Regina Scott Book Title: La Petite Four Publication Date: May 29, 2008 Publisher: Penguin Razorbill ISBN: 978-1-59514-208-5 Author's Website: http://www.lapetitefour.com

Description of Book:

Lady Emily Southwell and her three friends, Priscilla Tate and Daphne and Ariadne Courdebas, are known as La Petite Four because they are always together like cakes on a plate. They are determined that someday the world will speak in reverent tones of the year they made their debuts in London Society, starting with an elaborate ball. Lady Emily is equally determined to take her rightful place among the famous artists of the Royal Society for the Beaux Arts. That is, until Lord Robert Townsend shows up intending to marry her and whisk her off into the countryside. What can the fellow be thinking!

It's up to La Petite Four to discover whether Lord Robert has something more up his sleeve other than a nicely muscled arm.

About the Author:

Regina Scott started writing novels in the third grade. Thankfully for literature as we know it, she didn't actually sell her first novel until she had learned a bit more about writing such as vocabulary, sentence structure, and plot. After numerous short stories and articles in magazines and trade journals, she got serious about her novel writing, published 17 historical romances for adults, and realized it would be a lot more interesting to write for young adults instead.

Regina Scott and her husband are the parents of two teenage sons. They reside in the Tri-Cities of southeast Washington State. Raised in the Seattle area, Regina Scott is a graduate of the University of Washington. She is also a decent fencer; owns a historical, fantasy, and science fiction costume collection that takes up over a third of her large closet; and has been known to impersonate an independent consultant specializing in risk communication.

Excerpt:

Lady Emily Southwell, trained from birth to be the refined daughter of a duke, did the unthinkable. She hoisted the soft blue of her skirts, slipped out of the Grand Salon to leave the remaining seven members of the graduating class to their celebration, and ran. The sounds of their laughter echoed behind her, calling her to return, to accept their well wishes, to accept her dismal future.

She refused. She would not let them witness the depths of her vast disappointment. And she could not let Lord Robert find her.

She dashed down the school's main corridor, the slap of her amethyst-colored satin slippers against the polished floor nearly as loud as the gasp of her breath. Paneled doorways and soaring arches whipped past. Paintings of sweeping landscapes and dark myths framed in heavy gilt were little more than a blur, even Miss Martingale's favorite of The Fall of Man.

A rather inferior piece, really. She could do better.

A voice cried behind her, calling her name. Emily didn't dare turn to see who it was. As long as she pretended she didn't know her fate was waiting downstairs, she was free.

She rounded the corner, flew up the short flight of marble stairs, and ducked into the sunny bedchamber she'd shared the last few years with her three dearest friends, Priscilla Tate and Daphne and Ariadne Courdebas. The sounds of the elegant soiree faded away, but Miss Martingale's terrible announcement seemed to ring in her ears.

How could she have come to this? The girls had waited years for this day, when they completed their education and went to London. The old brick building had never looked so festive, adorned with laurel wreaths, gold-trimmed draperies, and banners welcoming their distinguished guests. All eight members of the graduating class had been equally adorned in their best silks, as bright as the tulips planted along the drive.

Except for Emily, of course. She'd worn dark blue.

Then, in what should have been her proudest moment, their headmistress had announced the winner of the Barnsley School for Young Ladies Prize in Art, a prize she'd longed for since her first day at the esteemed school. The memory made her ill. How could Emily have lost, and to Acantha Dalrymple of all people?! She yanked the satin sash off her shoulder. What did graduation matter if she was not acknowledged? Who cared for congratulations, spiced punch and cakes, fond remembrances of the past eight years, when her future was entirely blighted?

Or would be, if she didn't leave. Now.

Reviews:

"I really just cannot get over how good this book is! I urge you all to scurry to your closest book provider and pick up a copy of La Petite Four, as it is . . . AMAZING!!!" Awarded the site's Gold Star for Excellence and a place in the Hall of Fame from Teens Read Too

'The language is often poetic, with words such as “reticule” and “puce” and old-fashioned phrases like “havey cavey.” An excellent choice for fans of Anna Godbersen’s “Luxe” series.'  School Library Journal

"I loved the mystery and romance in this novel! I was hooked from the first page to the last, and the best part was, this book was not overly obvious, so I was right there with Emily and her friends as they tried to solve the mystery surrounding Lord Robert! A wonderful book with a simple, but sweet cover! A great historical fiction novel that even those who aren’t fans of historical fiction will surely enjoy! I look forward to reading more from author Regina Scott!" Awarded 9.92 out of 10 by The Book Vault.

"La Petite Four is a charming, expertly crafted traditional Regency romance." Chicago Tribune 

"This was the kind of book that could keep you up 'til the early hours of the morning because you're always wondering what's going to happen next. I loved how Emily seemed so different than the girls you hear about in that era; she was headstrong, bold, and stubborn, and would stop at nothing until she got what she wanted, and would let nothing get in her way. This was such an amusing, light book that would be fun for anyone to read."  Just Blinded Book Reviews

"This was a great read! I love historical fiction and La Petite Four is a wonderful addition to the genre! Regina Scott is an awesome writer! I really enjoyed this book and I hope she continues with books for Young Adults. La Petite Four has a little bit of everything; mystery, suspense, romance and of course really beautiful dresses! The plot is interesting and captivating." The Story Siren, who awarded the book 5 stars out of 5 and "great read status"!

"I highly recommend La Petite Four as a Regency romp par excellence."  Jane Bowers at Romance Reviews Today 

"Regina Scott proves her knowledge of this time period in this piece.  Creatively written . . .  fun read. . . I would recommend this book for the girls waiting for the next Luxe book to come out… this will satisfy your hunger for the wait."  Couture's Fashionable Reads