KINGSTON, Christina

(Christina Cordaire)

PERSONAL: Has children. Hobbies and other interests: Raising and training horses.

ADDRESSES: Home—P.O. Box 111, Violet Hill, AR 72584. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Novelist.

AWARDS, HONORS: Virginia Romance Writers Hold Medallion; Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist; Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award finalist; two Romantic Times Knight in Shining Silver awards; Romantic Times WISH Award.

WRITINGS:

UNDER PSEUDONYM CHRISTINA CORDAIRE

Heart's Deception, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1992.

Love's Triumph, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1993.

Pride's Folly, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1993.

Daring Illusion, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1994.

Forgiving Hearts, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1994.

Beloved Stranger, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1995.

Loving Honor, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1995.

Winter Longing, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1996.

Spring Enchantment, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1996.

Loving a Lowly Stranger, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 1998.

OTHER

Ride for the Roses, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 2000.

The Night the Stars Fell, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 2001.

Ride the Winter Wind, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 2002.

Ride the Wind Home, Berkeley/Jove (New York, NY), 2003.

Contributed "A Ring for Remembrance" to 1996 anthology The Quilting Circle.

SIDELIGHTS: Christina Kingston began her writing career penning romance novels under the pseudonym Christina Cordaire, publishing ten titles between 1992 and 1998. Her novels, often set in the popular Regency period of English history, feature lords and ladies, soldiers, and highwaymen.

Kingston's novel Ride for the Roses was considered an impressive "debut" by critics unaware of her ten Cordaire books. Set in 1817 in the world of horse racing, Ride for the Roses follows Regina Landry as she leaves her horse-training job in Ireland to take care of her newly orphaned niece and nephew in England. Regina finds she must thwart a villainous cousin's attempts to steal the orphans' estate to pay his gambling debts and repulse the not-entirely unwelcome advances of the drunken, rakish earl from a neighboring estate. Harriet Klausner of Book Browser found Ride for the Roses to be "a pleasant Regency romance that includes a number of charming characters" and Kingston "a talent worth reading." Kathe Robin of Romantic Times agreed, calling the novel "a delightful Regency tale … enhanced by a cast of endearing characters." In Romance Reader online, Jean Mason praised its "interesting plot" and Kingston's "confident hand."

Kingston's next novel, The Night the Stars Fell, followed the familiar Regency formula—a young woman returns home to her family estate and must set financial affairs straight while dealing with affairs of the heart. This time the heroine, Lady Katherine, must become a highwayman by night in order to clear her brother's name in a jewel heist, but finds herself tangled up romantically with a dark and mysterious ex-soldier. Publishers Weekly welcomed "this captivating page-turner" and its "diverse cast of supporting characters and sparking dialogue." At Book Browser Klausner again appreciated Kingston's work, singling out the fast-moving story line and "strong lead characters."

In 2002's Ride the Winter Wind the Regency lady returning home is Alissa Collington, the love interest is a wounded war hero, and the requisite estate is financially threatened by an evil uncle. But Publishers Weekly found the novel to be "more than a simple novel of manners," adding that "There's strong chemistry between the hero and heroine, and Kingston's writing bursts with charm and energy."

Kingston's most recent Regency romance, Ride the Wind Home, follows the crossed paths and pasts of Diana Huntley and a mysterious duke from her childhood as they travel the English countryside.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, March 1, 2003, Maria Hatton, review of Ride the Wind Home, p. 1151.

Publishers Weekly, February 26, 2001, review of The Night the Stars Fell, p. 65; March 25, 2002, review of Ride the Winter Wind, p. 49.

ONLINE

Book Browser,http://www.bookbrowser.com/ (January 16, 2000), Harriet Klausner, review of Ride for the Roses; (March 20, 2001) Harriet Klausner, review of The Night the Stars Fell.

Likes Books,http://www.likesbooks.com/ (June 11, 2001), Bltyhe Barnhill, review of The Night the Stars Fell.

Romance Reader,http://www.theromancereader.com/ (April 10, 2000), Jean Mason, review of Ride for the Roses.

Romantic Times,http://www.romantictimes.com/ (June 11, 2001), Kathe Robin, review of Ride for the Roses.*