Customer Reviews

A Dangerous Dalliance (Zebra Regency Romance)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this book. The Colonial Upstart of an earl paired with a lovely art teacher is a brilliant stroke and the writing matches her plot. The characters are quite believable, the plot as well, and the villianess is so good as the nasty. This is a page-turner and I defy a reader to put the book down until finished.

If you want an elegant Regency romance with a bit of something different, this is the one to try. What's different about it? Well, first off, there is the mystery of the disappearing artwork. Second, there is Lady Sylvia Tenant, one of the nastiest villians Regina Scott has written since Bluestocking on his Knee. Third, there is the dashing and somewhat overwhelmed hero, David Tenant from Boston. And, finally, there is Hannah Alexander, the beautiful art instructor. Regina Scott has done it again!

I bought this book after reading two of Regina Scott's other books, and after reading several reviews of this book. David, the American-turned-Earl, was an engaging and warm character. His side-kick, the Ethiopian Asheram, was an unusual character and added a nice flavor. Hannah, the art-teacher heroine, was shy and retiring, but becomes a tigress when protecting those she loves. The idea of the hero and heroine going on secret forays into hidden passages to seek for lost art was intriguing. I only had a couple of nit-picks that kept this from being a 5 star book for me. First, the villainess was pretty much "over the top." She was so wicked that she almost wasn't believable. And it was incredible how all the smart people in the story took so long to suspect her, even though they knew there was a suspicion that someone had "offed" the previous earl and his heir. Second, it was hard to believe how all the young maidens who came to the house party suddenly got over their snobbish attitudes and came to the aid of the heroine. Would be nice if life was like that, but it just didn't seem that credible. Third, the aspect of art was one of the best parts of the book, but with all the intrigue,it didn't get fully developed, and neither did the love story--both took a back-seat to the villainy. Still, it was an enjoyable book and is going on my keeper shelf.

As Hannah Alexander is on the very peak of achieving her dream of launching herself as a portrait artist, her current position as art teacher requires her to postpone her dream one more time. One of her students has invited three friends to her aunt's house for the Easter holiday, and they need a chaperon. Hannah has been chosen for the job. David Tenant, the yet to be confirmed Earl of Brentfield, is not warming to English Society nor his place within it. When he discovers that the girls' chaperon is an artist, he asks her to assist him in his search for the missing pieces. He has discovered secret passages throughout the house and within those hidden paths, some of the missing bounty. This discovery only leads to new mysteries. As he spends more time with Hannah, he discovers another question that desires an answer--how can he win Hannah's heart? Regina Scott's fans will be delighted.

If you want an elegant Regency romance with a bit of something different, this is the one to try. What's different about it? Well, first off, there is the mystery of the disappearing artwork. Second, there is Lady Sylvia Tenant, one of the nastiest villians Regina Scott has written since Bluestocking on his Knee. Third, there is the dashing and somewhat overwhelmed hero, David Tenant from Boston. And, finally, there is Hannah Alexander, the beautiful art instructor. Regina Scott has done it again!