Known to All (Paperback)

~ Gloria Gay (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Phillip Harding Durbin, Viscount Kelly, did what was very rarely done in society: he married his mistress and publicly acknowledged and adopted his illegitimate daughter, Violet Welsh.

But Violet had other things in her past. She was once forced into sexual slavery by her mother's former lover when she was only thirteen. But even though this lasted for only three months, society will not forgive her.

Living quietly as a outcast in Regency England, Violet constantly fends off illicit propositions from society men. but Lord Jared Falweir, nephew of the Duke of Hawkinston, has fallen in love with Violet and intends to marry her.

In an attempt to keep his nephew from becoming involved with Violet, the haughty Duke of Hawkinston falls in love with her himself and begins a relentless pursuit, certain he can convince her into becomming his mistress. But Violet holds firm, for she has sworn she will not stain her father's name by becomming a kept woman.

Yet Violet finds herself drawn toward the duke, who showers her with flattering single-minded attention and is an expert at placing her in situations where she is increasingly in danger of losing her heart.

But Violet's beauty also attracts dangerous men and the stepson of the duke's sister, Lord Cade Souten, has developed a dangerous obsession over Violet and will not rest until she is his, by whatever method...

About the Author

Writer/artist Gloria Gay has also published First Season, Forced Offer and Canceled Courtship. This novel, Known to All, was developed from characters in the sub-plot of Canceled Courtship. Gloria lives with her husband in San Diego, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (March 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601451504
• ISBN-13: 978-1601451507
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,562,192 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast and satisfying read!, November 30, 2008

By	Make TIme To Read! "MTTR" (California) - See all my reviews

This book was a very satisfying read for a cozy afternoon... Just when all the characters seem tangled up and there are surprises and twists around each corner... everyone gets the happiness or pain they deserve! I'll look for other titles by this author for a guaranteed few hours of escape!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Reputation and Social Class., September 29, 2008

By	Mah-li (Jonesport, ME.) - See all my reviews

A muddled costume drama:
The Author tells us that Saintly Violet has not had it easy. Her mother was a courtesan with some unsavory clients. Violet was the forced victim of one of these Lovers.
But things are getting better. Her parents have married. Her father has acknowldeged Violet as his bastard child. Violet has received Offers from many Gentlemen. Unfortunately, none of the Offers are respectable or acceptable. All of these shadowy events occur before the opening of the novel.
So Violet and her family are beyond the pale. They are not welcome in Polite Society. They are less than mushrooms.
We are told that the young nephew of the Duke of Hawkinston wants to marry Violet. The Duke knows that this will make his nephew a social outcast. He is determined to prevent this misalliance and seduce Violet.
Can Violet resist the handsome Duke, even though her heart cries to submit to his tender touch?
This is a tired unoriginal plot. Nobleman wants girl, Girl wants marriage, reader wants wasted time and money back.
In closing the novel needed proof-reading and corrections.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Original Regency Read - 4-1/2*, April 29, 2007

By	M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When Philip Durbin, Viscount Kelly, married his former mistress, Sadie Welsh he publicly acknowledged and adopted his illegitimate daughter, Violet. Both she and her mother were shunned by most of the ton because of Violet's past; when as a 13 year old she was forced into sexual slavery by her then courtesan mother's former lover.

Although Violet could care less about acceptance into ton society, she would be forever grateful to her father for his unselfish act of acknowledging her. Conducting herself with proper decorum she was now extremely circumspect in her day to day behavior - adamant to never bring shame to her father's name. Stunningly beautiful, she was constantly approached with reprehensible propositions from gentlemen and had become quite adept at discouraging most. Unfortunately there would be some who were most determined and then again, there were some who would turn out to be downright dangerous. Only one young man was offering her marriage as soon as he reached his majority, but his guardian and uncle, the Duke of Hawkinston, was determined to save his nephew by taking the young woman as his mistress. A proposition Violet was not about to accept even though the duke's very presence made her heart sing.

*** For all the Regency Romance lovers out there, here is one book you do not want to miss. Having had the opportunity to read and review several of this author's prior novels I was most anxious to read her latest. What I've come to expect is a well researched and thoroughly entertaining read, and in that I was not disappointed.

Violet was a completely enchanting heroine who won my sympathy for having been victimized as a child, through no fault of her own, and was still having to pay the price because of it. When approached by the Duke of Hawkinston (Hawk) with his offer, Violet was seriously attracted but stood firm on her vow to never bring dishonor to her father's name who was paying the price of being shunned by society for both marrying beneath him and acknowledging his illegitimate child.

Hawk, entranced by Violet's beauty, was amazed that Violet did not accept his offer and from there the author takes the reader on a merry chase as Hawk continues to pursue Violet. Knowing of Violet's devotion to her parents he cleverly gains points in his favor by elevating her family's standing by inviting and hosting an elaborate house party in her honor. Hawk was crafted early on as an arrogant and haughty individual who was used to getting what he wanted and his inner reflections on his bad behavior towards Violet was rendered beautifully by the author. The reader is able to see him grow as Violet who has nothing else to lose, speaks up and shows him just how rude and insulting his offers were to her, even as her heart is soon yielding to him.

The author filled the book with a plethora of interesting secondary characters, one of which was the villain. Her interpretation of his obsession with Violet was frightening in his deviousness of using others to get what he wanted and was extremely well done.

Bottom line, I found KNOWN TO ALL a very compelling and thoughtful read that was for me a breath of fresh air. It's original and creative plot with exceptionally intelligent dialogues kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end - a marvelous read I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization