The Willful Miss Winthrop

by Wilma Counts

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821767062
• ISBN13: 9780821767061
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.3" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

One cannot imagine a more patient or determined hero!

Cymberly's life in London turns sour when she refuses to marry a lord who inadvertently compromised her in a carriage accident. So she decides to travel to Portugal to be with her general father, even though "following the drum" is not considered "good ton." While there, she rolls up her sleeves and steels herself to help nurse the wounded and dying soldiers. After her father's death, she decides to stick around a bit longer. During this time, she has two suitors: Geoffrey Ryder, a quiet but seemingly honorable man, and Reggie Fleming, a popular lieutenant who's always the life of any party. Although attracted to Major Ryder, she cannot forget the fact that he is a distant member of her mother's family and is, indeed, the heir to her grandfather's title. The grandfather--an earl--disinherited his daughter when she married Cymberly's father and heartlessly refused to see them later on when Cymberly and her mother tried to heal the breach. Even worse, he refused to come to his own daughter's deathbed when Cymberly begged him to come and make things right so that her mother could die in peace. Cymberly's bitter feelings toward her grandfather make it impossible for her to trust any member of that family, including Major Ryder.How many men would keep trying after being rejected and insulted as many times as Geoffrey Ryder? Especially when the woman he loves appears to be in love with another--less worthy--man? How many men would keep their mouths shut when they had the means of ruining their rival's reputation? Especially when they themselves are unjustly accused of manipulating that rival's death in order to have a clear playing field with Cymberly? Not too many. One is left with the impression that Major Ryder is far too good for Cymberly!I guess that is why I don't think this book deserves a fifth star. Cymberly's prejudice against Major Ryder and her blindness at Reggie's weak character go on far too long and cause the book to drag a bit in the middle. Everyone around her knows the truth about these two men; it just doesn't ring true that she would take so long to realize it herself. And the name Cymberly doesn't seem appropriate for the period either. But I simply cannot imagine any man waiting around so long after being so badly treated again and again by the woman he cares about. Quite extraordinary!

Traditional Regency, parts set in Portugal

I almost didn't buy the book because of the undeservedly poor review it received from Romantic Times but I'm very glad I did. The book is well researched and well written. The military characters in particular are rather fun and well drawn. The author has managed to weave a number of bits of history into the story and they blend in very well to make a very plausible tale.From the back cover of the Zebra paperback edition...An Independent WomanBraving the censure of the ton, Cymberly Winthrop decides to follow the drum by joining her father, Colonel Charles Winthrop, in Portugal. No sooner is Cymberly in Lisbon than she witnesses a handsome man rescuing a drowning child. That man is Geoffrey Ryder, a distant member of the family that cruelly disinherited Cymberly's mother. She'd rather ignore her attraction to him- and welcome the attentions of another soldier- even though it is Geoffrey's kisses, and not her suitor's, that light the deepest ardor in her...An Honorable SoldierGeoffrey Ryder has never come upon anyone like Cymberly Winthrop. Unlike most well bred ladies, Miss Winthrop is not above the unpleasant task of caring for the wounded. If only she weren't so besotted with Lieutenant Fleming, a man of deceptive character. But Geoffrey is up for the challenge, and somehow he will find a way to convince the woman he loves that he isn't the rogue she believes him to be-and that her heart belongs with him.

Better than the Romantic Times Magazine rating!

The other reviewer said it all very well. I just want to add that Romantic Times magazine gave this book a "2" which it did not deserve! It was very well written and I especially liked the military history. It was an interesting and enjoyable read. The hero and heroine are worthy of praise especially as they finally come to their senses and acknowledge true love!

The Wilful Miss Winthrop

I think that labelling Cymberly Winthrop as 'wilful' is not quite so accurate -- 'courageous' comes to mind instead. In spite of the disapproval and censure of all those around her, Cymberly Winthrop has the courage and tenacity to do what her heart tells her to, and because of that she comes out on top in the end.Cymberly misses her father, General Winthrop, desperately. He is currently fighting Napoleon's army in Portugal. So in spite of her godmother's disapproval and misgivings, Cymberly leaves fashionable London for Lisbon. Once there, Cymberly meets the enigmatic Major Ryder, and she is quickly drawn to him. And so it is with dismay that she learns that he is a member of her mother's despiced aristrocratic family. Disapproving of her parents runaway marriage, they had cut off all connection with the Winthrops, and still refuse to acknowledge them. Major Ryder himself is a bit of a shadowy figure: disparaged by the junoir officers as a coward, and yet much admired by his men and by Wellington's staff. Cymberly is confused by all this and resolves to have nothing further to do with the Major in spite of her growing attraction to him.After one particular skermish with the Frech however General Winthrop is killed and it looks as if Cymberly will have to go back to England afterall. She however wishes to stay on and to continue nursing the wounded and the dying. And because her assisstance is invaluable, Wellington allows her to stay on. What follows is the story of a brave young woman soldiering on in the face of society's disapproval, despite the horrors of war, and despite what she feels is a hopeless love for Geoffrey Ryder.This is a well written novel and an enjoyable one at that. Ms Counts has managed to describe the realities of war accurately but without all the horrorific details -- this is after all a light romance novel, and I'm sure her delicacy will be appreciated. The heroine is brave, tenacious and compassionate; while the hero is honourable and brave without being overly pompous. Several minor characters are nicely fleshed out as well and this only adds to the novel's strengths. All in all a truly enjoyable read.