The Courteous Cad

Miss Pickworth #3

by Catherine Palmer

He's a cad of the worst sort.
She has vowed never to marry.
Could it be a match made in heaven?

The last thing Miss Prudence Watson expects to find on her tour of the English countryside is a cause to crusade. But an unexpected encounter in the streets of Otley alerts her to inhumane working conditions at the local worsted mill, and she's compelled to act.

The object of her outrage is mill owner William Sherbourne, a Royal Navy officer just returned from sea. Following in his wake is his reputation as a cad—and a secret so shocking he'll do anything to protect it. Worse yet, he's handsome and charming and not at all the villain Prudence expected.

As always, society tattler Miss Pickworth has a thing or two to say about the young crusader and the courteous cad at whom her protests are aimed. But it seems that even Miss Pickworth has secrets to be revealed as Prudence and William learn the truth about each other—and about their own deceptive hearts.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Regency, Christian, Christian Romance

384 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."

Reviews

[Jessica Perteet]

This was a fluff novel I read when I was supposed to be reading LOTR. It was sweet though.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming straight in with this being my first experience of author Catherine Palmer was refreshing and entertaining and I plan to look her up in the future for more reading adventures. I discovered that this novel is the third in a series but also connected to a Christmas novella and a second series as well bringing characters together and I love things like that. Even though I not read the other books in the series I was more than able to appreciate the characters and believe that I would like to read more about them in the other books related.

Being regency with all the etiquette and silly banter this story is fully of wit. Romantic and comical each page will present the reader with smiles. There is also a good touching on issues and causes of things such as child labor, mill revolts, long hours, as well as places for a person to improve. Using womanly whiles for the purpose of stumping men and exiting the acquaintance without a second thought. Learning to grow and find true forgiveness for a variety of past sins are woven through out and the message is not overly preachy yet important to experience.

The Courteous Cad is indeed a courteous man in the end. Both titles he earns and though the story is reflected on him, you can see learning and redeeming qualities in more character than one. I recommend this novel and must find some more.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

We were at the library on Friday and I recognized this cover on the new book shelf. I added it to my to-read list awhile ago at the recommendation of a book blogger.

The book was ok. I might have liked it more if I wasn't currently frustrated by almost all historical Christian fiction. It makes me wonder why I insist on picking up new titles when I know I'm only going to get frustrated at their mediocrity.

I just don't understand what the main characters see in each other. They are both frustrating! I didn't find the love aspect of the story believable for that reason. The historical details in this story were pretty good, though I had a hard time placing the setting at first.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I'm not sure if I'll pick up another. I hesitate to write an author off after only one book but I'm not sure I can stand more mediocre historical Christian fiction.

And what is treacle? :) I had to look it up in the dictionary to determine what color our main character's eyes were. Whatever happened to good old brown?

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had one of the funniest proposals that I have ever read! This book was a great conclusion to the series. Highly recommend this whole series for fans of Jane Austen and Christian.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Marriage is not the object of my hearts desire…I shall never wed…when God reveals my mission, I mean to do it with all my heart.”

“I shall champion those less fortunate than I.” Miss Watson is serious about God’s mission for her life; her sisters view it as silly. A woman as beautiful as Prudence should be seeking the most illegible partner, settling down and raising a family. This mission to help the poor was ridiculous thinking. Did this really come from God?

William Sherbourne agrees with Miss Prudence Watson about one thing, “I must say how delighted I am to learn your plan to remain unwed, partakers in uncorrupted innocence we shall be great friends forever. Chums, infact.”

William and Prudence are both smart, opinioned, beautiful people who enjoy verbal sparing. Neither will admit their feelings they have for the other.

William says, “You are correct in the wickedness you surmise about me. I am not a good man. I have committed such evil in fact, that I cannot hope to be forgiven.”

Miss Watsons quick retort, “It is not my good opinion you should seek, Mr. Sherbourne…It is God’s. You will find Him more forgiving than I and certainly more merciful. But I shall endeavor to like you. We are, after all chums.”

