This was an interesting read. The Hippo Banquet features travel stories by Mary Kingsley, being an explorer in a time where female explores where very rare. So for that I found it interesting to read about and she actually writes quite well. However, her views are very Victorian (obviously) and I've found that I never like these travel stories very much.

 

~Little Black Classics #32~

 

Mary Kingsley was an 19th Century English scientific writer and explorer. She wrote two books about her journeys through Africa and helped to change Europe's view of the African cultures and British Imperialism.

I had never heard of Mary Kingsley before I picked this book up and I think that is the greatest tragedy. How many men have I heard of who travelled the world, how many men I have read who spoke of daring deeds and exotic places. And here we have a woman who travelled alone and of her own interest to a land that, at the time, appeared to be wild and definitely not a place for a Victorian lady.

She has a wonderful turn of phrase and although she often reminds us that she is, of course, a woman, everything she does is everything an explorer should do. She fought off two Leopards as they fought dogs and she stumbled upon almost every creature known to man by accident, but did not run in fear but instead stood and watched. She did not take any crap from any man, whether or not they wore a British Military Uniform or a simple loincloth about his groin.

And, despite what we may think of the Victorian period, she was greatly received by her male contemporaries, but she did not enjoy the label of being a "new woman". She was not concerned with Feminism, instead she concerned herself with her own well-being, science and the preservation of African culture. She died of Typhoid whilst serving a nurse during the Second Boer War. She was not a woman, a new woman or a man, she was simply a scientist and writer; a Human Being.

Did you ever fall in love over a summer? I think the longer days make romance just a little more possible

 

Here are some Summertime Historical Romance Novels for your reading pleasure!

 

1. Once Upon a Highland Summer by Lecia Cornwall 

 

Lady Caroline Forrester is on the run from her brother's scheme to marry her off to the highest bidder. An escape to Scotland offers a chance at employment as a governess and freedom from an unhappy marriage—it's the perfect solution. But Caroline wasn't prepared for the feelings that her new employer brings out in her.

 

Alec McNabb, the reluctant Earl of Glenorne, never expected to return home to Scotland. But now that he's there, he realizes he has obligations that he cannot escape. Alec needs to marry well, and quickly.

 

When a case of mistaken identity—coupled with the sensual, magical atmosphere of Glenorne Castle—results in a passionate encounter, Caroline and Alec must decide whether their attraction is enough to overcome the problems of their pasts, or whether this one chance at true love was over before it began …

 

2. The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres

 

It's a steamy June afternoon in Louisiana, circa 1956, and Sissy LeBlanc is sitting on her front porch, wondering -- half seriously -- if she could kill herself with aspirins and Coca-Cola. She's been living in stifling old Gentry since the day she was born and trapped in a sham of a marriage to PeeWee LeBlanc since she was only seventeen. In short, she's fed up, restless, and ready for an adventure.

 

Sissy just never imagined temptation would come into her life that breathless summer day as she sat smoking on her porch swing. For although she may have been fixated on the taut muscles of the lineman shimmying down the telephone pole across the street, she hadn't allowed herself to imagine that he'd be none other than her high school sweetheart, Parker Davidson, who left town fourteen years before without so much as a wave good-bye. But suddenly, here he is, leaning in for a kiss that will stir up more excitement than Sissy could ever have imagined...

 

3. That Scandalous Summer by Meredith Duran 

 

One Daring Widow 

In the social whirl of Regency England, Elizabeth Chudderley is at the top of every guest list, the life of every party, and the belle of every ball. But her friends and admirers would be stunned to know the truth: that the merriest widow in London is also the loneliest. Behind the gaiety and smiles lies a secret longing—for something, or someone, to whisk her away. . . . 

One Reluctant Suitor 

Raised in scandal, Lord Michael de Grey is convinced that love is a losing gamble—and seduction the only game worth playing. But when duty threatens to trump everything he desires, the only way out is marriage to a woman of his brother’s choosing. Elizabeth Chudderley is delightful, delicious—and distressingly attractive. With such a captivating opponent, Michael isn’t quite sure who is winning the game. How can such passionate players negotiate a marriage of necessity— when their hearts have needs of their own?

