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Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand
After her husband's death, Roxanna Drew is left with more beauty than fortune. Now, desperate to escape the perils of her past life, she must learn to trust the dashing Lord Winn -- a broken man with a past of his own. This award-winning romance by bestselling author Carla Kelly is tenderly written and sure to find a place in your heart.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1994
85 people are currently reading
1516 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kelly
138 books804 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
Although Carla Kelly is well known among her readers as a writer of Regency romance, her main interest (and first writing success) is Western American fiction—more specifically, writing about America's Indian Wars. Although she had sold some of her work before, it was not until Carla began work in the National Park Service as a ranger/historian at Fort Laramie National Historic Site did she get serious about her writing career. (Or as she would be the first to admit, as serious as it gets.)
Carla wrote a series of what she now refers to as the "Fort Laramie stories," which are tales of the men, women and children of the Indian Wars era in Western history. Two of her stories, A Season for Heroes and Kathleen Flaherty's Long Winter, earned her Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America. She was the second woman to earn two Spurs from WWA (which, as everyone knows, is all you need to ride a horse). Her entire Indian Wars collection was published in 2003 as Here's to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. It remains her favorite work.
The mother of five children, Carla has always allowed her kids to earn their keep by appearing in her Regencies, most notably Marian's Christmas Wish, which is peopled by all kinds of relatives. Grown now, the Kelly kids are scattered here and there across the U.S. They continue to provide feedback, furnish fodder for stories and make frantic phone calls home during the holidays for recipes. (Carla Kelly is some cook.)
Carla's husband, Martin, is Director of Theatre at Valley City State University, in Valley City, North Dakota. Carla is currently overworked as a staff writer at the local daily newspaper. She also writes a weekly, award-winning column, "Prairie Lite."
Carla only started writing Regencies because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars, which figures in many of her Regency novels and short stories. She specializes in writing about warfare at sea, and about the ordinary people of the British Isles who were, let's face it, far more numerous than lords and ladies.
Hobbies? She likes to crochet afghans, and read British crime fiction and history, principally military history. She's never happier than talking about the fur trade or Indian Wars with Park Service cronies. Her most recent gig with the National Park Service was at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site on the Montana/North Dakota border.
Here's another side to this somewhat prosaic woman: She recently edited the fur trade journal of Swiss artist Rudolf F. Kurz (the 1851-1852 portion), and is gratified now and then to be asked to speak on scholarly subjects. She has also worked for the State Historical Society of North Dakota as a contract researcher. This has taken her to glamorous drudgery in several national archives and military history repositories. Gray archives boxes and old documents make her salivate.
Her mantra for writing comes from the subject of her thesis, Robert Utley, that dean of Indian Wars history. He told her the secret to writing is "to put your ass in the chair and keep it there until you're done." He's right, of course.
Her three favorite fictional works have remained constant through the years, although their rankings tend to shift: War and Peace, The Lawrenceville Stories, and A Town Like Alice. Favorite historical works are One Vast Winter Count, On the Border with Mackenzie and Crossing the Line. Favorite crime fiction authors are Michael Connelly, John Harvey and Peter Robinson.
And that's all she can think of that would interest anyone. Carla Kelly is quite ordinary, except when she is sometimes prevailed upon to sing a scurrilous song about lumberjacks, or warble "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in Latin. Then you m
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
February 11, 2021
I have never read this author who has been around for many years and can't wait to read more of her books. This was a great read........there is no fantastic trope. Just a good well written book that kept me interested till the end.
May 27, 2019
A sweet and benign romance, without any major complications.
Lovely complete characters, kids heart wrenchingly adorable, and a simple yet engrossing storyline.
It has some very endearing moments and flashes of brilliance where it draws you in completely.
So where lies the problem or part thereof?
The H comes across as too mild and ineffectual at times despite many actions that are befitting only to a resolute alpha- witness his war time adversities and heroism, the unyielding way in which he divorced his cheating wife, how he decides and acts on his resolution to save the h’s kids for her. So his going away (for long periods) to let the h make up her mind when he should not only have stayed and forced her hand, but also taken better care of his new family.
The h is pretty likable and is a determined doer. Her love and relationship with her daughters is the best part of the book. And for a change we had a h who knew her body’s needs and accepts it without shame. But her taking the whole book to realize that perhaps she loves the H from the beginning is again a meh.
The h’s daughters are one of the most adorable and well fleshed out kid’s characters I’ve read recently. And I loved the them. The older one - serious and emotionally vulnerable, while the younger one - decisive and articulate - a copy of her mom. But the older girl at 6 acted almost like someone double her age and that rankled somewhat.
And the biggest problem is the length and the seemingly unending filler happenings that happen (making me skim again and again), and a communion in their wedding that did not. They are two nice, suitable and practical people who like and trust and lust each other, so why do they decide to live apart as a moc couple and not give their marriage even a try like anyone sensible, naturally would. That was most frustrating.
But unlike some reviewers, I tried to understand and accept the redeeming of the villainous brother in law. In the end it seemed befitting and meaningful.
It fitted nicely with the overall sweet and gentle tone of the book.
Lovely complete characters, kids heart wrenchingly adorable, and a simple yet engrossing storyline.
It has some very endearing moments and flashes of brilliance where it draws you in completely.
So where lies the problem or part thereof?
The H comes across as too mild and ineffectual at times despite many actions that are befitting only to a resolute alpha- witness his war time adversities and heroism, the unyielding way in which he divorced his cheating wife, how he decides and acts on his resolution to save the h’s kids for her. So his going away (for long periods) to let the h make up her mind when he should not only have stayed and forced her hand, but also taken better care of his new family.
The h is pretty likable and is a determined doer. Her love and relationship with her daughters is the best part of the book. And for a change we had a h who knew her body’s needs and accepts it without shame. But her taking the whole book to realize that perhaps she loves the H from the beginning is again a meh.
The h’s daughters are one of the most adorable and well fleshed out kid’s characters I’ve read recently. And I loved the them. The older one - serious and emotionally vulnerable, while the younger one - decisive and articulate - a copy of her mom. But the older girl at 6 acted almost like someone double her age and that rankled somewhat.
And the biggest problem is the length and the seemingly unending filler happenings that happen (making me skim again and again), and a communion in their wedding that did not. They are two nice, suitable and practical people who like and trust and lust each other, so why do they decide to live apart as a moc couple and not give their marriage even a try like anyone sensible, naturally would. That was most frustrating.
But unlike some reviewers, I tried to understand and accept the redeeming of the villainous brother in law. In the end it seemed befitting and meaningful.
It fitted nicely with the overall sweet and gentle tone of the book.
November 6, 2017
Wonderful, historically appropriate, decent, hopeful, romantic novel. It would be a brilliant thing if all romance writers were as consistent as Carla Kelly.
There's nothing in this book off the beaten path of Carla Kelly's typical fare. Actually, it's more on the lighthearted side. I say that, but the heroine's husband is dead at an early age, her kids are struggling to cope, she has no money and she's being sexually harassed by her brother in law. The hero is a divorcee, blamed for the behaviour of his ex-wife. So: still fairly heavy subject matter. But somehow, because all the main characters are good people and optimistic it's warm and enveloping and lovely. Even the kids are non-annoying.
CK weaves a great romance. A relationship of convenience followed by a marriage of convenience and two people who fall for one another, but for their own misguided reasons are sure the other one does not feel the same. Watching them move their way towards one another is a thing of All The Squee.
It loses a star because it takes too long for them to acknowledge their feelings and, whilst I'm not expecting a whole level of explicit sex from CK, this is entirely fade to black. And I wanted these two in bed together, because they're so great out of bed.
Great book though. And if you're into festive reads in the run up to Christmas which don't overdose on the Holiday Hijinx, this one is for you.
There's nothing in this book off the beaten path of Carla Kelly's typical fare. Actually, it's more on the lighthearted side. I say that, but the heroine's husband is dead at an early age, her kids are struggling to cope, she has no money and she's being sexually harassed by her brother in law. The hero is a divorcee, blamed for the behaviour of his ex-wife. So: still fairly heavy subject matter. But somehow, because all the main characters are good people and optimistic it's warm and enveloping and lovely. Even the kids are non-annoying.
