Rules of Engagement (Governess Brides, Book 2)

This was one fun book. While I didn't think too much of the previous book in this series (the hero was a big child), I thoroughly enjoyed both of these characters. Kerrich begins as a typical, stuffy, arrogant aristocrat. Pamela is sick to death of them and when Kerrich says he wants a homely, older governess for the orphan he plans to adopt to get back in the Queen's good graces, Pamela disguises herself to fit the bill. After all, he just can't abide another woman falling in love with him. Kerrich, being male and believing himself superior, falls for her get-up. When he kisses Pamela for the first time, it's when she's dressed as the schoolmarmy Miss Lockhart, frumpy dress and all. Why? Kerrich likes her and respects her mind. Pamela is equally torn because Kerrich is not the arrogant hind end she originally thought him to be. The adopted orphan Beth provides additional spark, as she's neither cute nor helpless. Her sharp mind provides a little extra something throughout the book. As Kerrich and Pamela's relationship progresses, she must overcome a fear of committing herself to a rake like her father. Kerrich is hiding something from her, but I won't spoil it for you. All's well that ends well, but it's an entertaining ride. Don't miss out.

In order to restore Queen Victoria's favor, Devon Mathewes, scoundrel, rake and enjoying his life being single must do something meaningful with his life to make him respectable again. His plan in adopting an orphan along with hiring a governess that must be plain and must be able to resist his charms backfires when Pamela Lockhart from The Distinguished Academy of Governess enters his home, his life and his heart. Pamela Lockhart takes on the challenge. Disguising her beauty under plain and drab clothing, a severe hairstyle, glasses and powder she becomes the governess Devon wants her to be and goes along with his plan and adopts an orphan from the orphanage.Rules of Engagement with a twist of "Annie" is a book with lots of tender, romantic and laugh out loud moments and love scenes that will scorch your senses and leave you breathless for more.Rules of Engagement made me fall madly in love with the wit of Christina Dodd! This is by far one of her best book yet and the story of Pamela Lockhart, governess extraordinaire and Devon Mathewes, earl of Kenrich, arrogant, good looking and a hero to definitely drool over in spite of his vanity is, a story worth reading, worth sighing about and a book definitely worth buying! I truly recommend this one!

The earl of Kerrich was careful to employ only an unattractive, strict governess who wouldn't try to entrap him into marriage. When his grandfather seems to see her differently, Devon finds himself looking at her with a critical eye. Is she REALLY as old as she pretends to be? Is her astonishing figure the result of tight corsets? Could he really be attracted to such an odd character? No, his grandfather must be getting senile. Miss Pamela Lockhart of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses has no wish to attract a man. She saw what loving a man with a roving eye was like with her own mother and father's disastrous marriage. Although society frowned on single women at the time, she is determined to make her own in life rather than become the chattel of some faithless man.But she has sadly underestimated the effect that being with an attractive man could have on her resolution, especially when that man shows himself to be a loving father for a penniless orphan. It would be enough to turn any woman's head, and Pamela has not succeeded in completely eradicating her natural woman's desire to have a husband and family. Perhaps it is time to move on to a new position.And now, ironically, the earl of Kerrich finds himself fighting an uphill battle to win the hand of the governess he chose specifically for her unattractive qualities. How can he get through her ironclad defenses?One of Christina Dodd's best! I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance with a healthy dose of humor thrown in!

After reading Christina Dodds first book in the Governess Series: Rules for Surrender, I have been anxiously waiting for the second book and here it is! I have to admit when I started reading this one I thought of Lil Orphan Annie and sure hoped that things would change and not follow that same storyline for the entire story and I wasn't disappointed. I found this book Rules for Engagement great. I loved the little tidbits that she gave regarding Charlotte and Wynter from her first book, Rules for Surrender. I thought the characters in this book were very well written, the love scenes were great and I really loved the entire plot. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I can't wait til the next one!!

Queen Victoria threatens to blackmail Lord Kerrich unless he becomes respectable. Having no plans to marry, Kerrich decides to pretend to adopt an orphan. He goes to the financially struggling Distinguished Academy of Governesses to make his demands, which include any ugly spinster as the governess. Part owner Pamela Lockhart dresses in a disguise to hide her beauty and accepts the job. Pamela finds Beth at the orphanage. Kerrich, who has a super-ego when it comes to women, thinks Pamela is perfect, but has doubts about a girl. Kerrich also is trying to uncover the head of a counterfeiting ring that includes his cousin. To his shock, Kerrich is attracted to Pamela and she to him after he kisses her. However, she wonders how he will react to her when he learns the truth about her deception. Additionally, she worries about his tossing Beth out of his home. Christina Dodd, author of sixteen wonderful romances, which include SOMEDAY MY PRINCE and THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS, has written an interesting historical romance. The Victorian love story provides an intriguing look at the era's gender relationships, especially how males stereotyped females. The two ethical lead characters struggle with the seeming lack of commitments and honor by his still living mother and her now deceased father, which adds to the fun of their developing love for one another. Beth is a fabulous secondary player who deserves her own Victorian romantic tale hopefully told soon by the always-entertaining Ms. Dodd. Harriet Klausner