The Poet and the Paragon

by Rita Boucher

Book Overview

Left sitting at the altar ten years ago, a beautiful shrinking violet devotes her life to writing short stories lauding the virtues of strict morality. But when a riot occurs during one of her public... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451195787
• ISBN13: 9780451195784
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

An eye-opening tour of the London we seldom see

Ten years ago, when she was seventeen, vicar's daughter Rebecca Creighton was jilted at the altar by Viscount Elmont. Now she writes tracts and speaks on moral living, making not quite enough money to support herself and her two younger siblings--until Elmont sends round a note once again proposing marriage. Rebecca has no wish to marry, especially the man who jilted her, but she feels it is her duty do do so in order to care for her family.A riot breaks out after one of Rebecca's speaking engagements in an unsavory part of town, but a handsome, capable-looking man dressed in the clothes of a clerk or upper servant comes to her aid. Getting her back to her home on the other side of the city with bodily safety *and* reputation intact will be no easy task.To say more of this plot would be to diminish the reader's joy in discovering it for herself. Suffice to say that the greater portion of Ms. Boucher's latest does not take place in the usual haunts of the nobility. Nor is this just another woman-in-peril-rescued-by-handsome-stranger story. Ms. Boucher's regencies are always decidely non-traditional, and this novel is no exception. Readers might at first wonder (as this reviewer did) if such a paragon of virtue would be a very sympathetic character--but indeed she is. Most of the novel has Rebecca and her would-be hero (who only gives the name Michael) together--and getting to know each other. THE POET AND THE PARAGON is an eye-opening tour of London that delves deeply into the main characters while at the same time providing action and tension--definitely a one-sitting read.Kimberly Borrowdale, Under the Covers Book Reviews

Very enjoyable regency romance

In 1806 Yorkshire, Oliver Rowley jilts his fiancee Rebecca Creighton, leaving her stand to alone at the altar. His cowardly actions upset everyone at the ceremony. Lord Elmont, the groom's father, promises to make things right to Rebecca's father, but no one bothers to see if the bride needs any consolation. A decade later, Oliver is disconsolate after gambling away a fortune. His best friend, the struggling poet Sir Michael Fairgrove, remembers that Elmont would pay Oliver's debt if the lad marries the individual he once dishonored. Rebecca has become the final authority on aristocratic etiquette and Michael attends one of her lectures in order to gauge the upcoming campaign to win her hand. However, to his chagrin and shock, Michael finds himself desiring Rebecca and, to her amazement, she reciprocates. However, Michael feels loyalty to Oliver and Rebecca trusts no male, leaving little room for a future between THE POET AND THE PARAGON. Rita Boucher makes it abundantly clear that she is a very talented author with her enjoyable Regency romance, THE POET AND THE PARAGON. The lead protagonists are a witty and amiable couple, and a secondary duo (Oliver with Rebecca's sister) adds to the confusion and fun. The story line is a sub-genre fan's delight as love is all around us readers in a fabulous tale.Harriet Klausner

Extremely enjoyable Regency romance

In 1806 Yorkshire, Oliver Rowley jilts his fiancee Rebecca Creighton, leaving her to stand alone at the altar. His cowardly actions upset everyone at the ceremony. Lord Elmont, the groom's father, promises to make things right to Rebecca's father, but no one bothers to see if the bride needs any consolation. A decade later, Oliver is disconsolate after gambling away a fortune. His best friend, the struggling poet Sir Michael Fairgrove, remembers that Elmont would pay Oliver's debt if the lad marries the individual he once dishonored. Rebecca has become the final authority on aristocratic etiquette and Michael attends one of her lectures in order to gauge the upcoming campaign to win her hand. However, to his chagrin and shock, Michael finds himself desiring Rebecca and, to her amazement, she reciprocates. However, Michael feels loyalty to Oliver and Rebecca trusts no male, leaving little room for a future between THE POET AND THE PARAGON. Rita Boucher makes it abundantly clear that she is a very talented author with her enjoyable Regency romance, THE POET AND THE PARAGON. The lead protagonists are a witty and amiable couple, and a secondary duo (Oliver with Rebecca's sister) adds to the confusion and fun. The story line is a sub-genre fan's delight as love is all around us readers in a fabulous tale.Harriet Klausner