Review - - The Game and the Governess

Morning, Dish friends!  I finally made it home from RWA last night - hot, sweaty, exhausted and five hours later than originally scheduled.  I dragged my luggage (filled with books and other goodies we'll be giving away here at the Dish) into the condo, sat down on the couch, promptly fell asleep...and didn't wake up until 9:30 this morning.  So, while I upload photos, write RWA blogs and give my poor, neglected dog the attention she deserves, please enjoy this review by Janga of The Game and the Governess by Kate Noble. It's the first book in what looks to be a terrific new series and, like Janga, I loved it.  Don't forget to check back later for installment one of What Happens in San Antonio!  

The Game and the Governess

By Kate Noble

Publisher: Pocket

Release Date: July 29, 2014

Ned Granville, Earl of Ashby, is known as “Lucky Ned” because of his phenomenal luck. He has proved lucky with cards, lucky with women, lucky in inheriting a title that, barring a tragic accident, should never have been his, and lucky to have returned from the Napoleonic Wars a hero. So confident is he of his luck that when his friend and secretary proposes a wager, Ned, after some hesitation accepts. If Ned can persuade a lady of good breeding to fall in love with him, not as the Earl of Ashby but as Mr. Turner, the Earl’s secretary, within two weeks, he will win the family mill that Turner has dedicated himself to restoring. If Ned fails, he will pay Turner 5000 pounds. The proof of Ned’s success is to be a dance, a token of affection, and intimate knowledge of the lady. The need to make a decision about the cottage and land he inherited from his mother provides a setting far enough from London to make the exchange possible. The two men, having exchanged identities for two weeks, set out for Hollyhock, a small town in Leicestershire where Ned lived in genteel poverty with his mother until at the age of twelve he became heir to his present title.

Ned’s life moved from poverty to privilege; Phoebe Baker’s journey was the reverse. She was only seventeen, still a student at an exclusive school for girls, when her father’s death left her destitute. No longer a cherished, sheltered young lady looking forward to a London season, she was suddenly a young woman on her own with no money, no family, and only references and the name of a family in need of a governess as a means of survival. Before she is forced to leave the school, Phoebe writes a letter to the man she holds responsible for her plight, an aristocrat who allowed a thief free to prey on others rather than appearing foolish in the eyes of his peers. Phoebe’s father was one of his victims. Phoebe swears if the opportunity ever affords, she will see that the aristocrat suffers the consequences of his action. The letter is addressed to the Earl of Ashby.

When Ned and Turner arrive at Puffington Arms, the home of Sir Nathan and Lady Widcoate, where they are to stay for their two-week visit to Hollyhock, they find a house filled with ladies, all of them interested in the Earl of Ashby and none of them interested in his secretary. When it becomes clear that Ned’s contact with the ladies in the party will be severely restricted, he focuses his attention on the thin, plain governess, particularly after he discovers that she once attended a prestigious school for girls, thus qualifying her as a lady and the likeliest candidate to help him win his wager. Phoebe does her best to avoid attention and blend into the background, but Ned’s persistence and charm gradually erode her defenses. Even more gradually, Ned finds himself captivated by Phoebe’s humor, courage, and quiet beauty. But the more deeply Ned falls in love, the more he recognizes the consequences of the deceit in which he has chosen to engage.  A careless wager may cost him what he wants most.

Noble gives her readers an intricate plot and a sizeable cast of characters in a story that is part romantic romp, part moral tale. The switched identities predictably lead to some humorous moments, and the secondary characters from the Widcoates and their guests to the townspeople are generally amusing. Ned is totally unprepared for the realities of life without the privileges that he takes for granted. Noble takes something as simple as bath water to draw chuckles and to make her reader aware of how encompassing the hierarchical structure of her world is. The taciturn, introverted Turner is no more prepared for the social responsibilities and lack of solitude that comes with Ned’s title than Ned is for the lack of status his secretary is given. Both men learn from the experience.

Phoebe is a wonderful heroine. She possesses intelligence, strength of character, a lively sense of the ridiculous, and integrity in the fullest sense of that word. She has a rare wholeness in that there is little distance between the beliefs she espouses and the way she conducts her life. The reader first sees her as a hurting, angry young woman who is given sound advice by one of the teachers as she leaves the school where she has spent five years of her life. Phoebe’s decision to follow the advice rather than surrender to bitterness occurs offstage. What the reader sees is Phoebe putting the advice into practice. She is not perfect (Thank goodness!), but she is an interesting, appealing, admirable heroine.

In the early chapters, Ned is an arrogant, self-absorbed young aristocrat bored with life. He is a man who lives on the surface, using self-indulgence to avoid thinking deeply about anything. While experiencing life as an earl’s secretary increases his awareness, it is his relationship with Phoebe that truly changes him. Although it happens in a way far different from that which the young Phoebe had envisioned, she does indeed show him that choices have consequences. Frankly, I found the first part of the book rough going because I disliked the hero, but the hero’s growth is central to this story. Ned grows into a man with a keener mind, a sharper conscience, and a larger heart, and I loved watching his growth.

If you like romance that combines the light and the substantive, I highly recommend this book. I have added it to my list of the Best of 2014, and I eagerly await John Turner’s story and hope for the story of Ned and Turner’s doctor friend, Rhys Gray, as well.

~Janga

Today's Special - - Kate Noble

I discovered historical romance author Kate Noble early in her romance writing career and have happily devoured each new book she writes.  Several of them occupy places on my keeper shelves and her newest, The Game and the Governess is destined to join them. A national bestselling author as well as a RITA finalist, Kate has also earned coveted starred reviews from Library Journal and Publisher's Weekly. You can find more information about Kate at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter.

Welcome back, Kate!  It’s always a pleasure to host you here at the Romance Dish, especially since that usually means you have a new book out, something that makes Andrea and me very happy!  Speaking of your new book, will you please share with our readers what they can expect from The Game and the Governess?

-- Thank you so much for having me!  What readers can expect from The Game and the Governess is a little bit of silliness and a whole lot of luck.  (And some sexy times.)  The book starts off with the Earl of Ashby, known as “Lucky Ned” making a wager with his best friend and secretary John Turner, to see if Ned can get any young lady to fall in love with him without the benefit of his title.  Thus, on a two-week trip to the country, Ned and Turner switch places.  Nothing after that goes according to plan.  It’s my version of the Prince and the Pauper, and I enjoyed the hell out of writing it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! 

Phoebe and Ned both have lessons to learn on their journeys of growth and discovery.  What do you want readers to understand about each of these characters?

-- That the surface they wear is not who they are.  Ned presents himself to the world as “Lucky Ned”, but he’s hiding a lot of pain from his past.  And Phoebe, while reduced to the hard life of a governess, is determined to be optimistic, no matter what life dishes out to her. They both can learn a lot from each other, in that sense. 

What was your greatest challenge in writing this book? 

-- Finding the right balance between silliness and seriousness.  Something I’m certain all us authors struggle with.

What was the most fun?

-- Finding those scenes with Ned and Phoebe together and being delighted by what they discover.

 Would you like to share an excerpt from The Game and the Governess?

Certainly!  Here’s a short excerpt about splitting a blackberry tart…

“There are no forks, so, by all means, you go first.”

She moved the plate closer to her, and picked up her half a tart, taking the smallest of bites.

It was delicious.

She made a small, throaty sound, a sigh of appreciation. Her eyes closed, and she let the blackberry juices fill the inside of her mouth, savoring.

When she opened her eyes, he was giving her the most curious look, his own mouth hanging open.

And he didn’t stop staring.

A self-conscious hand flew to her mouth. “I’m sorry, did I… am I a mess?” she asked.

“No!” he cried. “Not at all –” he remarked with a smile, one so wide it reminded Phoebe of a few short hours ago, when he had thought he had something stuck in his teeth. “I am pleased to see you enjoying the tart. It really must be exceptional.”

Are you able to give us a glimpse into the next book in the series?  When might we expect that book?

-- The next book is John Turner’s story.  And since it follows directly from the events of The Game and the Governess, I can’t tell you too much about it without too many spoilers.  But I will say this – where Ned has always been lucky, Turner has always been unlucky – but he’s determined to change that, especially since a certain countess has now entered his life. 

I'm looking forward to seeing how he accomplishes that! 

You have a lot of writing irons in the fire, Kate.  Romance readers may not be aware that as Kate Rorick you have written for television, the Emmy Award winning transmedia series, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and the recently published book, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet.  How did you come to be a part of the Lizzie Bennet writing team and did you have any idea that it would become such a mega-hit?   

-- Well, my friend Margaret Dunlap is sitting right next to me as I answer this question.  Margaret was co-executive producer on The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and having worked together before on a different TV show, she knows about my secret life as a romance novelist (and devoted Austenite).  When they decided to expand the writing staff of the web series, she suggested me and a meeting or two later, I was hired.

I understand that you’re also working on an upcoming television series.  Are you able to share any information about that project?

-- I’m a writer for the upcoming television show The Librarians, on TNT (a 10-episode drama series scheduled to premier in December).  It’s based on the incredibly popular series of “The Librarian” movies, starring Noah Wyle.  It’s a mix of Indiana Jones, Doctor Who and the fun episodes of the X-Files, and it’s a total blast. 

Okay, so you have a book that released in June, a book coming out in July, a new television series you’re working on and, if that weren’t enough, you’re expecting a baby any day.  When do you sleep?  LOL! No, really, how do you keep all those balls in the air?  Any helpful tips for the rest of us multi-taskers?

-- Survive and advance.  All you can do is what you need to get done that day, and move on to the next one. 

Let’s turn the focus away from writing for a bit.  Summer has arrived which means I give myself permission to turn off the calorie counter every now and then to indulge in some special warm weather treats.  My favorites are root beer floats and frozen chocolate dipped bananas.  What summer treats do you give yourself permission to eat or drink?

-- Well, if I wasn’t expecting a baby any day, I would be enjoying a good beer at the ballpark right now.  But I love summer because it’s when all the delicious fruits come into the grocery store, which means the variety of pies I can consume goes up dramatically.  Anything with cherries is my kryptonite. 

As I type this question, I’m looking out my window at beautiful potted geraniums, a deep pink crepe myrtle tree, green grass and a bright white fence.  What’s the view from your window?

-- My window looks out onto the balcony, where my husband is in full summer gardening mode.  There are 3 different tomato plants, strawberries, multiple herbs, pepper plants and for some reason, marigolds.  All grown from seed.  Mind you, I do none of the work, but I partake in the deliciousness.

Your fairy godmother waves her magic wand and gives you one week in any place of your choice and an unlimited supply of books to read.  Where do you go and what books (or authors) do you reach for first?

-- I would kill for a week at a lakeside cottage.  Nothing to do but enjoy the view and go swimming.  As for books, I would grab my massive TBR pile, and let it surprise me J 

Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to visit with us today, Kate.  It’s always a pleasure to host you here at TRD.  We wish you all the best with your many projects. Would you like to ask our readers a question today?

-- Of course!  Since The Game and the Governess is all about trading places – who would you trade places with (temporarily!) and why?

Leave your answer in the comments and someone will win a signed copy of The Game and The Governess! (US only, please)