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Kellington #1
Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid
Caught behind enemy lines at the Battle of Waterloo, nurse Jane Wetherby is forced to seek shelter with British operative Lord Edward Kellington. After a night of passion, the two are separated. With nothing but the alias Jane used to protect her family, Lord Edward is unable to find the woman he cannot forget.
Seven years later, Jane courts scandal by serving as the unofficial surgeon in the village of Marston Vale. When Edward arrives to formalize his betrothal to a viscount's daughter in accordance with his late father's wishes, Jane has no choice but to watch the match proceed. When a threat from the past emerges, Jane must join forces with Edward to safeguard her loved ones. But at what risk to her heart?
Seven years later, Jane courts scandal by serving as the unofficial surgeon in the village of Marston Vale. When Edward arrives to formalize his betrothal to a viscount's daughter in accordance with his late father's wishes, Jane has no choice but to watch the match proceed. When a threat from the past emerges, Jane must join forces with Edward to safeguard her loved ones. But at what risk to her heart?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2011
717 people are currently reading
1948 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Driscoll
29 books192 followersMaureen Driscoll is an Emmy-nominated writer/producer in Hollywood, whose writing credits include "MADtv," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and Nickelodeon's "BrainSurge."
Maureen's latest project is a serialized novel, Fracked, available on Amazon's Vella platform. The paranormal romance is about what happens when fracking opens up a portal to hell and the only people able to save the Earth are the residents of an over-55 community.
She has two Regency romance series about the Kellington and Emerson families, and a series set in the early Victoria era about the residents of Jasmine Cottage. She is also the author of the Remington Mansion time-travel/cozy mystery trilogy and a contemporary romance series about the wealthy Carmichael family in Los Angeles.
She loves hearing from her readers at Maureen Driscoll Author on Facebook, as well as on Twitter @MaureenDriscoll. Her blog, MaureenDriscollRomance.Wordpress.com, is top secret because she never ever updates it.
She is very grateful to Mayhem Cover Creations for the book covers.
Maureen's latest project is a serialized novel, Fracked, available on Amazon's Vella platform. The paranormal romance is about what happens when fracking opens up a portal to hell and the only people able to save the Earth are the residents of an over-55 community.
She has two Regency romance series about the Kellington and Emerson families, and a series set in the early Victoria era about the residents of Jasmine Cottage. She is also the author of the Remington Mansion time-travel/cozy mystery trilogy and a contemporary romance series about the wealthy Carmichael family in Los Angeles.
She loves hearing from her readers at Maureen Driscoll Author on Facebook, as well as on Twitter @MaureenDriscoll. Her blog, MaureenDriscollRomance.Wordpress.com, is top secret because she never ever updates it.
She is very grateful to Mayhem Cover Creations for the book covers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
April 12, 2013
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Character Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating~ 4 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Solid Stars
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
What a surprise this book was to me. It reminded me of the historical romances from the 80's and you know what? I REALLY LIKED IT!!
This is a story about a young woman, Jane, whose mother and father have both passed away and is being raised by her grandfather. Jane had always wanted to be a doctor and her parents stood by her on this, but not her grandfather. She lied to her grandfather in order to go to Belgium and help the wounded soldiers after the battle at Waterloo. This is where Jane meets Ned Kellington, the younger brother of a Duke. She was being attacked by several men and he was just in time to save her from being raped. After Ned dispatched these men, Jane noticed he had a bad wound on his leg. She finds a cave and once they settle in, the doctor in her has to take care of his injury, which without medical attention could very well have taken his life. This is when Ned starts to feel a strong attraction for Jane. Jane wants the chance to finally know what sex is all about so she lies to Ned about her name and tells him that she is a widow. Ned realizes that she is a virgin, but Jane pushes and the deed is done. Afterwards Ned asks her to be his mistress and of course Jane wants no part of that. The next day they walk to a town and shortly after that they part. Jane's grandfather sends a footman to bring her home. She leaves without letting Ned know that she is going. Ned of course looks for her everywhere, because he is a gentleman and wants to ask her to marry him.
7 years later Ned runs into Jane again, when he is sent to visit the woman who he has been betrothed to since birth. He has no desire to wed this woman, even though she is very beautiful. Once he spots Jane, she is all he can think of. Jane on the other hand is holding a VERY big secret from Ned. This is where the story really takes off.
I loved both Jane and Ned's characters. Jane is smart, pretty and treats everyone with kindness. She is willing to help the people in the village when someone is hurt or sick, even knowing they don't have anything to pay her with. Ned is a real hero; he is handsome, kind, strong, giving and also treats all others as equals even if he is a brother to a Duke. There are also plenty of secondary characters in the book and they were all very well done.
