THE MARRIAGE LIST

Author: Dorothy McFalls ISBN: 0451214994 5/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: SIGNET
Time Period: Regency

Radford, the fourth Viscount Evers, is known for his harsh bearing, stubborn pride--and skillful avoidance of wedding vows. Then a brush with death in the Peninsular campaign reminds him of his responsibilities to his family and his title, and he creates a list detailing the perfect wife. But all his criteria go out the window when young May Sheffers wishes him to the devil—and captures his heart. May Sheffers is faced with an uncertain future. Her parents disappeared years ago in a South American jungle. Her uncle has had the courts seize control of their money—and arranged a marriage for her to a very old man. And now she keeps running afoul of the confounding, though handsome, Viscount Evers. But her life might take an unexpected turn for the better after she and the roguish peer share a passionate kiss...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Considering THE MARRIAGE LIST is Dorothy McFalls' debut novel, I think she has done an excellent job with this regency.
It has all the elements of the classic Regency novel. The brooding and wounded hero, the 'almost on the shelf' heroine who is barely accepted socially. We have the elderly aunt who has raised and loves the heroine as her own. The evil uncle who is greedy and manipulative. Of course, there is the conceited beauty who has no doubt she will be the hero's wife. And, last but not least, the best friends of the hero and heroine who care and worry and want to see them happy.

Sounds a bit cliche, hmm? Perhaps, but most regencies often are, don't you think? Regardless, it can be a bit annoying and predictable. Dorothy McFalls, I feel, has avoided writing a run of the mill book by changing the routine just enough to keep my attention.

First of all, rather than taking place in London at the height of the season, the story is set in Bath. It is still the height of the season, but many members of the ton are here to 'take the healing waters'. It is why Radford, Viscount Evers, is there, to recuperate and regain his health.

Our hero was, as usual, injured in battle on the Peninsula but not in the usual manner, like getting shot, sliced by a sword, or while saving a life. He was just the victim of bad luck—his horse was shot out from under him, leaving Radford under the horse and severely crushed.

Our heroine is May Sheffers, and doesn't fit the usual standard of beauty for the period. She isn't blonde, blue-eyed and pale, nor thin and quiet. Nor does she expect to ever marry, believing her uncle's opinion that her 'ruddy hair, olive-tinged complexion, and rather stout shape' make it impossible. The fact that her father was born a bastard and married her noble mother isn't helping things.

May is her aunt's companion, who has raised her from childhood after her parents went to South America. They haven't been heard from in years. Her uncle has tied her father's money up, trying to declare him and her mother dead. She and her aunt are hanging by a thread financially as a result. May is determined to do whatever she must to protect and care for her aunt, resigned to the fact that it is more important than her happiness.

It may still sound a bit standard, but the author combined humor, desire, mystery and a few surprises that kept me interested in the story. Her characters are well-rounded, making you like or hate them as intended. I loved the involvement of a certain horse who kept showing up in the story, preventing the story from becoming bogged down, making me chuckle, but not to the extent that it became ridiculous.

I only had one complaint, and I know many will disagree with it. As it is, it is something I wouldn't normally complain about. I am usually a stickler for tying up all lose ends in a story. The author did a nice job ending the novel, with some great and unexpected surprises. There was just one lose end she tied up that I personally think shouldn't have been. It seemed just thrown in there, only for the purpose of tying it up, and seemed out of place. In my opinion, I don't think it would've been noticed or missed had it been left alone.

Otherwise, Dorothy McFalls is off to a good start as an author. This might sound odd, but it was something that I noticed often: She seems to be comfortable with her writing style, and her word choice gave the impression of experience, making the story flow nicely. I look forward to seeing what she does in the future. I have a feeling she may have been holding back a bit with the story itself. As her confidence grows, and it should, I know it will show and earn her quite a few fans.

Plenty of adult readers will enjoy this book. But I also think it would be perfect for young adult readers just exploring historical romance, since, besides being well-written, it would be rated PG-13 if it were a movie.

Sue Cloud