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Romancing Lady Stone

(School of Gallantry #6)

Delilah Marvelle (Goodreads Author)

3.74 · Rating details · 834 ratings · 120 reviews

He believes in destiny. She just wants to survive it...

At forty, Lady Cecilia Evangeline Stone thinks she has everything a woman could ever want. A title, a fortune, and four children who make her proud. After a marriage of convenience that was anything but convenient, she has no desire to complicate her life by including a man in it again. When her eldest son announces h ...more

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ebook, 162 pages

Published January 1st 2015 by Delilah Marvelle Productions, LLC (first published August 16th 2013)

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Start your review of Romancing Lady Stone (School of Gallantry, # 6)

May 19, 2015 Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cover-whore, alpha-male, rakes-and-lords, historical-read, consuming-intense-passionate-love

**4.5 Magical Stars**

I'm a dreamer and a believer. You'll never hear me say "Oh that's just a coincidence". I firmly believe nothing in life is a coincidence. I'm the type of woman who takes her dreams seriously, so if I dream about a person or a particular number and I see it the next day then my mind starts spinning and trying to figure out what it all means. Maybe I'm just weird but that's just me.

So imagine my surprise when I realize this is one of those magical stories. Konstantin is a Ru ...more

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Aug 19, 2013 Keri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance-historical, e-book, 2010s-read, older-woman

I am going to try and do a straight review and not do a fan-gurl squee review. Since Delilah was sweet enough to let me read this wonderful little gem for an honest review before its debut tomorrow. Lady Cecelia Stone is on her way to St. Petersburg Russia in order to stop her son from making the worst mistake of his life. On the way she runs into a little ...no better make that A LOT of trouble. Luckily for her, she has destiny working in her favor as she ends up in the same coach as one sexy K
I am going to try and do a straight review and not do a fan-gurl squee review. Since Delilah was sweet enough to let me read this wonderful little gem for an honest review before its debut tomorrow. Lady Cecelia Stone is on her way to St. Petersburg Russia in order to stop her son from making the worst mistake of his life. On the way she runs into a little ...no better make that A LOT of trouble. Luckily for her, she has destiny working in her favor as she ends up in the same coach as one sexy Konstatine Levine (don't you love that name) who happens to have a vow to turn over a new leaf and his first task is to rescue this beautiful damsel in distress. Now if they can only ignore the sparks that are about to ignite the very air around them. Of course fate has her own designs on these two and they both discover in each other what the other has always been looking for. But can a Lady find a way to have the one man in her life that has won her heart. Can one uncommon man find a way to fight for his lady and her family, because to do without her he no longer has his heart.

This was only loosely connected to the School of Gallantry and can be totally read on its own with no issue. Here is one passage that really effected me:

"His hand left her and skimmed down her arm. " Do you have a lover back in London?" This conversation had officially turned wild. "No. I have never taken a lover." He hesitated, then leaned in and brushed her hair away from her neck. "Something tells me you are about to."

Right then I melted into a big puddle of lust right there in my chair at work, I was in love with Konstatine, but this sealed the deal. There are more sweet, lush moments in the book and considering that it was a short, it didn't have a short book feel. Delilah did a wonderful job of making this feel like a bigger book and managed to really bring these two characters to life. Even more delicious this was an older woman and younger man which was a refreshing lovely change. There is also a secondary romance that Delilah assures us that we will get the rest of their story. I for one can't wait for that! No one writes the naughty side of TON like Delilah Marvelle, so if you haven't tried her out, then this story might be for you.

PS The epilogue was wonderful and was a fitting ending for these two!

*Advanced ebook provide by the author** ...more

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Aug 19, 2013 Delilah Marvelle added it · (Review from the author)

To my dearest Reader,
While this is a School of Gallantry linked story, its purpose is to deliver an unexpected glimpse into the heart beating behind the school itself while also connecting you to the upcoming world of the Whipping Society. Please note that the secondary love story in this novella will have its own full length book in the upcoming series. So don’t panic thinking I left their story untold. If you are new to the School of Gallantry, each book, including this novella, stands on its ...more

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Mar 31, 2019 Heather K (dentist in my spare time) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, m-f, short-story-or-novella, historical, book-lovers-con-2019

A wonderful read from new-to-me author, Delilah Marvelle.