CK weaves a great romance. A relationship of convenience followed by a marriage of convenience and two people who fall for one another, but for their own misguided reasons are sure the other one does not feel the same. Watching them move their way towards one another is a thing of All The Squee.
It loses a star because it takes too long for them to acknowledge their feelings and, whilst I'm not expecting a whole level of explicit sex from CK, this is entirely fade to black. And I wanted these two in bed together, because they're so great out of bed.
Great book though. And if you're into festive reads in the run up to Christmas which don't overdose on the Holiday Hijinx, this one is for you.
June 24, 2015
In England, during Regency times, there were very few legitimate grounds for divorce and it was socially hurtful for both parties no matter what the reason. Colonel Fletcher Rand, Lord Winn, knew the ramifications of this first-hand. Upon an untimely return from a battle in Spain, he found his wife in bed with a friend from Oxford who was his best man. Forgiveness might have come at a later date; instead, he found that she had been 'in company' with many men. Divorce was the only solution.
Even though he was the victim, the dissolution of his marriage was unforgivable by the ton. They shunned him. Winn had told his family that he never wanted to marry again but it was a lie. He was a lonely man. This was, of course, before he met a vicar's widow: Mrs. Drew.
Lord Winn was rambling between each of his landholdings when he came upon Mrs. Roxanna Drew and her young daughters living in a dowager's house. He soon acquired very strong feelings for her but the actual romance built slowly. Mrs. Roxie Drew "made him want to take her in his arms and just hold her until moss grew over them both and they blended into the landscape."
In the background lurked Roxanna's brother-in-law, Marshall Drew. Nothing like his deceased brother, he came up with a devious strategy that included forcing Roxanna to live with him at his estate. Winn interrupted that plan.
All the signature trademarks of a 'Kelly romance' are found here. The H/h talking to themselves, weeping at various times by both parties, trust issues and forgiveness. This story included several minor misunderstandings found in the second half of the book that went on a bit too long for my tastes.
Even so, I love that Mrs. Kelly's world does not just center on dancing and the glitter of proper society. Her heroes and heroines are complex people with flaws. Her 'Regencies' lack the gimmicks found in many historical romances of this era but they are wonderful comfort books. She tends to focus, at least in part, on the working class. Lastly, there was plenty of emotion and you can tell that the author enjoys writing: it was not just a job.
Even though he was the victim, the dissolution of his marriage was unforgivable by the ton. They shunned him. Winn had told his family that he never wanted to marry again but it was a lie. He was a lonely man. This was, of course, before he met a vicar's widow: Mrs. Drew.
Lord Winn was rambling between each of his landholdings when he came upon Mrs. Roxanna Drew and her young daughters living in a dowager's house. He soon acquired very strong feelings for her but the actual romance built slowly. Mrs. Roxie Drew "made him want to take her in his arms and just hold her until moss grew over them both and they blended into the landscape."
In the background lurked Roxanna's brother-in-law, Marshall Drew. Nothing like his deceased brother, he came up with a devious strategy that included forcing Roxanna to live with him at his estate. Winn interrupted that plan.
All the signature trademarks of a 'Kelly romance' are found here. The H/h talking to themselves, weeping at various times by both parties, trust issues and forgiveness. This story included several minor misunderstandings found in the second half of the book that went on a bit too long for my tastes.
Even so, I love that Mrs. Kelly's world does not just center on dancing and the glitter of proper society. Her heroes and heroines are complex people with flaws. Her 'Regencies' lack the gimmicks found in many historical romances of this era but they are wonderful comfort books. She tends to focus, at least in part, on the working class. Lastly, there was plenty of emotion and you can tell that the author enjoys writing: it was not just a job.
June 10, 2024
This is a really sweet book. It's a historical romance with FTB scenes. FTB is usually not my thing because I'm trashy, but the lack of detailed love scenes did not take away my interest while reading.
The heroine, Roxanna, is a bit too perfect. Seriously, she doesn't gossip, think bad thoughts, complain or ever do anything wrong..... like ever. She works incredibly hard, is selfless and probably should have died a few times but didn't because she's just that internally strong. Sorry, but I found all that greatness to be a bit annoying. I prefer my characters flawed.
The hero was witty and kind. He was a bit of wimp in terms of going after his girl, but I did like him.
Anyway, this was very enjoyable and it was free on KU!
The heroine, Roxanna, is a bit too perfect. Seriously, she doesn't gossip, think bad thoughts, complain or ever do anything wrong..... like ever. She works incredibly hard, is selfless and probably should have died a few times but didn't because she's just that internally strong. Sorry, but I found all that greatness to be a bit annoying. I prefer my characters flawed.
The hero was witty and kind. He was a bit of wimp in terms of going after his girl, but I did like him.
Anyway, this was very enjoyable and it was free on KU!
April 1, 2018
This book is really interesting.
I have liked the intelligence of Roxanna Drew in such a desperate situation.
The ending is so funny as well as romantic.
I have liked the intelligence of Roxanna Drew in such a desperate situation.
The ending is so funny as well as romantic.
March 2, 2025
This was a cozy, charming, character driven, four star read (with minor period inaccuracies) until the last 15% when it went off the rails…
⚠️🐑 Spoilerish 🐏⚠️
Suddenly, the tale switched from the Hallmark Channel to a long ago ABC western resembling “The Big Valley.” TV Guide listing: Abandoned by family members and ranch hands, Audra must manage the Barkley Ranch alone as trouble ensues.
⚠️🐑 Spoilerish 🐏⚠️
Suddenly, the tale switched from the Hallmark Channel to a long ago ABC western resembling “The Big Valley.” TV Guide listing: Abandoned by family members and ranch hands, Audra must manage the Barkley Ranch alone as trouble ensues.
April 3, 2018
What a delightful read!
It's offical now, Carla Kelly is one of the best authors I love to read.
I couldn't stop reading it and I finished the book whole enthusiasm until the end. I couldn't remember when was the last time I was affected by a plot. I must declare that I love every charachters, every part of the story. Hero was magnificent, heroine is such a sweet and loveable lady. I can't express how cute 2 little girls and their relations with hero. There are so many good things about to mention...
It was very charming, very happy reading for me. I want to thank you Linda and Luli for bringing the book to my attention.
It's offical now, Carla Kelly is one of the best authors I love to read.
I couldn't stop reading it and I finished the book whole enthusiasm until the end. I couldn't remember when was the last time I was affected by a plot. I must declare that I love every charachters, every part of the story. Hero was magnificent, heroine is such a sweet and loveable lady. I can't express how cute 2 little girls and their relations with hero. There are so many good things about to mention...
It was very charming, very happy reading for me. I want to thank you Linda and Luli for bringing the book to my attention.
September 15, 2015
What a fantastic discovery! I was visiting with a relative I don't see very often and the topic of books came up (as often happens with me. I don't know why.). When asked my favorite genre, I mentioned that I'd been reading a lot of romance, lately, but that I'm not happy with the erotic bent that much of the genre has taken. No sooner are the words out of my mouth than I'm being presented with a copy of a very fine book written by a local author.
Yeah, my expectations weren't high, either.
Inappropriately, so, as it turns out. This book was fantastic! It's a regency romance without any tinkering and I can't tell you how much I hope that all of Carla Kelly's work turns out so well—think Georgette Heyer, but at a lower social strata and with a bit more drama. Most of this difference is in our heroine. She's widowed and has two daughters (four and six years-old). Much of the plot is driven by Roxanna trying to remain independent of a brother-in-law's inappropriate advances (that cross the line into selfishly evil, in my opinion). Since she has no means of support, this becomes difficult as he is her closest living relative.
Don't get the wrong impression, however. This isn't a drama with romantic elements. The other way around, I'd say. The drama is the background and Roxanna is a wonderful heroine who remains sympathetically cheerful (without being cloyingly so) through seemingly overwhelming trials. Since Lord Winn turns out to need her as much as she needs him, it's a strong story about friendship, caring, family, and love.
A note about Steamy: This book is not steamy. There are two sex scenes, but the curtain drops fast so there's nothing actually explicit about them. Also: unlike other books set in that period, the sex makes absolute sense for the times and has exactly the right tone for people who don't have practical, reliable, and/or available contraceptives.
