An Unlikely Hero (Signet Regency Romance) [Paperback]

Gail Eastwood (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Regency Romance | Publication Date: August 1, 1996

Defending her gentle identical twin sister from undesirable suitors by arranging a match between Vivian and Lord Kentwell, strong-willed Lady Venetia is unprepared for her own feelings for him.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The last place Gilbey Kentwell, Viscount Cranford wants to spend two weeks is at Rivington, the family seat of the St. Aldwyns where the purpose of the house party is to find husbands for the St. Aldwyn twins. He would rather stay at Cambridge and bury his head in a book. His protests are overcome by the persuasive powers of his best friend, Nicholas St. Aldwyn, who wants Gilbey to help him keep his twin sisters out of trouble. Gilbey comforts himself with the knowledge his rank and fortune are too low for him to be counted among the suitors and looks forward to Rivington's fine trout fishing. Lady Venitia St. Aldwyn and her twin, Lady Vivian, have been given an ultimatum by their father. The sisters are notorious for refusing all offers of marriage and devising ingenious, often embarrassing tests for their suitors. Now they must choose husbands from the invited guests. They watch from the gallery as the guests parade through the great hall followed by footmen carrying the luggage. The straps of a worn portmanteau snap, depositing Gilbey's belongings on the polished floor. Thus is Viscount Cranford introduced to the St. Aldwyn sisters. The sisters are intrigued and mystified as Gilbey goes out of his way to avoid them. Gilbey has chosen that course to protect his sanity and his heart. The discouraging looks of the sister's father adds incentive, but fate conspires to place him in Venitia's path continually. Venitia cannot make up her mind about the young viscount and matters are complicated by a blackmail note slipped under her door. A family secret will be made public unless she agrees to marry the blackmailer, who will identify himself at the betrothal ball. Venitia is trapped between a promise she will not break and a secret she cannot allow to be revealed. Her schemes to unmask the blackmailer and protect the secret threaten her chance of future happiness with Gilbey.A terrific read with unexpected villains and a worthy hero thrust into the fray! Gail Eastwood weaves intrigue seamlessly through the Regency setting, adding mystery to a delightful plot and set of characters! An Unlikely Hero sparkles!Linda Fitzner -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451190017
• ISBN-13: 978-0451190017
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #354,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great follow-up book, sensitive handling of a disability, January 27, 2003

By 

Cilla (upstate NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: An Unlikely Hero (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)

This book is a sequel to A Perilous Journey. It is the story of Gillian's twin, Gilbert. When I wrote my review of that book, saying that I wanted to see his story, I didn't know it had already been written! Now I want to see the story of Venetia and Vivian's brother, Nicholas(hint to the author!) Venetia, the heroine of this book, is much like Gillian, and that is probably why the hero feels so comfortable with her. She is the more out-going of the two girls, and is focused on protecting her twin Vivian and finding a husband for her. Vivian suffers from seizures following a head injury in an accident, and someone tries to blackmail the family because in the regency period, such a disability would be considered stigmatic. The plot revolves around solving this problem, finding a good husband for Vivian, and ultimately in the coming together of Gilbey and Venetia. The twin girls are daughters of a duke, and really expected to marry higher than a "mere viscount," which Gilbey is. The issues of epilepsy and the unfairness of the disparities in social class are handled sensitively and intelligently. This book was a worthy follow-up to it's successor, which also ranked 5 stars from me, and both are on my "keeper shelf." I hope to see more from Gail Eastwood. She has the ability to make me become a part of the story and cheer for the characters(I generally REALLY like her heros--they are definitely my type, being sensitive, strong, caring, and funny)

4.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Story That Kept Me Wondering, June 17, 2003

By 

Kimberly Borrowdale (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Unlikely Hero (Signet Regency Romance) (Paperback)

Gilbey Kentwell, Viscount Cranford, doesn't feel comfortable at the estate of the Duke of Roxley, but his friend Nicholas, the Duke's son, persuades him to come, saying that he needs Gilbey's assistance as a chaperon for the house party. Gilbey knows that a viscount without great wealth cannot be considered a proper suitor to the Duke's daughters, so he agrees to go, knowing there will be no pressure to woo.

Twins Venetia and Vivian are none too happy with their father's latest scheme to force them both to wed. However, perhaps this two week house party will turn up someone--two someones--they can content themselves with. The biggest problem is Vivian's secret illness: the girls feel they must find husbands before anyone finds out about her misunderstood condition, and Venetia has long since vowed to not marry until Vivian does as well.

Gilbey discovers that his friend's sisters are not only beautiful, but charming and intelligent as well. He is one of the few guests who can tell them apart; to him, it is easy to note their differences. Gilbey is reminded, however, not once but twice by the Duke that he is not there to court his daughters, only to round out the male/female ratio.

Gail Eastwood has written a compelling Regency with an important but not overpowering social message. It is also a fun twist on the twins theme, as the reader does not know for many pages which twin will end up with Nicholas. The girls are portrayed masterfully--the reader sees the differences in their personalities as easily as Nicholas does. Sympathetic characters and a story that keeps the reader wondering make AN UNLIKELY HERO a charming, enjoyable read.

Kimberly Borrowdale - Under the Covers Book Reviews