I'm reading new authors that I haven't read before in anticipation of Book Lovers Con, and I was pretty surprised at how much I enjoyed Romancing Lady Stone. For a novella-length book, it felt complete and absurdly romantic, which is about all I could ask for.

I wanted to love this book for the simple fact that the female MC was forty years old, practically unheard of in the romance book world. And I am so happy that the story worked for m ...more

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Sep 12, 2013 UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish marked it as own-need-to-read

Free today for Kindle! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EMG37X0

He believes in destiny. She just wants to survive it...

At forty, Lady Cecilia Evangeline Stone thinks she has everything a woman could ever want. A title, a fortune, and four children who make her proud. After a marriage of convenience that was anything but convenient, she has no desire to complicate her life by including a man in it again. When her eldest son announces his engagement to a Russian actress in Saint Petersburg, Cecilia sets ...more

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Aug 27, 2013 Kimberly Rocha~ Book Obsessed Chicks rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romances-a-la-kimberly

Every time I read a book by Delilah Marvelle, I come away in awe. Last night I couldn't sleep, I had just come off writing four reviews in the evening and my eyes were practically crossed. It was around 1am when I opened my Iphone's Kindle app and started reading Delilah Marvelle's ROMANCING LADY STONE and didn't put the phone down until the ending around 3:30am.

Handsome Russian, Konstantin Alexie Levin, had been a career criminal until he saves the life of a Duc for the sole reason that it was

Every time I read a book by Delilah Marvelle, I come away in awe. Last night I couldn't sleep, I had just come off writing four reviews in the evening and my eyes were practically crossed. It was around 1am when I opened my Iphone's Kindle app and started reading Delilah Marvelle's ROMANCING LADY STONE and didn't put the phone down until the ending around 3:30am.

Handsome Russian, Konstantin Alexie Levin, had been a career criminal until he saves the life of a Duc for the sole reason that it was the right thing to do, but life on the straight and narrow although the right path can be a destitute one. One night at the stroke of midnight, two questionable men meet with Konstantin to tell him that the Duc would like to compensate him for saving his life, and his fortune would be found in London. Well Konstantin always wanted to go to London and meet English women, he didn't know however that he would meet one sooner than expected.

She woke up in a daze with her head in his lap on a moving coach that was not the one she hired. Lady Cecilia was far from home and all alone. Where was her companion? Where was her money? Why was she groggy? Konstantin tries to tell Lady Stone what he believed happened to her. She had been drugged and placed in the carriage by thieves. Lady Stone, although quite composed was frantic inside, for her very reason for being in Russia was to stop her 21 year old son from marrying a aging actress and ruining his life and how would she do that in her current circumstances?

Konstantin reluctantly decides to be Lady Stone's savior and help her find her son before his departing to London to better his life. In the meantime, the stark attraction between the Russian former criminal and the English Lady sizzles within the carriage walls and by the time they reach lodgings the sexual tension is scorching. Lady Stone has been widowed for years now and even when she was married she was unfulfilled and unhappy. The chance at having even one night of complete passion stirs Cecilia into action and the next two days with Konstantin must fill her lifetime of loneliness. When Lady Stone explains to her lover that in London their relationship would undergo extreme scrutiny and it would be the downfall for Cecilia's children to ever make good marriages, Konstantin is devastated by her cutting remarks.

Without a farewell Konstantin leaves a sleeping Lady Stone safely in the hands of her son and continues on his chosen path. Lady Stone awakens in the company of her son but when she finds her lover gone, she is shaken. She didn't want their relationship to end like it did.

What can I say? I am in awe. Although it was a novella, I did not feel cheated in any way. It was a wonderful story from the first word to the last, perfection in Delilah Marvelle fashion. ROMANCING LADY STONE is witty, exciting and very sexy. I find myself in love with the fact that Cecilia is a decade older than Konstantin and he makes nothing of it, in fact pursuing her all the more! Another winner for the phenomenal Delilah Marvelle.