Yeah, my expectations weren't high, either.
Inappropriately, so, as it turns out. This book was fantastic! It's a regency romance without any tinkering and I can't tell you how much I hope that all of Carla Kelly's work turns out so well—think Georgette Heyer, but at a lower social strata and with a bit more drama. Most of this difference is in our heroine. She's widowed and has two daughters (four and six years-old). Much of the plot is driven by Roxanna trying to remain independent of a brother-in-law's inappropriate advances (that cross the line into selfishly evil, in my opinion). Since she has no means of support, this becomes difficult as he is her closest living relative.
Don't get the wrong impression, however. This isn't a drama with romantic elements. The other way around, I'd say. The drama is the background and Roxanna is a wonderful heroine who remains sympathetically cheerful (without being cloyingly so) through seemingly overwhelming trials. Since Lord Winn turns out to need her as much as she needs him, it's a strong story about friendship, caring, family, and love.
A note about Steamy: This book is not steamy. There are two sex scenes, but the curtain drops fast so there's nothing actually explicit about them. Also: unlike other books set in that period, the sex makes absolute sense for the times and has exactly the right tone for people who don't have practical, reliable, and/or available contraceptives.
January 11, 2021
I really liked this one. I have to say, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the Carla Kelly books that have been recently published. I liked that this one was not your typical regency. It takes place entirely in the country, which was a nice change of pace. Ms. Kelly certainly knows how to tell a story, you quickly get sucked in and the characters become real. Roxanna was a really likable lead, very strong. Even though she may put off bad news, she always figures out how to take care of things. I really liked her cute daughters Helen and Felicity, they were so endearing, especially little Felicity. And then there is Lord Winn, I really liked him. Even though his life has been hard and had a disastrous first marriage, he was still positive and kind of a tease. I guess when you’re smitten with someone it brings out your good side, and that is definitely what happened with him. He was so cute with little Helen and Felicity; it was easy to see why the girls fell for him so easily. I normally don’t got for the whole “love at first sight” angel, but in Winn’s case it was believable. I thought Winn and Roxanna had great chemistry together; I especially enjoyed their playful banter. I love that he was willing to do anything for his Roxie. I admit, there towards the end the two really could have used a little more communication, but I did end up liking how everything played out. I guess every good story needs a good misunderstanding. Overall, really enjoyable and one I would totally recommend.
Content: Clean. Mild innuendo.
Content: Clean. Mild innuendo.
January 25, 2016
By far one of the best regency romances I have ever read. If you are a fan of romance, I highly recommend. It's now available electronically, so do not delay.
June 16, 2014
I'll preface this with the disclaimer that I've read Carla Kelly's work before, and while I really enjoyed The Lady's Companion, Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand fell pretty far short of the mark. Her setup was good, the premise was really good, her dialogue's passable and I even enjoyed the kids in the story, even if the youngest did kind of cross the line into sickeningly cute territory.
My problem is that Kelly has a real problem writing any negativity. I get that these books are written as an escape, that a lot of people want to go somewhere more pleasant for a few hours of their lives. But Roxanna Drew is being preyed on by her lecherous brother-in-law. Marshall Drew is the one conflict point in the story and not only is he rarely brought up, when he is utilized in the story it's either as the cartoonishly villainous fiend or the suddenly contrite brother-in-law who's oh so sorry he ever caused his brother's widow a moment's harm. There's no build up to the resolution of the story, he's just better and not being an ass anymore, and the things he tried to do are totally OK with everyone. He physically assaulted the heroine at one point in the story, but it's OK because he just "didn't know what he was thinking".
Seriously?
I couldn't bring myself to like any of the characters. Fletcher is a weirdo. He likes Roxanna, but keeps up this creepy inner dialogue that the reader is treated to constantly while not having the guts to tell her how he feels. And Roxanna, the imbecile who can't seem to figure out that Fletcher likes her, the incomparably sweet and competent widow who doesn't know her own beauty. Spare me. She's two tiny steps away from being a full-blown Mary Sue, and Fletcher is her dimwitted, pervy acolyte.
It's not terrible, but it's way too saccharine, not nearly witty enough to balance the cutesy crap, and the romance is far from satisfying. I don't need gratuitous sex scenes or flowery declarations, but a little tender heart-to-heart might be nice. Something.
It was a disappointment. I think I'll go find a Lisa Kleypas book I haven't read yet.
My problem is that Kelly has a real problem writing any negativity. I get that these books are written as an escape, that a lot of people want to go somewhere more pleasant for a few hours of their lives. But Roxanna Drew is being preyed on by her lecherous brother-in-law. Marshall Drew is the one conflict point in the story and not only is he rarely brought up, when he is utilized in the story it's either as the cartoonishly villainous fiend or the suddenly contrite brother-in-law who's oh so sorry he ever caused his brother's widow a moment's harm. There's no build up to the resolution of the story, he's just better and not being an ass anymore, and the things he tried to do are totally OK with everyone. He physically assaulted the heroine at one point in the story, but it's OK because he just "didn't know what he was thinking".
Seriously?
I couldn't bring myself to like any of the characters. Fletcher is a weirdo. He likes Roxanna, but keeps up this creepy inner dialogue that the reader is treated to constantly while not having the guts to tell her how he feels. And Roxanna, the imbecile who can't seem to figure out that Fletcher likes her, the incomparably sweet and competent widow who doesn't know her own beauty. Spare me. She's two tiny steps away from being a full-blown Mary Sue, and Fletcher is her dimwitted, pervy acolyte.
It's not terrible, but it's way too saccharine, not nearly witty enough to balance the cutesy crap, and the romance is far from satisfying. I don't need gratuitous sex scenes or flowery declarations, but a little tender heart-to-heart might be nice. Something.
It was a disappointment. I think I'll go find a Lisa Kleypas book I haven't read yet.
June 24, 2013
It was sweet, it was touching, it was warm. The hero was a truly good, kind man. I'm a big fan of sweetness and warmth, and I adore kindly heroes who I'd genuinely adore in real life. So far, so good, right?! (Can you feel the looming 'but'...?!) I should also add that I devoured this book with uncharacteristic quickness, and it was on balance my favorite of the Carla Kelly novels I've read.
...And yet somehow I'm still left realizing that Carla Kelly just isn't for me. I completely understand why people adore her. I just can't bring myself to feel the same. It's a tired analogy, but in this case an apt one: For me, her books are like that guy who looks as if he'd be perfect for you on paper, who you want to love and know you SHOULD love, but who you just can't quite click and connect with.
The overall style, tone and feel of these books just don't work for me. In my (admittedly unpopular!) opinion, her books tend to be too maudlin and overwrought in certain places and too stiff in others.
There's also something I find oddly uneven about the pacing and plotting. In this book, we're ambling along gently (almost TOO gently), and then suddenly in the second half we get a sort of 'everything but the kitchen sink' litany of conflicts and issues hurled at our H and h. (The h, by the way, while admirable, is a bit of a Mary Sue. I've found that many of CK's heroines are a touch too unrelatably 'perfect' for my taste, not to mention adored and desired by everyone who's not an outright villain.) And there's a contrivance that keeps our H and h from confirming they love each other until the last couple of pages that I found particularly eyeroll-worthy.
There are a few wildly popular romance authors whose appeal completely eludes me. Carla Kelly, however, isn't among them. I really do get the affection for her work; I've just found myself woefully unable to share it.
...And yet somehow I'm still left realizing that Carla Kelly just isn't for me. I completely understand why people adore her. I just can't bring myself to feel the same. It's a tired analogy, but in this case an apt one: For me, her books are like that guy who looks as if he'd be perfect for you on paper, who you want to love and know you SHOULD love, but who you just can't quite click and connect with.
The overall style, tone and feel of these books just don't work for me. In my (admittedly unpopular!) opinion, her books tend to be too maudlin and overwrought in certain places and too stiff in others.
There's also something I find oddly uneven about the pacing and plotting. In this book, we're ambling along gently (almost TOO gently), and then suddenly in the second half we get a sort of 'everything but the kitchen sink' litany of conflicts and issues hurled at our H and h. (The h, by the way, while admirable, is a bit of a Mary Sue. I've found that many of CK's heroines are a touch too unrelatably 'perfect' for my taste, not to mention adored and desired by everyone who's not an outright villain.) And there's a contrivance that keeps our H and h from confirming they love each other until the last couple of pages that I found particularly eyeroll-worthy.
There are a few wildly popular romance authors whose appeal completely eludes me. Carla Kelly, however, isn't among them. I really do get the affection for her work; I've just found myself woefully unable to share it.
November 26, 2012
This gorgeous little tear-jerker has restored my faith in the genre. I realize it was written years ago, but the fact that it is still being snapped up by new readers tells me that there is still a market out there, a readership that is hungry for heartfelt, well-written, realistic, tug-at-the-heartstrings romance novels. Containing no graphic, improbable sex scenes, no chasing of spies or solving of convoluted mysteries, no smugglers, pirates, characters in disguise, nor any of the other frenetic, eye-rolling embellishments tarting up the plots of too many so-called "historicals," this book is a shining example of the "trad" (traditional Regency) and reminds us of what we have lost since big publishers stopped publishing them.
Kelly peoples her book with sympathetic characters, puts you deeply inside their heads, grounds them in the time period, and lets them drive the story. The point of setting the book in the past is that these characters face dilemmas that would not be dilemmas today - forcing strong women to play by the rules of a different place & time is a fascinating challenge for an author (and certainly part of what drives me to set books in the Regency!), and adds to the tension in the story. I have a few stylistic and historical quibbles because I am a fellow author and that is how we think [grin], but I won't bother you with them in this review. I will simply say, read this book. Read this book. Read this book.
This one goes on my list of books to give readers who claim they "never read romance novels." The tale of two lonely, grieving souls turning to each other for solace and experiencing, unexpectedly, the miracle of falling in love is timeless. And universally appealing -- in the right hands. Carla Kelly's hands are definitely up to to the task.
This one is a keeper.
Kelly peoples her book with sympathetic characters, puts you deeply inside their heads, grounds them in the time period, and lets them drive the story. The point of setting the book in the past is that these characters face dilemmas that would not be dilemmas today - forcing strong women to play by the rules of a different place & time is a fascinating challenge for an author (and certainly part of what drives me to set books in the Regency!), and adds to the tension in the story. I have a few stylistic and historical quibbles because I am a fellow author and that is how we think [grin], but I won't bother you with them in this review. I will simply say, read this book. Read this book. Read this book.
This one goes on my list of books to give readers who claim they "never read romance novels." The tale of two lonely, grieving souls turning to each other for solace and experiencing, unexpectedly, the miracle of falling in love is timeless. And universally appealing -- in the right hands. Carla Kelly's hands are definitely up to to the task.
This one is a keeper.
July 15, 2015
July’s prompt for the multi-blog TBR Challenge was to read a book that had either won or been nominated for a RITA award; Mrs Drew Plays Her Hand won the award for Best Regency Romance back in 1995.
As she does in so many of her books, Carla Kelly imbues a serious story with humour, warmth and tenderness, and writes a pair of engaging central characters whose flaws only make them seem that much more human.
Roxana Drew was happily married for a number of years, bearing her husband – a clergyman - two daughters before he became seriously ill. For the last few years of his life, he was a bedridden invalid, and Roxana nursed him cheerfully and tirelessly. Six months after his death, she receives a very unwelcome and unpleasant proposition from his older brother, Lord Whitcomb. He must appoint another to the living which means that Roxana and her daughters – Helen and Felicity – will have to find another home. He suggests that they all move into his house, and that in return for providing shelter, Roxana should become his mistress, seeing as his own wife has absolutely no interest in the physical side of marriage and is unlikely to give him any children.
Roxana is naturally stunned and horrified by this suggestion, and realises that she must make alternative arrangements and make them quickly. When she is on one of her many long countryside walks, she comes across the uninhabited and somewhat dilapidated dower house on the neighbouring Moreland estate. She suggests to the bailiff that she could rent the property and help to renovate it – and he agrees. When Whitcomb finds out, he is livid, but with the help of the bailiff and a few of the estate workers, Roxana and her daughters very quickly move to their new home.
The owner of the estate – and the house – is Fletcher Rand, Marquess of Winn, a former officer who has spent little time in England of late and who rarely visits his various holdings. Winn was married to a beautiful woman who cuckolded him repeatedly – and so he divorced her. Divorce at this time was incredibly difficult and scandalous, but even though Winn was the injured party, he is still persona non grata as far as society is concerned. That doesn’t particularly worry him, although it does mean that marrying again – should he want to – will be very difficult, as most of the suitable young ladies avoid him because of his tarnished reputation. That suits him, however, given his previous experience of matrimony, although his sisters are continually nagging at him to remarry and provide an heir.
As one way of avoiding his sisters’ company, Winn decides it’s time for him to make the rounds of his various estates, and it’s on one such trip that he encounters Roxana and her daughters. Stunned to find the vicar’s widow is a lovely young woman, he soon finds himself falling for her. He has intended to stay in Yorkshire for only a short time, but he so greatly enjoys spending time with Roxana and her family that he can’t bear to tear himself away.
When, just before Christmas, Whitcomb threatens to remove the girls from Roxana’s care, she is distraught, but Winn comes to her aid once again with a rather outrageous suggestion. If they marry, he will be legally responsible for the girls and her brother-in-law won’t be able to touch them. Roxana quickly sees this is the only way to secure their futures, and agrees to a marriage of convenience. She finds Winn very attractive, but he has given no sign that he feels anything for her other than friendship, and in spite of the relationship that has developed between him and the girls, he is adamant that he doesn’t like children or want any of his own and makes it clear that he does not intend to “bother” his wife by actually living in the same house with her for more than a few weeks a year.
This part of the story is rather frustrating, because Winn is so very cautious about showing Roxana how he feels that she has absolutely no idea that he’s fallen in love with her. She takes him at his word as not wanting another wife because of the way his ex-wife treated him, so she is very careful not to overstep the boundaries of their convenient marriage - which in turn signals to Winn that she’s not attracted to him, when in fact, she loves and wants him desperately.
Otherwise, Winn is an engaging, endearing hero who is kind, generous and possessed of the sort of competence and self-assurance that is incredibly attractive. In spite of his assertions that he dislikes children, he is immediately captivated by Helen and Felicity, and I loved the way Ms Kelly shows us, through their interactions, how much Winn actually longs to be part of a loving family, and what a great father he could be. Roxana is strong and pragmatic, but sometimes wishes she had someone with whom to share her burdens. She misses the companionship she had enjoyed with her husband, and misses the physical side of marriage, something about which she feels more than a little ashamed, because of course, “proper” ladies didn’t enjoy sex or think about anything below the waist!
The conflict towards the end of the story, which is exacerbated by both protagonists’ particular negative traits; her tendency to procrastinate and his fear of rejection – is somewhat frustrating, as is the rather improbable volte-face by Lord Whitcomb, who hangs his head in shame and is then forgiven for his earlier nastiness.
Overall, however, the book is very well-written, the principals are likeable, well-drawn characters and their romance is sweet and develops at a sensible pace. The dialogue has a naturalistic feel to it that makes it easy to believe in the strength of the emotional connection between the two leads, and the characterisation is strong all round. I’m not a big fan of children in romance novels, but Ms Kelly brings truth and warmth to her depiction of Helen and Felicity which isn’t something every author can do.
In spite of my reservations Mrs Drew Plays Her Hand is a really lovely story and one I enjoyed very much.
As she does in so many of her books, Carla Kelly imbues a serious story with humour, warmth and tenderness, and writes a pair of engaging central characters whose flaws only make them seem that much more human.
Roxana Drew was happily married for a number of years, bearing her husband – a clergyman - two daughters before he became seriously ill. For the last few years of his life, he was a bedridden invalid, and Roxana nursed him cheerfully and tirelessly. Six months after his death, she receives a very unwelcome and unpleasant proposition from his older brother, Lord Whitcomb. He must appoint another to the living which means that Roxana and her daughters – Helen and Felicity – will have to find another home. He suggests that they all move into his house, and that in return for providing shelter, Roxana should become his mistress, seeing as his own wife has absolutely no interest in the physical side of marriage and is unlikely to give him any children.
