Pembroke Park

I believed that the characters feel strongly about each other and their emotions are shown, not just said. The manners and social interactions align well with the time period and I never felt that anything was out of place.

Pembroke Park is one of my all time favorite lesbian romances. I came at this from the opposite end from the other reviewers. I originally purchased and read the book because it's a lesbian romance, not despite it being one. I don't re-read many books because as the saying goes "so many books, so little time." There's always something new to read, so why waste time on something I've already read? But I do have a small select list of books I like to re-read from time to time and Pembroke Park is right at the top of that list. That alone should help recommend it. Not being familiar with Regency Romances, I found the era interesting and a nice change from my normal genres of fantasy and mysteries. The story itself is all right, nothing terribly unusual or thought provoking. But what I absolutely adore about the book is Ms. Martin's mastery of the written word and her wit. I often find myself laughing out loud at particular turns of phrases as I read along. Few authors I have read seem so adept. Now that I've read the other reviews, I just may have to make a foray into heterosexual romances so that I can read more of her work.

This is a 'perfect' Regency, following the habits and mores as we've come to know them, of wealthy, titled country folk who take great exception to anything that disrupts their notion of how life should go on. All the standard characters and situations are here, deftly described in Ms. Martin's usual humorous way, but with the notable exception that the heroine ends up with -- another heroine. There is also a gay romance that ends well. It is a very gentle love story, not at all titillating, so if you're looking for exposition into lesbian or gay habits you won't find them in this book. Except, of course, to discover they're just people, like the rest of us, with the same wants and wishes and problems to face in everyday life. However, if you want a well-written, well-told, well-thought-out and witty story, set in this favorite era, I don't think you'll be unhappy if you read this book. I would highly recommend it, in fact, because of all these reasons.

Lady Joanna Sinclair is a nice proper English country widow. When she first meets her new neighbor, Lady Diana March, Lady Sinclair is aghast that Lady March is riding astride *and* wearing trousers! Lady Sinclair and the rest of the Hereforshire neighbors are shocked and appalled... but eventually Lady Sinclair gets to know Lady March better and they become friends...Not only did I enjoy reading this story, I was very impressed by its believeability and depth of feeling. It was gracefully done, subtle--it very much had the feel of a traditional regency. I've have enjoyed Ms. Martin's other regencies, and PEMBROKE PARK is much like them in that the can be outrageous and funny but also very human. This novel paints a slightly different--but not as different as one might think--of love, including the consequences that may occur if one is discovered.I haven't previously read "lesbian fiction" and if this is what it's all like, then it doesn't seem much different than "regular" fiction, except that both protagonists are female. There are still the manners, the banter, and getting on in Society that we love in any Regency. I think I shall try some other genre fiction from Naiad press... very impressive.Kimberly Borrowdale Under the Covers Book Reviews