When Jane’s life is threatened Ned takes her to London with him, and the reader is introduced to his family. However, once in London the threat to Jane is not over. As the story moves along there is quite a bit of action and mystery behind who's doing these things and why. We also meet a few other characters that add another layer to the story and made the read more interesting. It’s VERY exciting when they track down the villians and find out just why they have been after Jane.
The ending was excellent and there was a wonderful epilogue that tied up everything nicely and left me smiling!
Overall this was a really good read and held my interest all the way through. The characters were wonderful, and the ending was everything I hope for in my romance books. The heat level was just a bit higher than most romances and these scenes were very well done. There are 4 more book's in this series revolving around Ned's family and I look forward to reading them too.
*This book was provided by the author for an honest review*
Character Rating ~ 5 Stars
Romance Rating~ 4 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Solid Stars
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
What a surprise this book was to me. It reminded me of the historical romances from the 80's and you know what? I REALLY LIKED IT!!
This is a story about a young woman, Jane, whose mother and father have both passed away and is being raised by her grandfather. Jane had always wanted to be a doctor and her parents stood by her on this, but not her grandfather. She lied to her grandfather in order to go to Belgium and help the wounded soldiers after the battle at Waterloo. This is where Jane meets Ned Kellington, the younger brother of a Duke. She was being attacked by several men and he was just in time to save her from being raped. After Ned dispatched these men, Jane noticed he had a bad wound on his leg. She finds a cave and once they settle in, the doctor in her has to take care of his injury, which without medical attention could very well have taken his life. This is when Ned starts to feel a strong attraction for Jane. Jane wants the chance to finally know what sex is all about so she lies to Ned about her name and tells him that she is a widow. Ned realizes that she is a virgin, but Jane pushes and the deed is done. Afterwards Ned asks her to be his mistress and of course Jane wants no part of that. The next day they walk to a town and shortly after that they part. Jane's grandfather sends a footman to bring her home. She leaves without letting Ned know that she is going. Ned of course looks for her everywhere, because he is a gentleman and wants to ask her to marry him.
7 years later Ned runs into Jane again, when he is sent to visit the woman who he has been betrothed to since birth. He has no desire to wed this woman, even though she is very beautiful. Once he spots Jane, she is all he can think of. Jane on the other hand is holding a VERY big secret from Ned. This is where the story really takes off.
I loved both Jane and Ned's characters. Jane is smart, pretty and treats everyone with kindness. She is willing to help the people in the village when someone is hurt or sick, even knowing they don't have anything to pay her with. Ned is a real hero; he is handsome, kind, strong, giving and also treats all others as equals even if he is a brother to a Duke. There are also plenty of secondary characters in the book and they were all very well done.
When Jane’s life is threatened Ned takes her to London with him, and the reader is introduced to his family. However, once in London the threat to Jane is not over. As the story moves along there is quite a bit of action and mystery behind who's doing these things and why. We also meet a few other characters that add another layer to the story and made the read more interesting. It’s VERY exciting when they track down the villians and find out just why they have been after Jane.
The ending was excellent and there was a wonderful epilogue that tied up everything nicely and left me smiling!
Overall this was a really good read and held my interest all the way through. The characters were wonderful, and the ending was everything I hope for in my romance books. The heat level was just a bit higher than most romances and these scenes were very well done. There are 4 more book's in this series revolving around Ned's family and I look forward to reading them too.
*This book was provided by the author for an honest review*
November 13, 2013
Rating: 4 stars (I was tempted to give it 4½ stars, since I smiled and laughed much more than I thought I would.)
Review: I thought there would be nothing new here, but it was a really nice surprise to find a nice story-line - and fun, too - and few grammatical/spelling/editing errors.
At first I thought the H/h got together too soon, but (as my mother shocked me one day by saying), "There was a war going on!" (WWII, if you're wondering...) Also, hooking up so soon is pivotal to the story, and it is in the prologue.
I liked both the hero and heroine, and I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of the family in this series.
Verdict: Definitely worth reading.
Review: I thought there would be nothing new here, but it was a really nice surprise to find a nice story-line - and fun, too - and few grammatical/spelling/editing errors.
At first I thought the H/h got together too soon, but (as my mother shocked me one day by saying), "There was a war going on!" (WWII, if you're wondering...) Also, hooking up so soon is pivotal to the story, and it is in the prologue.