Roxana is naturally stunned and horrified by this suggestion, and realises that she must make alternative arrangements and make them quickly. When she is on one of her many long countryside walks, she comes across the uninhabited and somewhat dilapidated dower house on the neighbouring Moreland estate. She suggests to the bailiff that she could rent the property and help to renovate it – and he agrees. When Whitcomb finds out, he is livid, but with the help of the bailiff and a few of the estate workers, Roxana and her daughters very quickly move to their new home.
The owner of the estate – and the house – is Fletcher Rand, Marquess of Winn, a former officer who has spent little time in England of late and who rarely visits his various holdings. Winn was married to a beautiful woman who cuckolded him repeatedly – and so he divorced her. Divorce at this time was incredibly difficult and scandalous, but even though Winn was the injured party, he is still persona non grata as far as society is concerned. That doesn’t particularly worry him, although it does mean that marrying again – should he want to – will be very difficult, as most of the suitable young ladies avoid him because of his tarnished reputation. That suits him, however, given his previous experience of matrimony, although his sisters are continually nagging at him to remarry and provide an heir.
As one way of avoiding his sisters’ company, Winn decides it’s time for him to make the rounds of his various estates, and it’s on one such trip that he encounters Roxana and her daughters. Stunned to find the vicar’s widow is a lovely young woman, he soon finds himself falling for her. He has intended to stay in Yorkshire for only a short time, but he so greatly enjoys spending time with Roxana and her family that he can’t bear to tear himself away.
When, just before Christmas, Whitcomb threatens to remove the girls from Roxana’s care, she is distraught, but Winn comes to her aid once again with a rather outrageous suggestion. If they marry, he will be legally responsible for the girls and her brother-in-law won’t be able to touch them. Roxana quickly sees this is the only way to secure their futures, and agrees to a marriage of convenience. She finds Winn very attractive, but he has given no sign that he feels anything for her other than friendship, and in spite of the relationship that has developed between him and the girls, he is adamant that he doesn’t like children or want any of his own and makes it clear that he does not intend to “bother” his wife by actually living in the same house with her for more than a few weeks a year.
This part of the story is rather frustrating, because Winn is so very cautious about showing Roxana how he feels that she has absolutely no idea that he’s fallen in love with her. She takes him at his word as not wanting another wife because of the way his ex-wife treated him, so she is very careful not to overstep the boundaries of their convenient marriage - which in turn signals to Winn that she’s not attracted to him, when in fact, she loves and wants him desperately.
Otherwise, Winn is an engaging, endearing hero who is kind, generous and possessed of the sort of competence and self-assurance that is incredibly attractive. In spite of his assertions that he dislikes children, he is immediately captivated by Helen and Felicity, and I loved the way Ms Kelly shows us, through their interactions, how much Winn actually longs to be part of a loving family, and what a great father he could be. Roxana is strong and pragmatic, but sometimes wishes she had someone with whom to share her burdens. She misses the companionship she had enjoyed with her husband, and misses the physical side of marriage, something about which she feels more than a little ashamed, because of course, “proper” ladies didn’t enjoy sex or think about anything below the waist!
The conflict towards the end of the story, which is exacerbated by both protagonists’ particular negative traits; her tendency to procrastinate and his fear of rejection – is somewhat frustrating, as is the rather improbable volte-face by Lord Whitcomb, who hangs his head in shame and is then forgiven for his earlier nastiness.
Overall, however, the book is very well-written, the principals are likeable, well-drawn characters and their romance is sweet and develops at a sensible pace. The dialogue has a naturalistic feel to it that makes it easy to believe in the strength of the emotional connection between the two leads, and the characterisation is strong all round. I’m not a big fan of children in romance novels, but Ms Kelly brings truth and warmth to her depiction of Helen and Felicity which isn’t something every author can do.
In spite of my reservations Mrs Drew Plays Her Hand is a really lovely story and one I enjoyed very much.
December 14, 2020
You can find this review in English below.
Pase lo que pase, siempre puedo contar con la señora Kelly si necesito una lecturareconfortante maravillosa.
Normalmente soy muy reticente de las historias que retratan viudas (y sobre todo jóvenes) en los romances históricos. Es habitual que los autores aprovechan para escribir algo mucho más contemporáneo de lo que la época permitía. Pero pensar esto de una novela de la señora Kelly es casi una ofensa. Es una pena que por culpa de mis prejuicios no haya leído antes este libro porque me ha encantado.
La cuestión es que, ahora que me paro a pensarlo, esta historia no ha podido ser más completa. Ni más original.
Por un lado tenemos una heroína que se casó con el amor de su vida. Y que no podía ser más feliz ni tener una vida más completa y llena. La única desgracia que le sobrevino fue la muerte de su marido, y a partir de ahí, más baches de los que una persona puede superar. La señora Kelly nunca es tímida a la hora de hacer pasar a sus personajes por un auténtico infierno hasta conseguir su final feliz, pero nunca se la podrá tachar de melodramática. Ahora sí, tú estás media historia con el corazón en un puño.
Por otro lado tenemos un héroe divorciado, sí, divorciado e infeliz y totalmente condenado al ostracismo. Tanto él como su familia. Su matrimonio fue un pantano de mentiras y engaños y el divorcio como fin fue igual de desastroso y doloroso que el matrimonio.
Y en el punto medio tenemos un puñado de secundarios muy bien definidos y que aportan fondo y sentimiento a la historia, sin quitar el protagonismo al romance. Son estos secundarios los que nivelan la balanza para que la historia no se convierta en un melodrama.
Incluso, como ya he dicho antes, hasta el malo tiene sus motivos, y a pesar de la barbaridad que intenta hacer, al final hasta me da penita de él…
Así que cuando los protagonistas se toman su tiempo para descubrir qué sienten el uno por el otro, con todo el bagaje que les ha dado la autora, no puede ser más realista y natural.
Este en un romance lento, muy lento. Tengo que reconocer que hacia el final me ha llegado a impacientar un poco, pero nada que me haya hecho disfrutar menos de la lectura.
Y como ya es habitual con esta autora, sus protagonistas no son tímidos ni a la hora de llorar ni en sus monólogos internos. Pero para mí funciona.
Me ha encantado *sigh*.
De nuevo, gracias Lyuda y Linda por la recomendación :)
***
No matter what, I can always count on Mrs. Kelly if I need a comfort wonderful read.
I am so reluctant about stories that portray widows (and especially young ones) in historical romances. Usually, authors try to take advantage of it and write something much more contemporary than the time allowed. But to think so about a novel by Mrs. Kelly is almost an affront. It's a pity that, because of my prejudices, I have not read this book before because I loved it.
The point is that, now that I think about it, this story could not be more complete. Neither more original.
On the one hand we have a heroine who was married to the love of her life. And who could not be happier nor have a more satisfying life. The one misfortune that happened was the death of her husband, but from then on, she suffers more hard knocks than a person should have to overcome. Mrs. Kelly is never shy when it comes to making her characters go through a realhell torment until they reach their HEA, but you can never call it melodramatic. In any event, half the story you will be with your heart in your throat.
On the other hand we have a divorced hero, yes, divorced and unhappy and totally condemned to ostracism. Both he and his family. His marriage was a swamp of lies and deceits and the divorce as an end to it was just as disastrous and painful as the marriage.
And in the mid-point we have a handful of very well-defined secondary characters that contribute to make the story solid and full of feelings, without taking away the focus from the romance. These characters are the ones who level the balance so that the story does not become a melodrama.
Even, as I said before, the bad guy has his reasons, and despite the barbarity he tries to do, in the end, I felt sorry for him ...
So when the MC´s take their time to discover what they feel for each other, with all the baggage that the author has given them, it can´t be more realistic and natural.
This is a slow-built romance, so slow. I have to admit that toward the end I become a bit impatient, but nothing that made me enjoy it less.
And, as is usual with this author, her MC´s are not shy when it comes to cry or internal monologues. But it worked for me.
