November 16, 2021
Another brilliant idea!
https://www.kcbateman.com/Sometimes I have brilliant ideas!! Sometimes they work! Some time ago, I decided to add to my list of monthly TBR’s at least one “new” author, or an author who I had stopped reading for some mysterious reason. Kate Bateman happens to fall into the category of “new” authors. Fantastic Fiction lists four books written by Kate Bateman since 2019. A Reckless Match is the first in the Ruthless Rivals, and I found her voice refreshing. She also has written some novels under the name of K C Bateman. So, she’s a young author just spreading her wings. Now, on to A Reckless Match.
A Reckless Match is a historical romance, with a boatload of modern language interspersed throughout. I’m not going to gripe too much about the use of modern language in historical romance novels. First of all, it doesn’t do any good. Secondly, so many authors write with a modern voice, I’m not sure they recognize the difference between a contemporary voice and a historical voice. Nor do I think some authors know how to balance the two. After all, I really don’t want to spend my evening deciphering Chaucer. But authors, puleese, watch the slang! I was thrown out of this story with the word “uptight”. Be careful using slang in a historical romance novel. Remember, slang has been around for a long time. Do some research, find the slang appropriate word for the time period your novel is set in. Might I suggest buying a copy of The Classical Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue (1788). Or, do what Georgette Heyer did, and make up your own slang. Ms. Heyer was a master of blending her invented words with the time period her books were set in. I’m not sure if Ms. Heyer was being creative, or just trying to stop plagiarism. Regardless the reason, her slang words bring color and atmosphere to her books. Remember, historical romance readers are an interesting group of people, and nothing will make a Romnancelander rant quicker than a perceived historically inaccurate word…or clothing…or furniture…or a name… or a flute glass. By the way, the flute glass was correct. I did say perceived.
Family Feud. In A Reckless Match we have a family feud. The feud has been going on for so long no one remembers why it started. Some say it was a love affair gone wrong, some say it was a stolen pig. Regardless the reason, in order to maintain the peace between the Davies and Montgomery families, someone from each family must meet on a bridge and shake hands. They must do this on the summer equinox. If they don’t, they forfeit some land. This year Maddie Montgomery is waiting for Gryffud Davies, and he’s late. That’s ok by her, because if he doesn’t show up, the Davies family forfeits the land. Maddie really, really, really needs that land. Maddie is happy that stupid Gryffud is late, she’s rubbing her hands together with glee. That no good handsome guy…she hateeesssssss him. Just hatessss him. He’s been a thorn in her side since childhood. The time of the hand shake is approaching, the land is almost in her grasp…what’s that she hears? Clopping. Clopping. A horse with a rider. Gryffud!
A smug Gryffud arrives, and the fire works begin.
Gryffud and Maddie made a delightful couple. Plenty of banter, verbal battles, and fun. There was also a reasonable about of sexual tension. Along the way, there were smugglers, hidden treasure and adventures in caves. Were there bumps in the road, issues that raised one of my eyebrows? Yes. I did think Maddie had a large amount of freedom, especially considering the time period. But, I overlooked that so I could enjoy a new author. Another bump in the road: I must admit, after reading a gazillion romances in my lifetime, the “losing your virginity before you die” routine is becoming a little tiresome. And finally, the use of modern language set off my historical accuracy nagging voice. Such a bothersome high-pitched voice that is. However….
My issues vs. a new voice. While there were a few things in this story which I had an issue with, I still feel comfortable recommending A Reckless Match. I’m hopeful that Romanceland has found a refreshing new voice in the form of Ms. Bateman. I did have a smile on my face when I finished this book, and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t stumble across the word “uptight” in the next one.
A Reckless Match is a historical romance, with a boatload of modern language interspersed throughout. I’m not going to gripe too much about the use of modern language in historical romance novels. First of all, it doesn’t do any good. Secondly, so many authors write with a modern voice, I’m not sure they recognize the difference between a contemporary voice and a historical voice. Nor do I think some authors know how to balance the two. After all, I really don’t want to spend my evening deciphering Chaucer. But authors, puleese, watch the slang! I was thrown out of this story with the word “uptight”. Be careful using slang in a historical romance novel. Remember, slang has been around for a long time. Do some research, find the slang appropriate word for the time period your novel is set in. Might I suggest buying a copy of The Classical Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue (1788). Or, do what Georgette Heyer did, and make up your own slang. Ms. Heyer was a master of blending her invented words with the time period her books were set in. I’m not sure if Ms. Heyer was being creative, or just trying to stop plagiarism. Regardless the reason, her slang words bring color and atmosphere to her books. Remember, historical romance readers are an interesting group of people, and nothing will make a Romnancelander rant quicker than a perceived historically inaccurate word…or clothing…or furniture…or a name… or a flute glass. By the way, the flute glass was correct. I did say perceived.
Family Feud. In A Reckless Match we have a family feud. The feud has been going on for so long no one remembers why it started. Some say it was a love affair gone wrong, some say it was a stolen pig. Regardless the reason, in order to maintain the peace between the Davies and Montgomery families, someone from each family must meet on a bridge and shake hands. They must do this on the summer equinox. If they don’t, they forfeit some land. This year Maddie Montgomery is waiting for Gryffud Davies, and he’s late. That’s ok by her, because if he doesn’t show up, the Davies family forfeits the land. Maddie really, really, really needs that land. Maddie is happy that stupid Gryffud is late, she’s rubbing her hands together with glee. That no good handsome guy…she hateeesssssss him. Just hatessss him. He’s been a thorn in her side since childhood. The time of the hand shake is approaching, the land is almost in her grasp…what’s that she hears? Clopping. Clopping. A horse with a rider. Gryffud!
A smug Gryffud arrives, and the fire works begin.
Gryffud and Maddie made a delightful couple. Plenty of banter, verbal battles, and fun. There was also a reasonable about of sexual tension. Along the way, there were smugglers, hidden treasure and adventures in caves. Were there bumps in the road, issues that raised one of my eyebrows? Yes. I did think Maddie had a large amount of freedom, especially considering the time period. But, I overlooked that so I could enjoy a new author. Another bump in the road: I must admit, after reading a gazillion romances in my lifetime, the “losing your virginity before you die” routine is becoming a little tiresome. And finally, the use of modern language set off my historical accuracy nagging voice. Such a bothersome high-pitched voice that is. However….
My issues vs. a new voice. While there were a few things in this story which I had an issue with, I still feel comfortable recommending A Reckless Match. I’m hopeful that Romanceland has found a refreshing new voice in the form of Ms. Bateman. I did have a smile on my face when I finished this book, and am looking forward to the next book in the series. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t stumble across the word “uptight” in the next one.
Time/Place: Regency England
Sensuality: Warm/Hot
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