Lovers and Ladies

Lovers and Ladies #5-6

by Jo Beverley

Now for the first time in a single two long unavailable yet beloved romance classics from a New York Times bestselling favorite.

In these two delectable novels, someone craves to be married and loses sight of the joys of true love-until their heart is opened unexpectedly...

The Fortune Hunter -A stunning beauty rejects the charming suitor who isn't wealthy enough to save her impoverished family. But she can't so easily dismiss the memory of their sweet shared kiss.

Deirdre and Don Juan -The dashing Earl of Everdon is most eager to marry someone-anyone-who will bear him an heir. But when he meets a quiet, well-bred lady who fits the bill, he must resort to an amorous dance of deception to gain her acceptance to his proposal.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Regency, Historical, Regency Romance, Anthologies, Historical Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Mary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.

In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.

Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.

Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovers and Ladies contains the final two books in the Lovers and Ladies series. This is a reprint of earlier separate UK editions of both shorter books that could read just fine as standalone Regency era romances on the sweeter side.

The Fortune Hunter
3.5 stars
A young woman is determined to single-handedly restore the family fortunes by marrying a wealthy husband meanwhile, her plans go awry when she encounters a charming gentleman who is all she could desire save the one thing she is determined is necessary. Further encounters, mostly hostile, ensue.

If you read enough historical romance, you encounter the terms ‘rake’ or ‘fortune hunter’ tossed about and you also soon realize that the character is nothing of the sort or at least not much. Sadly, Amy truly is determined as all get out in her fortune huntress role, but she falls short of being a fascinating character because she’s not very good at it and I don’t mean because she is sweet and generous to the hero. She wants to gain wealth so she can make sure her younger siblings have a place in upper society. I might have bought in, but, in truth, Amy was the one who decided that none of them could make their way out of poverty and she has to rescue them all which is hilarious because she screws up from the beginning by tossing Harry aside without checking his background and discovering that he’s the heir to wealth and position (aka, the leg up her family needed). And, she nearly scuppers her older sister’s chances with a rich guy in their country neighborhood because she is bored by him and is rude right when Beryl has attracted his notice and Amy did not. I found it funny on one level which I think it was meant to be, but didn’t endear Amy to me as a romance heroine.
Harry’s holding fast to his feelings, though after her rejection those feelings were bitter for a time and he did get pushy about the family’s business, for her based on very little made it tough for me to get into The Fortune Hunter’s romance element.

This read quickly and had a general light and fun feel to it. I will admit to finding Amy’s plotting and hunt for a wealthy suitor funny and Harry was a sweetheart the way he didn’t give up on convincing misguided Amy she needed to stop trying to sacrifice herself. Loved encountering some of the other recognizable series characters who were in his circle of friends.

Deirdre and Don Juan
4 stars

After The Fortune Hunter, my expectations were where they needed to be to better appreciate this final Lovers and Ladies story. Or, the characters and plot tickled my fancy more.

Mark Juan Carlos Renfrew, Earl of Everdon, known as Don Juan for his half-Spanish blood and his rakish ways since his wife ran off on him and he felt free to delight in a bevy of women, has discovered his runaway wife is deceased and he is now fair game to the fortune hunting mamas and daughters. He decides its best to marry quickly and preferably a woman unlikely to cause him trouble like his first bride. He settles on plain Lady Deirdre Stowe.

Unfortunately for Deirdre, the Don Juan of high society has scotched her plans to marry her mathematician. Deirdre has formed a tendre for a man her parents know won’t be a good match for their daughter. Deirdre wants to play cottage wife to a man whose work is Important with a capital ‘I’ and she will be the little wife who makes it possible. The deal with her parents is that if she receives no eligible proposals that season then she can have her boring mathematician, but of course the Earl of Everdon is very eligible so she’s stuck saying yes to his proposal and he’s stuck with a woman who doesn’t want him yet again because engagements were big deals back then.

It was obvious that Deirdre’s fixation was just that- a stubborn fixation- and the guy wanted little more than a free housekeeper and it was equally obvious that Everdon had to deal with that emotion baggage his deceased wife caused him to feel and that these two sparing partners were really a very good match once they really started to see each other. Everdon saw Deirdre as a bright, intelligent and not so plain woman when her brilliant fellow barely noticed her or took her needs or wants into account.

This moved swiftly so I was happy to see this pair sort it all out with the help of Deirdre’s fun parents and lively little brother’s and Everdon’s mother. It was definitely the stronger story in the book and ended the series on a lively, fun note.


