Customer Reviews

Secrets of a Proper Lady (Last Man Standing, Book 3)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In SECRETS OF A PROPER LADY, the third book in Victoria Alexander's fabulous and fun "Last Man Standing" series, the author takes us back to 1854 Victorian England and gives us a thoroughly delightful tale that's set partly in London, but also offers us a refreshingly different setting, that of the picturesque seaside resort town of Brighton. Ms. Alexander gives us some interesting descriptions of the once little fishing town that was made into a lively, exciting and fashionable gathering place by the Prince Regent, later known as King George IV, who had the magnificent and exotically beautiful Royal Pavilion built.

Lady Cordelia Bannister, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Marsham, is pretty, intelligent and has a very independent nature. She is very well traveled for a young woman of her time and is also a talented writer who has written several articles for ladies magazines; and eventually plans to write a book on travel for women. At almost 26 Cordelia has yet to marry--though she had had several offers, she never felt her affections were engaged. She wants to marry a man who'll accept her for herself, respect her and her opinions and also--to marry for love.

In the past her parents had always supported her endeavors, as well as, her desire to wed for love, but now her father's having some financial problems with his shipping enterprise and he wants Cordelia to accept an arranged marriage to the only son of Mr. Harold Sinclair; a wealthy and well respected American businessman. Mr. Sinclair owns a very successful steamship line and both families would benefit--socially and financially--from the union.

The only thing Daniel Sinclair, a handsome, intelligent, hardworking and ambitious American railroad entrepreneur--and all around nice guy--knows about Lady Cordelia is her name, and that his father has (again) taken it upon himself to arrange a marriage for him to a British heiress. Daniel is quite angry about his father's highhandedness because at 31 he would prefer to choose his own wife--and he definitely doesn't want one as part of a business arrangement. Yet, Daniel's a man of integrity, and he feels honor bound to uphold the family name and keep the commitment his father made with Lord Marsham. He knows his only way out is if Cordelia refuses to marry him.

Cordelia is a responsible young woman as well, and understands the importance of her marrying to save her family from possible financial ruin...But can she actually marry someone for mainly monetary reasons and her sense of filial duty--thereby giving up her chance at finding her "one true love"??? Or is Daniel's coming into her life really "fate" at work???

To get to know him a little better, her mother suggests writing letters as an informal way of communicating with Daniel and establishing a friendly relationship before actually meeting him in person--and then feeling forced to make a commitment. Cordelia agrees, but then decides to take fate into her own hands and determine for herself what kind of man Mr. Sinclair is--and if he's someone she can spend the rest of her life with.

She pretends to be her cousin Sarah (her companion) so she can ask Daniel's secretary, Mr. Warren Lewis, questions about her "intended". Unbeknownst to Cordelia, when she calls out his name and approaches the man she thinks is Mr. Lewis as he walks in the park--it's actually Daniel who answers her. And after learning this charming woman is Lady Cordelia's companion, he decides to continue pretending to be Warren to learn more about Cordelia...and because he can't resist the urge to talk to the pretty woman with the lovely green eyes again.

***
There were so many things I loved about SOAPL. The supporting cast of characters (both family and friends) was funny, lovable and absolutely charming--I adored them--all were realistically written and added depth and richness to the story. I loved Daniel and Cordelia and thought they were perfect for each other; and their interactions and conversations were such fun--with many laugh out loud moments. It was a delight to watch them both try to fight their growing attraction--try to keep up their mutual deceptions--and still try to do the right and honorable thing as their conscience demanded. I was completely enthralled to the very end of the story because I had no idea how Cordelia and Daniel were going to get out of the "grand" mess they had both created, but I knew I wanted them to have their HEA ending

This was such a fun story with so many amusing plot twists and turns. Ms. Alexander's storytelling "voice" is wonderfully smooth and has a truly natural comedic quality that easily lends itself to humorous prose and clever dialogue...and I think her sense of timing and delivery is perfect! It's very easy to understand why she's become such a popular and bestselling author. I enjoyed this story tremendously; and if you enjoy smart and funny lighthearted Historical romantic comedies--I think you will too.

You might also enjoy reading the first 2 books in this series... A Little Bit Wicked and What A Lady Wants

This is the first romance novel, beside the incomparable Jane Austen, whose books, all of them, I have read, that I could not put down. I've tried to read other romance a few other times, but the quality has just not been there. This one was excellent, and I just had to finish and find out what happens. The characters are quite believable, and you really start to care what happens to them. It may not be up to the level of Jane Austen, but that's to be expected.

I will be reading more Victoria Alexander in the near future.

As many others here, I really liked the first two books in this trilogy and was prepared to like this one as well. And in some respects I did just that.

This is something out of a Shakespeare farce, where false identities and misunderstandings abound, all the while making you laugh out loud. Miss Cordelia Bannister, having been told she has to marry an American, Daniel Sinclair, passes herself as her own companion, Sarah, to who she thinks is her intended's Secretary, Warren. It's all very confusing, and entertaining. The dialogue is witty in many spots and I thought the hero and heroine were mostly delightful.

So what could be wrong with the book you might ask? And I think the answer is...editing. First there are several, as in 'one too many', instances where there are mispellings and bad dialogue flow. You lose track occasionally of who is speaking when. But the real problem here, and this is the first book where I've ever encountered this, is that she uses the same phrase or variation of a phrase, over and over again. In the interest of the characters being snarky and witty she has them muttering under their breath. All the time! I thought at one point it would make a great drinking game. You know, take a drink every time you read the word 'muttered'. I quickly realized though, that if you did that you might very well die of achohol poisoning. No lie. They mutter and mumble to themselves every few pages. Sometimes twice on the same page and occasionally in the same paragraph. The first time I realized what was going on I laughed to myself, then as it continued I became annoyed only to end up back at laughter towards the end as it just became absurd.

