Metzger, Barbara

views updated

Metzger, Barbara

PERSONAL:

Born in New Rochelle, NY; daughter of Jerome Ira (a stockbroker) and Celia Metzger. Education: Connecticut College, B.A., 1966.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Montauk, NY. E-mail—write2barbara@aol.com.

CAREER:

Author. Greeting card verse writer, 1966; worked as an assistant editor, proofreader, and copy editor, 1966-75; artist and craftsperson, 1969—.

MEMBER:

Friends of the Montauk Library, Romance Writers of America, Beau Monde, Long Island Romance Writers.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Romantic Times Online award, for Miss Lockhart's Letters; Rita Award for best Regency romance novel, 2003, for A Debt to Delia; two career achievement awards in Regency Romance, Romantic Times.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE FICTION

Bething's Folly, Walker (New York, NY), 1981.

The Earl and the Heiress, Walker (New York, NY), 1982.

My Lady Innkeeper, Walker (New York, NY), 1985.

Rake's Ransom, Walker (New York, NY), 1986.

Cupboard Kisses, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1989, Signet (New York, NY), 2001.

A Suspicious Affair, G.K. Hall (Thorndike, ME), 1995.

Father Christmas, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1995.

An Enchanted Affair, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1996.

The Primrose Path, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1997.

Snowdrops and Scandalbroth, G.K. Hall (Thorndike, ME), 1998.

Miss Lockhart's Letters, Fawcett (New York, NY), 1998.

A Worthy Wife, New American Library (New York, NY), 2000.

Saved by Scandal, Signet (New York, NY), 2000.

(With others) A Regency Christmas Eve, Signet (New York, NY), 2000.

The Painted Lady, Signet (New York, NY), 2001.

Miss Westlake's Windfall, Signet (New York, NY), 2001.

A Debt to Delia, Signet (New York, NY), 2002.

(With Sandra Heath, and others) A Regency Christmas: Five Stories, Signet (New York, NY), 2002.

Lady Sparrow, Signet (New York, NY), 2002.

The Diamond Key, Signet (New York, NY), 2003.

(With Sandra Heath, and others) Regency Christmas Wishes: Five Stories, New American Library (New York, NY), 2003.

Love, Louisa, Five Star (Waterville, ME), 2004.

A Perfect Gentleman, Signet (New York, NY), 2004.

Wedded Bliss, Signet (New York, NY), 2004.

(With Allison Lane, and others) Wedding Belles: Five Stories, Signet (New York, NY), 2004.

(With Amanda McCabe, and others) Regency Christmas Magic: Five Stories, Signet Book (New York, NY), 2004.

The Duel, Signet (New York, NY), 2005.

(With Connie Brockway, Casey Claybourne, and Catherine Anderson) The True Love Wedding Dress, Onyx (New York, NY), 2005.

(With others) Regency Christmas Courtship: Five Stories, Signet Book (New York, NY), 2005.

Jack of Clubs, Signet Eclipse (New York, NY), 2006.

The Hourglass, Signet Eclipse (New York, NY), 2007.

Truly Yours, Signet Eclipse (New York, NY), 2007.

Also author of novels Lady Whilton's Wedding, Lord Heartless, Miss Treadwell's Talent, The Christmas Carrolls, and Valentines.

SIDELIGHTS:

Barbara Metzger once told CA: "My arts and crafts consist of animal paintings—acrylics on natural materials—and hand-built ceramics. I sell mostly at craft shows, from May to December. In the winters I write…. I loved [the work of Regency romance novelist] Georgette Heyer and the whole feeling of Regencies—sweet and silly, basically fun." Many critics have acknowledged the "basically fun" aspect of Metzger's romance novels. A review of Snowdrops and Scandalbroth by an All about Romance contributor pointed to the way Metzger "explores, in the lightest and funniest of ways, the double standard that we sometimes apply to the behavior of heroes and heroines." In Metzger's 1998 novel, the strapping Viscount Chase is basically chaste—and "it's killing him," as the reviewer wrote. Worried that his lack of romantic experience will label him a failure, the viscount seeks a woman to marry. But before any of the fair maidens will give him a look, the count must develop a more randy reputation. He needs "a mistress to show off, but not one who will gossip to others"; penniless governess Miss Partland seems to fit the bill. Concerned about her own reputation, Miss Partland assumes a fictitious name and settles into the role of courtesan. The All about Romance reviewer cited an "overly complicated external plot" that includes a jewel theft as a drawback to Snowdrops and Scandalbroth, but "worth remembering" are the scenes in which Metzger switches her characters' gender roles. "It is then," the critic continued, "that we have the opportunity, however fleeting, to consider the appeal of a hero willing to save his body for the woman he loves."

