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"An orange rose is for the spark of romance and the fire of love; it is the kindling of each dawn and the glowing ember of sunset.”

Reviews

Courting Constance

Thank you Viki for the review and the chance to share it with everyone!
Courting Constance by Teryl Cartwright
Fresh Fiction review by Viki Ferrell
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=26302
Inspirational Fiction Historical, Inspirational Fiction Romance
“The Season in Bath is for young men and women to find a husband or wife. Many travel from the countryside to this town each year to court one another. Constance Alford and her best friend, Harriet Guyer, are in Bath for just that purpose. They are appropriately accompanied by Harriet's mother so as never to be found in an inappropriate situation.
Sir Geoffrey Thornhill has just broken off his engagement to Constance, so she has come to Bath to court him specifically and make him love her again. She's a very unconventional girl and goes about her courting in somewhat romantic, but very unconventional ways. When her secret courting gets misinterpreted and is thought to be for Geoffrey's best friend, Lord Robert Fenway, a tangled mess unfolds. Harriet has her eyes set on Lord Fenway and is infuriated by the whole situation.
Sir Geoffrey enjoys the courting, saying there is an element of surprise and danger in the chase. Does he ever get a surprise -- and finds danger, as well. The chase seems more like a battle than a courtship, and no one is sure who will end up with whom in the end.
This inspirational novel shows that true love can conquer all and that people can change their thought processes and, in turn, their lives. A perfect blend of humor, romance and a little conspiracy make this a charming story, indeed.”

From Audrey Johnson of Romance Junkies.com comes this review. Thank you so much for your words and kindness!
http://romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/historical/Courting_Constance.shtml

“Beautiful and smart, Constance has never worked hard to attract male attention. After becoming engaged to Sir Geoffrey this fact did not change, and since Sir Geoffrey seemed more interested in having won her rather than loving her, Constance did not hesitate to flirt with other men. What she did not count on, though, was Sir Geoffrey anger at her behavior and his ending of their engagement.

Too late, Constance realizes and understands her love for Sir Geoffrey, and dedicates herself to winning him back no matter the cost. Just as he wooed her, old-fashioned courting seems the best way to catch his interest once again. After arriving in Bath where she knows Sir Geoffrey is currently visiting, Constance begins a series of tasks aimed to prove her love. His response, though, is not what she expected: the more she pushes her love towards him, the more he backs away.

Sir Geoffrey has had more than enough of Constance. In his mind, she is the most inconsistent of individuals. It is incomprehensible to him to forgive her for flirting with other gentlemen, and he has no plans on reconciliation. Furthermore, every time he sets out to gauge her love, she seems intent on pushing him away. Despite their frequent encounters in Bath, Sir Geoffrey cannot help but feel that in every one Constance rudely intends to push him away.

COURTING CONSTANCE is a wonderful tale of learning what it truly means to love someone, even if it requires letting them go. Through humorous and entertaining debacles, Cartwright takes her readers on a fun but instructive tale about the many demands true love places upon individuals. The reader feels Constance’s longing for Sir Geoffrey and her frustration when her actions only seem to result in pushing him further away. COURTING CONSTANCE is a calming, amusing read that portrays the important lesson that you can’t force love upon someone and that what’s meant to be will be, despite what you may wish.“

A Sensible Match

Thank you, Lisa from the Romance Junkies website for the following Blue Ribbon Review found at http://romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/historical/A_Sensible_Match.shtml

Abby Alford is a quiet young woman, the oldest daughter of a good, but not wealthy family and the perfect wife for a vicar. At least her mother thinks so. Edwin Chappell is a second son. His older brother is titled, but he has little to offer a future bride. It’s of small consequence to him. He wants to be a vicar and hopes to find a suitable wife content to be a vicar’s wife. Unfortunately, his mother has promised him to her friend’s eldest daughter.

Edwin imagines a girl who will make a perfect wife for a vicar will dull and boring. Abby is quite content as she is. Granted, she’s called a spinster, but she’d rather marry for love or not at all. She attempts to seem silly and talkative, but Edwin sees through her ruse and becomes intrigued but her wit and wisdom. He believes his mother may not have picked such a bad wife for him after all.

Abby, too, finds Edwin isn’t the pompous young man she at first thought him to be. They are growing increasingly fond of each other when Edwin receives word his older brother has been killed, and he must return home to assume his title. No longer a humble vicar, Edwin is now Lord Stanway. He has an obligation to his family and his estate, and Abby isn’t sure he’ll want her as his wife.

A SENSIBLE MATCH is a wonderful love story. Abby and Edwin both face many challenges, and must rely on God’s guidance. Upon Edwin’s arrival in her town, she must endure social functions, unwanted attention, and advice from older parishoners who feel they can instruct her how to be a proper vicar’s wife. Abby is a lovable heroine who brings a smile to your face. Edwin believes his life is set, but the sudden death of his brother leaves him questioning many things. He is very conflicted but works through this to become a strong and worthy match for Abby. You really want to see this couple get together. This is a great story.

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: lisa

Thank you Elise Lyn of www.ecataromance.com for your December 2007 review of the Advanced Reader's Copy; I appreciate your comments and permission you've given me to post your work here.

Teryl Cartwright’s A Sensible Match takes us back to a world of arranged marriages and uncertain futures. All her life Abigail Alford has been plagued by a shyness so painful she unable to respond when a member of the opposite sex talks to her. Despairing of her daughter ever marrying, Abby’s mother reminds her friend of a promise made when both their children were young. Lord Edwin Chappell, her son, as the spare will be taking over the vicarage in Abby’s village. Abby’s parent know she would make a perfect vicar’s wife. Abby is not so sure and resents all choice being taken from her, especially after she overhears him insulting her. Edwin feels the same way when told who he must marry. Consenting to come and meet her, Edwin is surprised when she is not at all like she was portrayed. Abby knows she must convince Edwin she would not be a sensible match and her anger overcomes her shyness. Edwin finds this contradictory Abby to be intriguing and he resolves to get to know her better. But fate steps in and these two must deal with a series of misunderstandings and plots if they are to be together.

Abby wanted love in her marriage and did not want to marry Edwin. Edwin felt the same way. Abby’s decision to convince Edwin they would not suit led to some delightfully witty dialogue with unintended meanings. These two truly were meant for each other, but with changes in destiny and interference from family, these two would need to work hard for the happily ever after. Captivating and clever, A Sensible Match will keep your interest from beginning to end. This is my first book by Teryl Cartwright but I will be on the look out for more of her charming tales.

Kay James of The Romance Readers at Heart website, www.romancereaderatheart.com, has been gracious enough to submit the following review for my Advanced Reader's Copy of A Sensible Match.

A SENSIBLE MATCH by Teryl Cartwright is one of those delightful books that brings a smile to the reader’s face from the very first page. Then, it kept me entertained so thoroughly that I was saddened to realize the adventure was nearing an end. Although the story feels a bit “rambling” in spots, the story is overall wonderfully written, engaging and through-and-through humorous. Not merely an account of one couple’s awkward courtship, it is a commentary on relationships.

Those between men and women, families and their opinions on marriage and the opposite sex.

A SENSIBLE MATCH is a sensible choice for summertime reading. It is entertaining and lively, romantic and funny. I loved watching the relationship between Abby and Edwin evolve. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say it was great fun to watch them change so drastically. They are not the same characters at the end of this novel that they were in the opening pages, and it was entertaining to watch the transformation.