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Hiatt Regency Classics #3
Lord Dearborn's Destiny
Alternate cover edition can be found here
Venus, make her fair . . .
Though not a superstitious man, Lord Dearborn humors his mother by going to her fortuneteller, who informs him that he will meet his Destiny --a beautiful blonde --this very Season. He scoffs, until he meets Miss Rosalind Winston-Fitts, an absolute vision of blonde loveliness. Entranced, he believes the fortuneteller may have been right after all and pursues the new beauty with an eye to making her his wife. To be sure, Miss Rosalind is not as witty or lively as her small, dark cousin, Miss Elinor O'Day, but Dearborn's tastes have always run to statuesque blondes. Besides, who is he to question Destiny?
Perfect, but unattainable
Ellie O'Day lives on sufferance in her aunt and uncle's household, but she is truly fond of her cousin Rosalind. So surely it is the height of disloyalty to find herself so strongly attracted to Lord Dearborn, Rosalind's most eligible suitor! Still, Ellie cannot deny the thrill she feels when she dances with the Earl . . . nor when she trades quips with him and bests him at cards. Since her life would be a misery were she to stay on as Rosalind's companion after her inevitable marriage to Lord Dearborn, Ellie would be much better off to instead immure herself in Ireland, on her grandfather's estate. If only the call of love were not so insistent . . .
Venus, make her fair . . .
Though not a superstitious man, Lord Dearborn humors his mother by going to her fortuneteller, who informs him that he will meet his Destiny --a beautiful blonde --this very Season. He scoffs, until he meets Miss Rosalind Winston-Fitts, an absolute vision of blonde loveliness. Entranced, he believes the fortuneteller may have been right after all and pursues the new beauty with an eye to making her his wife. To be sure, Miss Rosalind is not as witty or lively as her small, dark cousin, Miss Elinor O'Day, but Dearborn's tastes have always run to statuesque blondes. Besides, who is he to question Destiny?
Perfect, but unattainable
Ellie O'Day lives on sufferance in her aunt and uncle's household, but she is truly fond of her cousin Rosalind. So surely it is the height of disloyalty to find herself so strongly attracted to Lord Dearborn, Rosalind's most eligible suitor! Still, Ellie cannot deny the thrill she feels when she dances with the Earl . . . nor when she trades quips with him and bests him at cards. Since her life would be a misery were she to stay on as Rosalind's companion after her inevitable marriage to Lord Dearborn, Ellie would be much better off to instead immure herself in Ireland, on her grandfather's estate. If only the call of love were not so insistent . . .
153 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Brenda Hiatt
100 books523 followersBrenda Hiatt is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sparkling romantic adventure. She's written twenty-five novels (so far), including sweet and spicy historical romance, time travel romance, humorous mystery, and her young adult science fiction STARSTRUCK series. Brenda began in traditional publishing with Harlequin, HarperCollins and Avon Books and later made a transition to indie publishing as she began getting rights back to her older books. So far, she hasn't been sorry! She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists, Inc, where she has served as president. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (she has over 60 dives to her credit), Taekwondo (where she is working toward her 4th degree black belt), hiking, traveling…and reading, of course!
Learn more at http://brendahiatt.com
Learn more at http://brendahiatt.com
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 18, 2022
Another satisfying read by Brenda Hiatt.
Forrest, Lord Dearborn is an Earl whose mother is urging him to marry. After being given a prediction by a fortune teller that he'll meet his soul mate and marry this season, he meets a tall, blonde beauty who is quiet and demure. He is immediately attracted to the beauty named Rosalind, a debutante visiting town with her family.
Rosalind is shy to the extreme. Rosalind is accompanied to London by her poor, orphaned cousin and companion Ellie O'Day. Ellie is small, dark-haired and less striking than Rosalind, but she makes up for that with wit, kindness and intelligent conversation. Rosalind's mother is pressuring a match between her daughter and the Earl, and pushes the two together at every opportunity. Ellie accompanies them for propriety, but because Rosalind is so quiet, Ellie and Forrest end up becoming good friends through conversation, shared interests and dances.
This was a quick read with sweet characters and a satisfying HEA.
There were no descriptive love scenes.
Forrest, Lord Dearborn is an Earl whose mother is urging him to marry. After being given a prediction by a fortune teller that he'll meet his soul mate and marry this season, he meets a tall, blonde beauty who is quiet and demure. He is immediately attracted to the beauty named Rosalind, a debutante visiting town with her family.