This is fun filled book with substance. I was surprised by the risks Prudence took to fulfill her mission. Catherine Palmer urges us to. “take a closer look at ourselves, realize we are all a work in progress. We may reverse our opinions, make serious mistakes, and commit outright sin…. The Holy Spirit wants to transform each of us into new creatures.” I was entertained, laughed, and made to think about life in this Regency period story. I’m thankful for the review copy I received.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Palmer
Available January 2010
Tyndale House Publishers
Fiction/Historical Romance

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Prudence Watson is heart broken, she fell in love with a American blacksmith, who is totally not on her society level. Declaring she will never wed, and traveling the countryside with her recently widowed sister, Prudence is pickpocketed by a young mill worker.

Finding a cause to champion for, Prudence plays with fire, flirting and using her feminine wiles on the owner of the mill. Joining the mill workers under disguise as one of them, she fights for better working conditions for the children and the adults in the mill, better meals and clean air.

The dangers of the mill are mild, compared to the danger Pru finds her heart in. She is falling in love with a cad. Follow this story, be amazed at the lengths Prudence goes to, in order to champion her cause.

A bit slow to get into, but once I was able to get into the book, it was a delightful story. I truly enjoyed the book. 382 pqges $12.99 US 4 stars

This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was recieved for this review.

[Wyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Regency book by Catherine Palmer. Here we encounter several characters from her other books but this book can definitely stand on it's own, no need to have read the others first. I like that about a series book, it's nice not feeling like you're missing some important background information when you read a new book. The Regency historical information is definitely on target. The characters are quite believable in their emotions and actions. One can see how assumptions can totally mess up a relationship and a conversation. I liked that this one didn't harp on society silliness like so many historical romances do, this one dealt with how a woman reacts to and deals with her brush with the plight of children working in the mills rather than what to wear at a ball. Don't get me wrong, there were many scenes involving fun too but they weren't the main menu. The end notes had some very good soul searching questions and contained a preview of one of her other books.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I lost interest in this story about 1/4 of the way in and just skimmed the rest of it. If I can do that and still not feel like I lost anything, then I don't really think it's a fabulous book. It's a clean romance, but the writing is so Austen-wannabe that I couldn't really bring myself to take it seriously. The story line is interesting enough, but the main character is too overly done and the token rogue-love interest is overly done too. The Christian themes are weirdly placed. It's not that I'm opposed to a good, clean, Christian themed romance. In truth, there aren't enough of them out there. My problem is that this book just tries too hard to put it all in there and dress it up as something authentic, that I want to gag on it's pretentiousness.

Wow... I didn't realize how much I disliked it until I started writing this review. I had to change it from 2 stars to 1.

[Mollythepirate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pride & Prejudice meets North & South with that hypochondriac sister from Persuasion thrown in for good measure. You'll recognize some lines and enjoy the historical aspects but I have to say the romance befuddled me. While I understand the message was a sort of redeeming love/forgiveness thing I found the character's behavior odd. "I hate you! Hold me!" - it made things feel uneven, but it wasn't so awful that I wanted to stop reading. I kinda like her alphabetic titles - this, obviously, being the third in the series but the first I've read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably closer to 3.5 stars, tho Christin historical fiction novel is set in Regency England. It was interesting enough that I definitely wanted to finish it, but it wasn’t one I couldn’t put down. The two main characters, Prudence and William, were realistic and vulnerable. Prudence’s strength of conviction was very admirable when it came to working conditions, class expectations, and child labor. It is worth the time to read it.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best parts were those about conditions of the workers in the mill and the heroine's efforts to get them changed. Long hours, child labor, and little pay were problems that got solved in an unusual way.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so lame I just couldn't finish it. I made it past the halfway mark and just don't wish to waste any more of my time.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read. Last review, The Bachelor's Bargain introduced the attraction between Mr. Walker and Miss Prudence Watson. This book jumps ahead a few weeks and Mr. Watson has left Prudence to prevent their continued dalliance. So Prudence and Mary are taking a trip through Yorkshire. They meet up with a mill owner after a child who works at the mill steals Prudence's reticule. Prudence becomes concerned with the plight of the mill workers and the book definitely describes how conditions in mills USED to be. The mill owner is William Sherbourne, reputed to be a cad and has a dreadful secret which, if known, puts him outside of polite society. While Prudence and William are drawn to each other, they explore concepts including morality (is it black and white or are there shades of gray?), forgiveness, and making amends.

