A Diamond in the Rough: 6

In the realm of series romances, Andrea Pickens is one of the top authors. Although the reviewer who lamented the historical errors makes valid points, including the shallowly drawn villain, the book as a whole is far beyond most of the offerings in series romances.The hero and heroine are likeable, unique, and well-developed. The plot rarely hangs, keeping the reader interested throughout. There is a bare hint of passion, keeping this book from being too sweet (or, for that matter, too raunchy as some series romances are). The rather detailed picture of the early days of golf is intriguing as is the athletic hero's struggle to master the sport. He also battles the social stigma of having a trade, an interest he discovers that he shares with the heroine (who herself is frowned upon by society for her abilties and desire to use them).Filled with the realistic developmentment of a romantic relationship, a couple with sufficiently unique characters, and a fresh approach to an old plot (rescuing the family fortunes).

With its likeable characters and entertaining plot, A Diamond in the Rough is an intelligent and charming novel. And it pays an added dividend to anyone interested in the golfing technique and gardening design of the early 1800's. Miss Derrien Edwards, a feisty and highly intelligent Scottish lass, disguises herself as a male caddie to be able to play her favorite game, golf, at St. Andrew's Old Course. She's equally wild about designing gardens and has just covertly received her first landscaping design commission.The last thing she wants is to caddie for an apparently gambling English Lord, Adrian Linsley, Viscount Marquand (such a man ruined her mother many years before and resulted in her birth). But she owes her golf instructor Hugh Phelps, the Stradivarius of club design (and a real person), this favor and also despises Marquand's golf opponent, the dissolute Lord Hertford, even more than she does Marquand.During the month before the competition (which Marquand must win to save his ancestral estate from his father's gambling), Derrien (as herself) enthusiastically discusses gardening with the annoyingly attractive Marquand, who is engage to marry an English beauty. And, disguised as the male caddy Derry, she teaches him the intricacies of golf. His intelligence, determination, surprisingly high character and fascinating garden designs win Derrien's regard against her will. And what is the honorable Marquand to do when he falls head over heels for the pert Derrien when he's already pledged to another?A Diamond in the Rough wins the reader with its amusing dialogue, exciting events and enjoyable characters. It's a top quality Regency that I heartily recommend.

If you like to know the history of things, you'll truly appreciate this story in which an unusual wager is settled by a game of golf. The historic Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland is credited with being the birthplace of that revered game, and one can only applaud Andrea Pickens for have done her homework so well. Adrian Lindley, the Viscount Marquand, determined early in his life that he would not follow in the footsteps of either of his parents, known to society for their unconventional ways. For the Earl of Chittenden not only had a fondness for drinking but was also a gambler, unable to help himself in spite of numerous promises to his son that he would give it up. It took one final disastrous wager with the Marquess of Hertford to bring matters to a head. The Earl had done the one thing he'd promised his son he'd never do--wager Woolsey Hall, the last unencumbered property and the one closest to the heart of the Viscount. Having experienced the residual effects of an overiding passion only too well, the Viscount had determined never to succumb to such lures for himself. He would be stable, and steady and dull, if that's what it took. That was why he'd proposed marriage to (and been accepted by) the beautiful Honoria Dunster. The blonde and beautiful young woman was considered a chunk of ice by many of the young men in London because of her lack of emotion. Adrian thought her exactly what he wanted and needed. Of course, he was also a young man of his time, well up on shooting and riding and all the other manly activities. But the men of London seldom engaged in golf. So it was off to Scotland for Adrian to take a crash course in the game, as the only way to prevent the loss of his favorite estate, even if it meant nearly jeopardizing his true first love-- landscape design. A commission he desperately wants is about to be awarded, and time is short. But yet--there is Woolsey Hall to be considered. To his great surprise, the game turned out to be far more complicated than he'd originally thought, and while Hugh Philp, the acknowledged master of St. Andrews promised to help Adrian in his quest, it was the young caddie Dirty Derry, who became his teacher. Along with learning about the game, Adrian learns about himself, about Derry and about Honoria. For Derry isn't a lad, but an impetuous young woman, Derrien Edwards, who not only shares Adrian's great passion--landscape design--but has a prodigious knowledge of the game of golf--forbidden, of course, to females. Secrets unfold, while others are maintained, and tensions rise while waiting for the climactic game.It's amazing how much story is stuffed into these 229 pages. Not one word too many is utilized in the setting forth of this story. It's simply marvelous! Worthy of the Masters, in fact!

As Adrian Linsley, Viscount Marquand, prepared for his impending marriage to Honoria Dunster, he'd also considered a trip to St. Andrews to accomplish his higher goal of keeping Woolsey House, his family residence. Things took a more intriguing turn when he learned the honored game of golf from a young Derrien Edwards. Adrian thought his instructor to be an accomplished young man, but when he found Derrien to be Miss Derrien Edwards, golf took on a whole new meaning for the viscount. The game of golf is a metaphor for the game of life here, and Andrea Pickens has depicted it well. The traditions are preserved, and the romance within the traditions is very interesting indeed. It's refreshing to see romance at the very beginning, with twists and turns all the way to the end just like a well designed golf course.

The life of Adrian Linsley, Viscount Marquand is proceeding according to plan...until his father loses everything except Woolsey Hall in a card game. Even that has been wagered, in the hope of regaining all the rest, on a game of skill between the earl's opponent and his son. The fate of the Linsley family home rests on a round of golf -- and Adrian has never played golf! He agrees to honor his father's wager, but the timing couldn't be worse. Adrian has just become engaged to a cool, poised Society beauty and won an important architectural commission. On the advice of a friend who knows the sport, Adrian travels to St. Andrews, armed with an introduction to Hugh Philps, the best clubmaker in the land and an excellent teacher. Adrian hopes the man is as good as his reputation -- he has a month in which to learn the game of golf whilst coming up with a design for the duke's commission.Miss Derrien Edwards has two passions in life, gardens and golf. Although she can openly indulge the former, she must disguise herself as a boy to enjoy the latter. Derry is the best caddie in the city, thanks to her mentor, Hugh Philps. When the kindly old man requests a favor, she cannot deny him, despite her aversion to titled Englishmen. She agrees to teach the viscount, but all her lessons might not concern the game of golf!DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH is a gem of a tale! Readers will adore Adrian and Derry, two intellectuals who find there is much to be said for love...and passions. The interactions between these two complex characters -- in both Derry's personas -- are realistic, but intriguingly unpredictable. The dialogue is crisp and witty and the plot evolves at a brisk pace.Ms. Pickens's knowledge and love of golf is evident throughout but does not overwhelm the story, allowing readers who have never played the game to thoroughly enjoy the book whilst learning a bit about the sport. Avid Regency fans may find the errors in titles and forms of address mildly disconcerting, but overall will thoroughly enjoy this delightful tale.If you're in the mood for a refreshingly different romance, with marvelous characters, wit, and charm, I highly recommend DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.