Lady May's Folly (Zebra Regency Romance) [Paperback]

Donna Simpson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821768050
• ISBN-13: 978-0821768051
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,130,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When I was a kid, I thought you had to be someone extraordinary to become an author. I always loved to read and write, but was too unsure of myself to believe that I could ever become a published author. I've been fortunate enough in my life to have someone stand by me and repeatedly tell me I can do it. My advice to anyone who wants to write is, find someone who believes in you and cling to them! It's not an easy road, but it's worth it.

I read mysteries - Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, among other authors - and then discovered, quite by accident, Regency romances. I suppose it's no surprise that when I decided to try writing seriously, I wrote a Regency. Absentee Heart, my first attempt, was published by Rubenesque Romances in 1997, but is still available online from Blackfriars Publications.

My first *big* break was with Zebra Books, for their Regency line. Lord St. Claire's Angel, my first with Zebra, is still a favorite among many reviewers. I wrote over twenty Regency romance novels and anthology contributions for them, and adored every moment of it.

But I wanted more' I wanted to write longer and more in-depth stories. I wanted to explore a darker side to life, and go beyond the shores and time of Regency England. I love mystery, and feel that every good story is truly a mystery in a sense; even if there is no murder involved in a romance novel (though there actually *may be* in my newest books - wink wink!!) there is mystery in love.

How are the hero and heroine going to get together? Will they know immediately that they belong together, or will they have to suffer and find each other through turmoil? What will happen to keep them apart, and can they defeat every obstacle to come together finally?

I have been fortunate enough recently to move on to write paranormal (werewolf) historical romance for Berkley Books and am loving every second of it. Set in the Lower Saxony region of Germany in 1795, the 'Awaiting' books are a fabulous and thrilling departure for me. The spookiness of a gothic castle in Germany, lies and deception, twisted family secrets and the dark world of weird occurrences makes for a rich and colorful tapestry when woven with human foibles and thrilling, erotic love and lust!

Romantic Times said about my first paranormal with Berkley, Awaiting the Moon, that: 'By mixing a classic gothic with paranormal overtones Simpson has a winner. This impossible-to-put-down romance belongs alongside Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney and Daphne du Maurier. Here is a pure classic plotline with just the right touch of the ominous, the perfect amount of suspense and plenty of sexual tension to keep you reading late into the night and finish satiated.'

About the second they said: 'Simpson continues the Wolfram saga as a young woman becomes entwined in dark secrets while threads of werewolves myth, greed, passion, lies and deceptions swirl around pulling you into a tightly crafted paranormal romance with gothic overtones. Victoria Holt would be proud.'

I was thrilled! What an honour to be compared to those writers. As I suppose you can tell, dear reader, I'm enjoying the ride so far... long may it last!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lady May's Folly, February 3, 2001

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady May's Folly (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

I approached "Lady May's Folly" with some trepidation. I had enjoyed "Lord St. Claire's Angel" so much and had been somewhat disappointed with the follow up novel, "Lady Delafont's Dilemma", and I really wanted to be able to endoss "Lady May's Folly". So, it is with great relief that I report that with this latest novel, Donna Simpson has recaptured much of the essence that made her first book so successful and memorable.

Lady May, the secondary female character in "Lady Delafont's Dilemma" is back at her country estate, recovering from the brutal assault she suffered at her mother's lover's hands. She spends her time riding about her estate, thinking about her unhappy childhood and what happened to her in London, and her discomfort in her own sexuality (which she lays entirely at her mother's door). One day she comes across a badly wounded man. Imagine her surprise when she discovers that the man is Etienne Delafont, the gallant Frenchman who helped rescue her from her kidnapper. May, along with the rest of English society, had believed that Etienne had drowned when the ship he was on had gone down; and yet he he was, near death and at her feet!. Realising that Etienne is in some kind of trouble, May hides him in her folly, and begins to try and nurse him back to health.

And indeed Etienne is in serious trouble: not only is he wanted for the several attempts on his cousin's life, the Marquess of Sedgely, he is now also on the run from his former criminal cohorts. May is determined to not only nurse Etienne, but to somehow help him evade those that will come after him as well. And while all this makes sense to May on some conscious level, one another level, May is quite uncomfortable by the attraction she feels for him. How will the attraction and the desire that fairly sizzles between the two pan out? And will Etienne be able to elude the men that are after him?

Donna Simpson's handling of how May comes to terms with her sexuality, and her heritage is nothing short of brilliant. And the romance between Etienne and May unfolds at a pace that is most satisfying. May's character is developed very well, however Etienne's character could have done with a little more fleshing out. However this is primarily May's story, so this is a fault that is almost insignificant. "Lady May's Folly" is an enjoyable book, and will not disappoint.

5.0 out of 5 stars in a word...Etienne!, March 7, 2011

By 

retroredux - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lady May's Folly (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

I loved the previous book in this trilogy, Lady Delafont's Dilemma, so much, and wanted to see what happens to May and Etienne, that I went through my TBR boxes, grabbed my copy of Lady May's Folly, and read it all the way through in about 3 hours!


Etienne and May, are in many ways, complete opposites, but the chemistry is there. Etienne is the comsumate French "reformed Rake"- a good hearted scoundrel, a gourmand of, in his words "deliciously plump and voluptuous older widows".


Etienne is a "sigh worthy" hero-very sexy, very French, and very much "saved" by May's goodness. Even his recurrent use of his endearment for May, "little one"-which would normally make me cringe, made me wish for my own Etienne-LOL. He seemed a sexy younger version of a Maurice Chevallier!


May, is everything that Etienne normally runs from-prim, uptight, thin and willowy and small busted. He's a town playboy and she's a country mouse ala Tomboy who actively dislikes most men. But May has very real, abusive reasons for her fear and dislike of men and Etienne is the perfect, gentle and sweet "tutor" that shows her that not all men are cads or lechers.


Another good one from Donna Simpson-5 stars

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read - Not up to par with others in the series!, February 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Lady May's Folly (Zebra Regency Romance) (Paperback)

I loved finding out what happened to Lady May. The focus on Etienne made the book enjoyable. He is so patient [ok dreamy!] -- but Lady May for all her education seemed too innocent. After all she had lived in the country and should have known a little more than she did! Her about-face concerning men seemed a little hasty. Her mother's about-face, completely changing her personality wrapped it all up in a neat little package (too contrived!).

But it still was a fun read. If you have read the others in the series (Lord St. Claire's Angel & Lady Delafont's Dilemma) you will definately want to read this. There are updates on both the heroines from the other books. I don't think this book would stand alone. You possibly need to read the others to understand Lady May at all. But since I did read them in order, it made sense.

Worth reading but not as good as the others in the series.