My full review will post at Books of My Heart 3.3.24.

[Aneca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now for the first time in a single volume: two long unavailable yet beloved romance classics from a New York Times bestselling favorite.

In these two delectable novels, someone craves to be married and loses sight of the joys of true love-until their heart is opened unexpectedly...

The Fortune Hunter-A stunning beauty rejects the charming suitor who isn't wealthy enough to save her impoverished family. But she can't so easily dismiss the memory of their sweet shared kiss.

Deirdre and Don Juan-The dashing Earl of Everdon is most eager to marry someone-anyone-who will bear him an heir. But when he meets a quiet, well-bred lady who fits the bill, he must resort to an amorous dance of deception to gain her acceptance to his proposal.

Although I have read a lot of trad regencies lately and I have read quite a few of Beverley's novels in the past this is the first time I read her traditional regencies. They are part of a series and due to publishers rights these two that were reprinted now are the last two in the series. Although I am very curious about the secondary couples, that are presumable main characters in previous books, I found that these could be read as standalone so all is well.

The first story was about a young beauty that is decided to marry for money and save her family from poverty. She attracts the attention of a young man that she thinks is not rich enough for her and departs for London to catch a husband. Predictably the young man was in fact very rich and the old banker who is pursuing her ends up falling in love with another. I thought that first proposal scene where Amy gets mad with Harry was a bit too violent and really all his friends had no reason to try and bring them together as they didn't know her all that well. Since this is a light and funny regency Amy eventually accepts Harry's love and all ends well.

Grade: B-


The second story was more interesting I thought. The Earl of Everdon, known as Don Juan, decides to marry. And nothing better than settling on his mother's mouse of a friend. He is sure she will be grateful for the attention and after the marriage will leave him alone to pursue his interests. Unfortunately Deirdre was just trying to go through her season without a proposal so she could go back home and finally marry the man she wants and that her parents don't want. She was so sure she would get away with it she made a deal with her parents, if she doesn't get a proposal she can marry her heart's desire but if she does she has to accept it. You can see how she feels Don Juan just ruined her life. Of course since she is not interested Everdon's interest is picked and he decides to seduce her and convince her that the man she thinks she loves really just wants a housekeeper. It was funny to follow his attempts at seduction and Deirdre trying to resist him. In the end he does realize that he has fallen in love with her but he still has to convince her of that.

Grade: B

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful read by an amazing author. I’ve enjoyed her work for many years and was thrilled to find these two I hadn’t yet read in print. 💛❤️💛

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The collected edition of two of Jo Beverley's early Regency romances was a nice reminder of how much fun Regency romances can be.

THE FORTUNE HUNTER (1991) tells about the romance between Amy de Lacy and Harry Crisp. Amy's family has fallen on hard times and she feels that it is up to her to better her family's situation. Amy is blessed, or cursed, with exceptional beauty. She finds it embarrassing to be stared at but decides to use her looks to marry a fortune. She gets caught in a storm on her way to the local nabob's house and finds herself taking shelter at the hunting lodge rented by Harry Crisp and two of his friends.

Harry is a wealthy young man who has recently begun to look for a wife because his father has been ill. He isn't, however, the flashy kind of wealthy which leads Amy to reject any kind of relationship with him. Her heart isn't so sure of her decision but she has decided to disregard it in favor of her head. We end up with a stubborn young woman who is determined to follow her plan despite the fact that her family wants her happiness and not her sacrifice. Harry and Amy have a lot of trials to go through before they reach their happy ending.

DEIRDRE AND DON JUAN (1993) plays with a different trope. Mark Renfew, Earl of Everdon, has a well-earned reputation as a Don Juan. The fact the he was abandoned by his wife who fled to Europe with a lover has kept him safe from marriage-minded mamas. But now he receives word that his wife has passed away and he wants to find a second wife on his own before he becomes the target of debutantes hunting for a husband and a fortune.

He decides to focus his attention on Lady Deirdre Stowe, daughter of the Earl of Harby, and an acquaintance of his mother who shares her interest in needlework. Deirdre is thin and plain and dealing with her mother's outrageous choices for her wardrobe which don't suit her at all.

Everything should be fine. Except Deirdre has already met a man that she would prefer to marry. She has a deal with her mother that she will be given permission to marry him if she doesn't receive an offer during her London Season. Don's proposal wrecks her plans but she can't turn him down according to the deal she made with her mother.