I've loved it. *sigh*
Again, thanks Lyuda and Linda for the recommendation :)
Pase lo que pase, siempre puedo contar con la señora Kelly si necesito una lectura
Normalmente soy muy reticente de las historias que retratan viudas (y sobre todo jóvenes) en los romances históricos. Es habitual que los autores aprovechan para escribir algo mucho más contemporáneo de lo que la época permitía. Pero pensar esto de una novela de la señora Kelly es casi una ofensa. Es una pena que por culpa de mis prejuicios no haya leído antes este libro porque me ha encantado.
La cuestión es que, ahora que me paro a pensarlo, esta historia no ha podido ser más completa. Ni más original.
Por un lado tenemos una heroína que se casó con el amor de su vida. Y que no podía ser más feliz ni tener una vida más completa y llena. La única desgracia que le sobrevino fue la muerte de su marido, y a partir de ahí, más baches de los que una persona puede superar. La señora Kelly nunca es tímida a la hora de hacer pasar a sus personajes por un auténtico infierno hasta conseguir su final feliz, pero nunca se la podrá tachar de melodramática. Ahora sí, tú estás media historia con el corazón en un puño.
Por otro lado tenemos un héroe divorciado, sí, divorciado e infeliz y totalmente condenado al ostracismo. Tanto él como su familia. Su matrimonio fue un pantano de mentiras y engaños y el divorcio como fin fue igual de desastroso y doloroso que el matrimonio.
Y en el punto medio tenemos un puñado de secundarios muy bien definidos y que aportan fondo y sentimiento a la historia, sin quitar el protagonismo al romance. Son estos secundarios los que nivelan la balanza para que la historia no se convierta en un melodrama.
Incluso, como ya he dicho antes, hasta el malo tiene sus motivos, y a pesar de la barbaridad que intenta hacer, al final hasta me da penita de él…
Así que cuando los protagonistas se toman su tiempo para descubrir qué sienten el uno por el otro, con todo el bagaje que les ha dado la autora, no puede ser más realista y natural.
Este en un romance lento, muy lento. Tengo que reconocer que hacia el final me ha llegado a impacientar un poco, pero nada que me haya hecho disfrutar menos de la lectura.
Y como ya es habitual con esta autora, sus protagonistas no son tímidos ni a la hora de llorar ni en sus monólogos internos. Pero para mí funciona.
Me ha encantado *sigh*.
De nuevo, gracias Lyuda y Linda por la recomendación :)
***
No matter what, I can always count on Mrs. Kelly if I need a
I am so reluctant about stories that portray widows (and especially young ones) in historical romances. Usually, authors try to take advantage of it and write something much more contemporary than the time allowed. But to think so about a novel by Mrs. Kelly is almost an affront. It's a pity that, because of my prejudices, I have not read this book before because I loved it.
The point is that, now that I think about it, this story could not be more complete. Neither more original.
On the one hand we have a heroine who was married to the love of her life. And who could not be happier nor have a more satisfying life. The one misfortune that happened was the death of her husband, but from then on, she suffers more hard knocks than a person should have to overcome. Mrs. Kelly is never shy when it comes to making her characters go through a real
On the other hand we have a divorced hero, yes, divorced and unhappy and totally condemned to ostracism. Both he and his family. His marriage was a swamp of lies and deceits and the divorce as an end to it was just as disastrous and painful as the marriage.
And in the mid-point we have a handful of very well-defined secondary characters that contribute to make the story solid and full of feelings, without taking away the focus from the romance. These characters are the ones who level the balance so that the story does not become a melodrama.
Even, as I said before, the bad guy has his reasons, and despite the barbarity he tries to do, in the end, I felt sorry for him ...
So when the MC´s take their time to discover what they feel for each other, with all the baggage that the author has given them, it can´t be more realistic and natural.
This is a slow-built romance, so slow. I have to admit that toward the end I become a bit impatient, but nothing that made me enjoy it less.
And, as is usual with this author, her MC´s are not shy when it comes to cry or internal monologues. But it worked for me.
I've loved it. *sigh*
Again, thanks Lyuda and Linda for the recommendation :)
December 15, 2011
This is one of the best romance I've ever read. It's so well written. It's quite surprising that I've never heard of Carla Kelly before. Every characters is outstandingly described from Roxanna, Winn, the children: Helen and Felicity, even the deceased husband, Anthony. Every characters just pops out of the book and come to life. They are so real.
It's already six month that her beloved husband died and now Roxanna was on the road of recovery to continue her life. With the new vicar coming, she and her family had to find new accomodation. The person that she supposed depending on, Anthony's elder brother, propositioned her for giving them a place in his household. Roxie found a neglected country house, Moreland, and decided to rent this house while repairing it also. Lord Winn, the owner of Moreland, was a scandalous war hero. He divorced his wife and it's become a big scandal in the ton. Receiving a note from Roxie's brother in law that asked him to prevent Roxie renting Moreland, he went to Moreland to investigate. There, he met Roxie, Helen, and Felicity. Friendship grew. Love bloomed
The relationship between Roxie and Winn grew so slowly but we can see how strong the love as it grew. And the think that makes me love this book is that Winn not only love Roxie but he also fell in love with the children.
Carla Kelly have this amazing way of describing every emotion the character has without saying it in obvious way. It's so subtle but powerful. I actually almost cried at the starting of this book when it describes Anthony-Roxie love. Anyway, Anthony was diagnosed to die within one year when Roxie was pregnant with Helen. But he lingered for more than 6 years because he didn't want to leave his family. How much powerful can you describe this kind of bond of love and strength?
I usually don't really like a story that tells about two relationships: the past husband and the present courtship. I just can't help comparing them. But here, I love both relationships. Roxie and Anthony loves is really rare and Anthony's death is really devastating. However, Roxie-Winn's love is different but it has the same powerfulness. I love Roxie and I am happy that she and the children got a second chance to be happy again.
It's already six month that her beloved husband died and now Roxanna was on the road of recovery to continue her life. With the new vicar coming, she and her family had to find new accomodation. The person that she supposed depending on, Anthony's elder brother, propositioned her for giving them a place in his household. Roxie found a neglected country house, Moreland, and decided to rent this house while repairing it also. Lord Winn, the owner of Moreland, was a scandalous war hero. He divorced his wife and it's become a big scandal in the ton. Receiving a note from Roxie's brother in law that asked him to prevent Roxie renting Moreland, he went to Moreland to investigate. There, he met Roxie, Helen, and Felicity. Friendship grew. Love bloomed
The relationship between Roxie and Winn grew so slowly but we can see how strong the love as it grew. And the think that makes me love this book is that Winn not only love Roxie but he also fell in love with the children.
Carla Kelly have this amazing way of describing every emotion the character has without saying it in obvious way. It's so subtle but powerful. I actually almost cried at the starting of this book when it describes Anthony-Roxie love. Anyway, Anthony was diagnosed to die within one year when Roxie was pregnant with Helen. But he lingered for more than 6 years because he didn't want to leave his family. How much powerful can you describe this kind of bond of love and strength?
I usually don't really like a story that tells about two relationships: the past husband and the present courtship. I just can't help comparing them. But here, I love both relationships. Roxie and Anthony loves is really rare and Anthony's death is really devastating. However, Roxie-Winn's love is different but it has the same powerfulness. I love Roxie and I am happy that she and the children got a second chance to be happy again.
March 13, 2014
Carla Kelly's "Mrs Drew Plays Her Hand"
Another superb Traditional Regency from Carla Kelly. The hero is to die for. The desperate trip to Gretna Green, crossing the Pennines into Scotland in the middle of winter, to evade the heroine's evil brother-in-law, is a true nail-biter. I would have preferred that the brother-in-law get more of a comeuppance for his threats to the heroine, but I guess the hero figured that the end result from the threats was so satisfying for him that he didn't need to create a permanent enemy in the neighbourhood.
I think Grace Burrowes may have gotten a few ideas and techniques from this book, which was first published in 1994. First - Burrowes' favorite word "scooted" appears in this book (just once, though), although I have never seen this word used in any Regency romance other than Grace Burrowes'. Second - Burrowes' technique of associating a distinct herbal scent with her main characters occurs in this book, with the hero often waxing poetical over the heroine's lavender scent. Third - Burrowes' technique of a theme drink and comfort food in pretty much every one of her books is used by Carla Kelly in this book, but this book predates Grace Burrowes' books by at least a decade.
