much. The villan, Lady Laura Vladim, a former diamond of the first water, was appropriately wicked. Lady Vladim has been in love with Lord Ashcom for years and almost had him, until her caught her in the arms of another man. I was pleasantly surprised that Ms. Gay did not succumb to the standard villanous behavior for her but allowed her to have good moments as well as bad. For instance, instead of have Lady Vladim dress Fantine in poor colors and attrocious style, she does as she is asked and dress her to the nines in beautiful fashions and colors.

I found Fantine's initial outburst troubling and childish and it took me a while to warm to her. I too felt like things were missing, that the turnaround of Lord Ashcom was too abrubt yet I was glad that he finally did realize how much Fantine meant to him. It was very amusing to watch him unable to restrain himself from kissing her, then abrubtly release her, leaving her bemused and wanting more.

The only things I would ask for is more showing, instead of telling, less of description of the houses, the country, etc and more time with the h/h together. I did find it disconserting that some technical issues were over looked by her editor, like missing quotation marks, and the over use of "-" though out the dialogue in the book.

I loved the end of the book where Ashcom takes her to his country home. I won't give away the ending, but suffice it to say it was quite nice and just too short. I wanted the story to go on longer.

Rating:
Summary: Quite Pleasant Reading
Review: I stole a couple of hours upon a sunny late Spring afternoon to sit on my porch swing and lose myself in the light, pleasurable read, FIRST SEASON. With iced tea and tangerines at my side, a cushion to rest my weary feet, and the fragrant scent of lilac in the air, I could not miss the moment. The breeze was just right.

Even the book's cover was lovely - a painting by the author, Gloria Gay, herself - which I easily imagined to be the scene of FIRST SEASON's most romantic encounter.

As Jane Austen's Catherine Moreland first enters society chaperoned by Mr. & Mrs. Allen in Bath, Gay's beautiful Fantine Delmere makes her entrance under the sponsorship and in the company of the handsome Earl of Ashcom, of whom her family has been dependant for generations. It is due to this dependency that Fantine is reluctant to leave her quiet home to fly headlong into the extravagances of London Society. She conveys her contempt of the scheme in no uncertain terms to Lord Ashcom when he arrives to meet her for the first time. Ashcom, who was already quite weary of the obligations toward Fantine's family, is shocked and incensed by her insolence. In retaliation, he demands that she spend the season in London at his expense under threat of cutting off all support for her family.

Fantine's first season in London is a whirlwind of activity: fine new clothes, social gatherings, outings, and balls. What I must say, in my one criticism of the story, is that all this appears to be nothing short of a wondrous dream come true for any young lady in Regency England. Therefore I cannot fathom how a girl like Fantine could so adamantly try to refuse such a chance, no matter how resentful she is of its sponsor. Upon her arrival in London, she is at once drawing the admiration of many in the realm of fashionable society, including more than one agreeable suitor. Yet all the while, unbeknownst to her, she's arousing the jealousy of a certain potent few within that same realm. This, however, as it turns out, is not her only dilemma: before she realizes it herself, she has fallen in love with Lord Ashcom, who still appears to be harboring quite a bit of resentment from the harsh and insulting words she spat at him upon their first meeting.

Overall, this book is a very fun page-turner, as you come to care how Fantine overcomes enemies who seemingly would stop at nothing to remove her from the basking glow of good society, and of how she comes to terms with her budding relationship with the Earl of Ashcom. It's a very pleasant story that can easily be read in one sitting upon some sunny afternoon.

Rating:
Summary: Quite Pleasant Reading
Review: I stole a couple of hours upon a sunny late Spring afternoon to sit on my porch swing and lose myself in the light, pleasurable read, FIRST SEASON. With iced tea and tangerines at my side, a cushion to rest my weary feet, and the fragrant scent of lilac in the air, I could not miss the moment. The breeze was just right.

Even the book's cover was lovely - a painting by the author, Gloria Gay, herself - which I easily imagined to be the scene of FIRST SEASON's most romantic encounter.

As Jane Austen's Catherine Moreland first enters society chaperoned by Mr. & Mrs. Allen in Bath, Gay's beautiful Fantine Delmere makes her entrance under the sponsorship and in the company of the handsome Earl of Ashcom, of whom her family has been dependant for generations. It is due to this dependency that Fantine is reluctant to leave her quiet home to fly headlong into the extravagances of London Society. She conveys her contempt of the scheme in no uncertain terms to Lord Ashcom when he arrives to meet her for the first time. Ashcom, who was already quite weary of the obligations toward Fantine's family, is shocked and incensed by her insolence. In retaliation, he demands that she spend the season in London at his expense under threat of cutting off all support for her family.

