My Unfair Lady [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathryne Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2009

Who says a proper lady can't carry a knife?

He created the perfect woman…

The impoverished Duke of Monchester despises the rich Americans who flock to London, seeking to buy their way into the ranks of the British peerage. So when railroad heiress Summer Wine Lee offers him a king's ransom if he'll teach her to become a proper lady, he's prepared to rebuff her. But when he meets the petite beauty with the knife in her boot, it's not her fortune he finds impossible to resist…

For the arms of another man

Frontier-bred Summer Wine Lee has no interest in winning over London society-it's the New York bluebloods and her future mother-in-law she's determined to impress. She knows the cost of smoothing her rough-and-tumble frontier edges will be high. But she never imagined it might cost her her heart…

From acclaimed author Kathryne Kennedy comes a delightful new take on a classic tale. As a Wild West beauty takes Victorian London by storm, the devilishly handsome duke she's hired to instruct her in proper deportment begins to wonder if his unconventional pupil might be perfect just the way she is…

PRAISE FOR KATHRYNE KENNEDY:

"Ms. Kennedy has penned a refreshing tale. This was certainly a memorable, fantastic read."
-Between the Lines

"Simply delightful… imaginative, historically vigorous, and ripe for further adventures."
-Publishers Weekly

"Kathryne Kennedy creates a unique, exquisite flavor that makes her romance a pure delight page after page, book after book."
-Merrimon Book Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Kennedy (Beneath the Thirteen Moons) delivers a delightfully unusual Victorian romance. Unlike other American heiresses mingling with London society, Arizona railroad heiress Summer Wine Lee isn't looking for a husband or a title. In fact, she's already engaged. She just needs some social polish so she can marry a rich New Yorker. To this end, Summer hires Byron, an impoverished duke who ekes out a living by bringing Prince Albert gossip. Summer is equipped with a free-spirited best friend, a menagerie of abused stray animals and a host of unladylike skills; Byron has a strange stepfamily, a shrinking violet mistress and a murderer determined to do him in. Their chemistry has plenty of humor, and their passion is intense and breathtaking. Full of unexpected period details of cosmetics and hunting, this romance goes against type in a wonderful way. (Dec.)
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Review

"Ms. Kennedy has penned a refreshing tale. This was certainly a memorable, fantastic read." - Between the Lines

"This quick and entertaining read is for any fan of the genre. Kennedy's writing is witty and enjoyable; she looks to have a bright future. " - The Romantic Times

"Another sweetly sensual tale weaved and brought to life by one of my favorite writers! " - Romance Bookwyrm

"Those who relish unconventional, outspoken heroines; dark, cynical heroes; and a plot spiced with a soupçon of danger and plenty of sexy romance should find Kennedy's Victorian romance version of My Fair Lady quite entertaining." - Booklist

"My cheeks hurt from grinning so much and I could not put the book down until I'd read it from cover to cover." - The Long and Short of It Reviews

"This Victorian romance will win you over faster than you can say the "Rain in Spain!"" - Love Romance Passion

"A quick read... I had a lot of fun watching the charades." - The Burton Review

"Kathryne Kennedy is more than good. She is downright smashing!" - Huntress Reviews

"Acceptance is a theme that prevails throughout and one Ms. Kennedy develops beautifully... a fun, fast paced read." - Musings of a Bibliophile

"A very fun read with charming characters who can laugh at themselves with delight so that you take pleasure in their story while being pleasantly entertained, which for me has become this author's trademark." - The Good, the Bad and the Unread

"Impossible to put down... a hilarious and wonderful experience, and an unforgettable escape from reality. " - The Life and Lies of an Inanimate Flying Object

"Beautifully written. I was captivated by the characters and story." - Anna's Book Blog

""Enchanting historical romance." A Night Owl Romance Top Pick" - Night Owl Romance

"One of the most enchanting historical romances I've read this year." - BookLoons.com

"A fast paced, page turning, truly delightful story." - My Book Addiction and More

"" - The Book Tree

" If you're looking for a romantic read and a quick escape - this will surely hit the spot!" - Starting Fresh

"Great escapist reading... a joyful ride." - Jenny Loves to Read

"I found the developing relationship between the two quite interesting. " - Leslie's Psyche

"Kennedy kept the characters real and relatable. The constant push and pull between them was really great." - Books Like Breathing

"Ms. Kennedy's a pro at creating memorable characters, comical situations, a fun dialog, and an endearing love story." - Sia McKye's Thoughts Over Coffee

"A charming story." - Drey's Library

" I laughed until I cried... a charming read. " - Once Upon a Romance

"If you are a fan of that romance - you should pick up a copy of My Unfair Lady." - Books and Needlepoint

"All of the mystery and adventure that packed throughout this book is one to pull and tug on your heart strings. I give this book an awesome A." - In Tune With Books

"This was a delightful historical romance! " - Randi Romance Reader

"I hope Ms. Kennedy continues to write her absorbing historical romances. " - Love Romances and More

"A hilarious book... kept me entertained. " - The Romance Studio

"A delightful romp filled with wit, humor, passion, and pride." - Romance Junkies

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402229909
• ISBN-13: 978-1402229909
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a college grad and business owner, and have also published nearly a dozen short stories in the SFF/Romance genre, receiving Honorable Mention twice in the 'Writers of the Future' contest (read more on my website). Being an Air Force brat, I traveled a great deal, and over the years I've lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S. I currently live in Arizona with my husband, two sons, and the rest of my wonderful family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Regency Romance with a Touch of American Flair! 4 1/2 Stars!, November 13, 2009

By 

Amy C (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: My Unfair Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

Born and raised in the infamous town of Tombstone, frontier lass Summer Lee is far from one of London's gently breed society ladies. But London is where she is looking to hire a titled man to teach her the ways of ladies.