Another superb Traditional Regency from Carla Kelly. The hero is to die for. The desperate trip to Gretna Green, crossing the Pennines into Scotland in the middle of winter, to evade the heroine's evil brother-in-law, is a true nail-biter. I would have preferred that the brother-in-law get more of a comeuppance for his threats to the heroine, but I guess the hero figured that the end result from the threats was so satisfying for him that he didn't need to create a permanent enemy in the neighbourhood.
I think Grace Burrowes may have gotten a few ideas and techniques from this book, which was first published in 1994. First - Burrowes' favorite word "scooted" appears in this book (just once, though), although I have never seen this word used in any Regency romance other than Grace Burrowes'. Second - Burrowes' technique of associating a distinct herbal scent with her main characters occurs in this book, with the hero often waxing poetical over the heroine's lavender scent. Third - Burrowes' technique of a theme drink and comfort food in pretty much every one of her books is used by Carla Kelly in this book, but this book predates Grace Burrowes' books by at least a decade.
October 13, 2012
4.5*
What a pleasure it is to read such a well-written book. Like many of Kelly's books, Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand has a serious story along with enough sweetness and fun to make you smile. Winn and Roxanna are such great characters, and their conversations are so natural and believable. In fact, the dialogue throughout the book is well done. There are a few characters that are less well developed, but even those are entertaining. And while I am not a fan of children in romance novels, Helen and Felicity are excellently written, and they add a critical dimension to the story.
I realized while reading this book that Kelly's writing style, though more serious, reminds me of Georgette Heyer's in quality. It's not that the writing or stories are all that similar, but the writing flows so smoothly. I only wish Carla Kelly's books were on audio with a talented narrator. They would be such fun to listen to. But for now I will be happy that Kelly's backlist is being released in digital form at a reasonable price.
What a pleasure it is to read such a well-written book. Like many of Kelly's books, Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand has a serious story along with enough sweetness and fun to make you smile. Winn and Roxanna are such great characters, and their conversations are so natural and believable. In fact, the dialogue throughout the book is well done. There are a few characters that are less well developed, but even those are entertaining. And while I am not a fan of children in romance novels, Helen and Felicity are excellently written, and they add a critical dimension to the story.
I realized while reading this book that Kelly's writing style, though more serious, reminds me of Georgette Heyer's in quality. It's not that the writing or stories are all that similar, but the writing flows so smoothly. I only wish Carla Kelly's books were on audio with a talented narrator. They would be such fun to listen to. But for now I will be happy that Kelly's backlist is being released in digital form at a reasonable price.
July 9, 2023
Received a 1995 RITA award. Read this Regency, which
hinted at intimacy, in Kindle form. I really liked this couple.
Fletcher Rand was a divorced (faithless wife), ex-military
man, marquess. Whose bailiff allowed Roxanna Drew, wid-
owed w/ 2 girls, to rent the H's dower house. Roxie insisted
on window replacements & roof repair before the fam of 3
moved in. Roxie's BIL propositioned her! She had lost her
loving, late vicar spouse 6 months prior.
This featured witty + mature Fletch & kind, but no push-
over Roxie. They agreed to a marriage of convenience to
block her baddie BIL's hideous plan. My fav scene: MCs
letting BIL know they out-foxed him. Fletch claimed to
dislike kids, but he got on well w/ Roxie's 4 & 6 yr old
girls.
After they wed, Fletch spent too much time away from the
h inspecting his various holdings. They should have shared
their feelings sooner. Her daughters were wise beyond
their years & 2ndary characters Meggie & bailiff Tibbie
& others enhanced the story.
hinted at intimacy, in Kindle form. I really liked this couple.
Fletcher Rand was a divorced (faithless wife), ex-military
man, marquess. Whose bailiff allowed Roxanna Drew, wid-
owed w/ 2 girls, to rent the H's dower house. Roxie insisted
on window replacements & roof repair before the fam of 3
moved in. Roxie's BIL propositioned her! She had lost her
loving, late vicar spouse 6 months prior.
This featured witty + mature Fletch & kind, but no push-
over Roxie. They agreed to a marriage of convenience to
block her baddie BIL's hideous plan. My fav scene: MCs
letting BIL know they out-foxed him. Fletch claimed to
dislike kids, but he got on well w/ Roxie's 4 & 6 yr old
girls.
After they wed, Fletch spent too much time away from the
h inspecting his various holdings. They should have shared
their feelings sooner. Her daughters were wise beyond
their years & 2ndary characters Meggie & bailiff Tibbie
& others enhanced the story.
Read
June 18, 2024This was fine! Carla Kelly looooooves to have a pining hero struggling to get the buy-in from his love interest, and that was the most interesting part of the book to me. Lord Winn proposes a marriage of convenience to Roxanna Drew in order to save her from a lecherous relative, but he's also conveniently in love with her. There were moments when Winn would recognize that he's in dicey territory when speaking with his wife, and he will think to himself "Oh God please let me say the right thing." I was very charmed by this!
Winn's relationship with Roxanna's children were very sweet, but also highlighted the main problem of the novel: Roxanna is a bit boring. She seems like a nice lady! But her characterisation (beautiful, faultless widow in distress) was so tedious that literally everyone else in the story outshone her.
Winn's relationship with Roxanna's children were very sweet, but also highlighted the main problem of the novel: Roxanna is a bit boring. She seems like a nice lady! But her characterisation (beautiful, faultless widow in distress) was so tedious that literally everyone else in the story outshone her.
October 22, 2012
When young Mrs. Drew is widowed and left with two young daughters, it's up to her to provide for them. She works out a situation where she will live in and remodel the dower house. The owner is back from war and having been divorced, isn't very welcome in society. Winn makes a stop to check on the property and becomes enchanted with the widow and her girls. When her brother-in-law makes a move to take the girls from her, a marriage of convenience results.
I thought it was a very fun book with a great cast of characters. The girls stole my heart--so precocious and darling. It was a satisfying story, with no strings left hanging.
Content: implied relations with no descriptions after marriage.
I thought it was a very fun book with a great cast of characters. The girls stole my heart--so precocious and darling. It was a satisfying story, with no strings left hanging.
Content: implied relations with no descriptions after marriage.
December 8, 2015
WOW!!! I loved this book! If there were 6 stars, this book would be that! Carla Kelly did herself proud with this one. She immediately pulls you into Roxie's world and you can't leave until it's finished. A new favorite for me.
July 24, 2023
4.5 stars
This was excellent. The hero and heroine—in this book, the two main characters are ACTUALLY that—are two admirable, courageous people that live and breathe within these pages. The children will grab your heart and not let go. Unlike the only other book by this author I’ve read, the writing in this book does sometimes border on poetic and elegant. The story is engrossing. The relationship between all the characters builds in a way that feels authentic and I became fully invested in their happiness, especially after the harrowing, death-defying sojourn to Scotland. Which is why the subsequent forced “obstacle” to their HEA feels so phony and prompts me to drop half a star on my rating and feel vaguely disappointed in this book.
***spoilers***
Why oh why oh why do authors feel they MUST impose some impediment to a romance for added dramatic tension? 99% of the time it is some jacked-up, obvious invention that might as well be wearing an orange vest and carrying a sign that says “Detour Ahead” for how it fits in with the rest of the story. In this one, the hero tells the heroine to let him know whether she wants a real marriage or a convenient one, then leaves her and the children to take care of business. NATURALLY the letter telling him she loves him goes astray, and so they stay apart, both making assumptions based on their own insecurities. I might have been able to swallow this if not for the children. How dare he abandon those girls for so long, whether he gets the answer he wants or not? How dare she accept silence as an answer when her children love him so much? These two people BRAVED DEATH for the sake of the children, yet they just swallow real hard and stay separated and neither wonders if a letter might have been lost? It just feels so wrong, cowardly, and out of character for these two.
Hence, a superb book becomes an excellent book.
This was excellent. The hero and heroine—in this book, the two main characters are ACTUALLY that—are two admirable, courageous people that live and breathe within these pages. The children will grab your heart and not let go. Unlike the only other book by this author I’ve read, the writing in this book does sometimes border on poetic and elegant. The story is engrossing. The relationship between all the characters builds in a way that feels authentic and I became fully invested in their happiness, especially after the harrowing, death-defying sojourn to Scotland. Which is why the subsequent forced “obstacle” to their HEA feels so phony and prompts me to drop half a star on my rating and feel vaguely disappointed in this book.