Fantine's first season in London is a whirlwind of activity: fine new clothes, social gatherings, outings, and balls. What I must say, in my one criticism of the story, is that all this appears to be nothing short of a wondrous dream come true for any young lady in Regency England. Therefore I cannot fathom how a girl like Fantine could so adamantly try to refuse such a chance, no matter how resentful she is of its sponsor. Upon her arrival in London, she is at once drawing the admiration of many in the realm of fashionable society, including more than one agreeable suitor. Yet all the while, unbeknownst to her, she's arousing the jealousy of a certain potent few within that same realm. This, however, as it turns out, is not her only dilemma: before she realizes it herself, she has fallen in love with Lord Ashcom, who still appears to be harboring quite a bit of resentment from the harsh and insulting words she spat at him upon their first meeting.

Overall, this book is a very fun page-turner, as you come to care how Fantine overcomes enemies who seemingly would stop at nothing to remove her from the basking glow of good society, and of how she comes to terms with her budding relationship with the Earl of Ashcom. It's a very pleasant story that can easily be read in one sitting upon some sunny afternoon.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Regency romance
Review: I was really surprised to receive an e-mail from Ms. Gay asking me to review her book, "First Season." (I'd never been contacted by an author before) She mailed me the book and I sat down to read. I was not too surprised that the book was really good. The premise was a little different in that though Fantine's father wanted her married off, he was doing it in the expectation of the Earl's familial obligation to pay for everything. The Earl, of course viewed his obligation with great distaste and decided to have done with Fantine's family once and for all. Of course sparks and hatred flew when Fantine and Nicholas met, with ill-humor between them in subsequent meetings. I thought that the way Nicholas decided he loved Fantine all of a sudden was hard to believe, but it worked. This was an enjoyable book that I will re-read again.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Regency romance
Review: I was really surprised to receive an e-mail from Ms. Gay asking me to review her book, "First Season." (I'd never been contacted by an author before) She mailed me the book and I sat down to read. I was not too surprised that the book was really good. The premise was a little different in that though Fantine's father wanted her married off, he was doing it in the expectation of the Earl's familial obligation to pay for everything. The Earl, of course viewed his obligation with great distaste and decided to have done with Fantine's family once and for all. Of course sparks and hatred flew when Fantine and Nicholas met, with ill-humor between them in subsequent meetings. I thought that the way Nicholas decided he loved Fantine all of a sudden was hard to believe, but it worked. This was an enjoyable book that I will re-read again.

Rating:
Summary: Dramatic and endearing - Very highly recommended
Review: Independent thinking Fantine Delmere doesn't like her family's subsistence on the Earl of Ashcom. A wrong done to her family three generations ago has been overly compensated to her way of thinking. Perhaps if her father had to earn a living for his family his hands wouldn't have time to itch for gaming cards and his heart would appreciate his delicate wife. So when she learns of her father's plan to solicit the patronage of the Earl so she can attend her first London Season, Fantine feels outraged. Unfortunately, Fantine takes her frustration out on the wrong man.

The Earl of Ashcom has grown accustomed to mamas fawning over his wealth for their daughters and is ill prepared for Fantine outrageous attitude. He arrives at the Delmere home intending to see if the girl merits the expense of a Season in London. Rather gracious acceptance of his magnanimity, however, Fantine treats the Earl with disdain. Furious at her attitude, the Earl serves her with an ultimatum. Either she attends the Season and secure another means of support for her family, or he'll see the family's estate.

Fantine is ill prepared for life with the London elite. While "Aunt Dorothy" has her best interests at heart, others would prefer she return to obscurity. Indeed, selfish and cruel forces are at work, and will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. As animosity between the Earl and Fantine gives way to deeper feelings, disturbing events occur which threaten her safety.

Author and artist Gloria Gay brings dramatic flair to FIRST SEASON. Appearances of such persons as Brummell, Prinny, and Sally Jersey lend authenticity to the background. The novel unfolds much as a dramatic play with intrigue to add spice to the tale of love and a girl's First Season in London. Gay creates a delightful heroine with Fantine, as she is a young woman who knows her own mind. Intelligent, insightful, and passionate, Fantine occasionally acts precipitously, but never without cause. Further, Gay peoples her story with a lively cast of secondary characters, including the loving Aunt Dorothy and the dangerous Lady Vladim. Rich characterization and fascinating intrigue will appeal to all romance lovers as well as those who have a passion for Regency romance. A masterful piece of writing, FIRST SEASON comes very highly recommended.