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To save his inheritance, Lord Julian Blackworth must propose to a woman he would just as soon forget. Izzy Temple, spinster housekeeper, wants nothing more than her freedom. Together, they strike a deal to pretend an engagement until the fuss dies down.
But when the lie becomes the truth, can Izzy and Julian set free the hearts they've been protecting for so long?
The man not kissed?
One day I decided that the road not taken led to a story not told, and that story led to a book, and suddenly what had only been a fantasy became a reality bound between covers with my name on it.
Telling a story to myself and telling it to you is really the same thing. I am a wife, a mother, an indifferent housekeeper, and a teacher. My friends vary, from anthropologists to artists to homemakers. All of us, and you, too, are simply looking for a little time to ourselves, a little time to dream.
Now, some of us take dreaming to an art form, and never see the dirty dishes. Some of us carve a tiny fragment of guilty pleasure out of a hectic day. But I believe that for every hardworking woman out there, there is a dream, a story, and a prince.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally charming and extremely enjoyable!,
By
This review is from: Fallen (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Setting - England, 1831--- Izzy Temple is a rather non-descript and plain young woman who has convinced herself that she would never marry. After all she knew was very plain, but she was intelligent and she had a dream. Of course, her dream was not like the one she was experiencing at the moment with someone nibbling at her neck, caressing her body, and causing all kinds of delightful feelings in the pit of her stomach - but wait a minute, this was no dream! Screaming out and reaching for a candelabrum next to her bed she had just knocked her assailant senseless as the door to her bedchamber was thrown open. Several people came running to her aid. Among them was the fantastically beautiful Lady Claire Bottomly, whose horrifying expression of shock and embarrassment made Izzy realize in an instant that Eppingham, Julian Rowley had mistaken her room for his assignation with the much more desirable Lady Claire. As Julian's father came through the door expressing his disgust with his son, Izzy made the split second decision to protect both Julian and Lady Clair by claiming a lover's quarrel rather than everyone's assumption that he was raping her. Actually, fessing up as being ruined would solve a big problem for her. As the days progressed Izzy was quite pleased with herself that she was to be labeled a `fallen' woman - this way she could set up her own household living alone as an `independent' woman until she would eventually leave England for America!Unfortunately, Julian in trying to accommodate his father's wishes (and believe me his father ends up being a real beastly, unloving, horrid father) agrees to marry the plain little spinster or he would be disinherited. He is astounded when Izzy promptly turns him down, but after he explained his situation, soft-hearted Izzy agreed to a fake betrothal that she could end within a suitable frame of time, even if she really and truly would love to marry the handsome Lord she was fast losing her heart to. Originally, Julian thought himself immune to the plain spinster, but as he spent time with her - originally as part of the `deception' - he realized that she wasn't plain at all, and when he was with her his heart felt lighter - could this be love? This was a totally delightful and satisfying read. I don't remember enjoying a heroine so much as Izzy (sweetly nicknamed Isadorable by Julian) and her matter of fact, down to earth outlook on life. Her going away present to her horrid little cousin Sheldon was a hoot and the way she stood up against and `dressed down' Julian's father was magnificent! The reader is just bound to love her transformation from plain Jane to Isadorable. If I have any complaints at all, it would be that the secondary characters (Eric, Lady Claire, cousin Millie, etc.) were so endearing that I feel bereft in not seeing the story continue into a series.... I just hated to see this end even though the author does tie all the ends up with a neat little epilogue. For a debut novel this one is most deservedly worthy of the RITA it has won. Totally charming and extremely enjoyable! --- Submitted by Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cinderella Story,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Fallen (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
I loved this book! Lately I've been having a problem getting through even my favorite authors books, but I read "Fallen" in one sitting. "Fallen" is the basic Cinderella story, with a kick butt heroine and a fully fleshed hero. Izzy Temple and Lord Eppingham, Julian Rowley, are caught in a compromising situation when he wakes her from what she thinks is an erotic dream with a kiss to die for. After she catches her breath and realizes that she isn't dreaming, Izzy picks up a candlestick, conks Julian over the head and screams down the house. She is ruined and Julian is saved from being disowned by Izzy's perception and giving personality. When Julian later goes to offer for Izzy, out of duty, her great spirit and fabulous sense of humor unexpectedly captivate Julian. Izzy is a truly likeable character and Julian a romantic hero. This is a fun, fast, summer read, from a fantastic new author
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
One Nighter,
By Ann (Knightdale, NC United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Fallen (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
This really was a great book and the only reason why I did not give it 5 stars is because the author got a little too lengthy with the "married in name only" scenario. It just took a little too long for Julian and Izzy to make amends which made the "romance" fall short. The characters got along so well before actually being forced to get married (because of her impending pregnancy) that it was disappointing to see them apart for so long. Lord Eppingham (Julian) Rowley, spare son of the Duke and Isadora (Izzy) Temple are definitely not on the same "society" level. She is living with her wicked, jealous aunt after losing her parents at sea and has been made to earn her keep by sleeping in an unheated room, being governess, cook, gardener, maid, etc. Izzy may have not been beautiful according to "society standards" but she was no push over and she did not want to marry Julian and become his property. I felt so sorry for her because she sacrificed much for a rake who would never love her and compromised her reputation by stumbling into her bedroom for a fling when he was supposed to be in Lady Bottomly's. Izzy has a great personality and very quickly sees this mistake as an opportunity to be free of her hateful aunt/cousins, get her inheritance and head to America. She talks Julian into a "pretend" betrothal and becomes a friend to several of the ladies of the ton, including Lady Bottomly. Julian was determined to marry her and though tempted remained faithful to her, but he thinks love is just a word. Once the pighead stops drinking long enough to finally come to the realization that he is in love with Izzy, he's determined to make her fall in love with him and out of love with his best friend. But is he too late and/or has Izzy fallen for another?
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