Tempting a Proper Lady [Mass Market Paperback]

Debra Mullins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2010

A Most Improper Alliance

Two years ago, dashing Captain Samuel Breedlove disappeared without a word. But he's resurfaced in London a wealthy man, only to discover his fiancÉe preparing to wed another. Now Samuel needs to restore his good name and expose a villain—and tempting, temptable Cilla seems an ideal accomplice.

Priscilla Burke knows the marriage of her charge, Annabelle Bailey, to the Earl of Raventhorpe must be perfect. It would be madness for her to even consider doing anything that would mar this beautiful day and destroy her fledgling career as a wedding planner. Why then is she so drawn to this irresistible stranger who insists she help him sabotage the impending affair?

But a proper lady's desire is nothing to toy with. And a man whose character has been questioned cannot allow himself to dream of happily ever after. This not-so-innocent seduction may have unforeseen consequences . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Humorous, spirited and charming, Mullins’ novel takes a bit of The Wedding Planner and combines it with American Heiresses for a pleasurable, quick read that will keep you smiling.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

Tempting a Proper Lady is one hot book! Ms. Mullins uses many different facets to bring this great story together. Between a hint of crime, passion, the ton, secret assignation, a rejected suitor, and a strong woman you cannot help but really enjoy this novel. (Coffee Time Romance )

About the Author

Debra Mullins is the author of several historical romances for Avon Books. Her work has been nominated for the Golden Heart and RITA^® Awards from Romance Writers of America and the Holt Medallion from Virginia Romance Writers. In 2003, she won the Golden Leaf Award from NJ Romance Writers for her book A Necessary Bride. A native of the east coast, she now lives in California.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061882496
• ISBN-13: 978-0061882494
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Debra Mullins is the award-winning author of over a dozen historical romances from pirates to cowboys to Regency England to the Victorian period. Born and raised in the New York area, she moved west as an adult and loves old swashbuckler movies, Star Trek and cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tempting a Proper Lady, June 23, 2010

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tempting a Proper Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

Having survived a murder attempt and marooning in the Caribbean, Captain Samuel Breedlove is finally returning to the fiancée he left behind two years prior. The only problem is, Annabelle Bailey, his fiancée, is on the verge of marrying another man; and not just any man, the Earl of Raventhorpe - the man who tried to kill him and left him for dead. Samuel is determined to win back Annabelle before she marries a monster, and to do that he'll need the help of the only person who seems to be willing to listen to him - Annabelle's wedding planner.

Priscilla Burke knows just how badly a poor marriage can damage a woman. After being disowned over her choice of husbands, then left with nothing but debts once she was widowed, Cilla wants to be dependent on no man. That's why it's so important that Annabelle's wedding to the earl go off without a hitch - it will jump start Cilla's career as a wedding planner. But when the dashing American captain arrives with tales that make out Annabelle's intended to be a monster, Cilla knows she cannot allow the young woman to make a possibly deadly mistake in choosing a husband. As Cilla works to uncover the truth, she's finds herself more and more drawn to Samuel. But love between a socially disgraced Englishwoman and a wealthy American captain could never be possible...could it?

Love, desire, danger, and friendship fill the pages of the charming Tempting a Proper Lady. Debra Mullins has created two protagonists that are incredibly easy to like because of their sensibility, maturity, and innate goodness. It was easy for me to become invested in Cilla and Samuel's story because they were both kindhearted people who deserved to find happiness with one another. Both have had their hearts broken in various ways in the past, so I admired the special kind of courage it took for them to open their hearts once again.

Tempting a Proper Lady is the first book in Ms. Mullins's Brides of Nevarton Chase trilogy and I confess I finished Tempting a Proper Lady incredibly eager to read the next two books. I am hoping Annabelle's story is one of them, for she is a bright and loving character that quickly endeared herself to me. As to who her hero would be, I could not begin to guess, but I cannot help but not-so-secretly wish it is either Samuel's mysterious best friend or a certain dashing highwayman whose brief appearances in Tempting a Proper Lady intrigued me greatly. Tempting a Proper Lady is a highly enjoyable story and I guarantee I'll be back for more with the next Brides of Nevarton Chase book!


Shayna
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

3.0 out of 5 stars Had a few good moments, January 23, 2011

By 

Elena Monteros - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tempting a Proper Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

This book had its moments, but they were few and far between.
****spoiler warning***
I really don't like it when the heroine 'decides' that she wants to be the hero's lover for some stupid reason (like 'learning how to distinguish good men from bad men'), because then the love scenes are forced and lack the chemistry - especially if they involve a mirror. I don't know why so many authors are obsessed with mirrors. I really don't like those scenes. And then there was this thing with the hero: he was supposed to have so much experience with women, but I wonder when he managed to get all that experience? First, he was engaged to Anabelle for a long time, then he was on an island for almost two years, and when he came back he was with the heroine. So where do all these other women fit in? I have no idea.
Well, the story with the new fiance is not so bad, and I liked the way he slowly showed his true colors. But all in all, this book simply lacked... something. More chemistry between the heroes, perhaps.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice start to new trilogy, June 15, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: Tempting a Proper Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

From the opening chapter I knew I was going to like hero American Captain Samuel Breedlove. He crashes an engagement party intent on reclaiming his fiancé from a haughty English Earl and no one is going to stop him, certainly not British Cilla Burke who has planned the engagement party to the last detail. Samuel is a devil may care character but he also is smart and very honorable. He and Cilla are engaging characters and they have an instant connection that only grows as the story progresses.

Cilla is a 19th century wedding planner. She is a widow making a new life hoping Annabelle's wedding will be the event that kick starts her career. She is dismayed that all has not gone well but she is intrigued by Samuel and more than willing to hear him out concerning his broken engagement to Annabelle.

Easily Cilla could have been an unbelievable character (a former British noblewoman planning the events of others?) however, her background story makes this somewhat plausible and Cilla' sympathetic nature was refreshing. Many times widows in romance novels can be hardened almost hating men but not Cilla, yes, she is independent but she is also practical and above all does not lie to herself. She realizes she is instantly attracted to Samuel.

Samuel truly knows how monstrous Annabelle's fiancé is and he is willing to do anything to save her from his clutches. His earnestness appeals to Cilla and they join forces to prevent kind Annabelle from marring the villainous nobleman. Cilla and Samuel have a respectful relationship that very quickly turns intimate with lots of passion. Neither is really prepared for the force of their feelings.

The cast of characters here is interesting and likable. Smartly Ms. Mullins wrote Ananbelle to be an engaging character and left enough of a mystery surrounding the others, so that the reader cannot help but want to read their upcoming stories in this new trilogy.