Kasey Michaels (1943–2023)

What a fun Regency! Allegra Crispino has grown up in Italy, but is now orphaned. Her grandfather, wishing to mollify Heaven before he dies, recruits Valerian Fitzhugh to bring her back to England, not knowing she has been a (virtuous) opera singer and making her own not-wealthy way.

As with any Regency, the romance is a foregone conclusion. The fun is in how they get there. Much of this book's underlying theme can be summed up in this quotation: Her head ached with all this civilization. It show more was so much easier in Italy. People told you what was on their minds—screamed it at you, actually—so that there could be no doubt as to how they felt. Here, in Brighton, everyone merely danced about, saying things that only implied what they meant, only hinted at the thoughts behind the words.

If you enjoy traditional Regencies, this should be your cup of tea. show less

Sometimes a witty, happy diversion is just what you need in your reading life. That it would come, as most romances do, with a guaranteed happily ever after is icing on the cake. Kasey Michaels' newest Regency-set historical novel, A Scandalous Proposal, the first in The Little Season set of books, is just such an entertaining delight.

Cooper Townsend is known as the hero of Quatre Bras and although no one is quite certain exactly what that means and rumors abound, everyone in London society show more knows that he was given a title, lands, and an income by the Prince Regent for his heroic actions. Even without the particulars, these three gifts are enough to make him the target of matchmaking mamas and their daughters and the toast of the town. But Coop's getting more than a little tired of all the adulation and flirting, wanting nothing more than to fade into obscurity. It appears that someone is very invested in not letting this happen though as short chapbooks telling of his supposed exploits are being published anonymously, adding to his acclaim. Then a blackmail note threatening a final chapbook, exposing his actions and the truth behind them, which no one is supposed to know, arrives and Coop has to get serious about stopping this threat. At the same time, Dany Foster's sister, the Duchess of Cockermouth, also receives a note from a blackmailer, threatening to expose her ill-advised correspondence with a man not her husband. Dany wants to help her sister, deciding that Marietta needs a hero to help her recover the silly but incriminating notes and eliminate the threat of exposure. So it is fortuitous indeed when she literally bumps into Coop in the street. Intrigued by the red-haired, forthright young woman, Coop is drawn to help Dany help her sister, despite his own misgivings. When Dany and Coop join forces, they discover that they are both working against the same blackmailer and that they look forward to their collaboration much more than they should given the stakes they are facing.

The entire course of the novel takes place over a very brief space of time and yet this shortened timeline doesn't seem to make it feel frantic or accelerated (although perhaps it should, at least to some extent). Despite that, this is a romping, madcap sort of novel. Coop and Dany fall in love with an indecent sort of haste but they don't have time for some silly misunderstanding to keep them apart or to break their sham engagement. Instead, the reader is treated to glee-filled banter and a growing appreciation for the happiness they feel in each others' company. In a nice change of pace, the mystery of who the blackmailer is gives the novel its narrative tension. The scandals are only scandalous in the context of the story's time so it's not hard to retain the good feelings both Dany and Coop inspire in the reader. That they can actually work together without manufactured strife is also a breath of fresh air. The novel is fun and frothy, perfect for Regency fans who appreciate a slightly different twist on their favorite stories. show less

fabulously mysterious...with delightfully droll interludes!

A return to Regency England with the threat of a Bonaparte inspired invasion all too real!
A family's investigation into its duplicitous, treasonous and debauched past, relating to an organization called the Society.
Leading the investigation here is Valentine Redgrave, youngest brother of the Earl of Saltwood. Michaels describes him as 'outwardly dangerous as a dandelion.' Delicious!
Enter Miss Daisy Marchant, 'governess-on-a-mission.' show more The two come into contact at a house party held by Lord Charles Mailer, debauched martinet, cad, and possible member of The Society.
Daisy wonders, 'Was Valentine a badly needed ally, or an exceedingly clever foe?'
Valentine mistakenly believes Daisy is a government spy sent by Downing Street. He is not amused.
Mystery and darkness surrounds The Society. It's membership, it's purpose, it's monthly meetings. Young women are disappearing, wives have died in odd circumstance. All grist for the mill.
As some mysteries are resolved others wait like patient serpents waiting to take their place.
Some of the characters have a definite touch of Heyerism, but with descriptive sexual encounters. Valentine's grandmother, Trixie, keeps reminding me somewhat of the older Duchess of Avon. Daisy is definitely akin to one of Heyer's steadfast heroines.
I loved the repartee between the Valentine, Daisy and Piffkin, Valentine's valet.

I must confess that when I first began reading this I had to leave the story after just a few pages. It seemed too confusing at the beginning with the hierarchy of depraved ancestors who were members of a secret, diabolical, hellfire club that continues still--minus the Redgraves. . Somehow I lost my way. I am unsure as to whether it was me or the start of the novel.

Fortunately for me, I decided to return and I'm glad I did! Guess what?
This time the story all hung together so much more precisely and delightfully than I anticipated that I am now a convert. I am addicted to the family's story and am rushing off to savour the rest in the series.

A NetGalley ARC show less

As is true with any Regency, the question isn't really what happens in the end, but how did the couple get there. Kasey Michaels nearly always has me laughing as her characters slowly come to realize what is happening. She manages to draw word pictures that bring the characters to life. For example, "Wasting food was a sin for which Saint Peter would never be able to condemn Mr. Lester Plum!"

This novel is a bit more madcap than the usual Kasey Michael Regency, and that is saying quite a lot. show more While I wondered if the heroine sometimes had more hair than brains, I could see how she got from Point A to Difficulty B. That is a plus in my book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and think most readers of Regency would as well. show less