Courting Claudia

Miss DeHart has a promising career ahead of her with this delightful historical romance set in England in the 1840's. Claudia is a true heroine. A young lady who has been given little love and no encouragement by a harsh, politically driven father. Claudia's love of illustrating leads her to secretly work for the hero, Derrick's, newspaper. What proceeds after they meet is a sweet, fun and well as melancholy romance. Derrick is a fantastic, realistically drawn hero. A good man who tries to do right by people but is insecure himself from a diasterous first marriage and scandal at his paper. The love scenes are well placed, throughly sensual, and are very wonderful as Claudia learns to not be ashamed of her pleasingly plump body. A plus sized heroine-well done! Brava to the author for writing a hero who loves his wifes curves just as she is. The book has a few minor foibles-but not enough to take away from the overall goodness of the book. If you like quirky heroine ala' Amanda Quick or Pamela Morsi-I highly recommend Courting Claudia! 4.5 stars!

From page one the characters in this charming book reached out and grabbed me. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh. Robyn DeHart does a beautiful job of making Claudia and Derrick come alive for the reader, of revealing their dreams and passions, fears and courage. I don't know of any woman who won't be able to relate with Claudia, whatever her physical description may be. And what can I say about Derrick? Passion, sensitivity, strength, courage, etc. all rolled into one sexy man. I strongly recommend this sweet book. You won't walk away disappointed!

Ms. DeHart's debut novel is both fun and deeply emotional. Claudia is an engaging character -- no skinny, empty-headed miss. She was a character I could really relate to, caring, ambitious, and self-conscious that her body isn't perfect. As for the Derrick, he's just the perfect hero for her. He's passionate, sexy, and loves her just as she is. The combination makes for a very satisfying read!

In 1848 Claudia J. Prattley visits London's Illustrated Times editor owner Derrick Middleton to inform him that she will no longer illustrate the Society Fashion Report. He stays calm over her gender deception as he thought C.J. Prattley was male, but cannot afford to lose her as her pictures has brought in a lot of new aristocratic customers. Claudia explains that her father the Viscount expects her to marry soon though she does not want his choice. Derrick's Aunt Chloe tells him to court the girl so that he can be her husband. Though he knows her father openly hates him, Derrick agrees as not only is CJ intelligent but also pretty besides which she can save his paper. Derrick deceives CJ into thinking he desires her and tricks her into marriage. As they work together on a nasty case involving death and blackmail amidst the Ton including her father, Derrick needs to tell his wife the truth about his ruse because secrets can destroy a relationship even between loved ones. COURTING CLAUDIA is a fabulous Victorian romance because of how easily Derrick accepts a female illustrator and the need he has to have her continue to work for him though courting and marriage seems an extreme solution. The story line is fun to follow as Derrick woos Claudia while her father objects to him and tears into paper every chance he gets. A final twist will surprise the audience as Robyn Dehart writes a solid historical tale that reminded this reviewer of the classic play/movie Front Page except a romantic relationship between the stars in the middle of the nineteenth century London. Harriet Klausner

Claudia Prattley wants to do the right thing. And in Victorian times, working as an illustrator for the fashion page of the newspaper is not it. Her father is pressuring her to marry Richard Foxmore, who has been courting her for a year with no proposal because he's waiting for the right time. Claudia decides to put her energy into finding that right time. She goes to the newspaper office to resign in person, though everything else has been done through the post, thus keeping her identity, and her gender, a secret. Derrick Middleton, the owner of the paper, is surprised that his star illustrator is a woman. He's even more surprised that she's quitting to get married when she's not even betrothed. She's increased his sales greatly among Society with her skill and the mystery surrounding her identity. Selling his paper to Society is important to Derrick since the death of his father. He knows he can't replace Claudia, so he decides the best way to keep her on the job is to court her himself. Claudia doesn't have much confidence in herself. She hides her plump figure in ruffled dresses. She bows to her father's wishes, especially in regard to Richard. The only thing she's secure in is her talent for drawing. So when Derrick declares his intention to court her, she'd wary. Why would Derrick, the most handsome man in London, want her? What is wonderful about this book is that, in spite of Derrick's selfish motivation, he DOES want Claudia. And he lets Claudia know it. He admires the form she finds too fleshy. He kisses her, awakening her desire. But most of all, he gets her. He gets her talent, inviting her to an art show. He talks to her. And despite his vow never to love again, he falls for her. I love how Derrick loves her (despite his vows to the contrary), and how Claudia blossoms under his adoration. Every time they're on the page together, the tension vibrates between them. She begins the story thinking Derrick is the worst thing that can happen to her, and even though some of her fears come to light, she grows into a confident woman. Derrick, who survived a loveless marriage, learns he can trust his heart to Claudia. Rich secondary characters (I love Poppy!), sparkling dialogue and an intriguing scandal round out this novel, a luminous debut