Rosalind is shy to the extreme. Rosalind is accompanied to London by her poor, orphaned cousin and companion Ellie O'Day. Ellie is small, dark-haired and less striking than Rosalind, but she makes up for that with wit, kindness and intelligent conversation. Rosalind's mother is pressuring a match between her daughter and the Earl, and pushes the two together at every opportunity. Ellie accompanies them for propriety, but because Rosalind is so quiet, Ellie and Forrest end up becoming good friends through conversation, shared interests and dances.
This was a quick read with sweet characters and a satisfying HEA.
There were no descriptive love scenes.
February 5, 2019
3 e 1/2
"Forrest guardò nel profondo degli occhi di Ellie. “Che la sorte o le stelle c’entrino o meno qualcosa, sono enormemente felice di aver trovato la mia anima gemella,” disse.
Poi, di fronte a tutti, diede un lungo e dolce bacio a Elinor, la contessa di Dearborn… il suo destino."
Sebbene non raggiunga il livello del primo della serie, per fortuna questo terzo capitolo non sprofonda nemmeno nella noia che mi aveva ghermito nel secondo libro...diciamo che è un'onesta via di mezzo XD Forse lo svantaggio più evidente è la testardaggine del nostro conte nell'inseguire la bionda Rosalind quando è chiaro a tutti, e dico proprio TUTTI, che i due non sono proprio fatti per stare insieme! So che questa era la trama di base del libro, ma speravo ad un certo punto (prima della fine diciamo XD) di superare questa fase e mettere magari qualche altro ostacolo sulla strada della nostra coppia d'oro (anche se Forrest dimostra una grande abilità nel districare la matassa verso la fine....diciamo appena le fette di prosciutto gli cadono dagli occhi XD). Se il nostro bel conte pecca di stupidità, la nostra Ellie invece incarna perfettamente il prototipo dell'eroina fin troppo intelligente per la sua epoca, di scarse prospettive, bella in modo ordinario, ma dalla mente vivace e arguta e dal fascino sottile che incanta chiunque venga a contatto con lei ;D Molto simpatica la contessa madre, con le sue superstizioni e i suoi piani, ma il lavoro migliore l'autrice l'ha svolto con la dolce e bionda Rosalind; Mantenendo un equilibrio sottile è riuscita a schivare i due cliché in cui spesso si incappa in queste trame, ovvero di rendere la "rivale" una perfida strega tanto bella quanto gelida, o un'ochetta stupida da prendere a calci sulle gengive XD Rosalind invece non è nulla di tutto ciò: è bellissima ma non vanesia, vuole sinceramente bene ad Ellie e si dispiace della sua condizione di povertà e dipendenza e, sebbene non arguta e sveglia come la cugina, si rende conto prima ancora della nostra eroina di quanto Forrest sia perfetto per lei; Seppur non osando sfidare apertamente la perfida madre (ma si riscatterà alla fine, non temete ;D), cerca in ogni modo di lasciarli soli e di non incoraggiare il bel conte, aiutata ovviamente anche dal suo carattere naturalmente timido e remissivo (tranne con l'uomo giusto ;D). Soddisfacente anche il doppio happy ending finale, sono curiosa di leggere il prossimo della serie ^^
"Forrest guardò nel profondo degli occhi di Ellie. “Che la sorte o le stelle c’entrino o meno qualcosa, sono enormemente felice di aver trovato la mia anima gemella,” disse.
Poi, di fronte a tutti, diede un lungo e dolce bacio a Elinor, la contessa di Dearborn… il suo destino."
