Elisabeth Fairchild

In this is sequel to Captain Cupid Calls the Shots, Valentine's story continues. The cute, clever titles are at variance to the meaty stories in these books. In Captain Cupid, Valentine is a despicable character, largely due to the effects of alcoholism. A hint of Valentine's redemption is mentioned in the Epilogue to Captain Cupid.

In Valentine's Change of Heart, Valentine continues to reclaim his life, step by step. He is a strong character, but the heroine, governess to his illegitimate show more daughter, is not sure whether she can trust him, nor does he trust himself. In short he is strong, but very vulnerable and potentially highly destructive to himself and others. The bulk of the story and the unfolding of Valentine Wharton and Elaine Deering's romance occurs on a roadtrip from his daughter's school somewhere in Cumbria to St. David's in Wales.

There are many unusual features to the story. Much of the story takes place in the protagonists thoughts. We get to see how each views their growing attachment to one another, and their uncertainties. Valentine often speaks brusquely and sardonically, but his thoughts are much softer. We get to see what gives him the strength to stay dry.

The ultimate resolution comes in a satisfying, but unexpected way.

A reconciliation between Valentine and his best friend Cupid apparently occurs, but is barely touched on though Penny Foster Shelbourne (Cupid's wife and Valentine's one-time love) plays a minor, but important role in the story. I would have liked this reconciliation to be more overt.

I really liked the book. When I reread it I will certainly reread Captain Cupid Calls the Shots first. It is a substantive romance wherein the protagonists are three-dimensional people with real strengths and challenges, for whom love brings comfort, joy, and meaning to life. show less

Miss Margaret Dornton is a naive, idealist whose imagination has been fired by tales of courage, great deeds, and heroism. Her desire to emulate the courage of her heros leads her into several very ill-considered actions which have serious repercussions for those around her, including her twin elder sisters, and her cousin Allan.

Major Lord Evelyn Dade was the sole survivor of his regiment at Waterloo. He is a broken man obsessed with death and guilt.

These two people would appear to be show more complete opposites, but there is more beneath the surface. Margaret Dornton is also acquainted with tragedy, and has had her own struggle with guilt. While the attraction between this pair is immediate, it does not lead immediately to commitment. Nevertheless as the story progresses there is growth in both Margaret and Evelyn. She looses her dewy-eyed romance with heroism as she comes to grips with the cost paid by the hero who survives. Evelyn begins to heal as Margaret's wisdom and caring draw him out into the light.

I liked this book. The similarities which draw Margaret and Evelyn to one another are believable. Elisabeth Fairchild is an author with considerable insight into people, especially men. For example, there is a months-long silence between the couple. It's the kind of thing that occurs between lovers which drives women absolutely crazy with its incomprehensibility. --This portion of the story is told from Evelyn's perspective. Another is the way in which Evelyn acts upon Margaret’s encouragement for him to talk to someone about his horrific experiences. Normally, the hero would unburden himself to the heroine. Neither Margaret, nor any woman, is first to receive Evelyn’s confidences. It is threads and touches of this sort that make Fairchild's novels rise to the upper rank of the Regency genre. show less

Captain Alexander Shelbourne is known as Cupid to his army companions for his marksmanship in battle – and because he always aims for the heart. When he accompanies his friend Valentine Wharton home, they happen to arrive on Valentine’s Day. Cupid is matched up with the lovely Penny Foster to grant her a Valentine’s wish. Known to Valentine as “Touch-me-not”, the girl’s reputation is questionable at best due to her mother’s unfortunate actions as well as her own eccentricities. show more But Cupid takes her cryptic clues and sets out to win her trust, and her heart in an effort to shake off the guilt of wartime.

A pretty story full of references to the landscape and legends of Cumbria – as well as to Wordsworth’s The Somnambulist. I especially liked the parts about Cupid’s attempts to recover from the horrors war inflicted on him and how distant he feels from his wartime friends. But the romance itself seemed a bit weak – Cupid is concerned that Penny feels more strongly and more deeply for the child in her care than she does for him, and every single action throughout the book does seem to lend itself to that interpretation. But that insecurity is simply glossed over without any matter of proof on her part at the end of the story. All in all it seemed as if he were significantly more attached to her than she to him, and it pains me to see a romance that is so one-sided. I wish she had shown him a bit more affection given what he does for her sake at the climax of the novel.

Definitely not bad, but not something I’d keep around for several reads. show less

Excellent - Totally 5 *****! I loved the unusual beginning and the way the hero had a realistic problem he had to continually battle to overcome. Also loved the unique musical aspect woven through this story. The dialogue was excellent. Great book!