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Regency Classics: Alphabet Series #10
The Dubious Miss Dalrymple
A DARING DALLIANCE
Romance and adventure were simply not to be hers, of that comely Elinor Dalyrmple was certain. But her staid spinster's world went scandalously atilt when the death of a distant cousin made her brother the new Earl of Hythe -- and Elinor the mistress of the Hythe seaside estate. And then she met John Bates, a man far too arrogant, too handsome, too devilishly dashing for comfort -- and no doubt a traitor in the service of Bonaparte. Though the rogue brought a heated flush to her cheeks, Elinor planned to unmask him -- never guessing at John's true identity... nor that her present danger would lead to heart-soaring future bliss....
Romance and adventure were simply not to be hers, of that comely Elinor Dalyrmple was certain. But her staid spinster's world went scandalously atilt when the death of a distant cousin made her brother the new Earl of Hythe -- and Elinor the mistress of the Hythe seaside estate. And then she met John Bates, a man far too arrogant, too handsome, too devilishly dashing for comfort -- and no doubt a traitor in the service of Bonaparte. Though the rogue brought a heated flush to her cheeks, Elinor planned to unmask him -- never guessing at John's true identity... nor that her present danger would lead to heart-soaring future bliss....
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Kasey Michaels
307 books542 followersKasey Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books (she doesn't count them). Kasey has received three coveted Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, two for the historical romances, THE SECRETS OF THE HEART and THE BUTLER DID IT, and a third for contemporary romance LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (that shows diversity, you see). She is a recipient of the RITA, a Waldenbooks and Bookrak Bestseller award, and many awards from Romantic Times magazine, including a Career Achievement award for her Regency era historical romances. She is an Honor Roll author in Romance Writers of America, Inc. (RWA)
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 1, 2020
2.5 stars
February 4, 2024
I’ve come to the realization Kasey Michaels’ books are not for me. I fully recognize this was a farce and not meant to be taken seriously. I even enjoyed some of the humorous bits and contretemps. But overall, it was just too much, with the characters tending to grate on my nerves. Moreover, there were some nonsensical/factually incorrect details that drove me (unreasonably) nuts.
Case in point, at the occasion of their first meeting, the H notices how tightly scraped back the h’s hair is *beneath* her bonnet?!? Seriously, how was this supposed to be physically possible? Then, at essentially the third meeting between the h/H, the H goes off on how the issue with the h (or rather the h’s looks) is how she styles her hair. There and then, the h decides to take down her hair, and to the H, she is suddenly transformed from plain spinster to seductive beauty. Being a farce, I could almost forgive such a tired cliché except that no Regency-era gentlewoman would ever intentionally take down her hair in public. Considering the more ridiculous plot points, this was a minor detail, but one that annoyed me to no end.
About mid-way through I gave up.
Case in point, at the occasion of their first meeting, the H notices how tightly scraped back the h’s hair is *beneath* her bonnet?!? Seriously, how was this supposed to be physically possible? Then, at essentially the third meeting between the h/H, the H goes off on how the issue with the h (or rather the h’s looks) is how she styles her hair. There and then, the h decides to take down her hair, and to the H, she is suddenly transformed from plain spinster to seductive beauty. Being a farce, I could almost forgive such a tired cliché except that no Regency-era gentlewoman would ever intentionally take down her hair in public. Considering the more ridiculous plot points, this was a minor detail, but one that annoyed me to no end.
About mid-way through I gave up.
March 7, 2018
This is a totally over-the-top Regency. I loved Elinor Dalrymple and could empathize with her. I also liked the hero. Underused was Hugo -- I would have liked to know more of his backstory. I honestly found little endearing about Leslie, the eccentric artist. The spy story was nicely done. The problem is that the over-the-top parts couldn't quite carry off the love story part.
I wanted to love the book, but found myself merely liking it.
Folks who like Regencies might give it a whirl or people who want to complete the series that Michaels created.
I wanted to love the book, but found myself merely liking it.
Folks who like Regencies might give it a whirl or people who want to complete the series that Michaels created.
June 16, 2017
This book.... whatever, I don't want to waste words. =__=
1st read: February 2008
2nd read: May 2017
1st read: February 2008
2nd read: May 2017
March 28, 2020
נחמד. לא יותר מזה. לא הייתי ממליצה.
March 29, 2020
can't remember a thing
April 21, 2011
She had to do it. On the very last page, in an incident which had no relationship to the plot, just an "amusing" little thing. She introduced a skunk.
Skunks are not native to Britain. They are not native to Europe, Africa, Asia (except 2 species of stink badgers in the Philippines and Indonesia) Australasia or Antarctica. Basically the only part of the world you find the striped variety of skunk is America.
This information is not difficult to access.
Skunks are not native to Britain. They are not native to Europe, Africa, Asia (except 2 species of stink badgers in the Philippines and Indonesia) Australasia or Antarctica. Basically the only part of the world you find the striped variety of skunk is America.
This information is not difficult to access.
September 25, 2009
Regency
May 1, 2013
The sheer ridiculousness of this book made me rate it five stars. The author knows she has an over-the-top story and just RUNS with it. Highly recommend.
August 7, 2015
I have to agree with the other readers of this book, the shear ridiculous of this book made me have to give it four stars. Leslie and Hugo made this book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews