13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Smarmy, badly-researched and dull, dull, dull., March 22, 2008
This review is from: When A Lady Misbehaves (Pleasure Emporium Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)
I bought this romance quite simply because Lisa Kleypas was quoted on the cover as saying it was "inventive, sexy and moving." I love Lisa Kleypas and have all of her books on my keeper shelf. I had never heard of this author, but was willing to give it a chance because of the link with one of my favorite authors. After reading this tome, I SO hope that Ms. Kleypas was just paid for her quote and did not actually read this book and come to that opinion. Surely such a talented author could not be that bad a critic.
This is one of the most poorly-researched and poorly plotted romances I have ever read. It's annoying enough that there is absolutely no chemistry between the hero and heroine, or that the only good sex scene happens between secondary characters. But what makes this book terrible are all the mistakes the author makes, not only in glaring anachronisms, but in just plain common sense. Other reviewers have pointed out some of the horrible anachronisms -- language usage especially. But there are just laughable lapses of knowledge and logic that could have been so easily corrected. I won't even start on the legal mistakes (Heads up, Ms. Marcos: a will doesn't go into probate until someone actually dies), but there are just silly things all the way through the book which makes any thinking reader groan.
In one extended scene, the author takes the leading characters to a stable and has them observing a stallion and a mare. The mare is supposed to be in heat. The hero, Lord Blackheath, is supposed to be a famous horsebreeder. Here are just a few of the mistakes in this scene: 1) There is no such thing as a palomino Thoroughbred. Ms. Marcos describes in detail this mare as a "flaxen chestnut" (this is not even a real horse color description, which any equine textbook could have told the author) and then describes the horse's head as "golden." The only "golden" horses are palominos. Thoroughbreds don't come in that color. 2) The mare is described as wearing a bridle, even though she is loose in a paddock with another horse (the correct term is "halter" if the mare has any kind of headstall on at all. A loose horse with a bridle on is a broken leg waiting to happen); 3) a breeder would never allow a stallion to cover a mare alone and unaided. Either horse could be hurt; 4) The author has the hero and heroine take the mare out of the paddock, mount her bareback and gallop away. This is absolutely ridiculous in so many ways, I don't know where to start -- the stallion would jump the fence or harm himself to follow a mare in heat that he had been near; the heroine has never been on a horse before and yet she is able to stay on the galloping mare; the couple supposedly canter "up and down hills" bareback and then enact a partial sex scene on the horse's back ----- PLEASE GIVE ME A BREAK. Bareback riding is hard and even agile riders wearing shorts or jeans (so the sweaty legs give you some kind of purchase) have difficulty staying on a galloping horse, much less one who is on uneven terrain; 5) After the heroine has been on a horse ONE TIME, and that with the hero holding her on, the author then has the heroine ride in a fox hunt on a SIDESADDLE! I believe that scene has already been done -- Rosalind Russell in "Auntie Mame." Are we supposed to take this as a comic novel? Well, it's not funny.
In another scene, the author has the heroine introduced to archery for the first time. After one demonstration, the heroine is not only able to hit a bullseye on a target at 50 yards, but she is able to shoot an arrow BETWEEN THE LEGS of the villianess, who is sitting on a bench with the hero. Is the heroine supposed to be some kind of athletic prodigy? The author gives no explanation of these talents which the heroine acquires seemingly at will.
Some of the reviews like this book because the heroine is working class and becomes a duchess. However willing the reader is to suspend disbelief, a working class girl of 1810 simply would not be able to pass herself off in society unless she has some kind of extraordinary advantages in her background. Other authors have explained these advantages and pulled off this plot line. But this author doesn't even attempt to explain her heroine's success at upperclass subterfuge. As a result, all the time I was reading the book, I kept thinking: Even if she could ape the upperclass accent, she would not know the dances or the etiquette. The author shows the heroine reading the society gossip pages in the opening in the book as though my reading The National Enquirer or Star would enable me to pass myself off as a Hollywood insider at an Oscar party.
Then there are all the technical problems with the novel itself. At the most elementary level, the author doesn't even have her time frame under control. She states that the Minister's Ball houseparty is happening in December, then has the hero and heroine's wedding happening in November. Oh, and she can't keep her weather under control either. At that December houseparty, she has the guests dining al fresco under tents because of the "sun" and the hero and heroine spending a bunch of time in a "warm cave."
I'm not going to bore you any more. The bottom line is that this book is a mess. An unreadable mess. I threw it in the trash, and that's where it belongs.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great debut. Cinderalla-like story with clever, witty dialog!, October 31, 2007
This review is from: When A Lady Misbehaves (Pleasure Emporium Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)
4.5 stars. This is a such a fun, clever, witty and heart-melting romance. I picked this book up without a clue who the author is, nor had I read any reviews of this book. I based my purchase solely on two things. First, the endorsement by Lisa Kleypas compelled me (I know, I know, I've been burned more times than not when buying books solely on the endorsement!). The second reason was the first few pages just grabbed me. I love historical romances; especially those that can make me both laugh and cry, so I thought I'd give a try. And I really loved it! I will read this author again. Her writing is fresh and so clever. The passion felt so real, the characters were full of life, and the story never had a lull. I'd rate the love scenes and sensuality somewhere around medium warm. Not quite the hot and spicy romances that I prefer, but it was a very satisfying romance story.
This is a great Cinderella-ish type story, with a young, feisty heroine named April (the Dustbin Dutchess) and Riley, the rich, handsome and titled hero. They come from different worlds, but when they collide the sparks really fly. April begins as a kitchen maid at a whorehouse, but daydreams constantly of a better life. She is fascinated by the upper class and follows the gossip rags. She hates that her birth has forced her into servitude and gives her no other options. She is unusual for a servant girl as she is intelligent, morally good, and fairly well educated by her late father. Out of desperation to save her virtue, she plots to make a better life by pretending to be the daughter of a famous courtesan. This sums up chapter 1, and I will stop there.
I would recommend that you read this book before reading too many reviews, as you really don't want the story spoiled for you. This book has many "I didn't see that coming!" moments, which may be revealed in some reviews. (bad, bad reviewers!)
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful in every way, October 31, 2007
This review is from: When A Lady Misbehaves (Pleasure Emporium Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)
This book has what's missing from so many romances today--heart and soul. The characters and the story are truly original, and I found myself smiling and sighing throughout the book (and turning the pages rapidly because it's such an absorbing read). My only regret is that the author doesn't have more books out, because I'm hooked!!
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