William's indiscretion caused a girl to become pregnant and then she died giving birth. William was unwilling, at the beginning of the book, to be a father and the mother's family did not want the baby, so he was raised for nine months by one of William's aunts and a nursemaid.

Prudence, in her zeal for improving working conditions in the mill, disguises herself as a mill worker and is assigned to the spinning aspect of the mill. Because of the amount of lint and other contaminants in the air, she contracts "mill fever" from inhaling the small particles in the air. There is a march on the government called the "March of the Blanketeers", where she contracts pneumonia and the possibility that she will not be able to be pregnant.

This end of the "Miss Pickworth" series also reveals who Miss Pickworth is! The series is well written, and while it is Christian, it also has messages of social work and learning how to live loved. "I don't believe God compares His people, do you? He has awarded certain gifts and tasks to you, _________, and He has given others to me. With His mercy, you will accomplish yours to the best of your ability. As will I. And one day we shall hear Him say to each of us, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.'" (Betsy, pg. 290)

[Paula-O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Palmer's Miss Pickworth series, "The Courteous Cad".

Miss Prudence Watson is a well to do young woman who has 2 sisters that spoil her since she is the youngest one. She has a bruised heart and has decided not to marry when she takes an outing in Otley and has a slight accident, where she ends up on her backside in a muddy puddle. A Gentleman by the name of William Sherbourne happens along and sees what has happened and he helps the young lady. This meeting, though unexpected will not be the last time they see one another.
William has recently came home from his jaunt as a Royal Navy officer and he too has a past that he is not proud of and wants to forget.
He is a mill owner and soon Pru finds out about conditions of the mill and decides to try and change the lives of the children that work there.
Can a well to do young woman make any changes that have been the way they are for generations in the mill industry?
Can the hearts of Prudence and William find contentment in a friendship that begins between the two of them almost instantly?
There is mystery - secrets-passion in the words that Catherine writes for us in this book and I am sure you will enjoy this story as much as I have.

[Christy Trever · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Courteous Cad by Catherine Palmer is the third book in the Miss Pickworth series taking place in Regency England. Prudence Watson is the toast of the ton with her golden curls and rosy cheeks, but while traveling in Yorkshire, she is struck by the plight of mill workers and feels the need to improve their working conditions. But when she meets the mill owner, William Sherbourne, she is forced to reconsider her quest. This historical romance never quite clicked for me. The story is mostly dialogue, and while Palmer tries to imitate Austen's quick wit and clever conversations, I was more frustrated by Prudence and William's insistence on always thinking the worst of each other and never telling the truth. I didn't understand what they saw in each other, because he was consistently telling her and everyone else that he was a cad, and she was forever telling him that she was silly. I enjoyed the historical portion of the story with Prudence's work in the mill and her relationship with her sisters was amusing as well.

[Sara ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, I guess.

This one was pretty cute. Prudence Watson ... ah, Prudence. Well, she fell in love with a guy last book, but it just wasn't meant to be. He's gone now, and she's vowed never to marry. But she's on holiday with her sister when her purse gets snatched... and she ends up finding out about the terrible work conditions at a local mill. And the big bad wolf is William Sherbourne. Except WOW, he's good-looking and he keeps kissing her and she finds that she likes him a lot!

