You did it! We figured this one out! It is a truth universally acknowledged (by me for certain) that the Bitchery pretty much knows everything, and really, it's true. Scroll down to see the solution for this HaBO - and many thanks!
This HaBO request comes from Kathy, who hopes to be reunited with her first romance novel:
When I was around 13, I picked up my very first romance novel at a bed and breakfast. Dimly suspecting my mom might not approve, I hid it under my mattress, but it was gone one day before I could finish it. Since I wasn’t supposed to have it in the first place, I never asked my mom where it went. It kind of blew my mind at the time – genre newbie that I was – and I’d really like to finish the damned thing!
I don’t remember all that much, but it must have been late 80s/early 90s fare, set in the gilded age (maybe 1900-1915) in the US. The heroine’s name was Thea – she was named after Teddy Roosevelt, and was his niece or goddaughter or something. She was wealthy and adventurous, which is what fascinated me at thirteen.
At some point early in the novel, she has dinner with Roosevelt. She dressed well. She also goes on a train ride in a fancy Pullman railway car. There may have been some kind of spy subplot involving the run-up to WWI.
And – this shows you my 13-year-old priorities – I have no recollection whatsoever of the hero!
I know that’s not much, but the Roosevelt connection has to be pretty unique, right?
C’mon, Bitchery! Let’s track down Teddy’s “niece or goddaughter or something.”
I keep thinking of the Francesca Cahill series by Brenda Joyce, but I am pretty sure that isn’t a match. The stories were set in the Gilded Age with an adventurous heroine who moves in high society. However, she is not named after Teddy Roosevelt.
I guess I forgot to submit my comment earlier. Found one called “Heirloom” by Eleanor B– something. Can post the full name tomorrow
I’m sure I’ve read this! I seem to remember the heroine visiting the family in NYC while Teddy was still head of the Navy, and the kids were running all over the mansion. O! This is going to kill me…
Eleanora Brownleigh
I need to KNOW what this book is! I’m a TR obsessive!
Heirloom by Eleanora Brownleigh
From Google Books: “Their marriage arranged by the government to facilitate a special mission for President Theodore Roosevelt, Thea and Charles are surprised to find themselves falling in love.”
I’ll add my vote for ‘Heirloom’. I read all of Brownleigh’s books back in the day and still remember this one quite well.
Not only is there a really good romance, and a bit of a spy plot, but it is full to the brim with lifestyle and fashion of the rich and famous of the era.
It is now available in a digital edition, if you don’t want to track down a used paperback copy.
Heirloom – that was it! Haven’t been around here for a few weeks, and now I find my question answered. The Hive-Mind is amazing…
AND now I have a read set up for Christmas break. Thanks for the heads-up on the digital edition, Barb!
Happy Holidays to all!