 

4. Summer Fancy by Anne Avery 

 

Quiet, shy Zeke Jeffries is working hard to turn his run-down property into the best watermelon farm in Colorado. The last thing on his mind is finding himself a wife. Unfortunately, the match-making mamas of Rocky Ford have other plans for the handsome bachelor, and they aren’t at all shy about letting him know it.

Plain, independent-minded Sophronia Carter is burdened with a flat chest and a mother intent on finding her only daughter a husband. Sophie isn’t immune to Zeke’s charms, but since she managed to bloody his nose and ruin his best suit the first time they met, he tends to run the other way whenever she appears. And then she inadvertently saddles him with the precocious son of the town’s fancy lady. As her mother said, before she fainted dead away, “Oh, my! Sophronia! How could you?"

 

5. Making Waves A Novel by Lorna Seilstad 

 

When spunky Marguerite Westing discovers that her family will summer at Lake Manawa in 1895, she couldn't be more thrilled. It is the perfect way to escape her agonizingly boring suitor, Roger Gordon. It's also where she stumbles upon two new loves: sailing, and sailing instructor Trip Andrews. But this summer of fun turns to turmoil as her father's gambling problems threaten to ruin the family forever. Will free-spirited Marguerite marry Roger to save her father's name and fortune? Or will she follow her heart--even if it means abandoning the family she loves?

 

6. The Summer of You by Kate Noble 

 

Lady Jane Cummings expects her summer at Merrymere Lake to be hum-drum compared to London, but when rumors of a local highwayman lead her to discover the handsome gentleman Byrne Worth, nothing can keep her from Merrymere's most wanted.

 

7. Secrets of a Summer Night  by Lisa Kleypas 

 

Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing—and persistent—admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

 

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon—and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

 

8. Summer Campaign by Carla Kelly 

 

Miss Onyx Hamilton is about to make what everyone agrees is a perfect marriage―until handsome Major Jack Beresford comes galloping into her life. But with his fortune and connections, Onyx knows he’d never ask for her hand, would he?

 

9. The Runaway Princess by Christina Dodd 

 

English orphan Miss Evangeline Scoffield has spent her life contenting herself with dreams. But with an unforeseen inheritance, she can afford one perfect summer. She buys herself expensive clothes, travels abroad, and presents herself as a lady of mystery. But she quickly discovers her mistake, for a darkly handsome man appears at her bedroom door, claiming to be a Crown Prince--and her fiancé. Her denials count for nothing. Danior will do anything to have her. Seduce her, abduct her, or when danger explodes about them, flee with his unwilling bride into a world of peril, promise and passion.

 

10. A Summer Folly by Mary Kingsley

 

An Alluring Widow...

When the dashedly handsome Duke of Tremont summoned Anne Templeton home to England, the lovely young widow left Jamaica with a wary sigh. Seven years before, as a foolish green girl, she had jilted Giles Templeton in favor of his cousin. Now she was forced to face the man she’d so grievously wounded...and so dearly loved. The worst of it was, she loved Giles still. But he was so frightfully proper now, with nothing boyish or trusting in his cool, gray eyes. He was undoubtedly in need of a woman’s care—and this summer at the seaside, Anne meant to see he had it!

...A Proper Gentleman...

It had seemed a simple enough thing to do, taking charge of his late cousin’s affairs. Giles was, after all, the head of the family. But as soon as he looked into Anne’s vibrant blue eyes, he knew there was nothing simple about his feelings for her. More beautiful than ever, she was just the sort of woman who would turn a man’s well-ordered life upside down. Well, he was beyond that sort of thing. After their summer at Brighton, he could say goodbye to Anne...but not before giving her a taste of what she’d missed!

...And Love That Never Died

Anne’s mischievous young son, a prankster of a ghost, and Giles’s stubborn mother conspire to make life difficult. But when summer’s over, will Anne and Giles find that what seems like folly is very wise, indeed?

 

To vote for the best of the best go to the Goodreads list, Best Historical Romances Set in Summer.

Amazing story, wonderfully told. Beautiful illustrations, muted and soft, as if we were seeing Kingsley's memories. Includes note and bibliography.