It doesn't take long for Don to fall in love with Deirdre but it isn't easy for him to convince her that he is the right man for her. I liked that the two of them share a sense of humor. I also liked that he saw all of Deirdre's strengths and loved her for them.

[Sashi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is about 2 sets of different stories. The first will be Harry with Amethyst @ Amy and the second story is about Don Juan and Deirdre. Amy is from a rich family but after the death of her parents the family started being affected by financially. She has one elder sister who needs to be married, and younger twins which is Jasper and Jacinth who is still young. She finds that by marrying a rich man could solve all their problems and starting laying out plans for it. However she will bump into Harry and will eventually fall in love with him. She however will not say it and will reject the marriage proposal from Harry. The story will progress with her finally admitting that she loves Harry.

Whereas in the second story Deirdre is a wallflower and plain thus she will not receive marriage proposal at home which will make her to appear in London society. Don Juan is a man who his wife as run away. However after 10 years he will learn that his wife has passed away and he need to marry in order for a heir. Rather then getting trapped with the marriage mart he chooses Deirdre to be his wife. However his plan will get backfired when Deirdre claims that she loves another man. The story then revolves on how Don Juan will persuade Deirdre to love and marry him.

I personally enjoyed the second story more then the first one because it is more witty. I kept reading the book with a smile plastered on my face which makes me look like a crazy women but then truly it is a marvelous funny story. I like how Don Juan put his mind to woo the girl he love. As for the first story I felt the author could have eloborated more on the ending. It looks like an ending that was done in a rush. Other then that the first story was also equally good.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending to the “series” of books. The 2 for 1 in this re-release is great bargain as well. I believe I shall make this a “keeper” of a book, at least for a while.
Both stories are lovely reads where it ends happily. Well developed characters, comedy areas, and perspectives of multiple characters are told.
No graphic sex scenes if worried, and no foul language. You don’t have to read the other books in series for these to make sense, especially the last book Deirdre and Don Juan. The characters from earlier stories showed up more in The Fortune Hunter, but again, you don’t have to read them for the works to make sense.
Glad she re-released the series.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was published back in 2008. Two 90s offerings from JB. This is early work for her.

So, liked Deirdre better than Amy. Amy is better looking, but Deirdre is less mercenary.
The heros are both yummy! Of course both stories have a HEA.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

[Cindy Su · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two books in one! Such a deal. I liked both of them. They were the end of a series of related books by Ms. Beverley. Not only did we get the stories of these two characters in this set, but we were brought up to date in the stories of the H/H's of the other books.

'The Fortune Hunter' told the story of one poor, but beautiful heroine and her quest to find a rich hero to pull her and her family out of the fire. The hero was handsome, but not particularly rich-the number one priority of the heroine. She drug her heels a little too long for me, but the ending was worth the wait.

'Deirdre and Don Juan' told the story of a 'plain Jane' heroine and a rich and over the top handsome hero. His first wife had run off with another man and had just died. He was free now to marry and start his nursery and he settled on Deidre. She would do, but she thought she was already in love with a jerk. It took her a while (with the help of the hero) to find out that the love of her life was really a jerk and the hero really did love her. All was well and ended well even if it took a few extra pages to get there.

I enjoyed reading all eight related books and recommend them to you along with these two:
Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed
The Stanforth Secrets
The Stolen Bride
If Fancy Be the Food of Love
Emily and the Dark Angel.(The hardest one to find...got it from Paperbackswap.com. My library didn't have it.

[penelopewanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovers and Ladies
This is actually two separate novels - The Fortune Hunter is the first, and in this case it is not some down at the heel rogue seeking to marry a heiress, but rather the heroine seeking a fortune. She has decided the only way to help her family is to look very high, or perhaps deep, to find someone - no matter the social circle- be it in trade or the aristocracy- wealthy enough to get her family back on their feet and allow her sisters to marry for love.
Her strong antipathy to Harry Crisp's suit is a bit unclear to me, but on the whole it's a very appealing little story, the writing eliciting many a chuckle.

