Unladylike Pursuits [Mass Market Paperback]

Alyssa Goodnight (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2004

She needs to find a husband but in truth would rather not.

Miss Emily Sinclair has just answered the summons that will change her life.  On the eve of spinsterhood, she is offered a month to find a willing gentleman or suffer a marriage to her stepmother's odious cousin.  Neither choice seems palatable.

He wants to remain a bachelor and is weary of marriage-minded misses.

Lord Brandon Davenport has had more than enough of marriage—the infidelity, the gossip, the inconvenience.  It has all reaffirmed his conviction to never involve himself in such a predicament.

Of course, need and want are very different matters...or are they?

When the two find themselves grudgingly paired in the ambush of highwaymen, temper is matched equally with desire, leading Emily to realize that Brand is the perfect prey for her husband hunt.  But is Brand too cagey to be caught in her trap?

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

At 25, Emily Sinclair considers herself a spinster, hence free to pursue her own adventures. But her father and bombastic stepmother have other ideas: she is to be married in one month's time to her stepmother's nephew. Aghast, she agrees to marry with the stipulation that if she finds someone else in the meantime, she can marry him instead. Emily is determined to cram as much adventure as she can into her one month of freedom, and as she sets off in the rain to her good friend's house, she literally runs into a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. Brandon Davenport, viscount Ashwood and confirmed bachelor, can't get over the unconventional sprite who nearly runs him over. Pretty and rude, she sparks his imagination. Neither knows the other's true identity as Emily gets Brandon involved in her escapades, and it takes them longer than the reader to figure out the obvious solution to Emily's problem. Emily's joie de vivre is contagious, and Goodnight's romance is irresistible. Maria Hatton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“…Goodnight’s romance is irresistible.” —    Maria Hatton for Booklist

“This debut novel by Alyssa Goodnight is wonderful, filled with laughter and passion.  Ms. Goodnight promises to be an author to watch.  I am eagerly anticipating her next book.  Don't miss this winner!”  (Five-and-a-half-stars).

— Jeanine Birckbichler for Affaire de Coeur

“...there is a charm and innocence about the book that I have not seen for some time… Goodnight does not seem to be writing to achieve anything other than to write a delightful romance - and that is how the book comes across, as downright charming... this is really one of the better European Historicals that I have read this year, and I certainly look forward to reading more from this author.”

—     Lori Sowell for All About Romance

“Ms. Goodnight's novel has all the qualities of a first-rate historical romance: realistic and engaging characters; sweet and sexy romantic encounters; a fast-moving plot; an engaging historical setting and a feel-good ending.” 

—      Janean Nusz for The Road to Romance

Unladylike Pursuits is the recipient of The Road to Romance Reviewer’s Choice Award.

“Alyssa Goodnight has written one of the most elegant stories that I have read in a long time…her words paint a masterpiece.” (5 ribbons)         

—     Marta Louise Mozzott for Romance Junkies

“Goodnight's story is imaginative, the characters charming, complex...A sexy romance that moves at a heady pace, showing this is an author to take note of for future books.”

—     Deborah MacGillivray for The Best Reviews

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Impress Ink (December 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975919008
• ISBN-13: 978-0975919002
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I currently live between Houston and Galveston with my husband, two sons, and our adventure dog, Indiana Jones. I do my writing with an ice-cold can of Dr. Pepper and my reading with cake whenever possible. I'm dreaming of the day when I find myself conscripted into a flash mob dance.

My new book AUSTENTATIOUS will be released January 31, 2012.
It's the story of a sensible girl, a magical journal, and the incorrigible Jane Austen, who, it seems, isn't quite done with romance yet.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-Rate Historical Romance, May 26, 2005

By 

J. Nusz "Author, reviewer & graphic designer" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unladylike Pursuits (Mass Market Paperback)

Emily Sinclair is now firmly "on the shelf." At age twenty-five, just having had the momentous birthday, she's now considered a spinster. And, quite frankly, she is very relieved. Since reaching such an advanced age having successfully avoided the trap of marriage to someone she doesn't love, Emily can now get down to the business of living her life. She longs to have a "grand adventure" and is sure that she will, now that she's safe from the matchmaking machinations of her stepmother. After all, even her stepmother has to admit that no one would want to marry a spinster - heiress or not.

Emily is quite surprised to find out that her father has a totally different plan in mind for her - one that does not involve the slightest bit of adventure. Instead, his plan will see her married in one month's time. Even worse that than is the fact that her groom has already been hand-picked by her interfering stepmother. Unless Emily can find a suitable replacement in 30 days, she will be wed to an evil, spendthrift, snake of a man.

Brandon Davenport, Viscount Ashwood, has so far successfully avoided the marriage-minded mammas who have been so intent on throwing their available daughters his way. However, the social scene is beginning to wear a little thin. Brand is sick of the pale, polite, ever-so-proper moneygrubbers. As a self-made man, despite the fact that he had no need for his own money being in line to inherit an earldom as he was, Brand finds the pretentious behaviors of proper society to be very off-putting. Much to his own father's dismay, Brand has decided to retain his bachelor status - without producing the requisite heir. That is, until he meets a red-haired termagant riding in the woods.

Thrown together in a secret partnership to rid their peaceful countryside of thieving marauders, Emily and Brand find that love is not the myth that they thought it to be.

Author Alyssa Goodnight has crafted a superbly imaginative tale in UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS. Not only is the story extremely well written, but it holds the reader's attention in the way that only a truly good story can. Once picking up UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS, I couldn't seem to put it down. Ms. Goodnight's novel has all the qualities of a first-rate historical romance: realistic and engaging characters; sweet and sexy romantic encounters; a fast-moving plot; an engaging historical setting and a feel-good ending. Rife with humor, tenderness and romantic subtleties, UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS gifts readers with that most coveted of reading experiences: escape from the daily grind into the welcome fantasy of a fairytale filled with love and adventure.

I highly recommend that historical romance lovers grab a copy of UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS. I know I'll be looking forward to reading the next book by this talented author.

Reviewed by Janean Nusz, author of DESTINY'S PROMISE and THE OGRE'S CURSE. (...)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, breezy, sexy romance, March 30, 2005

By 

Lynne D. Moore "Texas Book Clubber" (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unladylike Pursuits (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed this first time novelist's writing. She has a great grasp of character and a real sense of fun. It was very involving and a fast-paced read. Lots of admiration for her strong-willed heroine who defies her upbringing and tosses all sense of decorum out the window to lead her adventurous lifesyle. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a delightful and involving story.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for Romance Novel enthusiasts, December 20, 2004

By 

Marcia R. Graves (Richmond, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unladylike Pursuits (Mass Market Paperback)

It was difficult finding time during the holiday season to read, but once started, I found I couldn't put the book down. The book was fun, exciting, full of intrigue, and had me totally captivated. The development of the characters was very well done, and the unexpected twists nearing the end of the book were suprisingly suspenseful! A must read! I look forward to more novels by this author.