***spoilers***
Why oh why oh why do authors feel they MUST impose some impediment to a romance for added dramatic tension? 99% of the time it is some jacked-up, obvious invention that might as well be wearing an orange vest and carrying a sign that says “Detour Ahead” for how it fits in with the rest of the story. In this one, the hero tells the heroine to let him know whether she wants a real marriage or a convenient one, then leaves her and the children to take care of business. NATURALLY the letter telling him she loves him goes astray, and so they stay apart, both making assumptions based on their own insecurities. I might have been able to swallow this if not for the children. How dare he abandon those girls for so long, whether he gets the answer he wants or not? How dare she accept silence as an answer when her children love him so much? These two people BRAVED DEATH for the sake of the children, yet they just swallow real hard and stay separated and neither wonders if a letter might have been lost? It just feels so wrong, cowardly, and out of character for these two.
Hence, a superb book becomes an excellent book.
March 8, 2019
3.75 stars. FRTC
I really liked this one. It was well paced, with the slow beginning that I've come to expect from Carla Kelly. I used to mind the slowness of it, but the length of it usually is commensurate with how well developed the story and characters are, so I read Ms. Kelly's beginnings with anticipation now. Both of the MCs had such complex and beautifully sad stories, and the story that was woven for the two of them just warmed my heart. The love that the MCs grew into was poignant and felt realistic. And the angst, while a bit drawn out, wasn't laden with OP drama or stupidity.
Overall, I'm really looking forward to checking out the impressive backlist of this author.
I really liked this one. It was well paced, with the slow beginning that I've come to expect from Carla Kelly. I used to mind the slowness of it, but the length of it usually is commensurate with how well developed the story and characters are, so I read Ms. Kelly's beginnings with anticipation now. Both of the MCs had such complex and beautifully sad stories, and the story that was woven for the two of them just warmed my heart. The love that the MCs grew into was poignant and felt realistic. And the angst, while a bit drawn out, wasn't laden with OP drama or stupidity.
Overall, I'm really looking forward to checking out the impressive backlist of this author.
March 1, 2013
Perhaps, Carla Kelly fans fall into one of two camps, the "I liked Reforming Lord Ragsdale best" camp and the "I liked Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand best" camp. I'm in the ILRLRB camp. I read three or four, one after the other, in a CK orgy but even this did not displace RLR from its top spot for me.
No one who loves Regency romances or Carla Kelly will regret reading this story. Best part, you get to decide which you like best of all, if it's possible to choose. Enjoy this, I did.
No one who loves Regency romances or Carla Kelly will regret reading this story. Best part, you get to decide which you like best of all, if it's possible to choose. Enjoy this, I did.
May 30, 2025
A well-written historical romance. Interesting basics, an idea for characters that you could sympathize with and understand the choices.
Unfortunately, after a certain point, I started to get a bit bored, as if the story was going around in circles, repeating itself.
Nevertheless, there were no absurdities that in books of this genre, can cause distaste or disgusted sighs when the author treats the reader as stupid or naive.
Unfortunately, after a certain point, I started to get a bit bored, as if the story was going around in circles, repeating itself.
Nevertheless, there were no absurdities that in books of this genre, can cause distaste or disgusted sighs when the author treats the reader as stupid or naive.
May 27, 2019
It was one of the most awful books i’ve Ever skimmed through.
June 5, 2016
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Carla Kelly's regency romances are delightful reads. She is a gifted story teller and I always find her characters interesting and delightfully witty.
Mrs Roxanna Drew is a vicar's widow with two young daughters Helen and Felicity. Still in mourning for her husband, his older brother, the lewd Lord Whitcomb asks her to move into his home and take Roxanna for his mistress. She rejects him and he goes to great lengths to coerce her into having his way.
Roxanna rents a run down dower house on the nearby Moreland estate belonging to a marquess, the divorced Lord Winn (Fletcher). Lord Winn does not live on this property which he inherited from a distant relative but decides to visit the estate with the intention of selling it. He meets the pretty young widow and is instantly attracted to her gentle yet tenacious nature. He also takes a shine to her two young daughters and finds himself wanting to help make their lives more comfortable. In their company, Lord Winn feels like he is a part of a loving family, something he never felt with his unfaithful first wife, nor with his own relations.
Roxanna and Lord Winn enter into a marriage of convenience to protect Roxanna and her daughters from her cunning brother in-law. Unbeknownst to his new wife, this marriage is the best thing to happen to Lord Winn, who is completely in love with her. He hopes that Roxanna will in time grow to love him too.
Whilst there are some romantic moments between Lord Winn and Roxanna, it can get a little frustrating at times when they assume what the other is thinking, rather than confessing out loud what they truly feel for one another. I enjoyed this book and will be happy to re-read it again in the future.
Carla Kelly's regency romances are delightful reads. She is a gifted story teller and I always find her characters interesting and delightfully witty.
Mrs Roxanna Drew is a vicar's widow with two young daughters Helen and Felicity. Still in mourning for her husband, his older brother, the lewd Lord Whitcomb asks her to move into his home and take Roxanna for his mistress. She rejects him and he goes to great lengths to coerce her into having his way.
Roxanna rents a run down dower house on the nearby Moreland estate belonging to a marquess, the divorced Lord Winn (Fletcher). Lord Winn does not live on this property which he inherited from a distant relative but decides to visit the estate with the intention of selling it. He meets the pretty young widow and is instantly attracted to her gentle yet tenacious nature. He also takes a shine to her two young daughters and finds himself wanting to help make their lives more comfortable. In their company, Lord Winn feels like he is a part of a loving family, something he never felt with his unfaithful first wife, nor with his own relations.
Roxanna and Lord Winn enter into a marriage of convenience to protect Roxanna and her daughters from her cunning brother in-law. Unbeknownst to his new wife, this marriage is the best thing to happen to Lord Winn, who is completely in love with her. He hopes that Roxanna will in time grow to love him too.
Whilst there are some romantic moments between Lord Winn and Roxanna, it can get a little frustrating at times when they assume what the other is thinking, rather than confessing out loud what they truly feel for one another. I enjoyed this book and will be happy to re-read it again in the future.
January 2, 2020
Goodreads really pushed this one at me last year based on my reading and so when I realized my hometown library had it, I decided to give it a try.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
In fact, for the first 3/4ths I was thinking 4 stars, maybe 5. This tale of a vulnerable widow and her two daughters hits all the right notes. She is a parson's widow and she sounds like it, referencing God and the Bible regularly without the heavy-handedness of a Christian romance. She is clearly attracted to the hero (and vice versa) but the fade to black scenes are handled surprisingly well. Her daughters come across believably and not like extremely precocious Hallmark actors.
I surprised myself by truly liking the divorced hero. He behaved quite gentlemanly throughout and not like the usual, shoddy Regency hero who is only distinguishable from the villain because the heroine accepts the advances.
It is a delightful setting and overall a delightful story.
Except...that last 1/4th. It felt too predictable. Mostly personal taste but I just felt the author set up several different options for herself and I didn't particularly care for the route she chose.
But overall, a surprisingly decent Regency read!
Not bad. Not bad at all.
In fact, for the first 3/4ths I was thinking 4 stars, maybe 5. This tale of a vulnerable widow and her two daughters hits all the right notes. She is a parson's widow and she sounds like it, referencing God and the Bible regularly without the heavy-handedness of a Christian romance. She is clearly attracted to the hero (and vice versa) but the fade to black scenes are handled surprisingly well. Her daughters come across believably and not like extremely precocious Hallmark actors.
I surprised myself by truly liking the divorced hero. He behaved quite gentlemanly throughout and not like the usual, shoddy Regency hero who is only distinguishable from the villain because the heroine accepts the advances.
It is a delightful setting and overall a delightful story.
Except...that last 1/4th. It felt too predictable. Mostly personal taste but I just felt the author set up several different options for herself and I didn't particularly care for the route she chose.
But overall, a surprisingly decent Regency read!
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