A tale sparkling with whimsy, humor, and suspense

books:


	• Distracting the Duchess (Leisure Historical Romance) Emily Bryan Leisure Books, 2008 - 306 pages average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Interesting Different Story 3.5 Stars

This heroine was definitely different from your typical English miss. The story had some humorous parts that varied from the norm and made it original. Although there was a lot of sexuality, I didn't find it very sensual or emotional. Maybe I just thought that some of the circumstances were awkward and the argument in the end was a bit odd to me in that it was a relationship dealbreaker. It was an easy read and was never boring, so I think many people will enjoy reading this story nevertheless - at least it was different.

No faint-hearted miss here!

Lady Artemisia, Duchess of Southwycke, may only be twenty-five-years-old, but she has already been a widow for two of those years. Knowing Society would snub a female in business, Artemisia does her dealings behind an alias. Artemisia's nom de guerre is Mr. Beddington. In her employ is one assistant, James Shipwash. James runs the day-to-day operations and does interference on the occasions someone tries to call on Mr. Beddington at the office. All goes well until her father, Angus, slips into dementia.

The Honorable Trevelyn Deveridge, second son of the Earl of Warre, is in Her Majesty's Secret Service. The last coherent message received from Angus simply said "Beddington holds the key". However, no one can reach the elusive man. The key refers to a list Angus created of all his operatives. Should it fall into the wrong hands, many would die. When Trevelyn shows up at the Southwycke estate, Lady Artemisia assumes he is the new model she had sent for. Disrobing and posing nude for the lovely lady was not what Trevelyn expected, but he was not one to say no. It is not long before things start getting dicey, as espionage often does. As the intrigue deepens, as well as the passion they share for each other, Artemisia and Trevelyn must team up to figure out where the key is.

***** There are secondary plots, secondary characters, and foreign villains galore, but there was no way I could tell much more in the synopsis without giving away something vital and spoiling the adventure. The amusing mistaken identity at the beginning sure caught my attention and the suspense began quickly thereafter. The character of Artemisia is deeper than I could explain as well. She grew up in Bombay, where riding elephants and going on tiger hunts were considered the norm. Between her background and her stiff backbone, Artemisia is a force to be reckoned with. Trevelyn has his hands full with her. No faint-hearted miss here! I found this story to be downright engrossing and I cannot recommend it highly enough! Author Emily Bryan simply oozes talent! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

for more information click here

Pretty darn good historical romance

The writing is great. The premise is hilarious -- they meet when she thinks he's her figure model who's going to pose nude so she can paint him. There's a mystery. Lots of chemistry between the hero and heroine, and the heroine is really smart and independent. All my favorite qualities of an excellent romance! The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is the sex scenes aren't that great. They're a little stilted. Oh, well. The rest of the book more than makes up for any lack of passion between the sheets. :)

A tale sparkling with whimsy, humor, and suspense

"Distracting the Duchess" is the first novel by Emily Bryan, but not the last, which is good news! This is just the kind of romance that I enjoy most: interesting and individual characters, quickly enmeshed in a story which includes some suspense and a mystery in need of solving, with lots of spicy sexy interludes and a good dollop of humor and whimsy. Can't ask for much more than that, in my opinion!
Artemesia is a wonderful heroine, determined to do her best by her family and also by the artistic gift she's been given -- both of which demand she behaves in a manner contrary to that of a 'normal' well-bred young widow. The "how and why" of her meeting with our hero immediately thrusts the reader into a fast-paced adventure, and sets the scene for these two fascinating peoples' journey toward a bliss that neither expects to find.
Emily Bryan is the not-so-secret pen name of Diana Groe, also the author of historical romances set in Viking times. In each of those three books ("Maidensong", "Erinsong", and "Silk Dreams" -- if you haven't read them, I recommend them highly), I saw a distinct improvement and growth in her story-telling and her writing, and have been eagerly awaiting the next "rung on the ladder" of her talent. With the first Emily Bryan book, I see quite clearly that upward climb; and with more overt sensuality, characters of more subtlety and depth, and stories of more complexity and sophistication, I'm intrigued and satisfied.
Ms Groe is clearly a writer of more than one story-telling voice, something not often found, in my experience. And in those authors who attempt to write in several genres and voices, it's even more rare to find one who can do so successfully and seamlessly. My guess is that there are several more "voices" gestating in Ms Groe's fertile mind right now, and I can't wait to hear them!

for more information click here

Fun and light historical romance

Emily Bryan is a pseudonym for author Diana Groe whose writing style was somewhat altered from her previous books, being more sexy and comedic in tone. The Duchess in 'Distracting the Duchess' is the widow Artemisia, an artist who has rather shocked polite society by painting nudes. When a man arrives in her studio she assumes he's the newly hired model and he goes along with this assumption; Trevelyn Deveridge is actually the second son of an earl and spy working at the Great Game in India against Russia. Artemisia's father was a former spymaster who unfortunately is suffering from dementia; Deveridge has been sent to try to find the list of his contacts to keep the people safe. He thinks that one way to find this list is to get closer to Artemisia and posing as her nude model certainly helps them to spend time together. However Artemisia is soon drawn into the plot against Russia when one of her employees is captured and she and Trevelyn have to work together to try to keep the list of spies' names from falling into enemy hands.

This is a lighthearted book with some amusing moments. Historicity isn't its strong point and certain elements of the plot strain credulity but it's an enjoyable ride with appealing main characters and some amusing side-characters such as Artemisia's butler. There was nothing particularly new in this story but it is worth reading for those who like lighthearted historical romances.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2

BARING IT ALL
From the moment she saw the man on her doorstep, Lady Artemisia, Duchess of Southwycke, wanted him naked. For once, she'd have the perfect model for her latest painting. But as he bared each bit of delicious golden skin from his broad chest down to his--oh, my!--art became the last thing on her mind.

Trevelyn Deveridge was looking for information, not a job. Though if a brash, beautiful widow demanded he strip, he wasn't one to say no. Especially if it meant he could get closer to finding the true identity of an enigmatic international operative with ties to her family. But as the intrigue deepened and the seduction sweetened, Trev found he'd gone well beyond his original mission of...DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS.

for more information click here

hot or not? What's your opinion? Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

The Best of 2008 -Historical Romance -no paranormal/time travel
2008 Historical Romances

historical

The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece
An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books
Katherine
A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People: From the Time of the ...
Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of ...

romance

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)
Living Dead in Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 2)
Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)
Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, No. 1)

leisure

King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul)
1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die
Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes (Klutz)
Encyclopedia of Immaturity (Klutz)
Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running: The Best Advice to ...

search for books
distracting, duchess, historical, leisure, romance

Impressum / about us