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Daring Debutantes #3
The Stage Bride
Thomas Barclay has had a rough year, to say the least. After being jilted by the only woman he ever loved, he's sworn off love for good, along with any semblance of respectability, by attempting to drink away his sorrows. However, when his meddling sister sends him off to the country to pull himself together once and for all, he finds himself trapped with the most vexing and obstinate creature he's ever been forced to encounter.
Amelia Harding has more than overstayed her welcome at Ms. Denby's School for Girls. At the ripe age of eighteen, she's finally being forced to enter the marriage mart, which also means returning to her father--a prospect she refuses to even entertain. So she decides to run away to London to pursue a life on the stage. Unfortunately, her plans go awry and she finds herself in a carriage bound for the country in the company of a drunkard. A handsome drunkard, but a drunkard nonetheless.
Now they both must decide if they will continue to let their pasts define them, or if they will start anew in each others arms.
Amelia Harding has more than overstayed her welcome at Ms. Denby's School for Girls. At the ripe age of eighteen, she's finally being forced to enter the marriage mart, which also means returning to her father--a prospect she refuses to even entertain. So she decides to run away to London to pursue a life on the stage. Unfortunately, her plans go awry and she finds herself in a carriage bound for the country in the company of a drunkard. A handsome drunkard, but a drunkard nonetheless.
Now they both must decide if they will continue to let their pasts define them, or if they will start anew in each others arms.
ebook
First published April 16, 2013
7 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Jerrica Knight-Catania
53 books135 followersAfter obtaining a degree in Vocal Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, and years of pursuing a career on the stage, Jerrica left the "glamorous" life of an actress in favor of writing romance. She continues to reside in the New York City area with her husband, cat and their precious daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 25, 2015
This was a cute story. Entertaining. The heroine, Amelia had spunk, not a crybaby simpering heroine. Which is always good. I was looking forward to Thomas's story since the first book. I really liked him. Although I was a little annoyed at how he was sooo in love with the heroine from previous book, hence the 3.5 stars. There was some good chemistry between the two of them but this is a rated G book. There was a couple of kisses and tight breeches but that is it for the heat level.
There was lots of dialogue throughout the entire book and that was good. The story line flowed nicely. It was a short book so not full of filler nonsense, that's a plus too.
As for the narration. It was good. The men sounded like men and everyone had their own distinct voice. It was easy to follow along without the text.
There was lots of dialogue throughout the entire book and that was good. The story line flowed nicely. It was a short book so not full of filler nonsense, that's a plus too.
As for the narration. It was good. The men sounded like men and everyone had their own distinct voice. It was easy to follow along without the text.
November 5, 2018
So pleased to see Tom finally get his HEA, especially after what he went through in the previous book, so overall I enjoyed this.
But......there's one thing I'm confused about; through this entire book there is not a single mention of young Sally, Fin and Vickie's adopted daughter from book one of this series, despite the family featuring quite heavily.
But......there's one thing I'm confused about; through this entire book there is not a single mention of young Sally, Fin and Vickie's adopted daughter from book one of this series, despite the family featuring quite heavily.
April 27, 2023
2.5 Because of Amelia and Victoria. But while Tom was ok I wasn't sure why Amelia fell in love with him so quickly, especially with her history of an alcoholic father. Though he does save her twice she develops feelings before this. And he is so strung up on his broken-heart he becomes a coward.
The epilogue is good.
The epilogue is good.
May 5, 2017
Tom and Amelia
I hated the way things ended with Tom in the Gypsey Bride. He has made some unwise choices from his pain. These choices lead him to his real love.
I hated the way things ended with Tom in the Gypsey Bride. He has made some unwise choices from his pain. These choices lead him to his real love.
April 12, 2020
Short, innocent story.
October 3, 2014
Another solid read in the series. They are great stories with feisty gals and a touch of adventure. The only down side is that there are times when they feel like they are dragging. The pace gets slow towards the middle, but things pick up in the end.
The romance is strictly clean, only some steamy kisses no bedroom action. It was nice because I was in the mood for romance, not smexy scenes. The feelings happen quickly, I find the connection more tentative than flat out love. I am willing to believe they are on their way to love at the end. Of course, the Epilogue shows that to be true!
I was so happy for Thomas to get his HEA, although I thought his downward spiral was a touch much. I don't think he ever really loved Bianca. He just needed someone to connect with and mistook his friendship with her. Now the connection with Amelia felt real. I loved their saucy banter!! I do love a couple that bickers at first!
The story is intriguing and entertaining. I generally liked the premise, it just dropped many plot points. This tends to be a theme in the series, but it isn't something that makes you stop reading. You feel the plot holes and wonder where characters got their info. There was at least one character that completely disappears with no explanation.
I loved the fact that past couples popped up again in this story. They are integral parts of this plot and keep things moving along. I also loved Amelia's sweet friend Meg, I hope she gets a HEA. I would love to see more books in this little series.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Stevie Zimmerman, who has been with the series from the beginning. I love her swift pace and soothing tone. She adds just the right amount of energy into the read. I love the British accent and it totally suits the setting. I will definitely be looking for more reads by her.
