Christina Dodd
Dodd, Christina - RUNAWAY PRINCESS, THE (Avon - 3/99) (2)
Set in a make-believe world, presumably in the Regency era, this historical has all the elements of a great Dodd book:
a crafty, determined hero; an intelligent, bemused heroine;
sensuality, and a dry brand of humor. But there are some
serious flaws that made it a huge disappointment for me.
Evangeline Scoffield, an English orphan raised by a mysterious elderly woman, has absconded with her dead mentor's money and run away to the continent to live out an adventure. But the thrill is already gone when she is abducted by Danior, Crown Prince of Baminia. He informs her she is really Ethelinda, Princess of Serephina, to whom he was betrothed at her birth. After a bomb set off by Baminian rebels destroys her room and money, Evangeline has no choice but to accompany Danior as he seduces and manhandles her on their way across Europe, in a desperate bid to reach their warring homelands and marry to unite the countries and secure peace. The rebel leader, in particular, is out to insure they never succeed.
The mystery of the heroine's identity is handled well; despite Danior's insistence that she is Ethelinda, Evangeline stubbornly maintains her own name and denies she is anybody's royal highness. Her consistency is meant to be funny, and it is. Danior, however, is a royal pain. He is an arrogant, spoiled giant of a man, who spends most of the book carrying his "princess" home, often on his back. I did not find this to be sexy or romantic. When the two main characters finally consummate their relationship, there is a whole page containing a graphic description of the heroine's pain and suffering due to Danior's manliness, if you know what I mean. This is not sexy either—it's a turn-off, and the fact that Evangeline attains satisfaction is offensive. To top it off, I thought the ending of the book was strangely abrupt; an epilogue was badly needed to tie up loose ends. In my opinion, Dodd has always been a hit-or-miss author, although I always buy her books. But this time I recommend that you reread A WELL PLEASURED LADY or wait for her next effort. ~Anne Kirby for Bookbug on the Web
Dodd, Christina - SOMEDAY MY PRINCE (Avon - 7/99) (3+)
In 1829, during her 25th-birthday festivities, Crown Princess
Laurentia of Bertinierre meets Dominic of Baminia, the bastard
brother of King Danior. Laurentia has two very important roles in her father's kingdom: to produce the heir to the throne; and amidst enemy threats, to maintain the secret trading agreement (with their neighboring country) that controls her country's wealth. Dominic, although he finds the princess beautiful and resourceful, has been hired by a warring factor to discover the secret of that wealth and bring about the downfall of Bertinierre. He presents himself as the ideal bodyguard to keep possible kidnappers at bay; but Laurentia, who is a good
marksman in her own right and quite capable of keeping her head during a crisis, believes she can take care of herself. However, the 25-year-old virgin widow sees this handsome, sensual man as the perfect opportunity to learn the physical side of love
before she chooses a suitor to marry.
Christina Dodd has created a fictional kingdom in SOMEDAY MY PRINCE, giving readers an insightful look into the lives of the common people and their reactions to those who ruled them. Betrayal on all sides lends suspense to the love story of a princess, who has been waiting on her prince to come along, and a mercenary, who grows to love Laurentia despite his better judgment. In this sequel to THE RUNAWAY BRIDE, Dominic makes a change of character and personality that is a little hard to accept, and the usual "falling in love" or "melting glances" that one expects in a romance are not here; but the spark of chemistry between the hero and heroine and the good writing makes this book work. ~Vicki Patterson for Bookbug on the Web
Dodd, Christina - THAT SCANDALOUS EVENING (Avon - 1998) (4)
Pity poor Jane Higgenbothem on that scandalous evening. All she had wanted was to sculpt from her virtuous imagination the man of her dreams, Ransom Quincy, Lord Blackburn. But when her anatomically incorrect, nude sculpture was unveiled that night by
a bitter acquaintance, Jane was forced to flee London—her Season ruined, and her beloved art discarded in her humiliation.
Now, eleven years later, the poor but proud spinster has returned to chaperone her niece...and prays that no one will remember her. But Blackburn is in London, too, searching for the culprit who has been passing secrets to the French. Circumstances lead him to suspect Jane, the woman who nearly ruined him socially, but who now, much to his disgust and delight, fascinates him.
In this immensely enjoyable Regency, full of Dodd's trademark dry humor and steamy love scenes, the author does a wonderful job of revealing the hero and heroine through their passions. These two struggle, sometimes literally, for control in a relationship they fear will overwhelm them. Jane, in particular, wonders if she must lose herself in order to gain what Society values. Dodd has written a keeper; and as if a wonderful romance isn't enough, add some bumbling French agents, interfering relatives, several secondary romances, and a surprising solution to the intriguing spy mystery. THAT SCANDALOUS EVENING kept me turning the pages. Oh, and the statue? Let's just say Jane's talent eventually has its rewards! ~Anne Kirby for Bookbug on the Web
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