Tempting a Proper Lady

Having survived a murder attempt and marooning in the Caribbean, Captain Samuel Breedlove is finally returning to the fiancée he left behind two years prior. The only problem is, Annabelle Bailey, his fiancée, is on the verge of marrying another man; and not just any man, the Earl of Raventhorpe - the man who tried to kill him and left him for dead. Samuel is determined to win back Annabelle before she marries a monster, and to do that he'll need the help of the only person who seems to be willing to listen to him - Annabelle's wedding planner. Priscilla Burke knows just how badly a poor marriage can damage a woman. After being disowned over her choice of husbands, then left with nothing but debts once she was widowed, Cilla wants to be dependent on no man. That's why it's so important that Annabelle's wedding to the earl go off without a hitch - it will jump start Cilla's career as a wedding planner. But when the dashing American captain arrives with tales that make out Annabelle's intended to be a monster, Cilla knows she cannot allow the young woman to make a possibly deadly mistake in choosing a husband. As Cilla works to uncover the truth, she's finds herself more and more drawn to Samuel. But love between a socially disgraced Englishwoman and a wealthy American captain could never be possible...could it? Love, desire, danger, and friendship fill the pages of the charming Tempting a Proper Lady. Debra Mullins has created two protagonists that are incredibly easy to like because of their sensibility, maturity, and innate goodness. It was easy for me to become invested in Cilla and Samuel's story because they were both kindhearted people who deserved to find happiness with one another. Both have had their hearts broken in various ways in the past, so I admired the special kind of courage it took for them to open their hearts once again. Tempting a Proper Lady is the first book in Ms. Mullins's Brides of Nevarton Chase trilogy and I confess I finished Tempting a Proper Lady incredibly eager to read the next two books. I am hoping Annabelle's story is one of them, for she is a bright and loving character that quickly endeared herself to me. As to who her hero would be, I could not begin to guess, but I cannot help but not-so-secretly wish it is either Samuel's mysterious best friend or a certain dashing highwayman whose brief appearances in Tempting a Proper Lady intrigued me greatly. Tempting a Proper Lady is a highly enjoyable story and I guarantee I'll be back for more with the next Brides of Nevarton Chase book! Shayna Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

From the opening chapter I knew I was going to like hero American Captain Samuel Breedlove. He crashes an engagement party intent on reclaiming his fiancé from a haughty English Earl and no one is going to stop him, certainly not British Cilla Burke who has planned the engagement party to the last detail. Samuel is a devil may care character but he also is smart and very honorable. He and Cilla are engaging characters and they have an instant connection that only grows as the story progresses. Cilla is a 19th century wedding planner. She is a widow making a new life hoping Annabelle's wedding will be the event that kick starts her career. She is dismayed that all has not gone well but she is intrigued by Samuel and more than willing to hear him out concerning his broken engagement to Annabelle. Easily Cilla could have been an unbelievable character (a former British noblewoman planning the events of others?) however, her background story makes this somewhat plausible and Cilla' sympathetic nature was refreshing. Many times widows in romance novels can be hardened almost hating men but not Cilla, yes, she is independent but she is also practical and above all does not lie to herself. She realizes she is instantly attracted to Samuel. Samuel truly knows how monstrous Annabelle's fiancé is and he is willing to do anything to save her from his clutches. His earnestness appeals to Cilla and they join forces to prevent kind Annabelle from marring the villainous nobleman. Cilla and Samuel have a respectful relationship that very quickly turns intimate with lots of passion. Neither is really prepared for the force of their feelings. The cast of characters here is interesting and likable. Smartly Ms. Mullins wrote Ananbelle to be an engaging character and left enough of a mystery surrounding the others, so that the reader cannot help but want to read their upcoming stories in this new trilogy.

In 1876 in London, Cilla Burke works for wealthy American Dolly Bailey as her personal assistant. She wants to do the best job possible for her employer. When Samuel Breedlove crashes the engagement party of Dolly's daughter Annabelle to the Duke of Raventhorpe, Cilla intervenes; demanding he leave. Samuel is stunned as the duke left him marooned on an island and now is marrying his beloved. He will do what it takes to destroy the blackguard and get his woman back as Breedlove will not allow Hurricane Cilla from stopping him. As they battle and fuss, the pair falls in love; however what allies them is not the heart, but Cilla now believes Samuel's contention. She unites with her beloved enemy to rescue her employer's daughter from the monster she is to marry. This is an amusing yet also tense Victorian romance starring a strong cast. The lead characters are a likable pair, but he no longer believes in love and she feels guilt over falling in love with Annabelle's sweetheart. While the vile villain has no redeeming qualities, historical fans will enjoy this jocular suspense thriller while wondering if Samuel will realize he can still love somebody in spite of his ordeal. Harriet Klausner