~KIMBERLY~

*Ms. Marvelle was very kind enough to gift me a copy of this story for an honest review.
...more

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Sep 14, 2013 Verity rated it it was amazing

Shelves: luvable-heroes, marvelle-delilah, cougars, single-mom, kindle

Konstantin made me swoon @ midnite. I'm eternally his.

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Aug 18, 2013 Laura rated it it was amazing

4.5
I read this last night and couldn't put it down. Go forth and buy it!

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Aug 27, 2013 FV Angela rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed-for-fiction-vixen, historical-romance, read-in-2013

Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-romanc...

My first thought when I finished this delightful historical romance was “why haven’t I read author before?”. I mean really, why haven’t I? My second thought was “where can I find this author’s backlist?”. Romancing Lady Stone was such a well written novella. Full of humor, some seriously hot sexy times and two thoroughly likable main characters. This novella had it all.

From the moment she and that expensive perfume of hers had n

...more

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Aug 20, 2013 SheLove2Read rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hero-hall-of-fame, 2014, best-of-2014

Absolutely divine. I loved every second of this. It's rare that a book can completely consume me, but this one did. 5 stars

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Aug 20, 2013 Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* rated it it was amazing

ROMANCING LADY STONE is unashamedly romantic and I loved every moment of it! This novella has everything I love about Delilah's books in a small, neat package...emotive and evocative writing, an innovative story, richly drawn characters, wonderful chemistry, sizzling love scenes and lovely touches of humour.

In the distance, she heard a hall clock chime twelve times.
It was destiny.

I totally fell in love with Konstantin and Cecilia...so perfect for each other. Through their love, Konstant ...more

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Dec 09, 2013 SidneyKay rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Fairytales can come true, they can happen to you, if you're young at heart... blah blah blah.

Up front thoughts. Romancing of Lady Stone, by Delilah Marville, is a story that has its up and downs, ins and outs... all in glorious descriptive technological form. Yes, you won't need to open a biology book anytime soon, dear readers, because this story is filled with pages and pages of what goes in where. Which is too bad because even though I like hot passages in my books, after numerous pages of de Fairytales can come true, they can happen to you, if you're young at heart... blah blah blah.

Up front thoughts. Romancing of Lady Stone, by Delilah Marville, is a story that has its up and downs, ins and outs... all in glorious descriptive technological form. Yes, you won't need to open a biology book anytime soon, dear readers, because this story is filled with pages and pages of what goes in where. Which is too bad because even though I like hot passages in my books, after numerous pages of detailed instructions, the adventures of Mr. Toad's whankee-roo loses its drama and turns into a yawn fest. And, this is too bad because the characters of Lady Cecilia and Konstantin Levin had possibilities. Some good character development was lost in the plethora of bump and grind.

Romancing of Lady Stone, a novella, is part of the School of Gallantry series, which I have not read (and as much as I thought Cecilia and Konstantin had possibilities there weren't enough to make me want to read more in the series). What I did like in this book was that the heroine was 10 years older than the hero and she had four children, one of them a 21-year-old son. This son is the reason Cecilia is traveling through Russia without an escort. You see, her son has eloped with his mistress to Russia and is hoping to marry her, so Cecilia must stop this from happening. Along the way, she is drugged, robbed, dumped into a carriage. When she wakes up, she is resting on our hero Konstantin and it is instantaneous lust time. I don't have a problem with this in books, if I can see that this couple have a connection beyond the whankee-roo. They could have connected and they almost did, but in the end didn't.

While I like older women and young men stories, I am always concerned by what I know will eventually happen when that older woman reaches the age of oh maybe 49. Then there will probably be no more banging against the wall or bumping all over the floor, unless it is his head because she's going to be having night sweats! And hot flashes! And mood swings! And she will have to increase her intake of Black Cohosh!! It will be horrible, but not for him, cause he will only be 40, he will still be able to salute the flag if you get my drift. So, watch out, Cecilia, because someday you're going to scream and run the other way when you see Timothy Toad headed in your direction.

Now, on to other problems that sort of threw me out of this story. There was the creepy guy in the mask who is going to give Konstantin money, and who also likes to watch from dark corners while some energetic panting is going on. I'm not sure why this was added, unless it has to do with The Whipping Society series Ms. Marvelle is going to publish. Besides that extremely unpleasant moment, the Duc de Andelot character was just downright disturbing. I suspect he will show up again.

