Customer Reviews

The Mysterious Miss M (Harlequin Historical)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Mysterious Miss M" is a very engaging love story between two attractive but refreshingly imperfect individuals set in Regency England. The book, apparently Diane Gaston's debut novel, reveals an author who is willing to step outside the current romance "formula" and to take some (very welcome) chances with her characters and plot.

The heroine of the story is Madeleine, the Mysterious Miss M of the title, a beautiful young gentlewoman driven by circumstances to become essentially a prostitute whose favors are "won" by patrons of her evil protector's gaming hell. Each evening, the gentlemen compete for the fantasy of seducing the lovely, masked Miss M. Trapped by her own recklessness into a life she despises, Madeleine manages to hold herself emotionally apart from what is happening to her body until she is "won" one evening by Lt. Devlin Steele, a charming soldier who treats her with such amazing tenderness that the barriers around her heart are broken down and she finds herself responding to his lovemaking with true passion. A handsome, charming calvary officer on leave from the Napoleonic Wars, Devlin seems to be the answer to Madeleine's dreams, but after one memorable night he leaves her to return to the War in Europe.

Three and half years later Devlin is alive but physically and emotionally scarred by his experiences at the Battle of Waterloo. While carousing his way through the London season, he returns to the same gaming hell where he first encountered Madeleine years before and, through a (rather unlikely) twist of fate, he happens to wins her from Lord Farley, her nefarious protector. But Madeleine comes with a lot more baggage than Devlin is expecting. She brings along with her her young daughter and a very mousy young maid named Sophie. She also brings along three and a half more years of cynicism and a even stronger ability to distance herself emotionally from the sexual act.

Madeleine is a very interesting heroine and an amazingly sympathetic one given her sordid past. I liked the fact that she had aided in her own downfall, a very unusual characteristic in a romance heroine with her type of history. Devlin is a wonderfully imperfect hero. The charming, rather feckless younger son of a Marquess, he is not even able to live within his income *before* his household expands to include Madeleine and her entourage. Ironically, in order to protect and financially provide for Madeleine and her daughter, Devlin finds that he must marry a "suitable" young woman so that he can inherit the money and property which his older brother holds in trust for him. Of course, Madeleine is far from "suitable", given her past and the fact that she is currently living under Devlin's roof, so Devlin must begin a search through the young ladies of the *ton* for a bride acceptable to his brother while all the while falling more deeply in love with Maddy. (I'll admit that I am a total sucker for this type of angsty set-up for seemingly impossible love.)

The story is well-written, the main characters unusual and well-drawn, and the plot interesting and full of emotional resonance; however, the book is not perfect. There are a few plot twists that are definitely *too* convenient, the villains are of the moustache-twirling variety (too relentlessly villainous for my taste) and the ending does not seem to match the rather gritty, more realistic tone of the rest of the story. But these are minor issues that detract little from the overall picture.

In summary, this is an unusual and engrossing historical romance with a very engaging hero and refreshingly flawed heroine.
Highly Recommended for readers who like somewhat darker romance with more emotional resonance and complex psychological explorations of the characters.

Wonderful love story, great characters with an emotionally scarred hero and strong but vulnerable heroine, unique setting, intriguing plot, heart-tugging emotion, excellent writing, intense sensual love scenes, and a superb ending. The plot was interesting and it kept you interested in what was going to happen next. It has intrigue, passion, revenge, and "wow" sensual tension. Most of all is the character development. I love stories that are character driven and not just about lust. The relationship between the leads is endearing. I found the characters to be multi-dimensional and the author weaves a mystery into the story without slowing it down or interrupting the romantic flow. The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. A fast paced book with an intricate plot that I cannot help but enjoy. The interaction between the leads was great. They are well matched in temperament and intelligence. It was an interesting. There is enough conflict to make the story line interesting and not so much that your left wondering why they ever got together. This book is sharp and fast-moving. Engaging characters, attention to historical detail, and humorous dialogue will keep you reading long into the night. This is one of my all time favorite romance books. The thing I like about this book is how good of a man Lord Devlin Steele is. I fell in love with him the story. The story has a lot of depth in it. I felt sorry for the characters but didn't get depressed because there was a feeling of hope. I read The Mysterious Miss M after reading a couple of depressing or plain boring books and was refreshed by it. The Mysterious Miss M will become what I call fall back books. A book I can count on to be a joy to read. When ever I read a poorly written book. Read a fall back book after so I know I will enjoy it.

