Pistols at Dawn

Michele Ann Young's debut novel is a wonderful Regency story. The author knows her craft, making her words a pleasure to read, and knows her history, the little details woven in skillfully, adding enjoyment to the story. Victoria, the heroine, knows the ruin gambling and drinking can bring to men. Having spent too much of her youth looking after her father and then her brother, she wants no part of men. Tragedy intervenes, bringing her to the Earl of Travis's attention. Known as Satan to the ton, he personifies all those traits she despises in men. She loathes him. However, due to his actions, he feels responsible for her future and so declares he'll give her a season, allow her to choose her husband or he'll choose for her. Then begins the awareness of one for the other, the part Regency and romance readers love to read. Travis discovers Victoria is no simpering miss, easily swayed, much to his annoyance and delight. Nor is he the unfeeling seducer of innocents, but a man who guards his heart, Victoria slowly comes to realize. I enjoyed reading as the two little by little discovered the true nature of the other, and themselves, and how they reconciled all at the end. The love in this romance read true and felt right, not rushed but believable. The secondary characters are crying for a story of their own. Two more at least. Please? A wonderful story, one I highly recommend.

Victoria Yelverton lost everything when her brother ended his own life after losing a duel with Simon St. John. With no place else to go, Victoria is forced to accept Simon's offer of his home and protection as her guardian, until she marries. Victoria has no intention of marrying. Years of misery with her father and then her brother have shown her that men aren't to be trusted or counted on for anything. Victoria fully intends to make her own way in life. Simon (Satan) St. John, Earl of Travis, has quite the undeserved reputation as a rakehell. Taking Victoria into his home after her brother's death is a spur of the moment decision but he refuses to allow her to go homeless or into debtor's prison. His only option is to assume the role of her guardian until Victoria marries - and keep his hands off of her. Victoria arrived at the duel just in time to watch as her brother turned the pistol on himself. He'd left her homeless, penniless, and completely alone in the world. When she threw herself across the body of her brother, Simon assumed that Victoria was Michael's doxy. Michael's friend, Ogden, corrects that assumption and then proceeds to inform him that Victoria's well-being is now Simon's responsibility. Despite his reputation, Simon is not heartless and takes Victoria into his home. He fully intends to marry her off within the season. Simon's own attraction for her continues to grow while Victoria shows no interest in marrying at all. She intends to make her own way in this world without the encumbrance of a husband. Despite her intentions, Victoria develops feelings for Simon. Will long buried secrets from Simon's past destroy any chance they have at happiness? PISTOLS AT DAWN will sweep readers back to a time when honor is often satisfied by a duel, reputations could be destroyed by rumor alone and women were reliant on the men in their lives to support them. Victoria is passionate and unlike the rest of the ladies of the ton she isn't afraid to defy convention and stand up for what or whom she believes is right. Much of Simon's reputation is undeserved and I love that Victoria is able to see him as a man worth loving. Throughout the story Ogden continues to attempt to insinuate himself into Victoria's life. You get the feeling that he's somehow involved with all of the misfortunes that take place but can't figure out how or why. Michelle Ann Young incorporates fun, memorable characters throughout this story that will live on in your memory long after you've put the book down. I'd love to read a follow-up story involving Simon's friend, Ian. He's a lush but definitely a dynamic personality throughout this book. Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Pistols at Dawn is one of those books you just don't want to put down. Not only is the storyline fantastic, but Ms. Young has a firm command on the regency period without sounding forced. It is clear that this is one writer that is going to go a long way. I am definitely getting more of her books!

great book -- I look forward to more sexy historical romance from her

The first time Simon `Satan' St. John, seventh Earl of Travis saw her, Victoria Yelverton, she was running across dew swept grass towards the drunken young man he'd intentionally missed in a duel. The young man, after losing the duel, fortune, and home, took his own life. Goaded by the young man's second Simon, was then talked into offering the distraught sister a home, and standing in as her guardian. Rare beauty that Victoria was, Simon had only one clear thought in mind, marry her off quickly, by the end of the season if possible -- before the unusual pull of his attraction made him do something stupid. In his world women fell into two categories, the demimonde who sold themselves for jewels and money, or the cheaters who would welcome him to their beds behind their husband's backs. Cynical at best, Simon had long lost the ability or the inclination to give his heart. He had his own demons to wrestle with and Victoria was an unneeded complication he neither wanted nor needed in his life. Eventually seeing her as an innocent, the thought of her married and ending up in the arms of anyone but himself was an agony he was finding very hard to endure. *** Readers should be thrilled with Ms. Young's clever debut that will ensnare them with her lively regency rendition. She inserts enough suspense and passion to keep the action flowing in a well-paced intriguing filled tempo while unraveling the mystery of Simon's past; the demons that haunt him; and above all, who was trying to kill him. You'll be charmed with Victoria whose mission seems to be trying to resurrect the kind and gentle soul that she knows is residing deep inside Simon. This is a deeply satisfying and entertaining regency read I highly recommend. Marilyn Rondeau - Reviewers International Organization (RIO)