Russia. I know that authors who write historical novels do research, but I am reasonably sure (maybe) that during this time period the naming process of patronymics was in use in Russia. Maybe not everyone, but I'm sure aristocrats used this "son of" naming format. Another thing about dragging the family back to Russia to live in peace and without scandal is there was a revolution ahead and I had a hard time separating what I know historically is going to happen to this family's continued life expectancy.

Overall, fast read, nice couple, creepy masked man, improper Russian references threw me out of story, and way too much sex.

KaysBlog ...more

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Sep 28, 2013 Michelle Woods rated it liked it

I am used to reading Christian Romance and so the detailed bedroom scenes, and not all in the bedroom, were a bit much for me. I love reading about the heat of romance, but sex does not have to happen outside of marriage in order for two people to show they are attracted to each other and to find out if they love each other.

That being said...the story of a man with a lower class shady past falling in love with a Lady or the aristocratic London, and her with him, was beautiful. The idea of having ...more

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Sep 12, 2013 Aoi rated it liked it

Shelves: hf-england

3.5 Stars

Alas the feeling of 'there could have been so much more'!

The scene: one snowy night, two strangers from opposite sides of society, spending a bed in a wayside inn..Cecelia, Lady Stone is lost, duped and stranded in a public coach intent on carrying her to the other corner of Russia. Enter Konstantin Levin, determined to shake off his criminal past. He takes it on his hands to escort her safely to St. Petersberg.

The heroine is a whopping 10 years older than the hero-in a completely diff ...more

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Jan 10, 2014 Tin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014

After enduring a loveless marriage to a man she married for money, widowed Cecilia, Lady Stone, finds herself chasing after her eldest son, whom she believes is about to make the biggest mistake of his life by marrying a Russian actress. But her plans to rescue him go awry when she wakes up alone, with her travel companion missing and all of her possessions stolen, in a public coach and in the company of a strange man. Clearly, she is in need of rescuing as well. Konstantin Levin cannot afford a ...more

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Aug 25, 2013 Jaci rated it it was amazing

Could not put it down!!!!!
Delilah Marvelle is an amazing writer. The 3.5 book in The School of Gallantry series is just as good as the previous three. I read it in less than two hours. Ms. Marvelle writes at a level that is miles above others that I have read. The story was compelling. I loved the older women, younger man plot. The hero's geniune desire to be a better man and the heroine's wish to take back her life and be happy was heartfelt and very moving. The great sex scenes didn;t hurt. Th ...more

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Jan 09, 2014 Cherry (_forevermint) rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 24, 2015 Gilgamesha rated it it was amazing

This is one of the best Novellas I have read. A beautiful story.

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Jun 09, 2019 LOU71 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-star-keepers, historical-erotic-5-stars, keeper-ipad-books-i-own, historical-romance-scorchers

Master of Pleasure is the sixth book in the School of Gallantry series.
The story begins in Moscow, Russia, 1830. The story continues weeks later, somewhere in Russia, then in Saint Petersburg, before the story is in London, England, 1830. The Epilogue takes place one and a half years later in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

This series improves considerably with each book, imo. This is a romantic historical read that spans from Russia to England and back again, and has the poignancy and tenderness betw Master of Pleasure is the sixth book in the School of Gallantry series.
The story begins in Moscow, Russia, 1830. The story continues weeks later, somewhere in Russia, then in Saint Petersburg, before the story is in London, England, 1830. The Epilogue takes place one and a half years later in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

This series improves considerably with each book, imo. This is a romantic historical read that spans from Russia to England and back again, and has the poignancy and tenderness between Hero and Heroine that is dreamy and palpable. My favourite in this series thus far.

~~~Madame Thérése’s School of Gallantry: All gentlemen welcome. Learn from the most celebrated demimondaine of France. Everything there is to know about love and seduction. Only a limited amount of Applications are being accepted at 11 Berwick Street. Discretion is guaranteed and advised.~~~

Mistress of Pleasure: 3 stars: Edmund & Maybelle (forgettable Hero)
Lord of Pleasure: 3- stars: Alexander & Charlotte (disliked Heroine)
Last of Pleasure: 4 stars: Ronan & Caroline (best Epilogue)
Night of Pleasure: 4+ stars: Derek & Clementine (very intense)
Master of Pleasure: 5- stars: Malcolm & Leona (dark/kinky)
Romancing Lady Stone: 5 solid stars: Konstantin & Cecilia (best overall story)

Lady Cecelia Evangeline Stone is forty and has everything a woman could want. A title, a fortune, and four children who make her proud. Finding herself alone in Russia after being drugged and robbed, Cecelia discovers that at her lowest point she must rely on a man, something she vowed not to do especially after her earlier marriage of convenience.

Konstantin Alexie Levin never considered himself to be a villain. In fact, he considers himself to be a Russian gentleman. Embracing criminal life in Russia to avoid debtor’s prison, everything changes when he takes an opportunity to start anew in London to collect a large reward for saving a man’s life.

Konstantin and Cecelia’s sexy times were fun and intense. Loved the bath house scene. Ahem.

Despite the captivating story, I still saw a few grammatical errors.

I highly recommend this book. I recommend this series. ...more

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Oct 08, 2019 Kassie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 3-star-rating, real-reviews-written, found-at-library

I don't know if it was the characters or the style or what that didn't pull me in but I just could not get into this book. I wound up skimming the last half because I wanted to know how it ended but I didn't care all that much about the characters.

I think it's mainly that I went in with certain expectations - the heroine is a 40 year old widow who goes to visit her son in Russia and gets drugged and put on a bus head in the opposite direction of where she wants to go. The hero is a Russian crim ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 N.W. Moors rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Lady Cecilia Stone has gone off to Russia to rescue her hapless son from the clutches of a scheming actress. Unfortunately, she is drugged and robbed on the way until rescued by Konstantin Levin, a man from the criminal world who has changed his ways and is on his way to London to collect a fortune from a man he helped. Konstantin is younger than Cecilia, a widow with four children, but the attraction between them, despite their different backgrounds, is fierce and immediate.
Cecilia worries that ...more

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Aug 11, 2020 Helen Heavey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An Anglo Russian story

The story is well told and interesting to have an English historical novel begin in Russia. Lady Stone is robbed and left destitute and stranded due to be robbed by her Russian companion. It came as no surprise to me that she was robbed and drugged by Russians. While living in Moscow, we learned that Russians felt little regret in taking what they wanted from other people. One classic thing they always stole was toilet paper. You could never go to a public bathroom and have ...more

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Aug 16, 2017 Mary rated it really liked it · review of another edition

An unexpectedly delightful read that I found among my collection. I enjoyed getting to know Konstantin and Cecelia by watching their love bloom.

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Feb 18, 2018 Alfredo Gómez rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Quite nice to read

Fluid and nice.
Easy going and perfect to spend a nice time wondering or trying to picture what societies where like in the past.

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Jul 17, 2018 Merylyn Chetty rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Lovely story, couldn't put this book down

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Mar 05, 2017 Vicky rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance-historical, setting-england, own-omnibus, series-stalled-or-abandoned, setting-russia, own-nook-library, color-yellow, author-american, char-widow

Romancing Lady Stone truly suffered from being a novella, which was super disappointing. There was a really great set up here for this couple. Lady Stone is a widow who has never had love or passion in her life. Konstantin is an ex-criminal known for doing the right thing, except for when it comes to women who forget to tell him that they are married or otherwise with someone else. The voids they each fill in the other's heart was a really great set up for a great love story.

Unfortunately, the t ...more

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Nov 17, 2013 Vania Nunes rated it it was amazing

Absolutely divine !!!