I read this in one night, then it filled my head for the rest of it. This book really gets you thinking. I was very intrigued by the idea of the story, and impressed by Harlequin publishing it. It was gritty, honest and showed us a side of regency life that others tend to stay away from. Maddie is such a wonderful heroine, she is honest about herself. I agree with many of the other reviewers. She takes responsiblity for her own downfall, although it was not completely her fault, and I do hope her rotten uncaring parents get their due! Devlin was such a wonderfully tortured hero, when he saved her, her child and Sophie I cheered for their happy ending. I am looking forward to the other two books with eagerness.

Regency London in all its darkness and splendor is the setting for this heart-wrenching story of love and salvation. The novel opens at a London gaming club where the unlikely heroine Madeleine, known as "The Mysterious Miss M," awaits with dread the arrival of her next client. The alluring and very young Madeline is, as always, the sexual prize for the night's winner of a high-stakes card game. Tonight, that winner is Lord Devlin Steele, a young lieutenant on leave from the war in France. He is kind, comforting and respectful to Madeleine and, for the first time since being forced into this shameful existence, she is physically attracted to someone. Devlin is intrigued with her as well, partly because she seems too well bred for her profession. They share a night of passion, and Madeleine even removes the mask that she uses to hide her identity. Devlin then leaves to rejoin his unit in France.

Three years pass, the war ends, and Devlin returns to London. He is tormented by memories of the battlefield and squanders his meager funds trying to forget the pain. He winds up at Madeline's gaming club, where he trounces the detestable and debt-ridden owner in a game of cards. In a move the owner soon regrets, he gives Madeleine to Devlin as payment for the gaming debt, freeing her at last. Devlin is taken aback when, along with Madeleine, comes her toddler daughter Linette(!) Devlin has no money to support his new "family," struggling to even put food on the table. His inheritance will be released only when he marries a woman approved by his older brother, the Marquess - and clearly Madeline will never get that approval. To make matters worse, the Marquess cuts Devlin's allowance, hoping to force him to find a wife. But with each day, Devlin grows more attached to Madeleine (and Linette), making it painful for him to consider any other woman. Madeleine is guilt-ridden for keeping Devlin from his inheritance, and Devlin is tortured by his inability to provide for her. How will this desperate but most deserving couple ever find a way?

This page-turning melodrama is perfectly put-together and extremely moving. It is not easy to make someone with Madeleine's sordid background into a sympathetic romance novel heroine, but Ms. Gaston has done it and done it very well. From the very start, I felt the hopelessness and injustice of Madeleine's situation - and the pain of her shame - and immediately rooted for her rescue. This is even before I knew the disturbing details of her fall from grace. Devlin is the perfect knight in shining armor, not necessarily perfect by society's standards, but perfect for Madeleine. His personal history and war experience make him acutely aware of what matters most in life. The love scenes are a little taut, but are in fitting with the book's atmosphere, and the couple seems truly to care for one another. There are some bad guys lurking around, but they do not overwhelm the love story, and there are two fine secondary romances. Ms. Gaston is a new writer, and clearly one worth watching.

As the number of books in the regency genre accumulates it becomes more and more difficult for writers to come up with new story ideas and more often than not one is left with cliché ridden reworking of the genre classics.

But this book manages to surprise with not only an original storyline but also with a prose style that shows considerable accomplishment. Even though some romance novels have included prostitutes or "bad girls" and "tortured heroes" as their protagonists, what differentiates this novel from genre detritus is the fact that the dual character stereotypes of the male and female protagonist show genuine emotional girth. It should also be noted that the character development of the protagonists shows natural growth and the budding romance in no way seems forced. The same is true for most of the secondary characters that pepper this novel.
This enables the author to create a genuine interest in the reader regarding the welfare of her protagonists and this in turn propels this novel from "just another romance novel" to what one might call "a keeper."

The only constructive criticism to be made regarding this work is that the "villain" of the piece is the only character archetype that is clichéd. Although to be fair to the author how his character could be written in an original manner without detriment to the "tension" of the story eludes me.

All in all an excellent work that deserves to be read.

I did not expect to like this book. I don't usually read Harlequins, and I didn't think I would see anything romantic about a prostitute and a soldier. Madeliene (Miss M)is a very young teenager from a society background who through some evil manipulations was pulled from her comfortable life and forced into prostitution. Devlin becomes her protector almost by accident, but there is a previous attraction between them. There is also a young child. These unlikely characters, along with a couple of servants, set up housekeeping and build a very sweet sort of family life together.

