Miss Darby's Duenna [Paperback]

Sheri C. South (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1999

Convinced that his fiancee is playing him false, Sir Harry Hawthorne disguises himself as a woman in order to keep her under his watchful eye, with unforeseen complications.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Promised to each other from childhood, Olivia Darby and Harry Hawthorne dutifully do the expected and become engaged. But when Livvy goes to London for the Season to make her debut and ends up attracting the attentions of a disreputable rake with vengeance on his mind, Harry is startled into the realization that he is actually in love with his intended and must do something about the situation. However, his remedyAto impersonate his reclusive grandmother so that he can keep a protective eye on LivvyAresults in a host of unlooked-for and occasionally hilarious problems, and it isn't until his redoubtable grandmother actually comes to town that things are set to rights once and for all. An appealing heroine, a worthy hero who matures nicely, several exceptionally well-done supporting characters, and a sprinkling of abductions and mistaken identities together with a dash of blackmail add to the charm of this exceptionally well-written Regency. This has all the hallmarks of a winner and is sure to please the most discerning fans. This title won the 1996 Royal Ascot Award, presented by the Beau Monde Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. South (The Weaver Takes a Wife, PrinnyWorld, 1999) has also written for the young adult market and lives near Mobile, AL.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A deliciously witty tale of masquerades, mischief, and true love." -- Lynn Kerstan, author of Lord Dragoner's Wife

"Sheri Cobb South has created a delightful romp that both Regency fans and newcomers to the genre are certain to enjoy." -- Marian Devon, author of Sir Sham and A Season for Scandal

A light and lively romp written with humor and grace...in a tone just right for comedy and romance. For readers new to the Regency novel which devolved from Jane Austen via Georgette Heyer, Miss Darby's Duenna could be taken as a textbook. It details many of the places and customs familiar to readers of this sub-genre. From the weak lemonade and stale bread at Almack's Assembly to the thinly sliced ham at Vauxhall Gardens; from the betting books at White's Club to Covent Garden, we're given a tour of the early nineteenth century London of the 'beau monde.' All the while, we're treated to a classic Regency romp. Where in Ms. South's delightful debut, The Weaver Takes a Wife, she defied convention with a self-made tradesman hero, in this book she takes her characters from stock. There is Harry's younger sister infatuated into piety by her feelings for the vicar back home, and the rake who may be finally reformed by innocence, and, of course, our impulsive hero and country-fresh heroine. Miss Darby's Duenna is a light, amusing, smoothly flowing tale which will satisfy the reader who enjoys a good grin and chuckle. -- Romance Communications

In this rollicking comedy of errors...South depicts the world of Regency London and its aristocratic society with impeccable detail and style. Sheri Cobb South's second Regency is very different from her first book, The Weaver Takes a Wife, but is equally entertaining. Miss Darby's Duenna is a delightful classic Regency with a fresh premise, and deserving of its 1996 Royal Ascot Award. -- Subversion

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Prinnyworld Press (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966800516
• ISBN-13: 978-0966800517
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #938,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and rollicking traditional Regency romance, March 12, 2000

By 

Jo Manning (Miami Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miss Darby's Duenna (Paperback)

A charming story, exceedingly well-told, with memorable and funny characters, set in Regency London. Harry Hawthorne, the feckless hero, has much to learn about women, and learn he does, albeit most reluctantly, with the rakish Lord Mannerly as teacher. Mannerly, bearing a huge (and ultimately trivial, even silly)grudge against Harry, decides he will despoil Harry's fiancee, Olivia Darby. Miss Darby, feeling neglected by Harry (and not realizing at first that Harry is masquerading as his own grandmother in order to keep an eye on and to chaperone Olivia!), is about to fall prey to the rake's intentions, but the day is saved just in the nick of time, before reputations and lives are foolishly destroyed. A lovely story, with a true Regency feel and flavor, harkening back to the popular Georgette Heyer novels that were once the standard for the genre. Suitable for young adult as well as adult readers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm just wild about Harry!, December 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Miss Darby's Duenna (Paperback)

With first Ethan Brundy and now Sir Harry Hawthorne, Sherri Cobb South establishes herself as a master at creating un-heroic heroes that the heroine--and the reader--fall in love with in spite of herself. Although it lacks the poignancy of her first Regency novel, The Weaver Takes a Wife, the broad slapstick humor guarantees an entertaining read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Traditional with a well done twist, January 11, 2000

By 

Kimberly Borrowdale (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Miss Darby's Duenna (Paperback)

Miss Olivia Darby has been friends with Sir Harry Hawthorne her whole life, and it's no surprise when he proposes marriage. However, Miss Darby's mama has decided that Miss Darby should have her London Season, whether she is betrothed or not. When Harry's sister, Georgina, also receives a marriage proposal, it is decided that the two young ladies will both be brought out in London by Mrs. Darby.

Harry has always enjoyed the pleasures of London, but he is taken aback when Miss Darby quickly gathers many admirers. When an idea comes to him for the perfect way to keep a watchful eye on his would-be fiancee, he impulsively implements it... not realizing, of course, how complicated it could get and all the things that could go wrong.

MISS DARBY'S DUENNA is a comedy of errors and manners with a leisurely pace (especially at first) and a traditional feel and tone--except of course for Harry's plan, which Ms. South pulls off very well. It took me quite some time to get to know the characters and really warm up to them, and the novel as a whole f alls short of the magnificence of Ms. South's first regency, THE WEAVER TAKES A WIFE. Nevertheless this second offering is an enjoyable read from a fresh new voice in the subgenre, and I look forward to more from Sheri Cobb South and Prinny World Press.

Kimberly Borrowdale Under the Covers Book Reviews