I won't go into the plot TOO much more... She dresses as a commoner and gets a job at the mill to see for herself what this mill is really like.... and lots of stuff happens. The thing I really liked about this book is that the attraction between the hero and heroine was nearly palpable! They SERIOUSLY love each other, but they are like SOOO bad at communicating with each other! That always frustrates me... But EVENTUALLY they get stuff worked out and everything turns out all right in the end. Eventually.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read was a breath of fresh air. What a delightful story! William is a cad indeed, but isn't each of us really a sinner and deserving of hell forever? Without our Lord and Saviour dying for us and paying the ultimate price, we forever would suffer. However we have his promise, much like our lady, Ms Prudence Watson, ends up giving him after all the wrong they have done to each other and others as well.

This book will make you laugh because Prudence is so delightful a character. I am so excited to read more "gossip" by Ms Pickworth. Makes delightful books, having the message so well weaved throughout! Bravo Ms. Palmer!!! Well done..

[Eleanor Jethro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading the above and enjoyed it. The story kept moving along. It reminded me of the old days here in the US with the cotton mills. Prudence did a terrific job of helping to improve the work life of the children and the adults at the mill. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like easy reading with a great storyline. I received this book fred from Goodreads First Reads. Thank you

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historical aspects of this book were really fabulous, but the story itself left me a little wanting. The dialog seemed witty, but the characters had an inability to be honest with each other and their lack of trust was exhausting. I missed how they could possibly have fallen in love with all the hostile accusations and mistrust. It was a little heavy on the Christian fiction end, and although it was about forgiveness, it left me a little sad.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty mindless, unrealistic romance novel, but it was easy to read and relatively entertaining. There was a lot of Now I Love You, Now I Don't back and forth action that was annoying and the plot was completely ridiculous, but I guess anyone with a pen and paper can have a silly book published these days.

Wouldn't really recommend this book unless you need a fast read for on the beach maybe where you don't actually want to use your brain while you're reading it.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I debated giving the book 3 stars because at a certain point a little past the middle I started to get bored of the 'I love you but I hate you' thing, however overall I did enjoy the book and the writing style. I really liked the beginning and thought it had a good ending (which makes a nice last impression) so therefore this book gets 4 stars.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times reminiceint of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'North and South', this book was a good, clean, and quick read. I didn't know that it was written by a Christian author when I won this book, but am glad to have found her, and will read more of her books. Not very complicated in its characters, but it had surprising twists and turns along the way to keep it interesting. Good read.

[Allyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Palmer novel and oh how I loved the combination of history, romance, and faith. I have read many Christian novels that were played out, and/or much much to trite "He touched her hand and immediately went to pray for hours to cleanse himself". This was interesting and passionate without turning into a Harlequin porn novel.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the series which brings together characters from two series. The plot was unusual for this genre. It was much like North and South by Catherine Gaskill with the plot revolving around a revolt of the factory workers, (like the Luddites) It had religious overtones which I enjoy reading. I reread it and enjoyed it better the second time.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite in the series, but I did still enjoy it. What brought it down a bit was that I actually liked Prudence better in the previous book, and it needed to be a bit longer to get a nice feel for the characters. I also didn't like the main man's recent runaround past. Otherwise, an enjoyable read.

[Kristyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was good, but had a lot of political unrest in it, as does the rest of the series in dealing with right and wrong in English society. It apparently brings the characters from two different series together, but I've only read one of the series.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm...did I expect too much? The characters are kind of wishy washy: "You must help us" and a few pages later "You must leave here". "I hate you....no wait a minute, I love you" (OK, not direct quotes, but you get the picture). I'm feeling flu-like symptoms coming on.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Regency romance. I was a little frustrated with the love- hate, love- hate relationship but it grew on me and The Courteous Cad turned out to be a nice conclusion to the Miss Pickworth series!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I loved every moment of it! From start to finish. It shows how powerful love can be sometimes. Prudence and William show that here. They show that even if love is nearly impossible its still possible. I highly recommend this book!

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a struggle to get through, and a relief to finally finish. Don't read it if you're really only wanting to complete the trilogy. I've not read the middle book, but at times this felt like a contradiction to the first of the series.