The Marriage List

by Dorothy McFalls

Book Overview

Compelled by his family to marry, Viscount Radford Evers makes a list of his requirements for a wife. Humble tenant May Sheffers meets none of these, so why does his heart beat madly at the sight of her?

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451214994
• ISBN13: 9780451214997
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 219 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Fabulous!

Radford, the fourth Viscount Evers, is injured while in the Peninsula. Being that close to death forces Radford to admit that he must settle down with a wife and beget an heir. He even has his irritating best friend, Lord Nathan Wynter, help him make up a list as to what he required of a potential viscountess. He sets his eye on Lady Lillian, the lovely and vain youngest daughter of the Duke of Newbury. However, it is a complicated and outrageous lady named Miss Margaret "May" Sheffers that intrigues him to the point of distraction. May is the only one who dares to stand up and go toe-to-toe with the sufferable Viscount Evers. Her parents disappeared years ago in a South American jungle. Uncle Sires is trying to have May's parents declared dead. Therefore, all May's funds have been seized and are tied up in court. If Uncle Sires (a.k.a. the Earl of Redfield) succeeds, he will inherit all the money rightfully belonging to May. If that was the only problem, May could easily deal with it. However, Uncle Sires is trying to throw her into the arms of a man old enough to be her grandfather. If Uncle Sires has his way, May will be wed to the man within two weeks. Yet once May and Radford share one passionate kiss, things begin to change. ***** There are a few more secondary characters that add keep two sub-plots running and the story moving right along. I never found myself bored. In fact, I read this entire novel in one sitting. I could not put the book down. I feel bad for any Regency Romance fan who misses out on this fantastic novel! Highly recommended! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Lovely Regency - Fresh New Voice!

Viscount Radford Evers in surviving the battle at Salamanca sustained a crippling injury that eventually sent him to Bath in an effort that the healing waters would help to cure him. While the waters might heal the injury to his leg, the waters, so far were doing nothing to heal the bitterness in his soul because of the injury that kept him from riding his beloved horses. Forced to walk with a limp on a foot and leg that pained him constantly, his once cherry personality was decidedly grim. His best friend, Lord Nathan Wynter, was not about to let him wallow in self-pity and on one of his unannounced visits and on a whim they decided to make a list of attributes Evers considered essential and should look for in selecting the perfect wife. It was on this particular afternoon that May Sheffers and her best friend Iona stormed their way into Evers study, and Radford's life would never be the same. Other than good broad hips [perfect for child-bearing] May Sheffers held none of the attributes he desired in a mate. May's parents had left her in the care of her Aunt Winnie and gone off to seek their fortune and adventure in exotic places. After not having been heard from for several years, May's uncle, a controlling Earl, had petitioned to have her parents declared dead, thereby as head of the household, gaining control of and cutting off May's funds. Since this had happened, the rent on May and Aunt Winnie's cottage in Bath had not been paid and Ever's man of affairs had sent an eviction notice. May needed to convince Evers to intervene in stopping the eviction and give her time to sort out the financial tangle. May's patience at Radford's haughty attitude towards her and Iona was too much to bear and she abruptly took her leave, hoping never to lay eyes on the handsome insufferable Viscount again. Unfortunately, it would seem fate was not about to honor her wishes, as the next few weeks would have them bumping (literally) into one another time and again. For Radford, he would soon learn that in matters of the heart - his list of the perfect woman didn't even come close to the yearnings of his heart! *** For a debut I must say I was delighted with this new authors effort. I found her writing fresh, and her lead characters fully developed with their personalities very well crafted. Radford's metamorphous into a caring individual as he came to cherish May, first as a friend, then soul-mate was very lovely indeed. The story itself was heart-warming with a wonderful plot and a trickle of suspense concerning the underlying reasons behind her odious uncle's interference in her life. The secondary characters were also all strongly laid out and motivationally insightful. This was a fine effort on the part of this author and I highly applaud it this book and sincerely recommend it to any and all, looking for a very entertaining regency read.

