Courting Trouble

Rating:
Summary: The law has never been more fun!
Review: COURTING TROUBLE is a fine example of masterful writing. Katie Rose has told the story of Winnie and Charles in a brilliant and passionate way. Nothing pleases me more than a fiesty heroine and a devastatingly handsome hero. The characters in this story are of the finest quality and the supporting cast is nothing short of inspirational...Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony...OUTSTANDING! I would never have imagined I could love a law book set in the 1800's.

Rating:
Summary: A riveting romance.
Review: In "Courting Trouble," author Katie Rose incorporates humor, intrigue, and intense emotions to present a riveting case for romance. In her fascinating story, she gives readers insight to the obstacles women faced in the late 1800s, and how one determined young lady could overcome those barriers to find love and happiness, and a career. A sequel to her novel, "Hint of Mischief" (Bantam Book, April 1998), "Courting Trouble" captures the very essence of the times and struggles women have faced, making a strong case for romance in the process. This jury finds Katie Rose guilty of writing a delightful tale.

Rating:
Summary: Humor, passion, and delightful characters.
Review: Set against a backdrop of the suffrage movement, Courting Trouble by Katie Rose is wonderful tribute to the tenacity of the women of the era who created the groundwork upon which women today proudly stand. Following the first book in this wonderful trilogy, A Hint Of Mischief, Ms. Rose continues to provide readers with humor and intense passion in both the plot and characters which readers will enjoy immensely. Not a fan of this time period I found myself cheering on the courage and perseverance of our heroine even at the times when she seemed to do things out of character for a woman of her time period.

Winifred Appleton, the bluestocking of the Appleton sisters, has taken it upon herself to actually apply to a number of law schools with the hope that at least one will take her seriously. It is quickly apparent despite her passion and knowledge of the law, she is rejected by the mere fact she is a female. Men of this era find a women who wants to step out of societal norms are to be abhorred or at the very least discouraged. However, this won't stop our Winnie from pursuing her dream to one day practice law and defend women who should have the same legal rights as men. So her only recourse is to become an established lawyer's "intern " and learn the law that way. But who? Alarmingly though her best choice seems to be family friend, Charles Howe. Her hesitation comes from the annoying .although intense feelings of attraction. she finds she is susceptible to towards him.

Charles Howe is from a family of distinction and political promise who do not understand why he continues to befriend the quirky if not conventional Appleton sisters. Figuring that Winnie will not stick around once the mundane work of being a law clerk becomes boringly tedious, he has plans of his own to woe the beautiful but headstrong young woman. What he watches as the clerks are quick to take advantage of her quick mind and unique ability to comprehend the law and do research. As well his colleague are none to happy to have her on staff until the quality of her work far surpasses their clerks as they come to rely on her to lighten their load. Although in true male fashion, none would admit they need her more than she needs them. That is all, except Charles.

Charles sees a startling passion in this young woman which he hopes to cultivate as soon as Winnie gives up. However, she surprises him when she instigates an intimate passion between them as a means of settling her awakening intimate feelings for Charles. This turn of events finds Charles delighted as he is surprised to find Winnie as passionate in their intimacy as she is for the law. This passionate nature however will quickly find them on opposites sides in the courtroom, providing readers with moments of laughter, tears, hope as they cheer on our heroine as she tackles the male establishment.

But what about our hero? Charles is a refreshingly unique hero who is as a cut above the men of an era who were more frightened by women of passion than attracted to them. Although he finds much angst in his love for Winnie and her courtroom antics do nothing to help, he is a hero willing to learn from his lady love, this alone makes his great hero material. Ms Rose has given both Winnie and the reader a very special hero in the persona of Charles Howe.

Courting Trouble is much more than an entertaining read, as Ms. Rose has created a remarkable story rich in historical detail with characters the reader will come to care about. Although it is apparent that she has a vivid knowledge of the time period and the important personages which gives the story substance, she never lets the history take over as she effortlessly keeps the romance at the forefront for the reader. The only draw back I found was I felt Winnie seemed too quick to ignite intimate passions with Charles; seemed out of character for women of that era ,even one as enlightened as Winnie. Yet, the end result was a deliciously rich moment of passion, a pleasing surprise for this reader. Brava, Ms Rose!

Courting Trouble is filled with humor, passion and characters readers will find delightfully fresh even if this historical period is not their favorite.

Jody S. Allen Reviewer