Sebbene non raggiunga il livello del primo della serie, per fortuna questo terzo capitolo non sprofonda nemmeno nella noia che mi aveva ghermito nel secondo libro...diciamo che è un'onesta via di mezzo XD Forse lo svantaggio più evidente è la testardaggine del nostro conte nell'inseguire la bionda Rosalind quando è chiaro a tutti, e dico proprio TUTTI, che i due non sono proprio fatti per stare insieme! So che questa era la trama di base del libro, ma speravo ad un certo punto (prima della fine diciamo XD) di superare questa fase e mettere magari qualche altro ostacolo sulla strada della nostra coppia d'oro (anche se Forrest dimostra una grande abilità nel districare la matassa verso la fine....diciamo appena le fette di prosciutto gli cadono dagli occhi XD). Se il nostro bel conte pecca di stupidità, la nostra Ellie invece incarna perfettamente il prototipo dell'eroina fin troppo intelligente per la sua epoca, di scarse prospettive, bella in modo ordinario, ma dalla mente vivace e arguta e dal fascino sottile che incanta chiunque venga a contatto con lei ;D Molto simpatica la contessa madre, con le sue superstizioni e i suoi piani, ma il lavoro migliore l'autrice l'ha svolto con la dolce e bionda Rosalind; Mantenendo un equilibrio sottile è riuscita a schivare i due cliché in cui spesso si incappa in queste trame, ovvero di rendere la "rivale" una perfida strega tanto bella quanto gelida, o un'ochetta stupida da prendere a calci sulle gengive XD Rosalind invece non è nulla di tutto ciò: è bellissima ma non vanesia, vuole sinceramente bene ad Ellie e si dispiace della sua condizione di povertà e dipendenza e, sebbene non arguta e sveglia come la cugina, si rende conto prima ancora della nostra eroina di quanto Forrest sia perfetto per lei; Seppur non osando sfidare apertamente la perfida madre (ma si riscatterà alla fine, non temete ;D), cerca in ogni modo di lasciarli soli e di non incoraggiare il bel conte, aiutata ovviamente anche dal suo carattere naturalmente timido e remissivo (tranne con l'uomo giusto ;D). Soddisfacente anche il doppio happy ending finale, sono curiosa di leggere il prossimo della serie ^^
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April 7, 2021What a sweet triangle romance. Lord Dearborn is given a prediction by a friend of his mother's who says he will meet his soulmate and she'll be tall, blonde and willowy. When he meets Rosalind Winston-Fitts, he thinks she is the girl of his dreams, but he can't seem to get her to say more than a word or two at any one time. He starts talking to her cousin, Elinor O'Day, only to find her a much more interesting person, and more fun to be around. but Ellie lives with her cousin and her Aunt and Uncle, and her Aunt is determined to have her daughter marry the Earl. Too bad Rosalind is actually in love with the local Squire, and not interested in the Earl. Can the Earl find what's right in front of his nose before he makes a big mistake? Will Ellie's loyalty destroy her chance for happiness? This was a wonderful story.
May 9, 2026
I am always bothered by the families that treat relations that have suffered a loss poorly.
The way Ellie's aunt treated her privately vs. publicly was cause for anger throughout. Ellie, on the other hand, handled everything with grace. Her cousin Rosalind was just too timid to stand up to her tyrant of a mother until it was almost too late.
Forrest, on the other hand, loved his mother and indulged her whims -- especially with respect to her eccentricities. He truly believed he needed a "blonde" for his bride. He soon realized that Rosalind would not be his ideal bride.
Lots of laughs, some anger and angst, and joy throughout this story.
The way Ellie's aunt treated her privately vs. publicly was cause for anger throughout. Ellie, on the other hand, handled everything with grace. Her cousin Rosalind was just too timid to stand up to her tyrant of a mother until it was almost too late.
Forrest, on the other hand, loved his mother and indulged her whims -- especially with respect to her eccentricities. He truly believed he needed a "blonde" for his bride. He soon realized that Rosalind would not be his ideal bride.
Lots of laughs, some anger and angst, and joy throughout this story.
April 8, 2019
Superstitious Lady Dearborn, needing her son to marry and noting her son's preference for blondes, concocted a scheme with her astrologer friend that he would propethically meet his Destiny~all tall and willowy fair~haired and blue~eyed within the year and marry her. And so he did meet her (and her cousin, too) at a ball ... but is the fair Rosalind really Forrest's soul~mate? This tells of the conflict between preference and need for a successful and lasting marriage... the obvious flash in the pan attraction in contrast with the more enduring ability for liking the same things and kindred affinity as well as the ability to match wits added to the warm affection of friendship and later on passion. Which Lord Dearborn definitely feels conversely for the 2 cousins (willowy dumb blonde Rosalind and petite witty dark~haired Elinor) and Forrest was able to choose his soul~mate following his heart.
August 14, 2022
Capturing Destiny
This is a wonderful story, great characters, great story line. Ellie is a poor relation to the beautiful Rosalind, but Ellie has something that her cousin doesn't, she has wit,and an abundance of personality and courage.
And soon Lord Forrest see,s this for himself
But Rosalind is his destiny, so the fortune teller says. But has time passes spent with Ellie, Forrest realized that only he can choose
His destiny, and he knows that is with Ellie.
