[.ca] A Catch Of Consequence (ISBN 0425190153)

an entertaining romance:
In 1765 Boston, tavern manager Makepeace Burke despises the English crown and aristocracy for what they are doing to her and her fellow colonists. However, that does not stop the twenty-four year old from rescuing Sir Philip Dapifer from drowning in the Charles River. Her Good Samaritan deed leads to her ostracism from her friends and other patriots. Philip falls in love with his savior and returns the favor by sneaking her on board a ship bound to England. They marry on the vessel, but Makepeace finds life in England worse than Boston because the locals treat her with scorn for being a Yankee. As she adapts to her new life, Makepeace stays true to her beliefs of equality across the Anglo Atlantic, between classes, and between genders. Though in many ways Makepeace is an anachronism seemingly more suited o live in today's society than the pre-Revolutionary War era, readers will admire her spunk. The story line enables the audience to taste life just before the war in Boston and London with an emphasis on the disparity of opinions. This fascinating dual look at the dichotomy make for a vividly fine historical tale that shows Diana Norman can paint multiple perspectives without dismissing either side inside an entertaining romance. Harriet Klausner

This book is a great catch!:
What a wonderful novel! It is so full of surprises, whenever you think "Aha! I know just what is coming now!" you are wrong and the story takes an unsuspected turn that causes you to become "glued" to it. You really can't put it down! The plot, set in the 18th century (1765), is divided into three different parts corresponding to the three diferent locations where events take place. The main character, Makepeace Burkin, changes and evolves throughout the story, as she suffers the consequences of the "catch" the story begins with. Her solid puritan, egalitarian, business-oriented, no-nonsense American upbringing has made her hard-working, obstinate and fiercely independent, and it is a help in the moral choices she is constantly confronted with. However, the novel is not moralistic at all, and neither is the main character. She is a lovely tavern owner and supporter of the American cause against the British tyrants, who cannot imagine her life is going to take such a drastic turn. She has to stretch her moral principles indeed to cover many of the unbelievable, unimaginable situations she is involved in. There are many historically relevant themes in the novel, which is set in such interesting times and is narrrated from the point of view of an outsider (a colonial, a woman) who travels to the metropolis, Britain, and does not see it with much sympathy: she generally distrusts and despises the ruling classes and is confronted with many a hilarious, almost surrealistic situation whenever she is in the company of the rigid British aristocratic crowd in their own sophisticated home (Yes. Makepeace finds herself and her eccentric , lovable "family" in the tyrants' lair, in London) . However, those looking for a very romantic novel should be warned that, even though there IS a wonderful and heart-warming love story, the author does not overindulge in the romantic side of things. In fact, she is quite frugal and leaves quite a lot for the readers' imagination. The greatest strengths of the novel are: it is a VERY GOOD story well told (a really good yarn) and the characters are all ROUND and well FLESHED OUT, even those that we only see for two pages and then dissapear. The highly interesting atmosphere of the era is described through the events or actions that affect the characters, the author never gives encyclopedia-like explanations.In short, it is a wonder how so much atmosphere, so vibrating a story, and such eccentric but believable characters can be created by the author in just about 400 pages! Don't miss it! You won't regret it.

An unforgettable gem of a story:
Makepeace Burke's story starts out in 1765 on Boston's waterfront in uncertain times. Her rescue of a drowning Englishman propels her into a future of adventure, heroism, passion and independence that will keep you reading well past midnight. Her character is thoroughly enjoyable as well as the people she surrounds herself with. The book is full of unexpected turns and such emotional intensity at times, that it has become one of the top favorite books I've had the pleasure to read more than once. You won't be dissapointed.

An Entertaining Catch to Read:
It's 1765 and Boston is in an uproar at taxation without representation. Tavern owner Makepeace Burke "catches" an English lord drowning in the harbor and brings him to her home to care for his injuries. Sparks start flying between Makepeace and Sir Phillip Dapifer as she tries to find a way to get him back to the English without the locals finding out she's harboring the "enemy". I really enjoyed the tension between these two, along with their very dry but highly amusing banter. The story is told in three parts. The first part tells the tale of the "catch" of Sir Phillip, their flight from Boston and the voyage to England. The second part has Makepeace trying to fit into London society and the battles with Pip's witchy ex-wife. Eventually tragedy strikes and Makepeace is forced to start another life for herself and her family, but she is bent on revenge for those who wronged her. The third part is very similar to the revenge minded Count of Monte Cristo. And, as in that book Makepeace does finally realize that there is more to life and family than her single minded plans for revenge. All in all a very entertaining and engaging read, and one I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the glimpses of life along the Boston harbor, Georgian England and the coal mines of Northumberland. I found all the characters to be well defined, even the secondary ones. While it's not the greatest piece of historical fiction I've read, it's still worth taking the time to check this one out.