One hundred and sixty two pages, more than enough to tell you a love story totally out of conventional patterns of historical romance novels.

About the heroine: She's not young anymore. In her 40 years, Cecilia already has a wedding on her back that lasted 14 years. Four children, the eldest at age 21. She is rich, thanks to the legacy left by her husband and their marriage of convenience. Still retains her beauty, she's beautiful and still has long dark brown hair, but as de Absolutely divine !!!
One hundred and sixty two pages, more than enough to tell you a love story totally out of conventional patterns of historical romance novels.

About the heroine: She's not young anymore. In her 40 years, Cecilia already has a wedding on her back that lasted 14 years. Four children, the eldest at age 21. She is rich, thanks to the legacy left by her husband and their marriage of convenience. Still retains her beauty, she's beautiful and still has long dark brown hair, but as described in one of the scenes, she does have stretch marks on belly on account of four pregnancies. And not to seem so perfect, she is also going through a rough time with her eldest son: living in Russia, he decided he will marry an actress 20 years older than him. Really desperate for any mother. Because of this, Cecilia is in a foreign country with a language she did not know, knocked out, penniless, no documents or extra clothes, and moreover, alone in a carriage in the company of a younger man who has never seen before...

Konstantin could even be classified as a hero easier to see in the books.
His life seems always to have been woven by fate. Since his birth, or when he almost died of a mysterious fever in childhood, or the times he saved his own or others lives. A strange "coincidence " permeates his life over at midnight.
Because of this belief, he never separates from a pocket watch he inherited from his father. Even when he is in a hackney coach with a unknown lady, exactly at midnight when she wakes up and look at him with those eyes that look like emeralds.

Notably that lady was in trouble. She had been drugged and robbed. Luckily she didn't die. As a matter of how he was raised, and also because he wanted to start a new life as the good gentleman he was, he decides to help her, and in the two following days, Cecilia and Konstantin embrace what destiny has placed at their doors.

He was about to become a very rich man, thanks to a good deed he had done months earlier, and would start a new life in London, a land where he had always wanted to know. And why not do it next to that lovely lady?
But Cecilia was a lady with three daughters to finish raising, presenting to society and marry them. How could she take on a romance with a Russian and 10 years younger than her?

As I said, the story is enchanting for its uniqueness.
Over these two days, and then when they depart, Konstantin and Cecilia accept their feelings, even if they thought they can not be together. But then, why Mr. Destiny kept to introduce to them so many temptations?

A short story shows that at least 50 % of our life can not be controlled, and it's up to you to decide which inner voice to listen.

Undoubtedly, despite being an advanced book in the series, it makes me want to read all the previous .

5 STARS ! !
...more

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Aug 22, 2013 Leontine rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, novella

Review; Delilah Marvelle - Romancing Lady Stone It has been a while since I picked up a historical romance by Delilah Marvelle but ever since I attended her workshop at the LLC in Berlin about courtesans she reignited my desire to read a story from her. Romancing Lady Stone is a novella within the School of Gallantry series but easily read as a standalone.What instantly pulled me in to this novel was the intriguing character of Konstantin Alexie Levin. A criminal who’s on the path of becoming a Review; Delilah Marvelle - Romancing Lady Stone It has been a while since I picked up a historical romance by Delilah Marvelle but ever since I attended her workshop at the LLC in Berlin about courtesans she reignited my desire to read a story from her. Romancing Lady Stone is a novella within the School of Gallantry series but easily read as a standalone.What instantly pulled me in to this novel was the intriguing character of Konstantin Alexie Levin. A criminal who’s on the path of becoming a respectable citizen. The blend of good character traits such as chivalry and the hint of danger which surround him turns Konstantin in to a man I love to read about. Also, the background story of his father plays an important role in his life and I was romanced by the idea of destiny.Lady Cecilia Stone is driven by the need to see her son in Russia and gotten herself in to trouble. Lady Stone is from the get-go a very personable woman but what I enjoyed so much in the progress of the story is how she chose for herself. Her children are the number one priority but she deserves happiness as well. It gives her character backbone, her choices empower her and it made me root for her.Through circumstances Konstantin and Cecilia are thrown together and the chemistry was slowly burning to a fever pitch. Even though I wondered how they would get their happily ever after it was undeniable Konstantin and Cecilia were good for each other. Delilah Marvelle has a penchant for sexual tension and writing hot, between the sheets, scenes. Konstantin warming Cecilia’s hands was utterly romantic, Konstantin dripping wet from a bath, utterly sexy but Konstantin and Cecilia between the sheets was an erotic dance which made the skin tingle!
