A Thing of Beauty

by Casey Claybourne

Book Overview

From the author of Tiger by the Tail and Cat and the Countess comes a sexy and funny Regency romance in which a recipe for beauty turns a reclusive bluestocking into a valuable commodity--sought after by London's most mysterious and handsome arbiter of taste.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425176959
• ISBN13: 9780425176955
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 325 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A fun romp

This is a fun, witty, romp. Ms. Claybourne kept me intrigued with the repartee between Belinda and Marcus. I always enjoy stories where the heroine is not the typical "beauty" but is really beautiful. Belinda is a beauty, especially to Marcus, and he proves it to all in the end. Did LyzThomas actually read the book, or just the cover? Sissy was a silly cousin not sister. Not a big deal you say, but when deciding on whether to read a book, I like the facts in the review to be correct.I love regency novels because of the restrictions that society put on its members, and how in a romance, the hero and heroine overcome those restrictions to find true love. That is the idea in a romance, to find true love whatever the obstacle. I believe that the "ton" would easily have fallen into the belief that this was a beauty cream and that someone on the fringes of that society would have been welcomed into it, just to get their greedy little hands on the cream. That is the way that society was. Very greedy, very superficial. Knowing that, that is why this plot works. Had it been another point in history, when there was not so much vanity, then it wouldn't have worked as well, but this period in time, makes it believable.Well done, Ms. Claybourne. You have provided us with another delightful read. A small escape from our everyday lives.

Regency Treat!

Casey Claybourne has made me a true Regency lover! Her skill at combining genuine humor with a real understanding of the period makes A THING OF BEAUTY such an engaging read, I couldn't put it down. Ms. Claybourne really shines and A THING OF BEAUTY is definitely A KEEPER!

A Thing of Beauty is a joy forever!

Casey Claybourne's October release from Berkley is entitled A Thing of Beauty. If you are, as I definitely am, a fan of Casey's humorous Regency-era historical romances, don't miss this one. A Thing of Beauty is a joy forever. Belinda Croft is approaching spinsterhood without a care in the world, other than how to satisfy her aunt's desire that she participate in her cousin Sissy's debut season when Belinda would just prefer to stay home and work in her laboratory, mixing home remedies for anything that ails those around her. She has never enjoyed going out in society and, fortunately for her, her widowed recluse of a father has never required her to do so. However, Belinda does not want to offend her aunt or hurt Sissy's feelings, so out into society she goes. And not only does she accompany Sissy, but provides her with a miracle beauty cream that all of the matrons of the ton begin to clamor for.Marcus Barrow should be an earl, if only his father had not angered King George by choosing to marry a servant girl rather than the woman chosen for him by the King. That choice caused the King to strip Marcus's father of the title and property that had been in his family for generations. Marcus has always made it his personal campaign to win back the earldom. So, when he accepted a secret wager from Prince Regent that forces him to spend time with the bluestocking Belinda Croft, Marcus had no idea he would be so thoroughly bewitched by the brainy miss. The ensuing romance and comedy of this story are both enjoyable and charming. As in all of Casey's books, the dialogue is engaging and witty. I love an independent and intelligent heroine, especially set in the Regency era, and Belinda certainly delivers. Marcus makes for a delicious hero with enough wit, respect for his heroine, and a touch of the deep dark secret to make things exciting between them.As always, Casey Claybourne delivers an entertaining and satisfying story for all lovers of romance, especially those of us intrigued with Regency-era England. Don't miss A Thing of Beauty.

A Thing of Beauty is just that..a true Thing of Beauty!

I don't often run into a book that I can't put down..but it happened with Casey Claybourne's latest book, A Thing of Beauty. It's a fantastic book that holds the readers interest until the very end! The heroine is so innocent yet bright-she's entirely herself, which is why the hero finds himself drawn to the plain Miss Cross..a fact he can't understand. It's a great love story that I highly recommend!

Amusing Regency romance

During the Regency, Phoebe Pennington asks her bookish niece Belinda Croft to help with the coming out of her daughter Sissy. Reluctantly, Belinda agrees although she finds the London season boring. She would rather use the time in her lab. Belinda becomes very helpful when mother and daughter panic because Sissy has a microscopic spot on her chin. Belinda provides her cousin with a beauty miracle cream, which is actually boot polish. Marcus Barrow wants Prinny to return the family title lost when his father married someone unacceptable to the monarch. Prinny constantly asks Marcus for his opinion on fashion because the Ton recognizes the nobleman as the final arbiter. However, Prinny puts Marcus on the spot when he challenges him to investigate the miracle cream that is now the talk of the aristocracy. The stake is the earldom. When Marcus meets Belinda, they fall in love, but he refuses to repeat the "mistakes" his father made when he married his royally unacceptable mother. A THING OF BEAUTY is an amusing Regency romance starring two likable individuals. The story line moves quickly as Belinda's cream becomes the rage. Belinda is an intelligent, witty character while Marcus struggles between his love for her and regaining his family title. Though stereotyped as inane, the support cast provides much of the silliness that lightens the plot. Casey Claybourne has written a facetious tale that will charm sub-genre fans with its fresh outlook on early nineteenth century aristocratic life.Harriet Klausner