an emotionally engaging read

Still recovering from injuries from the Battle of Salamanca, Viscount Evers has decided to succumb to parental pressure and marry. Even though he has a badly injured leg and he may always walk with a limp, Evers is still a matrimonial prize. And because he's still angry and bitter about his injuries, and because he has no real interest in exerting himself too much in order to find a wife, Evers makes a list of all the qualities he wants his future wife to have: good birth, respectable dowry, beauty, youth and a pliable nature. All the qualities that the lovely Lady Lillian Newberry possesses and non of which May Sheffers, a tenant of his that is being evicted for non payment of rents possesses. And yet Evers finds himself being unexpectedly drawn to the intelligent but dowdy young lady, making a mockery of his marriage list... "The Marriage List," Dorothy McFalls, debut novel has more strengths than weaknesses. It is a very well written novel (though one of the previous reviewer's complaints about too modern language and phrases is true), with a nicely drawn cast of characters and a good plot that is competently and powerfully executed. And if you're looking for an emotionally engaging read with a strong character portrayal of the heroine, then you're bound to enjoy "The Marriage List." It's been a while since I've read such a poignant novel -- Dorothy McFalls did and excellent job of making me feel May's panic, hopelessness and her pain. I also thought that the author did a rather good job of making us see how confused Evers felt about his unexpected feelings for May, and how torn he was between doing the expected thing of courting the exceptional Lady Lillian and wanting to spend more time with May. I just wished that the author had 1) made a better case of making us see from the very first chapter, what it was about May that drew Evers to her from the very beginning (what he saw in her later, and how he grew to appreciate her, I think was very well documented); 2) had thought of a better way to get rid of the villains of the novel. I won't go into it because this will mean plot spoilers, but May's Aunt Winnie's sudden decision to finally act and for not having acted sooner seemed a little weak to me! And 3) the rushed ending where everything ends well and all loose ends are tied up -- after the emotional penultimate chapter, this last chapter was a bit of a letdown. On the whole though, I was pleased that I bought "The Marriage List," and will be looking out for Dorothy McFalls future books.

The Marriage List - A delightful, fresh love story.

The Marriage List was a quick read that kept me turning pages from start to finish. The author captured the essence of the age without loading up the prose with gratuitous period facts with little bearing on the story. While most Regency's are set in London, these characters visit Bath and their daily lives reflect the passtimes of the period. The love story was delightful and fresh. I highly recommend the Marriage List to lovers of Regency Romance everywhere. Bonnie Joyner.

charming debut for McFalls

An enchanting Regency for first time writer Dorothy McFalls. I have seen a review slashing at this book, and frankly, all reviewers/readers need to take a deep breath and step back. All writers are first time writers. It's not an easy process, and if you cannot do it yourself, then you need to have compassion for those brave enough to achieve this amazing feet. Only one in maybe one hundred thousand books ever see print. So celebrate another writer who got that golden ring. McFalls has a wonderfully fresh voice, which quickly pulled me into the story. She has a good sense at storytelling; she laces it with a good sense of humour and produces a very enjoyable tale! As for any tiny glitches, lighten up, and enjoy this fun tale.Viscount Radford Evers was injured at Waterloo when his horse fell upon him, leaving his leg crippled. Currently in Bath taking the waters, hoping it will help his bad limp, he is a foul mood despite the teasing of his best friend Lord Nathan Wynter, who is determined not to let his friend wallow in his fit of self-pity. This day, Radford felt more than self-loathing - he felt trapped. His mother arrived the night previous and is pushing Radford to find a bride. Whether to actually zero in on finding a wife or just to forestall mother dearest, Radford hits upon the idea of making a list of all the requirements of the perfect wife for him.Humble tenant of Viscount Radford Evers, May Sheffers intercepted the eviction notice in the morning mail before her ailing Aunt Winnie saw it. May's parents has been off awandering, as they are apt to do, and her uncle is trying to have them declared dead. This has caused a shortage in their funds, one May hopes is temporary. May has petitioned Mr. Bannor, Evers Man of Affairs for a stay, trying to show the money flow should be solved soon, but the odious little man is deaf as well as heartless. So when May learns Evers is in Bath taking the waters for his health, she is forced to outrageous action. With her friend Lady Iona Newbury in tow, May beards the elusive Viscount in his lair just as he is finished with his marriage list.Of course, humble May - a follower of Mary Wollstonecraft and a bluestocking all the way up to her eyebrows - has none of the qualities the haughty Viscount has just put to paper...but that will not stop cupid from making opposites fall.McFalls writing instantly puts you into the scene. She has a good feel for the period, strong, engaging characters, and so if there are a tiny slip here or there one skims over them. I really wouldn't have noticed them hadn't I seen another review demanding she be taken to the pillory for them. I was too in to the heartwarming tale to care. McFalls will obviously pen more tales. And I for one am looking forward to watching her talent and craft grow.