Courting Claudia

Claudia must resign her job as an illustrator for a popular newspaper. She is being courted by a suitable gentleman, and everyone knows that respectable ladies do not have a paying occupation. Claudia doesn’t want to hurt her chances for a suitable marriage. Derrick Middleton is the owner of the paper. He is surprised his illustrator is a woman, but he doesn’t want to lose a talented employee who would be difficult to replace. Since she is not officially engaged, he decides to court her himself to change her mind about resigning.

Claudia is a girl who is being manipulated by her father. She wants him to love and appreciate her, thus she will do almost anything he wants her to. One of the rare heroines who is not described as svelte and beautiful, Claudia’s innate sense of goodness shines through and enhances her physical attributes. Derrick is a man who is surprised by his feelings and desires for Claudia. Although his courtship was originally a scheme to keep an important employee, he soon finds himself mired in his emotions for her. Derrick is essentially a good man who finds love when he least expects it. Derrick and Claudia are quite lovely together as they try to find their way together. There is passion and eroticism as well as tenderness between them. The author does a wonderful job of exploring their characters as well as their relationship with each other.

Courting Claudia is an entertaining historical romance filled with the trials and tribulations as the lead couple glides toward their happily ever after. This reader appreciated how the author brought the couple together in the middle of the story and then showed us how they worked their way through their problems. Courting Claudia is the author’s first novel and it is a lovely beginning. This reader looks forward to Ms. DeHart’s next book.

Reviewed by: Susan T