Never a Lady [Mass Market Paperback]

Marlene Suson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000

Always a Lord

Maximilian Chartwell made a deathbed promise that he would guard and protect his young cousin, the Duke of Penrose. He's not about to let a scheming American heiress trap the impressionable nobleman into marriage. Though Max heartily approves of an arranged marriage to a perfect lady, the beautifully daring and outspoken Virginia Blair is far from an acceptable candidate. Max will do whatever it takes to save his cousin from Virginia and her overbearing stepmother -- even if it means seducing the girl himself.

Never a Lady

Bound by family tradition, Virgie is resigned to endure her six-month sojourn in the cold aristocracy of England. Having sworn never to marry without love, she is shocked to learn of her stepmother's machinations to marry her to the Duke of Penrose. Though the duke's dashing but protective cousin Max doesn't believe for a minute that she is merely her stepmother's pawn, Virgie is unexplainably drawn to Max's brooding good looks and heroic demeanor. Too adventurous by far, Virgie knows she could never fulfill the role of a perfect lady. Is falling in love with Max and his loveless view of marriage to be her most dangerous escapade of all?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An adventurous tale that will keep you mesmerized. This is truly one of the most enchanting novels of the new century...their passion will melt your soul...Fabulously written. A true delight. A definite must. Don't miss out on this tantalizing adventure."--"Rendezvous"A brooding, handsome hero, an overbearing stepmother, a young nobleman and an unconventional heroine match wits and passions in this delightful comedy. You're sure to smile and be captivated...Kudos to Ms. Suson for once again bringing us a fun read."--"Romantic Times

About the Author

"An author who knows the true meaning of romance," wrote one reviewer of award winning romance novelist Marlene Suson.

Two of her novels have won RT Reviewers' Choice Awards as the best book of the year in their category, and she has been nominated a number of other times. She was also a finalist for the romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA Award.

She likes to write romance because it celebrates love and commitment, not violence and mayhem.

Ms. Suson was a successful journalist, working for a wire service, a television network, and a major metropolitan newspaper before she turned to writing fiction. She lives in Southern California where the newest addition to her family is Rambo, a fearless Maltese puppy who, despite his small size, lives up to his name.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380805677
• ISBN-13: 978-0380805679
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,622,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Give this book a pass, September 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Never a Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

I generally enjoy Marlene Suson's books, but I don't know what happened with this one. I couldn't make it to 100 pages before I put it down.The themes in this plot are so tired - the independent, take-over American girl who disdains English society and teaches everyone how "superior" Americans are...the evil stepmother. When the heroine decided to teach the Duke his responsibilities, I decided it was all too much for me. The characters are not especially likeable or realistically drawn and in the end, I simply couldn't believe in this romance. I'll wait until her next book and hope for better.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Never a Lady, August 20, 2000

By 

Affaire de Coeur - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never a Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

As part of a character building "task" imposed by her father, Virginia Blair travels from America to England with her stepmother Rowena to live among proper society. This doesn't sit well with Maximilian Chartwell who is in charge of protecting the young Esmond, Duke of Penrose. Rowena would like nothing more than to see Virgie married to Esmond, but Virgie stuns everyone by declaring she will marry for nothing less than love. Opportunity may knock, but the characters here don't quite know when to answer the door. The characters were so wrapped up in concern for themselves that they seemed to forget about each other in the process. This reviewer saw no sympathy for any of them, and wondered, quite frankly, about the relationships among the characters and the relations between America and Britain in the mid 19th century.

2.0 out of 5 stars More emotion needed from the characters, October 12, 2008

By 

Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Never a Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

Miscommunication abounds in this novel about a wealthy American heiress and the English Lord who looks upon her with distrust. Bad communication is a plot device I am not fond of and here it used to keep characters apart and supposedly to raise the tension.

Heiress Virgie is a strong, independent minded American who is being forced by her father to leave her beloved California ranch and act like a lady for six months. Her conniving stepmother is her chaperone and also the one who has to report how Virgie behaved in London. Virgie's step mother has grand designs for Virgie to marry a Duke so she has ingratiated herself with the Duke of Esmond's mother and now they are visiting his home.

Lord Maximilan Chartwell is the cousin of the young duke and is determined to stop a marriage between Virgie and his cousin. He and Virgie immediately have sparks fly and there is deep distrust between them mainly because they both believe half-truths about the other. Max feels the only way to show Virgie's true character is to seduce her away from his cousin.

Virgie has a completely different view of marriage than Max. As most nobles, he sees marriage as the uniting of two families for business and societal purposes whereas Virgie will only marry for love. This leads to some heated discussions with Max having to rethink his position on his own upcoming betrothal.

There is also a secondary romance between the Duke and his aunt's companion which got little time from the author. I would have liked to have seen the natural progression of their story.

The characters here never display strong feelings. Virgie never came off as a the self described tomboy, yes she wore pants, and was direct in her speech but I never pictured her as anything but ladylike. She was very impulsive. Max just seemed boring. The Duke was unsure and his ladylove too shy. No one had a forceful dynamic personality which would have made this novel much more enjoyable.