Cecilia Sentenell has been chosen by the reputed rake, the Earl Arandale as his bride. But Cecilia has other plans for her life and they don't include Arandale, to her father's dismay. Cecilia saw the earl kissing his mistress and got a bad impression of him. But Cecilia will soon regret her hasty dismissal of the earl as Arandale's surprising gallantry soon comes into stark contrast to Cecilia's father's heir, the repulsive Alex Shakel, who is developing a sinister plan for Cecilia and her fortune...
Excerpt
She saw the door to the darkened terrace and the promise of fresh air made her almost run toward it. She finally reached it and slipped into the shadows, running smack into Lord Arandale's chest. Curiously, she didn't pull away.
Arandale's arms locked around her and in the quiet terrace, he leaned toward her and his lips sought hers. Cecilia's quick intake of breath made her gasp for air as his mouth brushed over her lips but did not touch them, so that Cecilia only felt the warmth of his lips....
Professional Reviews
http://historicalromancewriters.com/review.cfm?bookID=3641
M. Rondeau, historicalromancewriters.com, RIO REVIEWER
Cecilia Sentenell was thrilled to have a season in London - enjoying the sights, the shops, and that her dearest father seemed to be regaining his health made her joy that much better. However, she was not thrilled over the attentions that the rakish Earl of Arandale seemed to be paying her. On her first ride in Hyde Park she was witness to the earl taking his mistress riding and giving her a full mouth kiss right there in public which gave her an instant dislike of his seemingly disregard for propriety! Not until several weeks had passed did her father inform her of the earl's request to court her and upon hearing this she begged her father to cancel his approval of the courtship - she would in no way agree to marriage to this man!
Regency romances are a favorite of mine to read when I am looking for something entertaining and light after a long hard day at work. The plot was not too deep and it was sweet in it's innocence - even with the addition of the not so nice cousin who wanted to compromise Cecilia into wedding him. I especially liked the epilogue at the end that wrapped up any loose ends from so quick a story. I could definitely recommend this to a younger audience as a good `first' introduction to regency historical romance writing.
Treggatt, Top 100 Amazon Reviewer
Story-wise, "Canceled Courtship" is brilliant. I liked how Gloria Gay gradually brought Cecilia and the earl together, and how she made the earl realize how shabbily he had been behaving. And her characterization of the two evil characters in the book was fantastic. A better portrayal of pure evil, I have seldom come across.
http://www.aromancereview.com/reviews/index.php?app_state=show_event&bookid=1532
Debbie Kepler - aromancereview.com
This was a great story. Fun, fast paced and never boring. Ms. Gay writes with passion for her characters. Each one is well developed and never leaves the reader wondering about anything that is going on in a scene. Add in a villain and villainess, and you have a great love story, that will surely warm your heart on these chilly nights. And be sure to check out the cover. Gloria Gay paints her covers also. It’s beautiful!!
