Veena’s review of First Earl I See Tonight (Debutante Diaries, Book 1) by Anna Bennett
Historical Romance published by St Martin’s Paperbacks 30 Oct 18
What’s a poor rich girl to do when a blackmailer threatens to expose a family secret? Why, look around for a convenient husband who will give her the money she needs in exchange for her dowry to help replenish his coffers. Get ready for a role reversal in this delightful historical romance where debutante Fiona proposes to her earl and tries to fool her family into believing it’s a love match.
Fiona is a rich debutante who has been finished to perfection. Alas, her fortune comes from trade and not because of her blue blood; plus, she’s a bit clumsy to boot. Hence, she’s not quite knee deep in suitors she can chose from. The Earl of Ravenport comes to mind, since he had the good fortune to rescue her from her clumsiness at the last society ball she attended.
I really like Fiona. She’s quite the intrepid heroine who goes after what she wants with single-minded determination. Before the earl can really take a deep breath, he finds himself hosting a house party on his crumbling estate, entertaining his grandmother, a few friends, and Fiona’s family. Slowly but surely, Fiona starts to get under the earl’s defenses.
The house party is a lot of fun with Fiona’s sensuous innocence awakening the earl’s libido. Soon they’re sneaking away for hidden liaisons as the blackmailer ups his game. The activities of archery and the like are a lot of fun, as Fiona demonstrates how completely she failed in all the finishing school activities, except for her heart.
Grade: B
Summary:
An heiress with a daring proposal.
An earl who’s determined to resist her.
And a love that just might be written in the stars…
Recently jilted by his fiancée, David Gray, Earl of Ravenport is not in the market for a wife. Even if Gray didn’t have his hands full renovating his crumbling country house, it would take more than a bold marriage proposal from a headstrong young beauty to thaw his frozen heart. Gray is confident that spending a week at his ramshackle estate will change her mind about marriage, but every passionate moment he spends with her tempts him to change his…
A talented artist, Miss Fiona Hartley desperately needs her dowry money to pay off a blackmailer set on ruining her sister. The handsome earl seems a sensible choice for a husband…if only she can convince him that romance will play no part. But marrying in name only may prove difficult for Fiona. Gray can’t help but be dazzled by her genuine warmth. Yet as their feelings deepen, Fiona’s deadline looms. Will her secrets destroy them, or is true love their final destiny?
No excerpt available.