The second, Deirdre and Don Juan, is somewhat similar in that Don's suit is not taken any more seriously than Harry's in the previous novel. Deirdre has decided to espouse the cause of a genius, although it is clear to all that the genius in question loves best how she smooths his existence and deals with the tedious details of day to day business - with hardly a glance at the person who facilitates his life. Don Juan sets out to find a bride - any being as good as the next. He finds himself, rather predictably, of course, given the genre, appreciating more and more the woman fate (and his mother) has pointed the way to, and ends up realizing that she is indeed the woman for him. His task is to show her he needs her as much, or rather more, than her genius does. Beverley's prose is a pleasure, and these two novels make for a very entertaining read.

[The Eleventh Hour · Rating 1 out of 5]

These aren't exactly structured thoughts, just my immediate impressions upon finishing the book.

I'm generally not a fan of Jo Beverley’s heroines. They often come across as overly shrill and insistent on their perspectives, which would be fine if those perspectives weren't typically based on spite, malice, or foolishness. Unfortunately, this double book, containing two of Beverley's traditional Regency stories, was no different. I found myself continually questioning why anyone would want to spend time with these women.

Usually, I'm very invested in heroines and female characters, but here they were consistently cruel to their heroes, and for rather silly reasons. Both stories relied heavily on Big Misunderstandings and frustrating moments where the heroines stubbornly refused clear communication, leaving me rolling my eyes repeatedly. Throughout, I genuinely wished both heroes would see reason and pursue more intelligent, compassionate women instead.

Ultimately, this confirmed for me that Jo Beverley’s writing just isn't aligned with my tastes. Her characterizations and storylines consistently miss the mark for me, so this will be my final attempt with her books.

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

This comprised 2 books by Jo Beverley. The Fortune Hunter and Deidre and Don Juan. The stories were interesting in that she explored beauty from the opposite sides of the spectrum.

In The Fortune Hunter, the female character's beauty was such that it was being used to capture a husband of means to save her family from being destitute.

In Deidre and Don Juan, the female character was described as plain and unassuming. She was picked by 2 male characters for their perception that she wouldn't interfere in how they conduct their lives.

In both cases, both ladies surprised their male counterparts as well as themselves in proving that beauty runs deeper than that of the superficial.

A solid 2 1/2 stars

[Mag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok

The newer price just too high. I paid less for the paperback and didn't get any credit for getting the e format. So we have gone green, no tree killing, paper saved we should have cut not just the middle man but the second and third, what up.
Ok about the book it's great... I also have the hard copy do I get some bar close credit... I believe in profit, but this is getting out of line...

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a combined edition of to f the authors previous works. I had a little trouble getting into the first story, and I found that heroine a bit tedious, found myself thinking that the hero might be better off with out her.

I liked the second story better, I really enjoyed the supporting characters as well. Both mothers were delightful. It had a sweet plot.

[Nelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

S Jo Beverley mám společné minimálně dvě věci: obě milujeme knížky a především pak Jane Austenovou, jíž autorka touto knihou vzdává hold. Kniha obsahuje dvě novely, kdy se postupně seznamujeme s postavami, které nás provádějí svým osudem - a nebyla by to pocta autorce jedněch z největších romantických příběhů, kdyby nešlo především o lásku.
http://nel-ly.blog.cz/1401/recenze-mi...

[Melanie (Moviemavengal) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of the two stories started out very strong, but had what felt like a rushed ending.

The second of the stories -- with Don Juan and Deidre, was my favorite of the two. I'm sort of partial to the rake marries a plain, practical heroine and proves to her she's desirable trope.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of Jo Bev's early stories, and they are very sweet. "The Fortune Hunter" in particular had a lot of humor in it, although it was in no way a comedy and the humor was also very sweet. I'm glad that I read these stories.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like animosity to love tropes, so no joy for me. Conflict can be interesting, but hatred towards each other for ridiculous reasons is just stupid IMHO. I will say the end of The Fortune Hunter was pretty hilarious, I love it when everyone gets what they deserve.

[Mary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a re-print of two of Jo Beverley's first Regency romances & they're pretty good.

[Lynn Calvin]

Amazon received

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two books in one. The Fortune Hunter was better than Deidre and Don Juan but they were both pretty clean, historical romance novels.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice pair of stories. I enjoyed reading them.

[Ilze · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 nice "traditional Regency" stories. The way the hero fell in love with the heroine in the second story didn't quite work for me, however - it never seemed believable.

[Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 nice stories made better by the connections of people from previous stories making the world seem real and full of people. I appreciated the cleanliness of this book very much.

[Eliška · Rating 3 out of 5]

Za první povídku jsou 3 hvězdičky, za tu druhou, která se mi líbila o trošku víc 3,5 :)