Temptation of a Proper Governess

This is an ok book. It has a nice mystery (even if the reveal is kind of obvious) and some sexy (but not sleazy) sex moments.
I guess it just a nice Harliquin book. Easy to read, easy to just go along with the story and root for the main characters.

I find its getting harder to find enjoyable Historical Romance since I think majority authors from the sub-genre kept recycling the same characters for everything. One of the major flaw in this book came from Maxwell inability to create a good consistencies with the plot i.e a murder mystery and romance. I've read various Avon books in the past and this one lack believability.

The book focus on the Micheal Severson struggle to clear his name after he was accused of a crime that he wasn't even sure he did commit. His main suspect was his former best friend, Henry because of a fight between them on the night where Micheal's mistress was killed. Micheal was convinced as Henry's father, Marquis of Elswick was the one who are completely show more convinced of his guilt until Micheal was proven not guilty due to the lack of evidence. Now that he was back in England, he inexplicably embroiled into a scandal when he was found kissing a governess on top of a bed. When Micheal found out that the governess was in fact Marquis of Elswick's illegitimate daughter, he demand her hand in marriage which she refused until someone tried to murder him.

I find the story have its high moment but overall it was uncharacteristically bad. There are simply too many characters to focus on and at times, things are predictable and also plot convenient. As for the romance, it was an instant attraction, both Isabel and Micheal fell in lust almost in an instant. Despite them having disagreements, there's notably lack of chemistry and in span of a couple days if you minus Micheal being comatose, they get married and fell in love too quickly. The love scene is bland. There was a lot of loose plot between Isabel and all of her family which is disappointing. Not even enjoyable as a light reading. show less

I find its getting harder to find enjoyable Historical Romance since I think majority authors from the sub-genre kept recycling the same characters for everything. One of the major flaw in this book came from Maxwell inability to create a good consistencies with the plot i.e a murder mystery and romance. I've read various Avon books in the past and this one lack believability.

The book focus on the Micheal Severson struggle to clear his name after he was accused of a crime that he wasn't even sure he did commit. His main suspect was his former best friend, Henry because of a fight between them on the night where Micheal's mistress was killed. Micheal was convinced as Henry's father, Marquis of Elswick was the one who are completely show more convinced of his guilt until Micheal was proven not guilty due to the lack of evidence. Now that he was back in England, he inexplicably embroiled into a scandal when he was found kissing a governess on top of a bed. When Micheal found out that the governess was in fact Marquis of Elswick's illegitimate daughter, he demand her hand in marriage which she refused until someone tried to murder him.

I find the story have its high moment but overall it was uncharacteristically bad. There are simply too many characters to focus on and at times, things are predictable and also plot convenient. As for the romance, it was an instant attraction, both Isabel and Micheal fell in lust almost in an instant. Despite them having disagreements, there's notably lack of chemistry and in span of a couple days if you minus Micheal being comatose, they get married and fell in love too quickly. The love scene is bland. There was a lot of loose plot between Isabel and all of her family which is disappointing. Not even enjoyable as a light reading. show less

What a great story! I laughed and cried many times! Such wonderful writing and really engaging characters!! I love this authors work!!

Such a great story for Isobel and Michael! I loved how they ended up getting married and then their love story!

I am currently on a Regency kick and this one was terrific!!

Regency Romance. One of the minor characters shows up in a later book, but this one is from a different series. Michael leaves England after being falsely accused of murder. Now a wealthy ship-owner, he returns determined to find out who really killed his actress paramour. In trying to prevent her ward from being compromised by an unsuspecting houseguest, Michael, she is compromised and dismissed from her post. Michael does the honorable thing by marrying her, but someone is trying to kill him. Is it to cover up the actresses' murder investigation?

From BackCover:
Society dictates that a governess should be modest, quiet, and keep to herself.

She should never contradict her employer.

And, above all, she must not attract the attention of any male in the household.

But Michael Severson doesn't see Isabel Halloran as a governess -- he sees her as a woman, one whose lush curves cannot be hidden behind a dowdy gown ... and whose efforts at hiding her sparkling intelligence are betrayed by her wit.

Years before, Michael had left Regency England, falsely accused of a crime. Now he is back, dedicated to seeking retribution -- but not to taking a bride. But when his scandalous actions compromise Isabel's reputation, he does the unthinkable and offers her his hand -- a marriage in name only. show more

But although his bride's passions are untried, Isabel's sensuality clearly matches his own. And with each day, and night, that passes, Michael becomes determined that every kiss, every caress, will be made with one goal: to seduce his proper wife into tender submission. show less