The reason this book exceeded my (admittedly low) expectations was the supporting cast. Not the villain, who was practically a characture, and fortunately only appeared briefly, and mostly just to become dead, but the others, who had more ambiguous roles.

The real villains were the family members, who were so convinced of the rightness of their convictions they were willing to let loved ones starve to death. And the heros were the ones who were willing to overlook society's rules and give compassion where it was deserved. There is something satisfying about that.

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I was going to.

Absolutely, wonderful! Not many debut writers would undertake this project: choose a (wh.re) and invent a heroine. Amazingly, author Diane Gaston not only tries but succeeds! And what a success! Gaston's THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M is charged with sensitivity, feeling, and love and the reader basks in strong emotion.

Mini Synopsis:
Lord Devlin Steele is the younger son of the Marquess of Heronvale. As a youth Steele was reckless, carefree, and unruly. When he was of age, he defended England against Napoleon's evil. In the days leading up to Waterloo, in a seedy gaming house, Steele enjoyed the charms of a beautiful soiled dove. Four years later their paths cross again. In lieu of a gambling debt, the beautiful Madeline now belongs to Devlin Steele.

Madeline was the victim of circumstance and the evil of one man. She lived her youth servicing men, men who earned her - earned her by gambling. Now she is free, thanks to the tenderness of one man - her fantasy man - a man who has lived in her heart for four long years!

Reviewer's Comments:
Diane Gaston wrote THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M with a gentle hand. The author's words flow effortlessly across the pages. Her characters, her setting, and her storyline mesmerize the reader. There is none of the "usual" bickering so prevalent in many "romance" stories and for that, I am grateful!

During the last few years, I have read countless romance books and I felt only one book: Lisa Kleypas' WHERE DREAMS BEGIN was truly "romance perfection." Today, I found my second perfect story!

Diane Gaston's THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M is a masterpiece. It has every element needed for a "true" romance book - love, sensuality, and merit.

MaryGrace Meloche.

I'll be reading this book many times over. MANY.

Miss Gaston (she also writes as Diane Perkins -- see THE IMPROPER WIFE, another to-die-for book! ) is on now on my [short] list of MUST-READ authors. I am completely and utterly hooked.

"The Mysterious Miss M" [MMM, I'll call it], in fact, hooks you in the very *first* chapter. Within the first 5 pages, even... Ms Gaston manages to give us a scene so full of real love, full of tenderness and passion and desperate, strong emotions , that we are dying for the hero and heroine to be together , forever...NOW... PLEASE...

And we know it will take the rest of the book for this to occur, romance being romance, but what will the ride be like?

With MMM, it is a *beautiful* ride, indeed. Exciting, romantic, and full of superb plot twists (good authors are really quite astounding!) which are yet believable. Quite an accomplishment. I won't say I'm *jaded* , but I've read enough excellent Regency (Jordan, Kleypas) to be spoiled, and to expect a lot. I've put some romances aside half-finished, and even tossed some in the trash as unreadable, I've been so spoiled by good authors and good writing...

For those (like me) whose needs/requirements for beautiful and believable and realistic love stories run deep, who long for wonderful , solid heroes -- those who sweep the heroine (and us) right off our feet -- well, readers, you've come to the right book.

I only pray a US publisher will pick this book up, so that thousands (millions?) can experience the joy I felt, reading it. I don't think I've ever fallen in love with a hero so fast or so hard as Lt. Devlin Steele in The Mysterious Miss M. The closest second (actually, a tie) would be Capt. John Grayson, in the author's *other* new book, THE IMPROPER WIFE... I'm still glowing from reading the latter, and now I've added to that feeling, by reading MMM. "Drenched in love" would be a good way to put how I feel. "Walking around in a romantic haze" would be another.... (In fact, Miss Gaston has a gorgeous expressive line for this feeling, which I'll quote. This moment occurs just after an especially gorgeous love scene between our hero and heroine) :


"By the time [Devlin] walked into the [ballroom], almost too late to be fashionable, he moved in a haze of sexual satiation. His soul remained with Madeleine, but his body walked dreamlike through its paces..."


You see, Devlin cannot marry her, not by the mores of the day, for she is a 'ruined woman', and yet he must have her. He loves her , she loves him, and he wants no one else. They are in a terrible, insoluble position which is far too complex to explain here. (Besides, you don't want the plot given away!!) But believe me, it was sheer pleasure reading of their plight, because I knew that although their pain was terrible, it would SOMEHOW work out in the end, being a romance. What you can't fathom is how the author will work it out. But she does.... you've never felt such relief at the end of a book!


In fact it's quite hard to put into words how strongly I feel about what I've read. One runs out of superlatives. Perhaps
every button I've ever wanted to be pushed was pushed, but I'll read it again, to get that feeling,and read more of her books, to get it yet again. Not a bad thing to become addicted to, not at all...

And Ms. Gaston clearly has no difficulty finding the right words to push every lovely fantasy button in us, her original, beautiful prose going straight to our hearts, and even our souls, her fresh, fresh hero (Devlin) and heroine(Maddy) so loveable , from the outset...

Add to that her excellent support characters, a wonderful grasp of Regency England (her use of "fresh" authentic phrases from the time lend much realism),
and best of all, a love story and tender love scenes which could have been fashioned in heaven, and you have the makings of perfection. Honestly, it is a potent and heady mix.

I was weeping in several places, and I very rarely weep at romances. But that's how it makes you feel.

Just a bit of the plot:
Maddy is trapped from the outset, forced to work in a gaming hell as the top prize for those men lucky enough to win a 'round' with her... but she never wanted to be there, of course. No woman (and she is, sadly, a very YOUNG lady) wants this, and the saddest part of all is that she believes she deserves this, based on one bad decision she made in her recent past. She does not believe she is redeemable.

Only a man like Devlin, kind, courageous, honourable, and truly loving -- not just lustful [but believe me, he's loaded controlled passion] --- could ever convince Maddy to believe she has any real value as a person, and that she is truly loveable, truly redeemable.

Devlin delivers. Maddy learns what real love is all about, because Devlin shows her. WOW. I am sighing even as I type this, just thinking about it. She even helps out a secondary character by expressing to that person what Devlin has taught HER about REAL love, quite unwittingly saving/securing her entire future with Devlin, in a twist so brilliant you shake your head with wonder at the author's abilities....

This is the stuff dreams are made of , dear readers...
And keep praying that some US publisher will pick this up... and that Ms. Gaston /Perkins will write for MANY years to come. I could take a whole slew of books like this, heroes scarred mentally and physically from fierce battles in the Napoleonic Wars, and yet not so scarred that they cannot reach out and give love and healing to another wounded soul. Such is Devlin, for Maddy. He truly does save her from a hellish life, and he saves himself in the process. Not to mention a certain beautiful child. But I shall leave it at that , lest I give away too much. :)

Enjoy!!!!

Maddie and Devlin are characters that captured my heart from the first few pages, then pulled me through the rest of the story wondering how it would all work out. I appreciate that the characters are 'real'. They are not perfect by any means, who is, but neither are they stupid or inordinately arrogant or milk toast. I admit that what touched me most in the story was my ability to identify with the characters. I intensely disliked the villian, just as was intended. Her secondary characters are also interesting and inspire the desire to know more about them. The interactions between the various characters doesn't feel forced, lending the feeling of the story moving naturally forward. And I'll be reading it again and again.

I see that some reviewers here are ecstatic about The Mysterious Miss M. I would not go quite that far but I agree this is a five star read and a keeper. Others have summed up the plot so I'd like to make just a few observations.

The plot device of a fallen woman (well, that seems nicer than prostitute, whore, etc.) marrying the man of her dreams has been done a few times within the regency setting. Only Mary Balogh's The Secret Pearl has pulled it off in a way that I found satisfying and believable. However, Diane Gaston has also done an excellent job and even though her heroine truly is soiled goods unlike the heroine of The Secret Pearl.

Lieutenant Lord Devlin Steele is a tortured hero who hits all the right buttons for me. A victim of PTSD, his efforts to overcome his difficulites are heartwarming and believable. I liked the way he matures through the story, particularly as he becomes besotted with his tiny daughter and willingly strives for a quiet life of domestic bliss with Madeleine.

The peripheral characters in this book, particularly the Marquess of Heronvale and his lovely wife, are interesting as well. I know that the author has written a related book about Madeleine's older sister but I think it would also be interesting to back-track and learn more about the Heronvales and the rest of Devlin's family.

All in all, this is a great read and I am most impressed by the author. I fully intend to order a copy of The Wagering Widow. Highly recommended.