Journals of a Daring Damsel: A Historical Regency Romance Collection

**(SPOILER ALERT)**
THE CURIOUS LIFE OF THE UNFORTUNATE DUCHESS: I was completely flabbergasted and astonished by this book. It is not at all like the usual regency romances I have read in the past. This story took me by surprise. It had me completely enveloped in the story from page one and I could not put the book down. I had to read straight through to the end and I was absolutely speechless by the ending. You will never guess who the villain is. The story is about two families in turmoil. We have the family of Percival Follet, Viscount Gordon. Percival is a jovial man, quick to smile, is logically minded and dotes on his daughters Franny and Liza. Frances/Franny is the eldest. She requires constant companionship as she has the heart and mind of a child. She is loving, fiercely loyal, highly excitable and can at times comport herself. Then we have Elizabeth/Liza, due to her mother’s death, has taken over the responsibility of running the household and the caring of her older sister and her younger brother David. Her beauty is beyond compare and she has the most understanding and loving personality. She has been haunted by rumors spread by jealousy and envy that she did not deserve. She is extremely conscious of how men treat her and is aware of what women say behind her back. It is not an easy life but she has always had the dignity and grace to endure it all. Her younger brother David is sixteen and he does not get along with their father. He is loyal and completely devoted to his sisters. David has been having an affair with widow Lady Anne Chamberlain who is ten years older than him. Elizabeth knows about it but is sworn to secrecy by David. Their father, Viscount Gordon, spends a great deal of time away from them but does his best to show them his love. Then we have Leonard/Leo, Duke of Pembroke’s family. His father Aylmer Hervey passed away six months ago. Leonard, his mother Mary and younger sister Catherine took it very hard. Leo had to go away for about a month to adjust to the lose of his beloved father and to adjust to his new responsibilities as the fifth Duke of Pembroke. Mary was so distraught when Aylmer died that she refused to leave her bed for months. She was consumed with melancholy. She is usually an attentive and loving mother. Slowly she has been improving and now leaves her room and tends to the garden. The garden seems to give her a modicum of peace. Catherine however is no longer a carefree young woman. She has become cynical, harsh, opinionated and she perceives that the town people do not like her. She took her father’s dead the hardest of all and still has not recovered. Leonard worries constantly about his mother and sister. He does all that he can to be there for them. He always assures them of his love and steadfastness. Okay, those are the key players in the story. It begins when Leonard sees Elizabeth for the first time at the wedding of the daughter of Baron Fife. Leonard is smitten and feels not only an attraction to Liza but senses a connection to her. It is as if they have met before and are familiar with each other. Liza is conscience of the attraction and connection to Leo. However, Leo is betrothed to Miss Priscilla, daughter of Christian, Baron of Argonshire. Priscilla is a vapid, witless and is an insanely jealous woman who is also a notorious gossip. It is an arranged marriage and Leo cannot stand Priscilla at all. During the wedding ceremony Priscilla makes some derogatory comments about Elizabeth and Leonard has had enough of her senseless chatter. He breaks off the engagement right then and there and leaves to pursue Elizabeth who left the ceremony early due to what Priscilla said about her. Leo could not find Liza but runs into her father Percival. Percival speaks to Leo and feels him out. He senses Leo is attracted to his daughter and in a round a bout way encourages Leo to pursue Liza. Leo extends an invitation for Percival’s entire family to visit him at Brookside manor. Percival, David and Franny are privy to the trip but Liza is told at the last minute about it. Percival knows that if it was up to Liza, she would remain home in order to avoid seeing Leo. But Percival explains to Liza that he goes to make Franny happy. Franny is being courted by Mr. Herbert Barlough, barrister for Leonard, the Duke of Pembroke. Percival also goes to spend time with David whom he has neglected. Percival feels that a month away will do the whole family a world of good. Liza realizes she has been self-centered thinking her father was playing matchmaker. But he was not. (really, he was but you will find out why later in the story) Liza agrees to go to Pembroke. Once they arrive drama and danger ensue. First