As with the rest of the series there is a weird pause between chapters. It is like listening to a cd and having a gap between songs. It was a touch annoying, I prefer a smooth read with no breaks.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read and gave me warm fuzzies. I like a Historical read and do not see many novellas in the genre. These are terrific quick listens for the commute or evil gym time. I hope to see more from Ms Knight-Catania.
The romance is strictly clean, only some steamy kisses no bedroom action. It was nice because I was in the mood for romance, not smexy scenes. The feelings happen quickly, I find the connection more tentative than flat out love. I am willing to believe they are on their way to love at the end. Of course, the Epilogue shows that to be true!
I was so happy for Thomas to get his HEA, although I thought his downward spiral was a touch much. I don't think he ever really loved Bianca. He just needed someone to connect with and mistook his friendship with her. Now the connection with Amelia felt real. I loved their saucy banter!! I do love a couple that bickers at first!
The story is intriguing and entertaining. I generally liked the premise, it just dropped many plot points. This tends to be a theme in the series, but it isn't something that makes you stop reading. You feel the plot holes and wonder where characters got their info. There was at least one character that completely disappears with no explanation.
I loved the fact that past couples popped up again in this story. They are integral parts of this plot and keep things moving along. I also loved Amelia's sweet friend Meg, I hope she gets a HEA. I would love to see more books in this little series.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Stevie Zimmerman, who has been with the series from the beginning. I love her swift pace and soothing tone. She adds just the right amount of energy into the read. I love the British accent and it totally suits the setting. I will definitely be looking for more reads by her.
As with the rest of the series there is a weird pause between chapters. It is like listening to a cd and having a gap between songs. It was a touch annoying, I prefer a smooth read with no breaks.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read and gave me warm fuzzies. I like a Historical read and do not see many novellas in the genre. These are terrific quick listens for the commute or evil gym time. I hope to see more from Ms Knight-Catania.
June 27, 2016
The eighteen-year-old Amelia Harding is desperate. Now that she has reached her majority, her father wants to remove her from Miss Denby’s School for Girls and to marry her off to a stranger. Before he comes to collect her, she runs away and travels to London in order to fulfill her dream of becoming an actress. Her dream almost shattered when she is turned away at the theater on Drury Lane. When life seemed hopeless a handsome man fell literally at her feet.
The man was well into his cups, something he had done far too often over the last few months, in an attempt to relieve the pain of being jilted by his first love. Thomas Barclay, the future viscount Grantham couldn’t get the image of Bianca Manning, his gypsy vision, and the pain of her rejection and hard drink seemed his only escape. That is until this new, strong, independent, and totally captivating woman enters his life. Fears of again being hurt by love, Tom had to struggle with this new turn in his life. Will he finally find that elusive woman of his dreams? Will love finally win?
This is the third and last book in the Daring Debutantes trilogy. The author has saved the best for last. This historical romance is as engrossing as the first two but a subtle humor is added, making it all the more delightful.
Although each story stands on its own, I would highly recommend that they are read in sequence to get the most out of the series as a whole. With no queasy, itching, or burning feelings in the heroines’ center, this romance (and indeed the two prequels) could use a little spice to make it a complete and unforgettable literary meal. I suppose if you add the three stars from the first two books with the four stars from this one, you come up with ten stars. That sounds about right for this series.
The man was well into his cups, something he had done far too often over the last few months, in an attempt to relieve the pain of being jilted by his first love. Thomas Barclay, the future viscount Grantham couldn’t get the image of Bianca Manning, his gypsy vision, and the pain of her rejection and hard drink seemed his only escape. That is until this new, strong, independent, and totally captivating woman enters his life. Fears of again being hurt by love, Tom had to struggle with this new turn in his life. Will he finally find that elusive woman of his dreams? Will love finally win?
This is the third and last book in the Daring Debutantes trilogy. The author has saved the best for last. This historical romance is as engrossing as the first two but a subtle humor is added, making it all the more delightful.
Although each story stands on its own, I would highly recommend that they are read in sequence to get the most out of the series as a whole. With no queasy, itching, or burning feelings in the heroines’ center, this romance (and indeed the two prequels) could use a little spice to make it a complete and unforgettable literary meal. I suppose if you add the three stars from the first two books with the four stars from this one, you come up with ten stars. That sounds about right for this series.
March 30, 2015
Adorably humorous, lovingly gentle, brisk, and suspenseful.
In this iteration of the girl meets boy who rescues her, the young lady is determined to make her own way - on the stage! He, on the other hand, is determined - not to care.
The characters are well developed, both main protagonists are strong individuals, although for a change in this type book, the young lady starts out definitively stronger than the male. The plot seems straightforward, but has a few interesting twists that keep the reader interesting.
All in all, I recommend this as a quick, entertaining afternoon's read.
In this iteration of the girl meets boy who rescues her, the young lady is determined to make her own way - on the stage! He, on the other hand, is determined - not to care.
The characters are well developed, both main protagonists are strong individuals, although for a change in this type book, the young lady starts out definitively stronger than the male. The plot seems straightforward, but has a few interesting twists that keep the reader interesting.
All in all, I recommend this as a quick, entertaining afternoon's read.
December 13, 2013
This book did not suffer the same sophomoric curse as The Gypsy bride. Being so brief, there are lots of twists and turns, some predictable, some not. There isn't much room for error and there's a happy ending. Pretty cool book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews