Unexpected American Book

I love Regency romances, both traditional in context and those with a more modern slant. I understand the differences in classes of that time, why 'ladies' were treated like spun gold and how most men were very narrow-minded in what they expected of relationships and marriage. In defense of THE COCKERMOUTH MAIL, I enjoyed that the hero was a physically disabled soldier but also with a title and the heroine came from a good family but was on hard times. Yes, the hero and heroine weren't perfect-looking and not everything was going their way.

Colonel, Sir Richard Severall, is on his way home after being injured in the war. The mail coach that is taking him and his fellow soldier and assistant, Jem, to their destination is in for some action. Another passenger, Miss Dorcas Minster, is penniless and has taken a position as governess in the town of Cockermouth. Hence, the title, THE COCKERMOUTH MAIL. Innocent in many ways, Richard makes it his mission to watch out for the unattended young woman. There are also some other interesting secondary characters and it must be the reader's ability to decide who are the good guys. Highwaymen have been known to rob the coaches and their passengers.

Over a period of five days, everyone gets to know each other better. Written more like a traditional regency, I found some of the reading slow at times. I also had a very difficult time understanding the language that the common folk spoke. The accent and slang of several characters and the way they enunciated their words had me rereading lines over and over trying to figure what was said.

"Us'll get urn arterwards." "Fond of jugged 'are, I am." "It was get 'im aht or stand clear o' the wreckage, I reckon." "There's a cove in th' kitchen says as 'ow 'e's a gimekipper," he said lugubriously." This is just a smattering of what was said. For this reason I am giving the story three stars. As nice as Richard and Dorcas were to each other, the actual storyline wasn't all that unusual. I guess I expected more from all the high ratings other people gave this book.