In The Painted Lady Metzger offers, in the opinion of Romance and Friends critic Jonathan Taylor, "another delightfully funny Regency," this time centering on the duke of Casewell, who lives to paint. Unfortunately, aristocrats of the eighteenth century do not paint pictures, so the duke must hide in the attic, where he paints nudes—but only from memory, lest a live model betray his secret. A problem with canines is what dogs Corin, Seventh Viscount Knowle, in Metzger's The Primrose Path. When Corin's inheritance of Primrose Cottage is willed instead to the family dogs, courtesy of eccentric aunt Sophie, it is up to Sophie's young maid Angelina to care for the canines until homes can be found for one and all. Corin and Angelina are destined to find love together, but not before they maneuver through espionage and romantic triangles.

Metzger takes a darker plot turn with A Debt to Delia. In this 2002 novel, the title character is an honest woman who made one mistake, resulting in an out-of-wedlock child named Delia. Into the young mother's life comes Major Tyverne St. Ives, who vows to look after Delia as a dying wish to the woman's brother, George, who has sacrificed his life to save the major. For all his attention to young Delia, the soldier is no lady's man, and, related a Publishers Weekly contributor, "his talk of honor and duty fails to impress [the unwed mother], who demands nothing less than a marriage built on love." The reviewer summed up A Debt to Delia as "unforgettable," an example of Metzger's writing "at its finest and funniest."

A Perfect Gentleman features Viscount "Stony" Wellstone, who despite his title is forced to search for a way to make his fortune. Unfortunately, Stony lacks any practical talents and eventually sets out to offer himself as an escort for hire to young women and matrons looking to dance and be otherwise entertained in London high society. When he is hired by Ellianne Kane, a merchant's daughter who is able to elevate her status through her financial means, he is eventually won over by her charm and personality. Meanwhile, the two search the ballrooms of the city for a suitable match for Ellianne's sister, and for the sister herself, who has seemingly vanished. A Publishers Weekly reviewer found the overall mystery weak, but remarked of the hero and heroine that "the two have good chemistry and the plot has an Ugly Duckling charm." In Booklist Shelley Mosley dubbed the book "another captivating tale of Regency England."

In Wedded Bliss Metzger tells the story of a marriage of convenience between a viscount in search of a mother for his sons and the daughter of a vicar who is a widow in need of a father for her own boys. The new bride, however, is determined to transform the union into something much more real and loving. Library Journal contributor Kristin Ramsdell called Metzger's effort a "lighthearted, nicely done romance," as well as "funny and rewarding."

The Duel focuses on what happens when Earl Ian Maddox participates in a duel only to have his bullet ricochet and injure Toby Renslow, a teenage boy who is standing nearby. Maddox takes Toby to his home to recuperate, and, upon the boy's insistence, also extends the invitation to his sister, Athena. However, the girl in no child but a young woman of nineteen, and Maddox determines he must marry her because she is in his home without benefit of a chaperone. What follows is a merry courtship as Maddox attempts to convince Athena of the necessity of his decision. Kristin Ramsdell, again reviewing for Library Journal, felt that "this well-written romance puts a fresh twist on a classic plot." Booklist critic Shelley Mosley declared that "Metzger has penned a truly outstanding historical."

The Hourglass follows a knight, Sir Corwyn of Ardsey, who is known as Ar. He is killed while in the act of plundering a village and is transformed into a being known as Death. Ar serves in his new role for many centuries, intent on escaping at the first opportunity. Finally, he convinces Satan to make him mortal once more. As a price for regaining his life, Ar must locate a particular hourglass. If he fails within six months, he will return to the afterlife and his perpetual task. Over the course of his search, Ar has a number of adventures, including meeting and falling in love with Genie, whom he marries. Booklist reviewer Shelley Mosley called Metzger's effort "an extraordinary book that commands the reader's attention and lingers in the mind long after the last page."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, September 15, 2001, review of Saved by Scandal, p. 211; October 1, 2004, Shelly Mosley, review of A Perfect Gentleman, p. 317; January 1, 2005, Shelley Mosley, review of The Duel, p. 831; February 1, 2007, Shelley Mosley, review of The Hourglass, p. 38.

Library Journal, May 15, 2001, Kristin Ramsdell, review of The Painted Lady, p. 107; February 15, 2004, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Wedded Bliss, p. 113; January 1, 2005, Kristin Ramsdell, review of The Duel, p. 92.

Publishers Weekly, March 25, 2002, review of A Debt to Delia, p. 49; September 13, 2004, review of A Perfect Gentleman, p. 64.