March 4th, 2010 — 3 Stars, A-C, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Estranged, Gambling, Gentry, Gothic, Great Britain, Jane Austen, Regency
Duty and Desire takes places during the majority of the silent period. It is the second book in the Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman Trilogy. The first is An Assembly Such as This which ended in London at the beginning to the silent period of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Darcy is in quite a pickle. He's managed to successfully divert his friend from near disaster, but his mind won't stop resting on the delights of Elizabeth Bennet. Thinking Pemberley will help orient his mind, Darcy finishes his business in London and hies home. There he meets his sister, Georgiana much changed from her misfortunes of last summer. Bright sunny and remarkably mature, Darcy can hardly believe his eyes. He's worried that one wrong move on his part will ruin all of Georgiana's progress.
Christmas comes to Pemberley and Darcy is caught more than once daydreaming about Elizabeth's fine eyes. He knows he must do something about his wandering imagination and fast. Determined to erase her presence from his thoughts, Darcy decides to enter into the hunt for a wife. Leaving his sister in the care of family and his best friend Dy, Darcy goes to a reunion house party of old Cambridge and Oxford mates.
There he meets his cousin's fiancee and is at once charmed and disturbed by her flirtation. He finds solace in the dark beauty that is his host's half-sister. As his thoughts war between Sylvanie and Elizabeth, both gray eye beauties, a dark nearly Gothic mystery begins to unfold. His host is in dire need of funds, a piglet is slaughtered and made to look like a human baby, personal affects are stolen, and more. Fletcher, Darcy's valet, is the only one he can trust to help unwind the threads of this coil.
I guessed immediately who was behind everything, but had not guessed at the second mystery that was present in the writing. It took me by surprise at the end during the revelation. In hind-sight I can see the clues that I could not before. A masterful tale, if a little drawn out. Would have preferred more Bingley in this part of the story, as it was there was very little. I suspect Dy and/or Colonel Fitzwilliam love romantically the sixteen year old Georgiana. My suspicions will have to wait until the next and final chapter of Mr. Fitzwilliam, Darcy Gentleman Trilogy.
Review: 3 Stars
Buy: Duty and Desire
Find and buy more Pamela Aidan novels.
Originally posted 2009-07-02 03:04:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 25th, 2009 — About, Dukes and Earls, Great Britain, Regency
Regency romance is overrun with Dukes, but how can you snag one for yourself? With this guide to help, I'm positive you will come up with the right combination to snare a Duke for yourself.
Before we begin you must ask yourself why you want a Duke.
If you're looking for a quick flirtation or to keep him long term this guide will help you obtain that.
If you're looking to gain a Duke's wallet or advice on the stock exchange I would suggest you look elsewhere for your advice!
- Cross-Dress. Of course he’s terribly confused and upset about his attraction to a boy, but when he discovers your true identity he’ll be most relieved and eager to be with you.
- Be in Distress. Nothing makes a Duke feel more powerful and masculine than helping a lady in distress. He’ll get to show off his strength and protectiveness at the same time and that will help you win his heart.
- Refuse Him. A Duke never hears the word no, so be bold and brave and different and tell him firmly that you’re not interested. He’ll pursue you all the more readily to prove to you and himself that you desire him.
- Challenge His Authority. In addition to refusing him, tell him he’s wrong. Nothing baffles a surefooted Duke than being told he is mistaken. Again he’ll endeavor to prove you wrong thus giving you more time to lure him with your charms.
- Wound His Ego. A Duke’s pride and arrogance will get in the way of your seduction so be sure to prick his masculinity, but don’t destroy it. He won’t forgive you that.
- Call Him Out on His Exaggerations. I would have used a more impolite word here, but a successful seduction relies on well-bred manners and a plucky attitude.
- Sneer at His Wealth. A Duke is used to his wealth opening doors and subservient behavior. Don’t give it to him. That’ll get his interest!
- Dismiss His Rank. If wealth doesn’t attract the bevy of ladies in society to him, his rank will so you must be sure let him know that his being a Duke is completely irrelevant to you and your dealings with him.
- Love Books over Clothes and Gossip. If books aren't your thing, anything unusual will do to set you apart and gain his interest in what makes you tick.
- Undress. The simplest thing you can do of course is disrobe; he is a man after all.
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September 13th, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, A-C, Barons and Baronets, Book Review, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Great Britain, Kidnapping, Regency, Rogues and Rakehells, Virgin Heroine
Alexandra Benedict’s novel Too Scandalous to Wed flirts with disaster and happily ever after at every turn. A strong wind could not tumble the stack of fantasies Henrietta has built around Sebastian, Viscount Ravenswood, or could it? Sebastian does not want to be the hero of Henrietta’s dreams, he doesn’t want the little hoyden at all, but he can’t seem to get rid of her. Of course, he hasn’t been really trying – running away simply doesn’t count when the girl is determined to have him.
Henrietta has fancied herself in love with Sebastian for years and has been trying to catch his eye. She is certain that he loves her, even if he does not know it. At every turn the brute chooses to ignore her attempts of flirtation or reprimand her for the silliest things. If only she could get him to kiss her! When Sebastian runs off to hide on the continent to keep the lovely Henrietta at bay she turns a desperate idea of hers to keep him into action and visits England’s highest ranking courtesan for help.
Sebastian doesn’t know what hit him, but he is certainly feeling its affects as his eye and his thoughts are drawn more and more toward the bewitching vixen that’s replaced the girl who always adored him. The more she treats him with reverence the more he wants to hear her say his name. The changes in her are disconcerting and enchanting at the same time to Sebastian. He knows even as he tries to figure her out, that he should not get close to her as he is not a good man. The quickening in his heart and loins won’t let him rest either until Henrietta’s every mystery is solved.
Henrietta struggles to keep the lessons of seduction in place, pretending aloofness even while lightning sizzles through her at a single smoldering blue-eyed glance. Sebastian was finally finding her irresistible, becoming the man of her dreams before her eyes. Remaining coy and composed she flirts dangerously with disaster, because if Sebastian ever found out what she’d done to snare him, he’d never forgive her.
There are elements of intrigue and flights of fancy throughout the novel, from a revenge seeking enemy to Henrietta’s father calling her his ‘darling boy,’ you’ll be sure to gasp and giggle your way through the book.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Originally posted 2008-09-16 05:06:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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