David is upset that his father is not spending time with him as he said he would. Percival is spending most of his time with Leo encouraging his suit with Liza. David is also leery of Leo’s attention to Liza and declares it to one and all embarrassing his father. David knows that Leo broke off his engagement to Priscilla and believes him fickle when it comes to love. He is extremely protective of both Liza and Fanny. But more so with Liza. She has been both father and mother to him. Catherine thinks it’s hilarious that David is speaking up to Leo. Regardless of the siblings Liza and Leo spend time together. As they get to know one another, they become surer of their feelings for each other. Franny and Mr. Barlough are becoming quite enamored with each other. Liza, Catherine and Mary are all getting along and they have embraced Franny just the way she is. Leo can see from time to time the old Catherine emerge when she is around Franny. He hopes the association will be good for her. Catherine, Liza and Franny go into town shopping. Liza, while waiting for Catherine and Franny, is confronted by Priscilla. Priscilla in her high shrill voice makes it know what she really thinks of Elizabeth. She calls her despicable names. Catherine and Franny appear and Catherine tells Priscilla off. Priscilla’s outburst has Franny upset. Liza finally gets away from Priscilla and tries to calm Franny down. But is unable to do so. Back at the manor, Catherine tells Leo what happened. Leo sees Franny and speaks to her gently and with respect. He promises to always protect her and her family. Franny calms down and absolutely believes in what Leo says. Literally. Liza is amazed to witness how Leo treated Franny and was able to get through to her. Liza becomes more enamored with Leo. Later, Liza, Catherine and Franny attend a gala. While Percival, Leo and David go to London on business. Once the women arrive at the gala, Liza is accosted for a second time by Alexander, Earl of Cooke. She manages to get away from him and goes to find Catherine and Franny. All of a sudden it becomes clear to Liza that Priscilla will be in attendance. She panics and tries to get Catherine and Franny to leave immediately. Liza explains to Catherine if Franny sees Priscilla, she will undoubtedly become afraid and may cause a scene. Catherine agrees to leave. On the way back to Pembroke, they are waylaid by dangerous highwaymen. The women are physically attacked, robbed, blindfolded and tied up. Liza is kidnapped by the brigands. Franny is hysterical had has to be sedated when they reach Pembroke. Catherine is beside herself and waits for Leo’s return. Mary becomes despondent and retreats to her room. On Leo’s way home, he has a dream that shows Catherine crying and Liza begging for help. He awakes in a sweat. Leo inadvertently alarms Percival and David. Leo tries to placate them while David scoffs at him. When they arrive at the manor, there is people all around and confusion reigns. Catherine tries to control herself while she explains what happened. Percival and David become distraught and frightened. Leo tries to ponder who could be behind this heinous action. Did Priscilla or her father have anything to do with it? What about Lord Cooke who was lasciviously after Liza? They receive a ransom note demanding fifty thousand pounds. Leo has guards all around the house and cannot figure out how the ransom note got there undetected. Is someone from the staff involved in the kidnapping? Is it an inside job? Leo starts to suspect everyone. Percival does not have that kind of money and David know it. David directs his anger at Leo and demands Leo pay the ransom. That he can afford it. Leo has Mr. Barlough gather the funds in all haste. Leo needs to get away from Percival, David and Catherine so he can think. Will they find Liza in time? Will Leo, Percival and David figure out who is behind the kidnapping? This is such an exciting book and a must read. I highly recommend it and know you will not be dissapointed.
THE DUKEDOM OF DECEPTION: This is an exciting book of intrigue, deception, subterfuge, betrayal, redemption, forgiveness and romance. It is an easy to read story, moderately paced. The characters are well developed and personable. The story’s plotline and subplots are superb. This story kept me entranced that I did not want to put the book down. From page one there is action and adventure. This is such a suspenseful book. (see Goodreads for the full review)
DANGEROUS GAMES OF A BROKEN LADY: This is a wonderful story of intrigue, subterfuge, blackmail and a shrewd game of danger. I was blindsided by this shockingly, delicious historical romance that took a walk on the dark side. This is definately a must read. (see Goodreads for the full review)