The Vanishing Viscountess

Adam Vickery, the Marquess of Tannerton (Tanner) led a life of pleasure as befitted a man with his wealth. His pursuits were many but now he looked back on his life and found that he was no longer happy, especially as he reflected the outcome of his last quest that inadvertently led to the loss of three lives. Now on a ship, he stood not able to take his eyes off of a shackled prisoner - a woman who stood defiant and dignified as the sea around them raged in turbulence. Marlena Parronley, the notorious Vanishing Viscountess, was a fugitive. She remembered the dashingly handsome Marquess from days long ago when as a debutante she'd shared a dance at a masquerade ball. He didn't recognize her which was a good thing, because she couldn't afford letting anyone help her escape and share the same punishment that awaited her back in London - the hangman's noose. *** Diane Gaston aka Diane Perkins has thrilled me since her debut of THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M. She followed that up with several more of her sometimes gritty, creative, always sensual and original Regency historical endeavors. In her previous book, INNOCENCE AND IMPROPRIETY Ms. Gaston first introduced the Marquess of Tannerton, where he pursued, but didn't get the girl! So as a follow-up (thank goodness) we get to see Tanner acquire another chance at happiness. With the Regency period being a particular love of mine, I am always eager to read Gaston's romances, and I am thrilled to have found an author who has taken the period and mixes a dash of the `downstairs' side along with the `upstairs' side of the ton. In the previous book, Tanner was portrayed as somewhat bored but used to getting what he wanted, money being no object, and perfectly content at having all his whims catered to with no more than a word to his secretary. While this book is completely stand alone, the greater enjoyment for me was that having read INNOCENCE and IMPROPRIETY I was able to see how much Tanner had grown. With that realization he wasn't really happy with his carefree life so far, which was why it was so important for him to save Marlena, without really knowing what her crime had been. Marlena was crafted beautifully - dignified, determined, and brave. Her initial crush on Tanner from a dashing young man, was only intensified as he attempted to help her escape. His pleas to let him help her to use his influence as a Marquess to extricate her out of her troubles were heartfelt. Unfortunately, Marlena knew if Tanner were discovered aiding her he would suffer the same fate as she, which was why her refusal to reveal all to him was a perfect scenario. As they traveled along the road to freedom their romance was sensually spun at a perfect pace to build up beautifully into a most wonderful love story. Gaston has once again spun the most perfectly delicious winning tale of romance with captivating characters, paired with an adventuresome journey. The readers' attention will be snared from the firs

A great, fast paced adventure love story that takes you on a life-or-death chase through England and into Scotland. It was hard to put this book down! Tanner (Marquess of Tannerton) and Marlena (the famous vanishing viscountess), both survive a horrible accident, and together they make their way from the shores of England into Scotland. Her past is catching up with her quickly, but she does not know if she can trust Tanner. He plans to help her to safety without fully understanding what he risks. I loved this story, and the ending was well done and so satisfying. A very sexy read too. ;-)

Until now, Adam Vickery, the Marquess of Tannerton (Tanner) led a life filled with gaming, sport, and loose women, but now another woman intrigued him. A proud, defiant woman and he cared not what crime warranted her to wear leather shackles! In part, saving her life had vindicated his tormented past and he vowed he would see her safe. Marlena Parronley had once idolized the Marquess of Tannerton. During her London season, the foolish, young baron's daughter from Scotland had experienced an innocent obsession for the dashing marquess. Now, she lay naked beside him. The Marquess of Tannerton, the man with the tousled brown hair and soft green eyes had become her rescuer! She owed him her life! The warm, friendly, flirtatious marquess had plucked her from the hands of death and now she would grant him this brief time! She was a fugitive! An accused murderess! Marlena Parronley, the baron's daughter from Scotland, had become Viscountess Corland and Viscountess Corland had been found standing over the body of her dead husband! And neither Tanner's money nor his influence could aid her. Soon they would part . . . forever! So for now . . . this time was his! Reviewer's Comments: In THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M, Diane Gaston showed great poignancy. In THE IMPROPER WIFE, written under the pseudonym Diane Perkins, the author displayed humor and sensitivity. In her latest release, Ms. Gaston decides to try her hand at a road romance and success is THE VANISHING VISCOUNTESS! This reader has long enjoyed road romance, simply because the hero and heroine spend a significant amount of time together. En route from one locale to another, the couple is forced to work on a relationship through danger and isolation. If done properly, the hero and heroine appear to be the only ones on the page. In THE VANISHING VISCOUNTESS, Diane Gaston sticks to this formula, yet quietly attaches sub-plots and the entire package ties together beautifully. From any author, my single request may seem selfish, but I want entertainment! In THE VANISHING VISCOUNTESS, Diane Gaston entertained me! Grade: A- MaryGrace Meloche.

I've been impatiently awaiting this book, and at last it is here and definitely did not disappoint. Diane Gaston possesses a rare gift for creating believable characters. The "good guys" (not only the hero and heroine but secondaries as well) have wonderful qualities but are blessedly flawed. I was impressed by how she was able to reveal the similarities and differences between the peerage and working class. The villains also demonstrated the same depth of personality. And I was delighted by several of the unexpected turns and chilled by others. I know when I curl up with one of Diane's books it will be a thoroughly satisfying read from first page to the last. This one lived up to my expectations and then some. There where moments when I felt the discomfort of the journey through her incredible details. The romance throughout warmed my heart. I think I'll go read it again.

"The Vanishing Viscountess" grabbed me from the first paragraph -- actually, from the first sentence! I was swept up into the drama and urgency of this love story as surely as if I was there. Tanner (Adam Vickery, Marquess of Tannerton), is every woman's dream of the ideal man -- kind, handsome, strong, brave, at times quite funny, and oh so romantic! -- but not once does he become a cliched Regency hero. I admire Marlena from the first scene (unknown to Tanner, she is actually a viscountess, wrongly accused of murder, and a fugitive), and I long for them to fall in love. Their path to love is fraught with peril, and I couldn't put the book down until I reached the end... it was more than worth losing sleep for! Diane Gaston employs her wonderful narrative skills once again, weaving a story both compelling and believable, in a book that's one of her very best (IMHO) since 'The Improper Wife' and 'The Mysterious Miss M.' She is a master at conveying the spirit of Regency England -- its mores and manners and turns of phrase -- and her research into the details of the actual route that Tanner and Marlena use to escape the law (and the man who wants her very much dead) add even more to the story's realism. This realism is one of Gaston's hallmarks. Best of all is the relationship between Tanner and Marlena, both of whom have known great loneliness in their lives and who have despaired of finding anything like real love. In scene after scene, as they are forced into flight, they are also becoming closer and closer, and when the love scenes come, are they EVER *great*. There are quite a few gorgeous, steamy love scenes - the kind you re-read immediately, they're so good... This is a book to be treasured again and again, and I cannot wait for Gaston's next one. I always know her stories will be satisfying, real, and beautiful. Happy reading, romance lovers!