If you don't think something like that would drive you up the wall, then by all means get this book and read it. It has some good points and you might really enjoy it. Like I said, there were times I laughed out loud at how funny it was, and those were the intentional laughs. Just be warned.

This book was very cute and kept you wondering what trouble the main character was going to get into next. Sometimes you are yelling JUST TELL THE TRUTH! I like the story line and I liked the book. Would recommend to the historical reader who is not looking for mushy mushy love stuff. Very funny at the same time romantic.

London, England 1854

SECRETS OF A PROPER LADY is a light and delightful quick read! Thoroughly enjoyable!

Groups of four men form a tontine and the winner is the last man married. Very quick two men are out leaving Daniel Sinclair and Oliver Leighton. Daniel's father arranges for him to marry Cordelia to blend their business interests. Cordelia decided to pretend to be her own companion and Daniel pretends to be his secretary and the lies just building. This book had me laughing and shaking my head at the characters (in a watching train wreck kind-a way!). This was my favorite of the series, Enjoy!
Check out the whole series; A Little Bit Wicked (1), What a Lady Wants (2), Secrets of a Proper Lady (3)

If you enjoy this genre, I would also suggest; Forever Yours by Janmarie Anello and How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins, The Education of Mrs. Brimley by Donna MacMeans and The Heir and the Spare by Maya Rodale.

Ouch! I normally love this author. But this book went on and on and on.
There was little of no semblance of logic, continuity or believability. Such a smart heroine. Well traveled, intelligent, independent, but as the story goes on, she does and says the most ridiculous things. The scene of using her nephews to go out to the pier to meet (Warren/Daniel) was asinine.
Then the hero, forgetting that he is two out of four left standing to win the bet, acts like a love sick puppy in his head, but out of his mouth are the unbelievably stupid words. This is a successful businessman, destined to become a titan of industry and change the American world of transportation acting like a love struck 13 year old who doesn't know how to act in the game of love?
It just doesn't work and I am disappointed in one of my favorite authors.

Ms. Alexander's books especially the Last Man Standing series, have been most entertaining. I have laughed out loud at the witty exchange between the characters of this book. I enjoyed the progressive relationship between the two main characters and their thought process as to why the relationship was progressing.
The only thing I would have changed was the not knowing he knew and knowing she knew, didn't she went on a little more than I would have liked. However, I am on to the last book of this series with avid anticipation.

In 1854 London, visiting American businessman Daniel Sinclair is determined to win the wager of one pound each and a bottle of cognac he made with three English aristocrats as to who would be the last one standing single. Two are down and though he fears their tontine is cursed, Daniel does not plan on being next although he is betrothed to Lady Cordelia Bannister, as the competition is between him and Oliver Leighton.

Cordelia and Daniel have never met so she decides to learn more about the American she is to marry; if she finds him unsatisfactory she will call off the nuptials. She goes undercover pretending to be her companion, Sarah. However, Daniel needs time to put off his wedding if he is to win the wager; when his fiancée's companion visits him he pretends to be a friend of Daniel. As they fall in love, both fears the truth will destroy their chance at lifetime of love.

Readers will appreciate the madcap third Victorian romance that is a wild gender battle based on deception, misdirection, and love. The amusing story line is fun to follow as Daniel insists he's not in love and Cordelia fears her masquerade will cost her the love of a lifetime. As with WHAT A LADY WANTS and LITTLE BIT WICKED, sub-genre fans will toast Victoria Alexander for an entertaining historical.

Harriet Klausner

Set in London, 1854. Four men, totally opposed to marriage made a bet. The last man standing gets a bottle of special cognac and a small amount of money. In only four months since the wager was made, two of the men are happily married. The two men remaining are Oliver Leighton, the Earl of Norcroft, and Daniel Sinclair, the American entrepreneur.

Lady Cordelia Bannister is the last unwed daughter of the Earl of Marsham. Cordelia is nearing the age of twenty-six and has yet to find a man she loves. Three men have proposed to her and, for various reasons of her own, all three men were politely turned down. But now her father has presumptuously arranged for Cordelia to wed Daniel Sinclair, a man she has never even met. If Cordelia declines, the family's finances will be is serious trouble. Lord Marsham owns a rather impressive shipping line. Harold, Daniel's father, wants to merge the shipping line with his own steamship interests. This would give Harold an entree into Europe's area.

Cordelia decides to learn all she can about Daniel to see if they would get along well or if she should somehow bow out of the whole thing. To do this, Cordelia pretends to be Sarah, her companion/cousin. She then lies in wait for Daniel's secretary, Warren, to appear for his daily walk and approaches him.

Daniel is startled when the lovely lady mistakes him for Warren and approaches him to ask detailed questions about "his employer". Yet Daniel jumps at the chance to learn more about Cordelia. Daniel believes that he may learn what Cordelia does not like and then pretend to be all she hates. If Cordelia backed out of the marriage proposal, then his father could not force him to walk down the wedding aisle. But neither Daniel, nor Cordelia, expected to really like the false people they pretended to be. Both believe that a confession would make the other hate him or her. Yet sooner-or-later, the real Daniel and Cordelia must meet face-to-face.

***** A hilarious story of mistaken identities blended with a romance that only Victoria Alexander could possibly pull off so well. I found myself thoroughly amused throughout the entire book. PERFECT reading during a long rode trip, on vacation, or just to cheer you up on a lonely day. BRAVA! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.