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Emily Sinclair is now firmly “on the shelf.” At age twenty-five, just having had the momentous birthday, she's now considered a spinster. And, quite frankly, she is very relieved. Since reaching such an advanced age having successfully avoided the trap of marriage to someone she doesn't love, Emily can now get down to the business of living her life. She longs to have a “grand adventure” and is sure that she will, now that she's safe from the matchmaking machinations of her stepmother. After all, even her stepmother has to admit that no one would want to marry a spinster - heiress or not.
Emily is quite surprised to find out that her father has a totally different plan in mind for her - one that does not involve the slightest bit of adventure. Instead, his plan will see her married in one month's time. Even worse that than is the fact that her groom has already been hand-picked by her interfering stepmother. Unless Emily can find a suitable replacement in 30 days, she will be wed to an evil, spendthrift, snake of a man.
Brandon Davenport, Viscount Ashwood, has so far successfully avoided the marriage-minded mammas who have been so intent on throwing their available daughters his way. However, the social scene is beginning to wear a little thin. Brand is sick of the pale, polite, ever-so-proper moneygrubbers. As a self-made man, despite the fact that he had no need for his own money being in line to inherit an earldom as he was, Brand finds the pretentious behaviors of proper society to be very off-putting. Much to his own father's dismay, Brand has decided to retain his bachelor status - without producing the requisite heir. That is, until he meets a red-haired termagant riding in the woods.
Thrown together in a secret partnership to rid their peaceful countryside of thieving marauders, Emily and Brand find that love is not the myth that they thought it to be.
Author Alyssa Goodnight has crafted a superbly imaginative tale in UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS. Not only is the story extremely well written, but it holds the reader's attention in the way that only a truly good story can. Once picking up UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS, I couldn't seem to put it down. Ms. Goodnight's novel has all the qualities of a first-rate historical romance: realistic and engaging characters; sweet and sexy romantic encounters; a fast-moving plot; an engaging historical setting and a feel-good ending. Rife with humor, tenderness and romantic subtleties, UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS gifts readers with that most coveted of reading experiences: escape from the daily grind into the welcome fantasy of a fairytale filled with love and adventure.
I highly recommend that historical romance lovers grab a copy of UNLADYLIKE PURSUITS. I know I'll be looking forward to reading the next book by this talented author.
Reviewed by Janean Nusz
for The Road to Romance
April 13, 2005
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