Originally published in separate anthologies, and out-of-print for many years, these three novellas by legendary Regency romance author Barbara Metzger are in one volume for the first time ever!
This collection includes the following stories:
"Autumn Glory" "The Management Requests" "A Match Made in Heaven - Or Hell"
Barbara Metzger is the author of over three dozen books and a dozen novellas. She has also been an editor, a proof-reader, a greeting card verse-writer, and an artist. When not painting, writing romances or reading them, she volunteers at the local library, gardens and goes beach-combing and yard-saling.
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
One of the things I liked best about this collection is you could read each of the stories in about two hours, yet they were all satisfying and complete. Metzger manages to get you emotionally involved with the characters and laughing out loud, which isn't that common in novellas--I bought another collection of hers (Greetings of the Season and Other Stories) after because these were so good.
AUTUMN GLORY is an old story, but I very much enjoyed Metzger's take on it. Three daughters, the first two spoiled by their mother, the youngest somewhat disdained, are to be wed (at least their mother has decided so). Enter several eligible bachelors for the Hunt and the Hunt Ball, only no one ends up with whom Lady Bannister had plotted. The youngest daughter--Irmagard!--is definitely the star of the show and a heroine to remember!
THE MANAGEMENT REQUESTS was my favorite of the stories--the heroine, Hope, mistakes the hero, Arthur, for the manager of the hotel, an impression he does not initially correct because he thinks it doesn't matter, but of course it ends mattering a lot. It is ridiculous--and quite funny--yet also believable. Arthur, a war hero who feels pretty embarrassed about his limp, is also smart and kind and perfectly ready to marry Hope--if only she hadn't exaggerated and made him think she was engaged to someone else! This is the only regency I have read that is almost entirely in a hotel, and I found both the history and the love story wonderful.
A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN--OR HELL really startled me at first--St. Peter and the Devil begin and end the story arguing over who will get a wicked duke's soul when he dies on the battlefield. They end up saving his life in order to settle a bet, and the Devil send an imp (in the shape of a dog) to ensure the Duke doesn't meet any "worthy women" who might save him. The imp is perfectly terrible at his job, leading to hilarity and a greet spin on an old cliche. One person found this helpful
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Three humorous historical romance short stories in this anthology by Barbara Metzger will entertain the most jaded heart. I have yet to read one of Ms. Metzger’s stories and be disappointed. I count on them to cheer me up and turn my frown upside down.
Autumn Glory ~ A lively youngest sister helps her two elder sisters get the husbands they want. Shenanigans (and reader entertainment) ensue.
The Management Requests ~ First impressions are not always what they seem especially when a certain man doesn’t correct a certain woman’s first impression and in fact, encourages it. Like that ever ends well.
A Match Made in Heaven – Or Hell ~ A dash of the paranormal is added to this love story and it’s just the right amount to really bring the two stubborn characters together.
Loved this audio rendition of three Barbara Metzger novellas, 'Autumn Glory', 'The Management Requests' and 'A Match Made in Heaven – Or Hell'. The narrator, Stevie Zimmerman, captured the comedic charm of Metzger's dialogue beautifully. 'Autumn Glory' was the prize of these novellas previously published in separate anthologies. The hero and heroine (Winn and Glory) are strong, amusing, and intelligent. Their interactions sparkle with fun. Naturally, idiosyncratic dogs make their appearance in each of the stories!
"Autumn Glory" Youngest of three sisters overhears parents plans to marry them all off by the end of their house party to various titled, rich and convenient men (in that order), and engineers situations to get elder sisters married to those that they want. Her plan to save herself teeters, but the titled lord (originally destined for eldest sister) comes to her rescue!
Rather sweet, fun story. 5 stars.
"The Management Requests" Crippled war veteran (needs a cane, atleast for the present), now a lord, since his elder brother passed away, meets girl and companion come to town, and no place in hotel. Mistaken identity- they take him for manager of the hotel, he lets the impression persist. Girl's secret fiance is seen with the German Princess (it's obvious they are on very intimate terms), and girl's eyes are opened.
Unfortunately, H has also slept with the German Princess, in Vienna (I think), which is why he was given official duty to escort her. ick. Perhaps more ick is the way he thinks of her- as being too big and too vigorous in bed, so much so that it set back progress of his leg. That attitude just irritated me. The attitude and the situation was just too cheap for me to enjoy the novella. 1 star.
"A Match Made in Heaven - Or Hell" The rake- ... ever since he was tossed out of university... he cut a swath through London, drinking, whoring, gambling... seduced all those wives and widows... he was such an embarrassment in London... Not one but two undersecretaries’ wives, at the same time. And his redemption... And a dog- that the devil has sent, because, well, there's this bet between Old Nick and Peter, about who will finally 'get' him (his soul). And since the devil is cheating, St. Peter is, as well (our H, the rake, can't get it up anymore)
Between the dog, the devil and the saint, we have a few laughs reminiscent of some of BM's better works. Fun little story. (I just really, really, really hate rakes. and a rake caught in menage a trois...) 3 stars.
This is a collection of three short stories, in the same vein as BM's Christmas Season and Other Stories. i enjoyed each one thoroughly, but The Management Requests with its mistaken identities, gold-digging fiances, and war hero MMC was my fave by far.
Many Regency authors do the traditional, clean rom-coms with convoluted plot lines well, but IMO, no one comes close to Barbara Metzger. She's simply Queen of this genre.
Autumn Glory - Irmagard Snodgrass; Lord & Lady Bannister; Brigham Winn, Viscount Wingate; country Headstrong and ungovernable, Irmagard was determined to save her sisters from the altar. With the unexpected help of a certain Lord Wingate, she conspired to thwart her parents' scheming - in a most disruptive manner.
The Management Requests - Captain Arthur Hunter, Viscount Huntingdon; Hope Thurstfield; London London's luxurious Grand Hotel is the perfect setting for romantic rendezvous, glistering celebrations - and Cupid's good works. In this story, a case of mistaken identity sets longing hearts in the right direction.
A Match Made in Heaven - or Hell - Hugh, Marquess of Hardesty; Lady Marian Fortenham; Spain; convent Angel and Devil vie for an injured Marquess who is both a rake and a war hero. They wager to let him live - and see if a heaven sent woman can reform him.
A fun, easy read. They were very silly, but I enjoyed all the stories.
This is a novella with three short stories by Barbara Metzger:
"Autumn Glory" "The Management Requests" "A Match Made in Heaven - Or Hell"
""Autumn Glory" was my favorite of the three short stories, followed by "A Match Made in Heaven - Or Hell", then followed by "The Management Request". Like the only other book I read from Metzger the writing is witty, the characters charming, and the story fun and entertaining.
I’m glad I found this author, I like the way she writes and her smart but simple stories.
Wow, what a little gem in this genre. Obviously with a 5 star rating I loved these stories. They were a hoot and well written with wonderful characters.
The heroes were gentlemen (hot, manly gentlemen) and the heroines were smart (kind, beautiful ladies) with just a touch of needing help.
My favorite story was the first one, Autumn Glory. I Loved Loved Loved Glory. What a pistol and so smart too. How, she got Winn to help her was hilarious. However, don’t be fooled all the stories are very much worth a read.
This book is perfect for this genre. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. YA to adult, because these are very tame, but so much fun to read. The characters are fabulous.
The three novellas are delightfully fun reads. The author has a fine sense of the era and aristocracy's, pressure, demands of women. I will read more of this writer's works.