Madrigals and Mistletoe

by Hayley Ann Solomon

A Song Of Love. . .

Seraphina Camfrey, newest darling of the ton, is angelic in both name and face. Alas, the same can scarcely be said for her singing. And now she fears her off-key notes have sentenced her to yet another fussy old tutor. But Captain Argyll, though arrogant, proves irresistible! So the scampish Seraphina cares nothing for plans to match her with a duke at a country Christmas. Starry-eyed amid the snow and sugar plums, she hears only her heartstrings--strummed by her handsome music master.

. . .In A Season Of Joy

Frederick Argyll is all set to fund his musical composition by teaching. No doubt his pupil will be some dreary wallflower. But Seraphina's hair flames as bright as the yule log and her spirit crackles as cheerily. Can Frederick mold her into the star of the Christmas pageant, and--despite a medley of misunderstandings--accompany her in holiday harmonies of love?

Genres: Romance, Regency

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

About the author

Hayley Solomon lives in the beautiful river city of Wanganui on the North Island of New Zealand together with her three adorable sons—Raoul, Raphael and Rhaz—and the love of her life, husband Clive. Her home is filled with music—from the lilting strains of Vivaldi and Bach, to the virtuoso violin performances of 'twinkle twinkle little star' by her five year old son.She spends many nights star and planet gazing—the southern skies are heavenly—and enjoys reading, camping and learning classical guitar.

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a lot of fun. The plot reminded me of one of Shakespeare's comedies.

The summary makes this book seem like it's all about Seraphina and Frederick, but it's also split with her sister, Cordelia, and Rhaz the duke.

I happened to find Cordelia's plot more interesting. Cordelia is the more sensible sister, who manages the house hold. She has to be, because her younger sister, Seraphina, and her mother, Ancilla, are not going to take into account expenses and real world problems. She is practically engaged to a bore. By that I mean, she is engaged and it is practical, because then she'd be married and her family would have money so that she would be able to support her mother and sister.

Cordelia is realizing that there could be more, like a love match. Even though she has what I should be calling insta-love... it didn't bother me! I think because there was time between the meetings that had "absence makes the heart grow fonder" moments.

We also get good guy Rhaz, who is a duke of something and obviously a catch on the marriage mart. He accidentally muddles things up, but because of other people assuming things (making an ass out of herself) aka his mother. He's trying to set things up and get the woman of his dreams, but everyone else has the wrong womanidea, but he doesn't know that.

Frederick also has an interesting back story and reason why he's doing things such as becoming a music tutor. He's a little too artistic for me in his love declarations and I'm glad his heart is in the song. Maybe if I had a tutor like him, I'd be more musical.

There were times I thought Seraphina was a bit immature, because she was but she has a good heart. I will say, it probably was stressful to have everyone think the duke was courting you and encourage it, even if you weren't sure about it.

I'm a little sad that Ancilla doesn't have anyone at the end of all this, but I feel like she'll be able to find someone, now that both daughters have been married.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice light romp, two sisters each seeking love find success at Christmas. The book opens with a stunningly bad musical performance by Seraphina. She is rescued, socially at least, by Rhaz, the Duke of Doncaster. Then her mother engages a music teacher, Frederick. But Frederick is not the simple musician he appears to be, but a talented composer and nobleman. When will Seraphina find out?

Rhaz finds Seraphina's sister, Cordelia, quite fascinating and his mother the Duchess meddles in all their affairs.

[Sharon Wilhite · Rating 2 out of 5]

More fluff and stuff.