Sugarplum Surprises

i tend to love most regency romances, but this one had a really special way about it which i really enjoyed as the plot and then story got stronger as the book went along and the ending, a piece of magic! anybody will enjoy this author too as i have over 300+ authors and collect those too, used i prefer, but new is okay too. will be looking for more as time goes along! janet lyman

This may be marketed as a Christmas story, but don't let that stop you from buying it the rest of the year. This is a lovely book with exceptionally "real" characters. The duke could be your sensitive brother, the seamstress your plucky sister, or yourself if you know how to sew. Fairchild takes you right into early nineteenth century Bath, the fashions, of course, but also the famous Roman baths and the peculiar way the Regency folks enjoyed them. This book was a pleasure to read. I recommend it heartily!

Others reviewers have described this story better than I can. It is a lovely reworking of the Cinderella tale, and let me add that it kept me up until 2:30 a.m. because I didn't want to stop reading. I thoroughly enjoyed how Elizabeth Fairchild wove in all of the thematic elements of her story as well as employing several entertaining twists and turns. By the end of the story I was rooting for one of the stepsisters and even had sympathy for the wicked stepmother--that's how well Ms. Fairchild plays on our heartstrings. A satisfying read.

Ah, yes. The Duke and the dressmaker -- once over that particular hurdle, however, nothing else in this delightful book is at all routine or hum-drum. It's a perfect Christmas present, with its cleverly woven tale of hidden treasures, and plum everythings! Jane Nichol runs away from the horrendous match proposed by her step-mother, but is much better prepared for survival than most females of the age would have been. Due to the efforts of her beloved governess, Miss Godwin, Jane is proficient in both French and sewing. What more natural then, to establish herself--in heavy disguise--as Madame Nicolette, seamstress? In Bath, no less, a pleasant change from the busy London of 1819. Madame's fashions quickly become essential to Fanny Fowler, who has become betrothed to the Duke of Chandrose, and engaged the young dressmaker to produce a wondrous wardrobe in celebration. Except that, when the marriage is called off, Fanny's father refuses to pay, leaving Jane with gorgeous clothing, and monstrous bills. Greatly daring, Jane decides to broach the young Duke for payment, to keep herself away from financial ruin. Not surprisingly, after initially refusing to consider such reimbursements, he changes his mind, and begins to pursue the dressmaker, for a multitude of reasons. Eventually, all ends up as it should, leaving everyone--reader and characters alike--satisfied. I think, however, the readers get much the better of this arrangement. Elisabeth Fairchild has a wondrous way with words, and each of the silver sugarplum surprises with which she decorates this confection will create a smile. A book to be savored, year after year.

I love uplifting, magical stories at Christmas time, and Fairchild delivers. This Cinderella style romance focuses on finding the silver surprises in her hard working heroine and hard-up hero's lives. Regency Bath comes alive in misty, mysterious beauty. Sumptuous detail, unexpected surprises, and a curly twist at the end. I bought copies for all my friends. You will too if you enjoy a lyrical tale drenched in period detail with a magical ending.