Quote; The savage need to climax was mutual. It pulsed from their skin.
Every element in this novella; characters, scenery, dialogues is imbued with enough depth or detail to allow the reader to immerge in the period and romance. The quick pace of storytelling leaves little room for overly dramatic obstacles for the couple to overcome but in the essence it’s all there and I enjoyed it to the fullest. There’s also an intriguing interaction and history between Duc de Andelot and Madame de Maitenon that whets the appetite for more about them. Apparently they are going to have their own story for which I’m eagerly waiting!Delilah Marvelle’s atmospheric writing style transports you to a blistering cold Moscow where you get to warm up with a scolding hot romance. Romancing Lady Stone was a wonderful reminder why I enjoy Delilah Marvelle’s stories so much!4 stars
Quote; Lesson five - Do you remember what it is like to feel your heart beat again?
...more

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Oct 12, 2013 Book Reading Gals rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historicak

Title: Romancing Lady Stone

Series: School of Gallantry bk 3.5

Author: Delilah Marvelle

Genre: Historical

He believes in destiny. She just wants to survive it...

At forty, Lady Cecilia Evangeline Stone thinks she has everything a woman could ever want. A title, a fortune, and four children who make her proud. After a marriage of convenience that was anything but convenient, she has no desire to complicate her life by including a man in it again. When her eldest son announces his engagement to a Russi ...more

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Sep 01, 2013 Jen Davis rated it really liked it

I know I have said this before, but Delilah Marvelle never disappoints me. Every time I finish one of her books, I find myself wishing I had another one to jump into. And this one is no exception. It’s sexy and romantic, and it throws the Historical Romance formula right out of the window.

Our heroine is Lady Cecelia Stone, a 40 year-old mother of four. Yes, you read that right. She’s 40. And she’s been a widow for the past seven years. Her first marriage was one of convenience and ever since she I know I have said this before, but Delilah Marvelle never disappoints me. Every time I finish one of her books, I find myself wishing I had another one to jump into. And this one is no exception. It’s sexy and romantic, and it throws the Historical Romance formula right out of the window.

Our heroine is Lady Cecelia Stone, a 40 year-old mother of four. Yes, you read that right. She’s 40. And she’s been a widow for the past seven years. Her first marriage was one of convenience and ever since she lost her husband, she has been a model mother and lady of the ton. She has no intention of changing that when she journeys to Russia to stop her son from marrying an aging actress. Unfortunately, her plans are laid to waste when her traveling companion drugs and robs her, then leaves her unconscious in a stagecoach. That’s where she meets Konstantin.

Our hero is actually 10 years her junior. Konstantin is Russian man with a questionable past, trying to go legit. It finally looks like it’s going to happen, too, since a good deed is bringing him into a ton of money. But his plans are all put on hold when Cecelia wakes up alone and confused in his carriage. He is undeniably attracted to her and decides to help her find her way to her son. Unfortunately (or fortunately, perhaps) it will be a couple of days before they can get a ride to St Petersberg. And he only has enough money for one room. I’m sure you can guess how this is going play out.

Cecelia and Konstantin try to fight their attraction, but they fail in spectacular fashion. And it is so gratifying to watch. The sexual tension is fantastic, but the sex is even better. I mean….. I really enjoyed it. Really.

Both main characters are well crafted. Konstantin is this great lower-class gentleman. He is smart enough to know the social standing he lacks, but he can’t help what he feels for Cecelia. Meanwhile, we see Cecelia really coming alive for the first time. We see how she finally feels what things are supposed to be like with a man, and how she struggles with the knowledge that a life with Konstantin could ruin her daughters in the eyes of the ton. It’s angsty and delicious and emotional and sexy.

And I loved it. And I want another Delilah Marvelle book to read. Right now.

Rating: B+

*ARC provided by author for review ...more

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Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish	1	1	Feb 26, 2015 09:20AM
Madison Mega-Mara...: "Romancing Lady Stone" by Delilah Marvelle	1	1	Nov 29, 2013 04:49AM

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About Delilah Marvelle

Delilah Marvelle

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I spent my youth studying various languages, reading voraciously, and playing the pianoforte. I confess that here ends the extent of my gentle breeding. I was a naughty child who was forever torturing her parents with countless adventures that they did not deem respectable. Confined to my room on many occasions due to these misadventures, I soon discovered the quill and its amazing power. I scribe ...more