You see, after Summer's father made a fortune doing this and that, he uprooted her to New York city where a handsome young man named Monte caught her fancy, and he's asked her to marry him, but his family snubs their nose at her because of her lack of propriety. Summer's not too suave when it comes to upper-class formalities.

So it's off to London for some training. Lord Byron, Duke of Monchester finds himself filling that precarious position as his need for the money she offers overrides his better judgment.

Neither Byron nor Summer are looking for a love match. But after much time spent attending balls, and dinners and the occasional deal that may or may not include a kiss, as well as a dose of danger. Summer and Byron are finding it easy telling their heads nothing is happening between them. It's trying to convince their hearts. That stubborn organ doesn't appear to want to listen.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I've read Kathryne Kennedy's Relics of Merlin series and while those are filled with magic, I felt that My Unfair Lady was filled with magic as well. Not in the paranormal sense, but in the writing. Ms. Kennedy weaved her characters together in such a way that you could feel Summer as her unconventional behavior penetrates Byron's cold façade, chipping away the layers to the true man beneath. And the love between them felt as accidental as it was meant to be. Another sweetly sensual tale weaved and brought to life by one of my favorite writers! However, I did grow a bit concerned with the continued motivation of Summer toward the end to continue carrying the pretense she wanted to be a lady for the sake of her vow to Monte. But all in all, it moved along swiftly. And I adored the secondary cast of 'critters'. Most especially, India, the monkey!

The moral of this story...Be happy for being who you are. Don't change yourself for love or for social standings, love will find you. The right person will embrace you, stand beside you, and support you for being you. And that's what both Summer and Byron learn in this book. My Unfair Lady is a remarkable tale of love and acceptance.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A downright smashing author!, November 24, 2009

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Unfair Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

Set in the year 1885. Summer Wine Lee grew up with her father in Tombstone, Arizona, a mining town in America. Even though she is now rich, her fiancé's upper crust family does not consider her to be an acceptable bride. To remedy this, Summer travels to London, England, with her friend, Maria Sanchez, and her Chihuahua, Chi-chi. Her intension is to be presented to the royal family. With the acceptance of England's highest-of-the-high, Summer can prove her worthiness.

Summer hires the Duke of Monchester (Byron) to teach her all things necessary to successfully complete her quest. However, Summer did not realize there would be so much to learn. Summer is used to carrying a knife (a gift from an Apache friend) at all times. Guns, loose women, and harsh language do not bother her. So Summer is amazed at how stifled the women in England are. English ladies cannot even touch anyone, unless she is presenting a properly gloved hand to be escorted to the dance floor. Summer must face the fact that she has her work cut out for her.

Monchester, who is used to intimidating others and has developed a talent to humiliate his prey, cannot shock or insult Summer, no matter how hard he tries. He even bluntly admits at their first meeting how much he despises all American women. Yet Summer is a constant surprise to him! If she is not totally shocking him, she is causing him to laugh aloud; something he cannot recall doing for years. All too soon, this American lady is changing how Monchester looks at her.

***** FIVE STARS! Historical Romances by Kathryne Kennedy always has something for everyone. This one has hot romance, suspense (someone is trying to kill Monchester), humor, and so much more. Summer's collection of adopted pets kept me constantly amused. She has a monkey, a vixen, an old cat that cannot use its hind legs so it gets around by using ... Never mind. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed the odd animals.

For the history buffs, the story tells much about history in America and England. Prince Albert Edward even makes several appearances. As I said, something for everyone. I loved every moment of Summer's story! The author, Kathryne Kennedy, is more than good. She is downright smashing! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 Hearts from The Romance Studio!, February 17, 2010

By 

Tina Pavlik "Tina" (East Coast, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: My Unfair Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Kathryne Kennedy has written a hilarious book with the spin of My Fair Lady. She has included more disruptions and comical happenings than seems possible in one book. Her characters are well developed and likeable. The events that take place follow an interesting plot and the outcome was hilarious. She introduced many surprises and kept me entertained.

The sensuality in the book was well written. The results of the myriad of suspicious actions were unexpected but made the story the success it was. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a Regency romance. It goes beyond the usual storyline I'm accustomed to reading. It was a bit hard to get involved in. However, it gripped my interest and wouldn't let go. The more I got into the book, the more I wanted to read. The conclusion, while expected, was totally handled in a surprising way. - Brenda Talley