Meet the Duke of Ruisdell, the unlikely hero of this traditional Regency Romance, after the manner of Georgette Heyer and Candice Hern.
The duke has just returned wounded from the Napoleonic wars. He is weary, cynical, and very bored. Known as the worst rake in England, he finds he has no interest in upholding that distinction, when his friend, the Marquis of Somerset, proposes a bet: “Five … “Five thousand guineas says that seducing Miss Elise Edwards will cure your ennui.” Because his friend has just lost a packet to him, he agrees that the bet be posted in White’s famous Betting Book.
The following day, while walking in Green Park, he spies a mysterious young woman, veiled, and obviously grieving. A disembodied voice, sounding strangely like that of his late adjutant, informs him, “The jig is up. That is the girl you are going to marry!” He scoffs, but is nevertheless intrigued by something about the slight figure. He even sketches her and asks if he can be of assistance to her. She declines his offer kindly.
At the opera that evening, he is captivated by a beauty across the Opera Hall. He hears the same voice, saying the same thing. The marquis informs him that the woman in question is Miss Elise Edwards. When he meets her, he recognizes her voice as that of the woman in the park. Now she is surrounded by a surfeit of ex-fiance’s, one of them dangerously unbalanced. Ruisdell discovers an actual bond between them which renders him honor bound to protect her.
Thus begins a train of unstoppable events — dangerous, humorous, devilish, and amorous — that carry his life along at such a pace that the duke soon knows not whether he is on his head or his heels. And then there is that bet…
Enjoy this delicious romance that will carry you back to the Regency period in English history, where manners were dictated by strict rules of fashion. It is the Jane Austen era, populated by gentlemen and ladies of leisure. These books are best enjoyed with a box of chocolates, and are guaranteed to enliven any boredom (ennui) that you may be experiencing!
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This book is worth your time to read.
A delightful story filled with humor, but also deals with serious issues such as mental instability, multiple personalities, PTSD, overcoming tragedy and misunderstandings, and not least of all forgiveness. Then pulling yourself back up and becoming a stronger person for it. Ms Vandagriff also deals with the question about possible life after …
It was okay, not exceptional. The beginning was awkward. The Heat was confusing to me. She hints at and closes in on the cliff of steamy description but doesn’t deliver. Now I don’t need graphic words to get my reading focks off but make up your mind whether it’s a straight no spice story or a steamy romance. So for that I have 4 stars. Wasn’t …
I think Ruisdell is my favorite hero — he is tragic in that he is a veteran of the Napoleanic wars. But he makes a complete recovery as he opens himself to love with Elise Edwards. Elise is a lovely person inside and out and he cannot help but fall head over heels in love with her. I had trouble putting it down!!
I did enjoy it, but I found it a bit odd that two of her fiances insisted on trying to rip her clothes off. And the ending wasn’t satisfying. One assumes he somehow gets vindicated after the attempt at murder? In this sort of story, I don’t think uncertain endings are appropriate. One wants a definite HEA.
All this said, Her books are fun, and …
First in a series, Six Rogues and Their Ladies. I enjoyed it a lot and got hooked on the entire seriesr.
I always like G G Vandagraff books. They are clean romance, and I appreciate enjoying love in my imagination rather than writhing uncomfortably on the page.
This was an interesting book because the heroine imagines herself an “authoress” and writes very classically of the age–and over the top at that! As I read the book, then finished it, and …
Could not really get into it
don’t miss it! I couldn’t put it down!
An utterly fabulous one-day read. Miss Edwards is precisely what I think a modern woman in a long-past time would be like. She is fiery and sensitive and caring – and unfairly marked by her past. Set in a time where women are expected to marry young and well – or be branded as untouchable.
Miss Edwards had one engagement that ended in …
Good read
I found this to be better than the ordinary historical romance. It had many turns to the plot. Enjoyable style. Not at all boring to read.
Found this book to be boring. Not a good plot.
Meh. Plot isn’t very smooth or plausible. Writing could be much better. I have definitely read a lot worse (or attempted to until I was so disgusted by the improper grammar, punctuation, poor writing and terrible plot combined with the terrible attitude toward people, mostly females, that I gave up even trying to continue reading, i.e., “Fifty …
While some of the plot seemed excessively incredible for members of the Regency ton, the characters were interesting, and sex did not rule the romance.
I liked this book because it wasn’t the same old thing. The heroine lost her first betrothed to war, the second to mania but during that time it is always the woman who is to blame . how this book resolves is quite interesting.
It was nice… But that’s it just nice
Because of the plot and some of the characters, I found this one quite entertaining.
I just love Historical Romance and would have loved to live in those times and places. I especially love when they are so blind and love grabs them unaware.