Just Reviewed Maya Rodale’s “A Groom of One’s Own” at SBR

Folks, I really enjoy Maya Rodale’s writing.  She has a knack for writing romances with good characterization, a nice sense of whimsy, and they’re often laugh out loud funny.

I really enjoyed her first romance in the “Writing Girls” series, A GROOM OF ONE’S OWN, and said so just now at SBR.  Here’s the link:

http://shinybookreview.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/maya-rodales-a-groom-of-ones-own-smart-sensual-romantic-comedy/

Note that this past November, I discussed the second novel in that series, A TALE OF TWO LOVERS.  I enjoyed Rodale’s writing then, too, but felt that the idea of a woman writing a gossip column in 1823 was a bit much.  (Especially as one of her gossipy news items was that Lord Roxbury, the man she eventually marries, might’ve gotten bored with the female sex and have turned to his own.  That wouldn’t have been discussed in public in 1823: not by a woman gossip columnist, and not by a male one, either.)  Even under the name “A Lady of Distinction,” I just didn’t buy it, but I did enjoy Rodale’s writing.

This is why I decided to read the first novel, A GROOM OF ONE’S OWN.  There are a few problems here, too, but not with the plot construction; mostly the very few errors center on how the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon (Rodale’s hero) was addressed: he should be addressed as “Your Grace” by those who don’t know him, publicly or privately (until the Duke tells the person, “Please call me” whatever), probably by “Brandon” by those who do as that’s what he prefers to be called (especially in private).  Rodale gets the second part right but the first part is way off, as Duke Brandon is referred to as “Lord Brandon” far more often than not.  I haven’t the foggiest idea how this got through Avon’s editors — they’re usually quite good — but the error did get through, it wasn’t corrected, and for a writer of British historical romance novels to get this wrong is astonishing.

Still, the writing itself is very, very good.  I loved the characters.  I appreciated the wit, the sensuality, and the charm Rodale used to enliven this romance; it felt like something that could, indeed, happen (albeit in the “romantic comedy” vein that’s almost, but not quite, farcical).  And for whatever it’s worth, I do intend to read the third in this series, THE TATTOOED DUKE (and review it, too), whenever I’m able to get my hands on a copy.

So go read my review, then if you’re like me and want something light and funny, but with a bit of an edge to it, to read, pick up Rodale’s books.  You’ll enjoy them.