Heiress Without A Cause: Muses of Mayfair #1 [Paperback]

Sara Ramsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2012

One title to change his life... 

A disgraced son with a dark reputation, William "Ferguson" Avenel is content to live in exile - until his father dies in the scandal of the Season. With rumors of insanity swirling around them, his sisters desperately need a chaperone. Ferguson thinks he's found the most proper woman in England - and he won't ruin her, even if he secretly desires the passionate woman trapped beneath a spinster's cap.

One chance to break the rules...

Lady Madeleine Vaillant can't face her blighted future without making one glorious memory for herself. In disguise, on a London stage, she finds all the adoration she never felt from the ton. But when she's nearly recognized, she will do anything to hide her identity - even setting up her actress persona as Ferguson's mistress. She'll take the pleasure he offers, but Madeleine won't lose her heart in the bargain.

One season to fall in love...

Every stolen kiss could lead to discovery, and Ferguson's old enemies are determined to ruin them both. But as their dangerous passion ignites their hearts and threatens their futures, how can an heiress who dreams of freedom deny the duke who demands her love?

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Series: Muses of Mayfair #1
Next Book: Scotsmen Prefer Blondes, Muses of Mayfair #2 - available now
Genre: Regency Historical
Setting: London, 1812
Length: 94,000 words (full-length novel)
Sensuality: Hot

You may like this if you like: women in disguise, actresses, dukes, reformed rakes, female friendships, girls with secret artistic passions, and guys who aren't afraid to say they're in love

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Book one of the Muses of Mayfair begins a promising new series with artistic women who must perform their vocations as males. Mad and Ferguson mature as a couple and help those around them through their problems." - Donna M. Brown, 4 star review RT Book Reviews

"...A feisty independent heroine tames an arrogantly handsome hero in this Regency romance filled with witty banter and dicey situations. Ramsey snares her readers from the first as she shares the secret thoughts and longings of her characters through sensuous imagery and creative dialogue..." -Donna Zapf, 4.5 stars - Singletitles.com

About the Author

Sara Ramsey writes fun, feisty Regency historical romances. She won the prestigious 2009 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award with her second book, Scotsmen Prefer Blondes. Her first book, Heiress Without A Cause, was a 2011 Golden Heart finalist.

Sara grew up in a small town in Iowa, and her obsession with fashion, shoes, and all things British is clearly a rebellion against her hopelessly uncool youth. She graduated from Stanford University in 2003 with a degree in Symbolic Systems (also known as cognitive science) and a minor in history. She is currently living the hip romance writer life in San Francisco, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 342 pages
• Publisher: Sara Ramsey (February 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1938312007
• ISBN-13: 978-1938312007
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,277,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sara Ramsey writes fun, feisty Regency historical romances. She won the prestigious 2009 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award with her second book, Scotsmen Prefer Blondes. Her first book, Heiress Without A Cause, was a 2011 Golden Heart finalist.

Sara grew up in a small town in Iowa, and her obsession with fashion, shoes, and all things British is clearly a rebellion against her hopelessly uncool youth. She graduated from Stanford University in 2003 with a degree in Symbolic Systems (also known as cognitive science) and a minor in history. She is currently living the hip romance writer life in San Francisco, California.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars WILL LOVE WIN OUT OVER DUTY? April 21, 2012

By Laurel-Rain Snow "Rain" TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

In Book I of the Muses of Mayfair series, the author features Lady Madeleine Vaillant, a young woman bound by the constraints of the society in which she lives. Heiress Without A Cause: Muses of Mayfair #1 opens in the spring of 1812 to a ball Madeleine is not the least bit interested in attending.

As she goes through the motions, she dreams of an alternate life she is living in secret as an actress on the London stage. Something she does in disguise that risks her reputation as a lady.

While dreaming of the thrill of her private rebellion, she is stunned to encounter the disgraced titled "rake," William "Ferguson" Avenel; he has approached her with a special request. His young sisters need a proper lady to chaperone them until their debut and appropriate marriages.

What happens between the two in the next few weeks will change everything about their lives. What does Ferguson discover one night? Will he betray Madeleine or will he protect her? Will the secrets they keep "ruin" them in the "ton"? Can they stifle the attraction growing rapidly between them? And how will an heiress who dreams of freedom give in to a duke whose responsibilities could inhibit her?

Historical romance is not my usual genre, but I found this book enchanting. For a little while, I was lost in the world of the privileged English society at a time when freedom was often denied and when societal expectations curbed the choices of its members. I enjoyed the ways in which the characters struggled to overcome the rules that regulated their lives and I rooted for their happiness. Four stars.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction! March 2, 2012

By lilies02

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a great debut by Sara Ramsey. I found myself anxious for Madeleine and rooting for Ferguson (even if he leans towards ginger-ness). The writing flows easily with enough description to paint the picture without being heavy handed or extraneous. The characters are unique and the twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing. I love the introduction to the other 'Muses' - can't wait for the next book in the series!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down! April 7, 2012

By K. Niebuhr

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I actually went back and purchased the first book of the series after coming across the description of Scotsmen Prefer Blondes (Book #2) as I usually like to read book series in order. I am so happy that I did! I loved the story. I would have love to seen what the letters from Ferguson's father contained and explained the depth of their torn relationship. The scene between Madeline and Amelia as they patched up their relationship was very moving. I look forward to the reading the next book and can't wait to see Ellie's story (which from the author's website will be book #3). Overall, a great read. Very strong start to the series!