Thank you ❤️
This is a wonderful story, great characters, great story line. Ellie is a poor relation to the beautiful Rosalind, but Ellie has something that her cousin doesn't, she has wit,and an abundance of personality and courage.
And soon Lord Forrest see,s this for himself
But Rosalind is his destiny, so the fortune teller says. But has time passes spent with Ellie, Forrest realized that only he can choose
His destiny, and he knows that is with Ellie.
Thank you ❤️
May 17, 2020
A sweet story of love fulfilled.
The intricacies of the plot of this book are carefully unfolded within the thought processes of the main characters. They work at cross purposes to try to bring the other ultimate happiness. Which what we romance lovers expect. Another enjoyable book by Ms. Hiatt.
The intricacies of the plot of this book are carefully unfolded within the thought processes of the main characters. They work at cross purposes to try to bring the other ultimate happiness. Which what we romance lovers expect. Another enjoyable book by Ms. Hiatt.
March 1, 2019
I liked this one better than the others in the series. It was nice to have an “insta-love” experience end differently. I thought the ending was very out of character for the H/h but I guess it solved everything. Kisses only
August 15, 2022
don’t believe everything you are told!
Cannot believe Lord Dearborn is talking about anyone being slow witted but himself, how could he think he was going to marry one woman but really wanted another!
Cannot believe Lord Dearborn is talking about anyone being slow witted but himself, how could he think he was going to marry one woman but really wanted another!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2019
2 e mezzo
June 24, 2020
A must read
I thought it was a good and romantic story. It was a cute way to bring into the story but a fortune teller.
I thought it was a good and romantic story. It was a cute way to bring into the story but a fortune teller.
March 2, 2021
solid. again a bit sugar sweet for my taste. unique plot with the cousins
October 11, 2022
A nice, sweet romance. Pleasant characters, gentle plot, predictable and a little repetitive, but fairly enjoyable.
May 30, 2014
Forrest, Lord Dearborn's Mama believes in all manner of superstitions. To please her, he goes along with having his fortune told by one of her friends. The fortune teller predicts he will find his soul mate this season; a woman who is tall, blond, composed, graceful and demure. So Lord Dearborn enters the marriage mart in search of his destiny. He sets his sights on the incredibly beautiful Rosalind Winston-Fitts, a girl in her first Season. Rosalind and her cousin Elinor O'Day have come to London with Mr. and Mrs. Winston-Fitts in search of a titled husband for Rosie. Ellie understands her cousin is painfully shy in the company of gentlemen, with the exception of their neighbor, Sir George Bellamy. Ellie tries to draw her cousin out without much success. She truly wants her cousin to be happy, but fears what her aunt will do if Rosie defies orders. As the cousins spend more time with handsome, golden-haired Lord Dearborn, Ellie begins to realize she really enjoys his company. She realizes she could never be her cousin's companion after she weds Lord Dearborn for it would be too painful. Instead, Ellie will go to Ireland, to her grandfather's estate where she spent some of her happiest times. There's a little matter of the fact that she hasn't heard from him in a long time and his heir wrote to say he'd been ill. No matter, Ellie will go anyway for running away is preferable to facing her feelings.
Lord Dearborn is a boring hero. He's a bit of a rake and a misogynist but he loves his mother and he's good to her, even though he thinks her superstitions are nonsense. Other than that, I don't know much about him, or I can't remember, which amounts to the same thing. Rosie is a bit more than an insipid debutante. She's very sweet and loves her cousin. There's more to her than meets the eye. She's a bit more shrewd than Jane Bennet but seems to have been modeled after Jane. Ellie is more appealing. She's forthright without being rude, witty and charming. At least we're told she's witty. I thought she was a bit too mean at one point. She let go of her temper and rose to someone's bait, which she should not have done. She's a little too perfect to be a really wonderful character. She doesn't really have any flaws. Forrest's mother is also a fun character. She's a bit silly but she loves her son and wants what's best for him. I found it a little creepy than Forrest falls in love with a girl who physically resembles his sister and has the same personality and some of the same interests as his mother. Rounding out the characters are Rosie's hen-pecked father and social climbing mother. Mrs. Winston-Fitts is a typical Regency social-climber without any redeeming qualities. She gives Mrs. Bennet a run for her money. Mr. W-F is left out of most of the story. He does appear briefly and shows a glimpse of his true personality.
