Of Paupers and Peers by Sheri Cobb South

Genre: Regency Romance

Publication Date: September 2006

One Word Review: Cute

Author Website: www.shericobbsouth.com

GoodReads Synopsis: Overworked and underpaid curate James Weatherly is resigned to a life of genteel poverty, never suspecting he is heir to a dukedom until a solicitor appears on his doorstep. Alas, on the way to claim his inheritance, James is set upon by footpads whose handiwork deprives him of his memory. Margaret Darrington is no stranger to genteel poverty herself, since the death of her father has left her in charge of her two younger siblings and feather-brained aunt. But the decisive Margaret has a plan: to salvage the family's finances, she has only to put her beautiful younger sister, Amanda, in the way of marrying a wealthy man --- perhaps the new Duke of Montford, who is expected to arrive any day. When Margaret finds a beaten and bloodied young man on the road, his shabby attire and collection of secondhand books lead her to mistake him for the tutor she has hired for her younger brother. Still reeling from the attack upon his person, James is relieved to have the mystery of his idenitity so easily "solved," and accompanies her home. As James's bruises fade, Margaret discovers that he is, if not classically handsome, undeniably pleasing to look upon, with an appealingly self-deprecating wit. Suddenly Amanda's brilliant marriage is in jeopardy, for how can any impressionable female resist such a paragon? But nothing about the penniless pedagogue is quite as it seems, and Margaret would do well to forget about her sister's prospects, and look to her own heart instead .

Kathy’s Review: This wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. For some reason it took me awhile to get into this one, and by time I got around to enjoying it, it ended. I thought the story was cute and the characters were nice. I liked the side story of Amanda and her love interest. I also thought the relationship between Margaret and James was really sweet. I was actually kind of hoping it had been a little longer; I would have liked to see a little more tension between with Margaret and James, when Margaret finally discovers the truth, it felt like things were a little rushed towards the end. Overall, I still enjoyed it and thought it was a cute story.

Bookworm Rating: 4

The Weaver Takes A Wife by Sheri Cobb South

Genre: Regency Romance

Publication Date: January 1999

One Word Review: Charming

GoodReads Synopsis: Haughty Lady Helen Radney is one of London's most beautiful women and the daughter of a duke, but her sharp tongue has frightened away most ofher suitors. When her father gambles away his fortune, the duke's only chance for recouping his losses lies in marrying off Lady Helen to any man wealthy enough to take a bride with nothing to recommend her but a lovely face and an eight-hundred-year-old pedigree. Enter Mr. Ethan Brundy, once an illegitimate workhouse orphan, now owner of a Lancashire textile mill and one of England's richest men. When he glimpses Lady Helen at Covent Garden Theatre, he is instantly smitten and vows to marry her. But this commonest of commoners will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to win the heart of his aristocratic bride.

Kathy’s Review: I was very pleasantly surprised with this one, it is one of the cutest regency books I’ve read. I really enjoyed the story line and our two main characters Ethan and Helen. Helen is not too excited about her marriage to Ethan, but slowly she begins to see what a catch this non-gentleman is. At first I was not that impressed with him, I think the way he spoke really turned me off (a part of my was hoping it was just a pretending), after awhile I didn’t notice it as much and I fell for him along with Helen. He really is such a sweet guy, but also isn’t afraid to stand up for himself or his wife if the need arises. Overall, this was just a fun regency read, well written, fast paced and lighthearted. Definitely recommend it to all regency fans!

Bookworm Rating: 5

Reading Order:
Book One: The Weaver Takes a Wife
Book Two: Brighton Honeymoon
Book Three: French Leave