The Naked Marquis [Paperback]

Sally MacKenzie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

As marriage proposals go, Charles Draysmith's suit is as romantic as the moors in December. Emma Peterson might be only a vicar's daughter, and he, the new Marquis of Knightsdale, and perhaps he would rather marry her than endure the marriage mart. But when he suggests how much he'll enjoy securing an heir, well, a lady can only endure so much. There's something about a woman throwing pottery at a man that piques his interest. Perhaps his proposal lacks grace, Charles thinks. But it does seem a perfect solution. He acquires a wife; his young charges have the mother they so desperately need, and Emma gains security and position. You see? Simple, practical, sensible, oh no, not the ceramic dog...He will have to confess the truth to calm her down. And the truth is, he's madly in love...

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zebra; First edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821778323
• ISBN-13: 978-0821778326
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Sally MacKenzie writes the Naked nobility series--funny, hot Regency-set historicals--for Kensington Zebra. Her sixth Naked book, The Naked Viscount, arrived on bookstore shelves June 1, 2010, and the seventh, The Naked King, will be out in June 2011. There are also two novellas, "The Naked Laird" in Lords of Desire and "The Naked Prince" in An Invitation to Sin (February 2011). Sally graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame in the first class of women. She's a Cornell Law School dropout, former federal regulation writer, recovering parent volunteer, and mother of four mostly grown sons. A native of Washington, D. C., she still resides in suburban Maryland with her husband.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun mix of humor and sensuality, March 4, 2006

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Naked Marquis (Paperback)

Major Charles Draysmith, A.K.A. the Marquis of Knightsdale, hadn't expected to become Marquis. His brother had been assigned that role at birth, leaving Charles the army and the more relaxed position of younger son. But when his brother is murdered while touring Italy, Charles is thrown into the one job he really would rather avoid. Since his brother left daughters but no sons, it's also up to Charles to come up with a male heir--and for that he needs a bride. The solution, in Regency England, is to host a house party filled with eligible females--all in all, Charles would rather face Napoleon again.

The perfect solution presents itself almost immediately. Miss Emma Peterson, A.K.A. 'Shadow' had tagged along with Charles and his friends when they'd been young boys. She's all grown up and has become quite beautiful. An instant engagment would let Charles off the hook for the house party, and would let him get back to London, leaving his nieces in Emma's care. Of course, since Emma is all grown up, he'll head back to the ancestral home from time to time to create the heir he needs.

Emma might be in love with Charles, but she isn't willing to accept a proposal that leaves the nieces with an absentee father-figure--and Charles doesn't say anything about loving her. Perhaps throwing a china dog at him was a bit of an over-reaction, however. Still, Charles insists on including Emma in the house party--where he intends to pursue his suit.

In a sub-plot, something, perhaps ghosts, appears to be haunting the ancestral home and a strange man is lurking around the party, obviously looking for something.

Author Sally MacKenzie continues the series she began with THE NAKED DUKE (see our review) with Charles' story. MacKenzie's mix of humor and sensuality, with just a hint of suspense, definitely works in this novel. THE NAKED MARQUIS is a lot of fun. I'm happy to recommend it.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect escape . . ., April 12, 2006

By 

D. Lane "Book lover" (austin, tx United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Naked Marquis (Paperback)

I totally enjoyed this book from page 1. Just a wonderful love story between the two characters, Charles Draysmith and Emma Peterson. This was just the kind of romance novel I love. There are interesting plot twists and we get to know several secondary characters well. The secondary characters are not boring. The chemistry between Charles & Emma was very sensual and immediate. 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 Naked Marquis is an exquisitely written and sensuous historical this reviewer could not put down! If you what a book that will rock your socks here one!!!!!

I really like The Naked Marquis much better than the first book The Naked Duke. The Naked Duke was good but was lacking in a few parts. There is NO lacking in The Naked Marquis. It's perfect romance. Funny, sweet, hot and sexy. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL Sally Mackenzie next book comes out!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light and Funny historical..., May 25, 2006

By 

Twinkletoes (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Naked Marquis (Paperback)

This book is not my usual read. I've lost a good bit of interest in reading historicals...But this one caught my eye because of the title. And then I read the little excerpt on the inside page and just couldn't resist.

It turned out to be a good gamble. The book was light and funny and I very much enjoyed reading it. The hero was very amusing in his persuit of the Heroine. His aunt, though, stole the show with her hilarious out-spoken manner. I laughed out loud whenever she was in a scene.

I had one tiny little issue though. At one point in the book the hero mentions a condom and he calls it a "condom". WTF? While mechanical contraception did exist in the time period, they were NOT called Condoms. This is a modern term and it was totally off for him to use it. *climbs down off soap box*