The plot of the story is incredibly predictable, as most romance novels are. I kept waiting for the hero to wake up and stop being so stupid. The story advances pretty slowly before it gets to that point and then it's rather rushed. The story is rather forgettable but a pleasant read.
Lord Dearborn is a boring hero. He's a bit of a rake and a misogynist but he loves his mother and he's good to her, even though he thinks her superstitions are nonsense. Other than that, I don't know much about him, or I can't remember, which amounts to the same thing. Rosie is a bit more than an insipid debutante. She's very sweet and loves her cousin. There's more to her than meets the eye. She's a bit more shrewd than Jane Bennet but seems to have been modeled after Jane. Ellie is more appealing. She's forthright without being rude, witty and charming. At least we're told she's witty. I thought she was a bit too mean at one point. She let go of her temper and rose to someone's bait, which she should not have done. She's a little too perfect to be a really wonderful character. She doesn't really have any flaws. Forrest's mother is also a fun character. She's a bit silly but she loves her son and wants what's best for him. I found it a little creepy than Forrest falls in love with a girl who physically resembles his sister and has the same personality and some of the same interests as his mother. Rounding out the characters are Rosie's hen-pecked father and social climbing mother. Mrs. Winston-Fitts is a typical Regency social-climber without any redeeming qualities. She gives Mrs. Bennet a run for her money. Mr. W-F is left out of most of the story. He does appear briefly and shows a glimpse of his true personality.
The plot of the story is incredibly predictable, as most romance novels are. I kept waiting for the hero to wake up and stop being so stupid. The story advances pretty slowly before it gets to that point and then it's rather rushed. The story is rather forgettable but a pleasant read.
March 13, 2019
Cet auteur est récemment apparu sur Kobo, et je dois avouer que j'ai dévoré cette trilogie avec le plaisir coupable des Harlequin de ma jeunesse.
Ce dernier tome était de loin le plus abouti. J'ai aimé les longues introspections qui nous détaillent l'évolution des sentiments des protagonistes, et la multitude de petits exemples subtilement disséminés au fil de l'histoire, destinés à nous montrer que le comte n'est pas émotionnellement compatible avec sa promise initiale.
Dois-je ajouter que la langue est très belle ? On ne s'attend pas à trouver une telle qualité d'écriture pour ce genre-là.
En bref, j'adore.
Ce dernier tome était de loin le plus abouti. J'ai aimé les longues introspections qui nous détaillent l'évolution des sentiments des protagonistes, et la multitude de petits exemples subtilement disséminés au fil de l'histoire, destinés à nous montrer que le comte n'est pas émotionnellement compatible avec sa promise initiale.
Dois-je ajouter que la langue est très belle ? On ne s'attend pas à trouver une telle qualité d'écriture pour ce genre-là.
En bref, j'adore.
November 23, 2012
A beautiful story about "the one that almost got away" that readers will enjoy. Lord Dearborn is like most of his peers avoiding the "parson's mousetrap". When he spots the tall, blonde, Miss Rosalind Winston-Fitts,at the first ball of the London season, he decides that she would be the perfect wife for him. Miss Winston-Fitts, a painfully shy debutante, is fearful of Lord Dearborn and most of the gentlemen relentlessly pursuing her favor. Elinor O'Day, Miss Winston-Fitts' poor cousin, is a witty and vivacious brunette secretly in love with Lord Dearborn. But he is not for her.
April 20, 2015
I found it to be very amusing any thought that Lord Dearborn a clear mommas's was more fleshed out than other romantic interests other novels. Ellie was charming and while the plot is straightforward I really enjoy it.
June 2, 2016
This is a sweet, clean and fun read. I'm glad the love interest all came figured it out in time. It is obvious who belonged with each other and I wasn't disappointed in the ending. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more.
March 25, 2025
Entertaining and easy to follow, but the romance itself is rather disappointing. The Hero is a dud in my book. I'll read this again, though, because I like this author and her writing makes this time period and its language easy to understand.
August 10, 2015
I got the set of three rather inexpensive in ebook form. This was probably my least favorite, but I did enjoy them.
September 5, 2015
Best of the lot.
September 8, 2016
I enjoyed this a great deal. This was a funny engaging read. I just have fallen in love with this series. I cannot wait for more.
February 7, 2017
I found this an interesting story as it kept me interested in reading this story. It also helped that I'm ill and needed a distraction.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews