Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1510316 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 408 pages

From Amazon.com
Setting: Boston and Rio de Janeiro, 1851

Sensuality: 7

Isadora Peabody is the brilliant but socially inept sibling in an otherwise perfect family. And although she struggles to fit into Boston society, her awkwardness dooms her to repeated failure. Fate intervenes when she learns that a sea captain, Ryan Calhoun, is in need of an interpreter for his next voyage to Rio. And despite Ryan's adamant opposition to hiring a female interpreter, Isadora gains a berth on his ship, thanks to a little blackmail.

Life aboard ship and away from the strict confines of Boston society finds Isadora losing weight, gaining confidence, and blooming like a rose. She befriends the motley crew of rough sailors, and in turn, they become a charm school of sorts, tutoring her in gracefulness--which comes in handy when climbing the rope rigging--dancing, and friendship. Isadora's transformation fascinates Ryan, but he is determined to stay away from her for he has secretive, dangerous plans. Unaware of Ryan's interest, Isadora struggles with her growing attraction to the reckless sea captain. But before they can resolve their feelings, prior commitments surface and endanger their chance of finding a happy future together.

The Charm School is a tale of the evolution of two complicated people and the powerful love that binds them. Wiggs skillfully peels away the layers that conceal the real Isadora until the transformation from misfit to confident woman is complete, while Ryan develops from a wild, rebellious southerner into a man who can overcome impossible odds to reach his goals. If you like swashbuckling adventure, fascinating characters, vivid settings, and surprising plot twists, this wonderful novel will be just your cup of tea.--Lois Faye Dyer

From Library Journal
A cargo-hauling clipper ship would seem an unlikely place for a Boston spinster to acquire social polish, but the insecure Isadora Peabody, who wangles passage aboard the Silver Swan and sets sail for Rio, is not the confident, self-assured woman who returns to set society (and the unworthy object of her former affections) firmly on its ear. A crew of rough, lovable seamen, a single-minded captain who is caught up short by love, and a heroine who finally learns to believe in herself draw readers into this lively, funny story. While a love scene in which the hero gets the heroine high on hemp may tarnish this story for some, the ugly-duckling aspects of the plot and the concern with slavery issues will appeal to fans across the board. Wiggs (The Drifter, Mira: Harlequin, 1998) is a popular, RITA-winning author and lives in the Pacific Northwest.AKR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ingram
Plain, awkward, and painfully shy, Isadora Peabody doesn't fit in anywhere--not with her elegant family, not in Boston society, and certainly not on board the "Silver Swan", a boat bound for exotic Rio de Janeiro with the fiery captain Ryan Calhoun at the helm. Yet somehow Ryan's motley crew makes a place for her--while Ryan himself soon comes to appreciate a great deal more than just her sound business sense.