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Book Description:
Miss Emma Grenville, who is no silly debutante, has had her fill of thick-headed noblemen who believe women exist solely to satisfy men. And her arrogant new landlord, the Duke of Wycliffe, is the worst of the lot! The too attractive cad wants to triple the rent on Emma's finishing school for young ladies to help get his uncle's estate out of debt. Well, Greydon Brakenridge clearly needs educating — about women. And Emma's just the one to enlighten him!
The sinfully handsome duke has never met a woman he couldn't outwit and seduce. And now that he's tricked Emma into a wager, he has the stubborn headmistress right where her wants her — and hopefully, soon in his bed. But the confirmed bachelor underestimates the intelligent and surprisingly sensual Miss Grenville. For she may be leading Greydon to a place neither dreamed they'd ever go — to the altar.
Quickie Review:
At last we get to read the third and final in Enoch's With This Ring Series! This is the story of Emma Grenville, the young headmistress of a girl's finishing school who tangles with Greydon Brakenridge, the Duke of Wycliffe who can't resist her condescending ways towards him. We've gotten to know Emma slightly in the previous books and her happily ever ending was just delicious! While visiting his uncle in the country who is having money problems, Greydon helps his uncle by having him raise his tenant's rents. The finishing school happens to be one of the aforesaid tenants. Well, you can imagine what happens!
Emma is furious with Greydon when she finds out he's behind her rent increase. The two experience that well known romance novel syndrome of "instant dislike which turns into instant lust." Yet, it works! In order to avoid the increase, Emma wagers the increase that he cannot teach her girls the ways of London and the necessary etiquette and ballroom behavior to help catch a husband. Their wager has unforeseen consequences. Throwing them together more and more, Greydon pursues her against his own good sense, which leads to all sorts of clandestine activities that makes them the subject of a major scandal that puts Emma's job at risk, as well as the closing of her school. How can this confirmed bachelor clear her name and the girls that attend her school? Can't you guess? I liked this bit of fluff. Emma is a good match for Greydon who needs some excitement in his life and interaction with a headmistress of girl's finishing school is just the thing! She can hold her own to anything he throws at her. A fun romp, plus I love the old world romance cover too (and she really is in her nightgown in the book!) A fun regency romance by one of my favorite "new to me" authors!
4/5
Book Description:
Victoria Fontaine's mischievous nature and brilliant, biting wit have scandalized the ton . . . and earned her the nickname "Vixen." But her reputation pales before the infamous Lord Althorpe's, known as "Lord Sin." The years Sinclair Grafton spent on the Continent have done nothing to quell the rumors about his past. And when the stunning Vixen and the handsome rogue find themselves momentarily alone at an elegant gala, their passion gets the best of them. Caught by Victoria's father in a shockingly sensual kiss, Sin and Vixen have no recourse except a wedding. At first the very liberal lady relishes the thought of an unfettered marriage to an indifferent, unrepentant scoundrel. But she suspects there is more to this enigmatic, remarkable man, that his rakish persona is merely a pose. And after one unforgettable night of ecstasy, Lady Vixen is determined to unmask the true Sin . . . to satisfy a passionate heart that craves far more than freedom.
Quickie Review:
Fun story of Vixen Fontaine, the belle of London known for her hoydenish ways and flirting. She ends up in a scandalous clinch with Lord Althorpe, a known rake, newly returned to town from abroad. Of course they must marry, but little does she know he's been a spy for the past five years fighting Bonaparte and is now home to find out who murdered his brother.
Sin didn't expect to lose his self control over Vixen, but one look at her from across a ballroom had him asking for a dance, then a walk in the garden and some heavy petting amidst the shrubbery. Vixen, so caught up in his appeal and masculinity, blah, blah, blah, couldn't stop herself from going along with him, and before she knows it, her father is yelling in outrage and she's engaged to be married - to Sin. How did the clever Vixen get herself in such a fix? Good question. As the new Lady Althorpe she soon figures out that Sin is not all that he seems to be and she wants to help him find his brother's murderer. Almost certain it's one of her former suitors, he's chasing after them while she's got a sneaking suspicion it's someone else entirely. The two can't agree on this issue until it's almost too late.
This was a good story and I loved Vixen, who has smarts, looks, personality, gumption - and a great name. She is the perfect foil for her arrogant, aristocratic and autocratic husband. I also enjoyed seeing characters from the previous book in the series, Lucien Balfour and his wife, Alexandra. Sin and Lucien going head to head was quite enjoyable!
Overall, not the most memorable regency I've read, but it was entertaining and frothy. A diverting winner!
4/5
Book Description:
A governess must never be alone with a man. Her reputation mustn't have even a hint of scandal. She must never reveal personal emotions. No matter how strong the provocation by her employer. A governess never questions her employer's commands. Even when he's tempting her to forsake respectability for desire? She must never, ever, fall in love with someone above her station. Especially a rake - no matter how devastating his kisses may be ...
Alexandra Gallant is a governess extraordinaire - and if it weren't for that unfortunate incident at her last position, she wouldn't now be forced into the employ of Lucien Balfour, the most notorious rake in London. Though the sinfully attractive earl hired her to teach his young cousin, his seductive whispers and toe-curling kisses suggest he has something far less respectable in mind . . . And that will never happen. For although Lucien seems determined to teach her about pleasure, she has a few lessons to teach him about love!
Quickie Review: I love, love, l
oved this regency which really was about reforming a rake! Lucien Balfour has a horrible reputation as a lady-killer, but the highborn governess he hires to teach his cousin finishing etiquette so he can marry her off, changes him into a better man. Of course there are plenty of bumps along the way, and Alexandra, the governess, was a bit too stubborn in her ways for my liking, but by the end I had tears in my eyes when these two finally have their happy ending.
Lucien is the kind of rakish hero I love. Big, bad and oh-so swoon-worthy. Women drop at his feet - except Alexandra - although inside she's melting at his advances. Lucien has hired her because he's been saddled with his cousin and her mother - two women he wants to get rid of as soon as possible. As far as he's concerned, they are uncouth, uncivilized and have absolutely no taste. He needs someone to whip them into shape so he can introduce them to society - and marry the cousin off - and have her mother go with her! As soon as Alexandra, who's much in need of a position, takes on the job she realizes Lucien is going to be harder to teach than his cousin! He can't help coming onto her from the beginning, and she is constantly berating him, while trying not to melt in his arms! Eventually, he becomes too hard to resist, and against her better judgment she succumbs to his charms. But, I have to hand it to her, she put up a good fight and he didn't make it easy to resist.
I really enjoyed the back and forth between Alexandra and Lucien, but in the end, I felt that Alexandra needed to give him more of a break once it was clear he loved her. Her doubts about him were based on the fact that he is notorious and what could he possibly see in a governess, other than the challenge of seducing her. She finds it hard to believe his feelings for her are true - but he really is in love and he goes towards great lengths to prove it to her - even locking her in his basement! Still, that's not enough, despite her desire for him. She ultimately leaves him and goes to teach at the same girl's school she attended herself. He comes after her, a poignant scene, ready to do anything she asks of him, but she is unconvinced that they are meant for one another. I found it hard to forgive her for what she put him through at that time, but it was a very satisfying end by the time she comes to her senses and realizes she can't live without him.
I recommend this delightful book, first in the With This Ring Series. I'm really starting to love this author!
4/5
