The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount (Desperate Debutantes, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Julia London (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 23, 2007

Lady Phoebe Fairchild is well aware that the ton would be appalled to learn of a young lady of quality involved in a trade. Therefore, she resorts to selling her beautiful handmade gowns under a fictitious name: Madame Dupree. So when circumstances force her to visit the estate of William Darby, the Viscount of Summerfield, to design ball gowns for his sisters, she assumes Madame's identity. Phoebe's discomfort in her new position as hired help is nothing compared to her visceral attraction to the viscount himself. Heathenishly handsome and shamelessly seductive, Will invites her to be his mistress -- and Phoebe is shockingly tempted to accept. But as their desire for each other grows and the risk of exposure becomes even greater, Phoebe is in dire danger of losing her reputation, her livelihood -- and her chance of becoming the bride of the man whose passion has claimed her forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. With this singular, outstanding Regency romance, London concludes the Desperate Debutante series at the top of her game. Lady Phoebe Fairchild is a talented seamstress who sews dresses for an exclusive London Bond Street shop, but knows that if her job is revealed, it will expose her family's financial woes to the ton and ruin their reputation—not to mention Phoebe's marriage prospects. Knowing this, her employer threatens to expose Phoebe if she refuses to travel to rural Bedfordshire to sew gowns at the home of William Darby, Viscount Summerfield. Phoebe reluctantly agrees, and posing as widowed dressmaker Madame Dupree, she travels to Summerfield's estate to create gowns for his wild, untamed sisters. Soon, Phoebe and Will are involved in an intense affair that's very likely doomed, as Will must wed a noblewoman—which Phoebe is, but Madame Dupree is not. Should she reveal her deceit, making her a worthy bride for Summerfield? Or should she keep up the charade, lest he despise her for her duplicity? As London explores the intricate, authentic-feeling relationships blossoming among the players, her masterful ability to bring characters to life makes this romance entirely absorbing. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Exceptionally entertaining...sinfully sexy."

-- Booklist

"London's love story is tense and tender, held aloft by endearing, dynamic characters."

-- Publishers Weekly on The Perils of Pursuing a Prince

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (October 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416516174
• ISBN-13: 978-1416516170
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 3.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including the popular Secrets of Hadley Green historical romance series (including The Year of Living Scandalously), the Cedar Springs contemporary series (including One Season of Sunshine), and numerous other works. She is a four time finalist for the presitigous RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction, and RT Bookclub award recipient for Best Historical Romance for Best Historical Romance for Dangerous Gentleman. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little regency fun!, December 14, 2007

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount (Desperate Debutantes, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

If you are looking for a bit of fun with plot twists and a heroine thrown into impossible situations, then The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount is definitely one to buy!

Phoebe is a "Desperate Dubutante" who was left penniless and needs to make some money. So, why not go out to make some by creating some gowns for the undeserving sisters of a Viscount. Of course, all the right people would frown on our heroine engaging in a trade. But, she needs the money. What to do? Go out in disguise as Mademe Dupree and, of course, complicate things by falling in love with the Viscount while living under outrageously awful circumstances.

I recommend this book highly as a fun bit of escapism sure to entertain!

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars major disappointment, November 11, 2007

By 

M. DETWILER "fairval4" (Martinsburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount (Desperate Debutantes, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

I am giving this book 2 stars because I absolutely love Julia London's books. All of her books previous to this one have been keepers. This one won't be. I didn't like it--at all. First of all, it was boring. I started to read it, couldn't believe I didn't like it, put it down, picked it back up, and had to force myself to finish it. Not a good thing in a romance novel. I read Lisa Kleypas's newest and The Education of Mrs. Brimley both in one sitting. Couldn't put them down.

What I felt was lacking in this book were magnetic lead characters. Phoebe was just sort of bland and Will wasn't too likable. I really liked the previous 2 books in the Desperate Debutantes series. But, the idea of a lady masquerading as a servant, okay a seamstress, same thing, just didn't work. And, it went on right up to the end of the book. That means that the whole time they are playing around, the hero thinks she is a servant. That, to me, is not honorable and not the way a hero should behave.

Will's family was just positively horrendous. His sisters were awful and I couldn't stand them. I certainly have no wish to read any more of their exploits in future books. They were screeching shrews. And, his brother Joshua certainly doesn't have hero material written all over him. I found it hard to believe that this family could fall apart so quickly in Will's absence.

Anyway, for me, this book failed on several levels. I didn't like the premise of the heroine pretending to be a servant for so long into the story. I didn't like the fact that the hero seemed to be taking advantage of a servant while planning who he would marry. I didn't like the hero's family at all and, worst of all, the book was boring.

So, 2 stars for Julia London, because I know she can do better.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!!, October 29, 2007

By 

C. Hunt Smith (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount (Desperate Debutantes, Book 3) (Mass Market Paperback)

Great ending to The Desperate Debutantes trilog. Phoebe character was great and the Viscount of Summerland character wasn't too shabby either. Had a few tears in my eyes when Phoebe thought she had lost William. Enjoyed this book, as well as the other two, their on my book shelf to read again, another day. Thanks Julia for 3 great books.