No Marriage of Convenience [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Boyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

Mason St. Clair, new Earl of Ashlin, has inherited a title for which there is no fortune, thanks to his older brother. Steeped in debt, with three ungainly nieces to marry off, Mason fears that he will have to wed a rich heiress to save his family from ruin. Desperate for relief, Mason doesn't expect it to arrive in the breathtaking form of Madeline Fontaine, a woman of questionable reputation but irresistible allure, who suddenly seems the solution to his troubles. She will transform his nieces into charming Originals...but, never does he anticipate losing his heart to her in the process. Suddenly, he hungers for no marriage of convenience, but one of love.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 373 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Book Club edition (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739411683
• ISBN-13: 978-0739411681
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,644,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Boyle's passions include her husband and two sons (or as she calls them, "her heroes in training"). In between the kids's activities, camping and gardening and trying to keep up on her ever-growing knitting pattern collection, she continues to write new and exciting romances.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The earl has to marry an heiress for his family's sake., November 26, 2000

By 

B. S. Andrews "barbiesa" (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: No Marriage of Convenience (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

No matter how hard he tries to make ends meet, Mason St. Clair can't see any way out of his financial difficulties that doesn't involve marrying an heiress. His father and older brother before him devastated the estate with their mistresses and frivolities; now it was up to Mason--the Oxford college professor--to sacrifice himself to save the family honor. But it isn't until he meets Riley Fontaine, an actress of questionable reputation, that he realizes just how much a sacrifice it will be.

Riley's theatre troupe owes the earl a large sum of money, and she's prepared to pay part of it back by working with his three out-of-control nieces in order to prepare them for marriage. (The idea of hiring an actress to train young women is an unlikely scenario in this period, but I'm willing to suspend belief because this book is just SO MUCH FUN!)

Mason's courtship of the heiress goes rather slowly, because he finds himself constantly distracted by the beautiful, seductive, and talented Madame Fontaine. He discovers that not only is she not what she seems, but it appears that someone is trying to kill her. At this point, the heiress thing gets put on the back burner as Mason determinedly installs her in his home for protection while he sets about trying to discover the killer.

Riley never thought she would fall for a college professor, but after the fact, she can't bear the thought of losing him to the heiress. She herself went through some very tough times after being abandoned by her mother and sold on the streets of Paris, but somehow she always found a way to survive without selling herself or her integrity. But Mason has to put the family honor first...or does he?

A truly riveting read for any fan of historical romance...especially if you like a touch of humor applied liberally to the sexual tension. The final scene had me choking with laughter. If only every book were as entertaining as this one!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've read this year!!, October 4, 2000

By 

Tammy Torres (Swansea, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Marriage of Convenience (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm a big fan of romance novels that contain humor.So it was a real treat to discover Elizabeth Boyle.I can't say enough about this novel, it made me laugh out loud (more than once)and even brought a tear to my eye.The characters are wonderful,I absolutely loved the hero's cousin Felicity,she's a riot!!!As a matter of fact I liked all the secondary characters.Mason and Riley's story will warm your heart as well as tickle your funny bone.I hated to see the end.Well now i'm just going to have to buy all of Elizabeth Boyle's previous books and wait patiently for her next.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I guarantee you won't be able to put this one down!, December 6, 2000

By 

GillyScott (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Marriage of Convenience (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked up Ms. Boyle's newest book, NO MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE, when I had a little time, thinking I would just read a chapter. One chapter became two. Two became four. Soon I was halfway through and so engrossed I couldn't put it down. Mason and Riley were a dynamic duo and I found myself laughing out loud as I read their adventures. Don't miss this wonderful love story. Or believe me, you'll regret it.