Compromised (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Kate Noble (Author)

Book Description

Series: Berkley Sensation | Publication Date: February 3, 2009

From a dazzling new voice in historical fiction comes a "delectable and delightful debut" about a pair of mismatched lovers who unwillingly find themselves engaged in a most scandalous position...

Miss Gail Alton was not having a good day. Or a good year. First, she's strong-armed into attending the Season as a foil to her beautiful sister Evangeline. Then, while riding her mare in the park, she gets toppled by a stuffy, self-important, too-handsome-by-half "gentleman" who has the audacity to blame her for their fall into the chilly lake! Little does Gail know that the very same man will soon be found in a compromising position with her sister...

Forced into asking for Evangeline's hand in marriage, Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, can't take his mind off the irksome girl who threw him from his horse and who can match wits with him at every turn. He's determined to follow through with his best intentions, yet he can't deny that Gail makes him want to cast propriety aside--and whisk away the sister of his soon-to-be bride...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Recently returned to 1829 London after years spent abroad with their ambassador father, the two Alton sisters are preparing for their Season—at least beautiful demure Evangeline is. Too tall, too outspoken and too intelligent Gail, however, views the prospect with horror. Escaping the household turbulence for a peaceful early morning ride in the park, Gail finds herself knocked into a lake when an overbearing, well-dressed gentleman, Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, can't control his horse. Gail's temper flares when he blames her for the accident. She's justly upset, then, when he's seen kissing Evangeline in the family's moonlit conservatory during her debut ball. Since Max's father has ordered Max to find a wife in three months or be disinherited, the beautiful Evangeline suits as well as any woman, but—surprise—Max soon finds himself obsessed with witty Gail. All's well that ends well, but numerous overwritten passages and an incongruous subplot compromise the story's good humor. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

From Booklist

The first time Abigail “Gail” Alton runs into Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, the two wind up taking an unexpected fall into the lake. The next time their paths cross, at a ball thrown by her family, Gail casts up her accounts all over Max’s shoes. The third time the two meet is the day after, when Max, caught in a compromising kiss with her sister, has just become engaged to Evangeline. Max and Evangeline seem perfectly matched, and Gail couldn’t be happier for her sister. Really, she couldn’t be more delighted. After all, it isn’t as if Gail is in love with the way-too-sexy-for-his-own-good, annoyingly arrogant Max. Noble’s clever and graceful debut Regency romance is simply sublime. --John Charles --This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425226506
• ISBN-13: 978-0425226506
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kate Noble love books. Romances especially. But, being born into a family of doctors, scientists, and mathematicians, she didn't discover she was adept at writing until, oh, about junior year of high school. Which came as something of a relief, as she was hopeless at memorizing the Latin names for all the bones in the human body. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle eludes her to this day. Kate lives in Los Angeles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1-Nighter! GREAT Debut!, February 26, 2009

By 

Cali (AZ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Compromised (Berkley Sensation) (Mass Market Paperback)

I keep telling myself that I am NOT going to write reviews! I mean, who is anyone to critique another person's story, thoughts, and creative work? It just doesn't seem right to me.

Yet, it seems to never fail! One of two things invariably happens for me: 1- the story and characters are such a wonderful read, (and nowadays maybe a half dozen books a year, and I read a couple a week, make what I consider a "WOW! 5* 1-Nighter!") that I feel compelled to comment or 2- I read some idiots comments and go "What the $#&%?? Did they speed read this and miss like...the ENTIRE story??" Good grief!!

This was written extremely well! The characters were very real and believable, and each character had plenty of background and *meat* to them! I loved the humor and quirkiness!! And it was especially nice to see a story of a *loving* step-mother instead of the "wicked witch" version that seems to be the norm! All the relationships, sister - sister, husband - wife, and the romance all around was witty, entertaining, and delicious!

And yes, impoverished nobility *did* work for a living! Ever hear of genteel ladies who find themselves suddenly thrust into poverty for whatever reason becoming a governess? Or worse? And as with Sir Geoffrey, it was common for titles bestowed for specific deeds or heroic acts, particularly during the war. Sure there was still the barrier and some closed doors of the upper echelons of the ton, but as in this story and real life, kiss up to the right person, perform something meaningful to the right someone, and even those barriers could be overcome.

My only complaint/suggestion: the font size is way to small! I have good eyesight but it was a strain even for me. Aside from that, "Happy Writing Ms. Noble!" =)

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to RegencyLand, October 25, 2008

By 

dizzheart "dizzheart" (Los Angeles CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Compromised (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)

I really wanted to like this book. I was in the mood for something light-hearted and romantic, with characters I could care about. This book does have that; it's not badly written stylistically, and the two sisters Evangeline and Abigail are both charming and credible. Their father and stepmother are well observed and individualized.

What ruined it for me is the careless errors -- there's a Sir LastName error and the hero's father has a baronet for a servant. Titles were important and people were punctilious about referring to the nobs correctly. Quayle is a very odd first name so I'm inclined to think it is this individual's last name; in that case he'd be Sir Robert Quayle when introduced and Sir Robert thereafter, but *never* Sir Quayle. And as for having a baronet as a servant, I'd love for the author to show us all a historical instance of that -- it'd be worth a whole novel in itself. One of the nobs might have gone into trade - that would have been considered bad enough - but to become a manservant? Highly unlikely - if nothing else, it would have been considered a disgrace to the family name.

I am aware that there are readers who don't care about any of this and think it's all just snotty nitpicking. To them I say that anything that drags me out of my suspension of disbelief as I read is bad writing. These two things I've mentioned are not difficult points for anybody who's read novels written during the period, or some social history, or read other regency authors with some attention, or has just run things by someone who knows - and there are thousands of writers and fans on the internet who do know these things. I can't understand how the editors at Berkeley let this type of thing pass.

If you don't wince at dopey mistakes, and you are in the mood for a lightweight romance, this might be worth your time and money. It would have been a much better book if the author knew the regency period a bit better.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic and funny page-turner, March 14, 2008

By 

Kelly Chancey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compromised (Berkley Sensation) (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't usually go for "romance" novels, but this book is truly fun and delightful. It wraps you into the story quickly and completely. Perhaps we should call it a romantic novel? The male lead is absorbing and sexy, while the supporting characters are refreshingly three-dimensional and quirky. Highly recommended for an afternoon tryst!