I liked both the hero and heroine, and I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of the family in this series.
Verdict: Definitely worth reading.
December 6, 2012
In order for me to really enjoy a book, I need to feel like the characters are real. That's especially true of romance novels, where plot and prose can sometimes be iffy things. While Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid features an interesting premise and sometimes-inspired prose, there were too many holes in the story and deviations from period language and mores to make the story really come alive.
If a book is going to rely on the met-cute-separated-reunited trope, then the initial meeting really has to stand out, and for the right reasons. The initial meeting between Ned and Iris/Jane that is the catalyst for the entire book was too rushed, and the characters themselves were not nearly fleshed out enough for me to understand their motivations. How and why Jane, an unmarried woman from a noble family, would even be in Spain(I may have the country wrong) during wartime, working as a "surgeon" to begin with, much less why she'd agree to have sex with a man with she knew not at all, is still a mystery to me. I don't mind women in historical romances doing things that would seem verboten according to the mores of the day, so long as I understand why. I never did, with Jane. Nor did I understand why she made such an impression on Ned that he'd ostensibly spend 6-7 years looking for her. What that means, unfortunately, is that the rest of the book is a leap of faith.
It doesn't get much more sensible from there. Characters use language that is jarringly out-of-period (I counted several "okays"). Ned's 130 siblings are dumped on us for no better reason than to set them up for books of their own. The book also relies more on external conflict than the internal conflict that a premise like this is rich with; when you've established a female "surgeon" (no, she's not a surgeon, and I'm unclear as to why she's being called such) who has traveled to a foreign country during wartime, who then sleeps with and becomes pregnant by a man we're led to believe is a spy (not that it's ever really referred to again), you have enough plot for a wonderful book -- there's no need to gild the lily by throwing in everything but the kitchen sink.
That being said, the author's voice is enjoyable. The pacing of the book is excellent, and secondary characters are well-developed. It's a quick read.
If a book is going to rely on the met-cute-separated-reunited trope, then the initial meeting really has to stand out, and for the right reasons. The initial meeting between Ned and Iris/Jane that is the catalyst for the entire book was too rushed, and the characters themselves were not nearly fleshed out enough for me to understand their motivations. How and why Jane, an unmarried woman from a noble family, would even be in Spain(I may have the country wrong) during wartime, working as a "surgeon" to begin with, much less why she'd agree to have sex with a man with she knew not at all, is still a mystery to me. I don't mind women in historical romances doing things that would seem verboten according to the mores of the day, so long as I understand why. I never did, with Jane. Nor did I understand why she made such an impression on Ned that he'd ostensibly spend 6-7 years looking for her. What that means, unfortunately, is that the rest of the book is a leap of faith.
It doesn't get much more sensible from there. Characters use language that is jarringly out-of-period (I counted several "okays"). Ned's 130 siblings are dumped on us for no better reason than to set them up for books of their own. The book also relies more on external conflict than the internal conflict that a premise like this is rich with; when you've established a female "surgeon" (no, she's not a surgeon, and I'm unclear as to why she's being called such) who has traveled to a foreign country during wartime, who then sleeps with and becomes pregnant by a man we're led to believe is a spy (not that it's ever really referred to again), you have enough plot for a wonderful book -- there's no need to gild the lily by throwing in everything but the kitchen sink.
That being said, the author's voice is enjoyable. The pacing of the book is excellent, and secondary characters are well-developed. It's a quick read.
January 7, 2015
I really enjoyed this book! It combined all the right ingredients; a lovely heroine, a worthy hero, lively repartee, delicious sensuality, a little intrigue and an array of interesting secondary characters.
What I love about Ned...
- his charm and wit
- his kindness and generosity to others regardless of their station in life
- his protectiveness towards those he loves and cares about
- his support and admiration for Jane
- his uncertainties about being a father
- a real romantic at heart but would never admit it
What I love about Jane...
- her determination to keep her child despite being disowned by her grandfather and ostracised by society
- her strength and resilience in the face of all her difficulties
- her unwavering love for her daughter Violet (Vi)
- her compassion, kindness and generosity to those who need her help
- her outspokenness and refusal to be brow-beaten, particularly by our hero
I enjoyed the development of the romance between Ned and Jane and their scenes together positively sizzle with sexual tension. Although the book is categorised as erotic, I didn't find it overly so. The love scenes are definitely HOT on my sensuality rating but without being too graphic. Their road to happiness is a rocky one littered with obstacles but it all serves to push Ned and Jane into declaring their love for each other and treating me to a most satisfying happy ending.
Ms Driscoll has gathered together an interesting cast of secondary characters including Elizabeth, Ned's independent and out-spoken sister, the rather austere Duke of Lynwood, Ned's eldest brother and the enchanting Violet who really captured my heart. The scenes between Ned and Vi are utterly delightful. I absolutely loved the teasing and light-hearted banter between the Kellington brothers.
I did notice a few modern words creeping into the dialogue but they certainly didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of the story.
A few favourite quotes...
I hope you’re sewing the wound expeditiously and not creating an embroidery pattern as if amusing yourself on a winter’s day.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters?” Vi asked him.
“Three brothers and one sister.”
Vi’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to have three brothers and a sister. All I have is Titania.”
“Yes, but at least Titania catches mice. I’m afraid none of my brothers can catch mice, although I’m sure my sister is clever enough to do so.”
“What are their names?”
“The mice my sister catches? I’m not sure she ever named them.”
Vi broke out in giggles and Ned felt punched in the gut. He wasn’t sure he’d ever heard a sweeter sound.
"So, Ned, you nodcock,” said Lizzie as she poured herself and Jane a brandy, “what’s this about you getting engaged to a termagant with the fashion sense of a nearsighted opera dancer?”
This was Maureen Driscoll's debut novel and the first book in her Kellington family series. Having read and enjoyed Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid, I'm certainly keen to read the other siblings' stories.
VERDICT: A VERY GOOD READ
RATING: 4/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
My sincere thanks to Maureen Driscoll for providng me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The Kellington Series:
This review is also posted on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
What I love about Ned...
- his charm and wit
- his kindness and generosity to others regardless of their station in life
- his protectiveness towards those he loves and cares about
- his support and admiration for Jane
- his uncertainties about being a father
- a real romantic at heart but would never admit it
What I love about Jane...
- her determination to keep her child despite being disowned by her grandfather and ostracised by society
- her strength and resilience in the face of all her difficulties
- her unwavering love for her daughter Violet (Vi)
- her compassion, kindness and generosity to those who need her help
- her outspokenness and refusal to be brow-beaten, particularly by our hero
I enjoyed the development of the romance between Ned and Jane and their scenes together positively sizzle with sexual tension. Although the book is categorised as erotic, I didn't find it overly so. The love scenes are definitely HOT on my sensuality rating but without being too graphic. Their road to happiness is a rocky one littered with obstacles but it all serves to push Ned and Jane into declaring their love for each other and treating me to a most satisfying happy ending.
Ms Driscoll has gathered together an interesting cast of secondary characters including Elizabeth, Ned's independent and out-spoken sister, the rather austere Duke of Lynwood, Ned's eldest brother and the enchanting Violet who really captured my heart. The scenes between Ned and Vi are utterly delightful. I absolutely loved the teasing and light-hearted banter between the Kellington brothers.
I did notice a few modern words creeping into the dialogue but they certainly didn't spoil my overall enjoyment of the story.
A few favourite quotes...
I hope you’re sewing the wound expeditiously and not creating an embroidery pattern as if amusing yourself on a winter’s day.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters?” Vi asked him.
“Three brothers and one sister.”
Vi’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to have three brothers and a sister. All I have is Titania.”
“Yes, but at least Titania catches mice. I’m afraid none of my brothers can catch mice, although I’m sure my sister is clever enough to do so.”
“What are their names?”
“The mice my sister catches? I’m not sure she ever named them.”
Vi broke out in giggles and Ned felt punched in the gut. He wasn’t sure he’d ever heard a sweeter sound.
"So, Ned, you nodcock,” said Lizzie as she poured herself and Jane a brandy, “what’s this about you getting engaged to a termagant with the fashion sense of a nearsighted opera dancer?”
This was Maureen Driscoll's debut novel and the first book in her Kellington family series. Having read and enjoyed Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid, I'm certainly keen to read the other siblings' stories.
VERDICT: A VERY GOOD READ
RATING: 4/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
My sincere thanks to Maureen Driscoll for providng me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The Kellington Series:
This review is also posted on my blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
February 4, 2019
I started reading this wonderfully written HR to just to get a feel for it. I couldn't find the right book to read so I was checking my to read list and started Never a Mistress No Longer a Maid and I just could not put it down. It starts out fast and never lets up which is a bit unusual for HR. The characters are very well written. The banter between them is funny whitty and just excellent. Their is even a bit of a Who Don-it easy to figure out but still very interesting to read.
The Short of the story is:
Jane and Ned, Lord Edward Kellington meet during the British War with the French. Ned saves her from being attacked and in turn she saves his life from a gun shot wound. Jane has been trained as a surgeon by her deceased father and snicks off from her grandfather the Earl of Weatherby, to help in the battlefield in Belgium to help the British soldiers. Ned and Jane have one night of hot sensual love making. Poor Ned didn't know the young girl was a virgin!! They get separated for 7 years and accidentally run into each other. Only Jane has a secret!! Ned did look for Jane but she had given him a false name.
I really enjoyed reading this story!! Very Well Done!!
The Short of the story is:
Jane and Ned, Lord Edward Kellington meet during the British War with the French. Ned saves her from being attacked and in turn she saves his life from a gun shot wound. Jane has been trained as a surgeon by her deceased father and snicks off from her grandfather the Earl of Weatherby, to help in the battlefield in Belgium to help the British soldiers. Ned and Jane have one night of hot sensual love making. Poor Ned didn't know the young girl was a virgin!! They get separated for 7 years and accidentally run into each other. Only Jane has a secret!! Ned did look for Jane but she had given him a false name.
I really enjoyed reading this story!! Very Well Done!!
June 5, 2021
I told myself I wouldn't add anymore books to my tbr but... secret baby
*****************
As you can see, I only read this one because of secret baby and in HR too. I found this in the Goodreads list for Secret Baby in Historical Romances.
The story starts off in Belgium. Lord Edward Wellington, a spy for the British army, is injured. Jane Wetherby is serving as a nurse, unbeknownst to her grandfather (both her parents are dead), and after she treats Edward, known as Ned, they share one night of passion. Seven years later, Ned visits the small village where Jane's been living and working as a practically unpaid surgeon/nurse/doctor (that's her passion). However, he's visiting the village to meet the lady his parents betrothed him to. She's the other woman, but Ned is hardly interested in her, so it's a pretty safe read if anyone's wondering. At one point, in my Kindle notes, I even wrote how the other woman was becoming quite the antagonist.
The story gets more complicated than that, with a murder and slight mystery but I won't give more away.
I'm not sure what that one-star review that the author was quoting was talking about because there weren't that many sex scenes & this story was definitely not "a story that felt like it was made just to write a LOT of sex scenes." Like at all!
I could have used more steam and detail in the sex scenes, to be honest.
Their daughter, Violet "Vi", was quite precious, but I found it annoying how each time her dog or cat got lured away as a setup to try to kidnap her. The last time it happened I could tell the author deliberately put the fact that Jane and Vi were playing fetch outside with the dog so that both could be kidnapped. It just felt too contrived and convenient.
I liked how Ned wanted to marry her and be in his daughter's life right away and didn't like how long Jane took to essentially say yes. Her reasons for not wanting to marry Ned were that they didn't love each other and she didn't want to be in a loveless marriage, have to sit back and watch him go to other ladies' beds, but most importantly she didn't want to give her "career" up. But seriously, she could be a doctor anywhere. Whatever the vale was named isn't the only place I'm sure that could use her.
The romance could have been a little better, you know. Also, I found myself a little bored in the middle and could have dropped the book easily without being too upset about it, so that's why I'm giving this 3 stars.
My favorite part of the book was the author's wry humor that had me quirking my lips (smirking?).
*****************
As you can see, I only read this one because of secret baby and in HR too. I found this in the Goodreads list for Secret Baby in Historical Romances.
The story starts off in Belgium. Lord Edward Wellington, a spy for the British army, is injured. Jane Wetherby is serving as a nurse, unbeknownst to her grandfather (both her parents are dead), and after she treats Edward, known as Ned, they share one night of passion. Seven years later, Ned visits the small village where Jane's been living and working as a practically unpaid surgeon/nurse/doctor (that's her passion). However, he's visiting the village to meet the lady his parents betrothed him to. She's the other woman, but Ned is hardly interested in her, so it's a pretty safe read if anyone's wondering. At one point, in my Kindle notes, I even wrote how the other woman was becoming quite the antagonist.
The story gets more complicated than that, with a murder and slight mystery but I won't give more away.
I'm not sure what that one-star review that the author was quoting was talking about because there weren't that many sex scenes & this story was definitely not "a story that felt like it was made just to write a LOT of sex scenes." Like at all!
I could have used more steam and detail in the sex scenes, to be honest.
Their daughter, Violet "Vi", was quite precious, but I found it annoying how each time her dog or cat got lured away as a setup to try to kidnap her. The last time it happened I could tell the author deliberately put the fact that Jane and Vi were playing fetch outside with the dog so that both could be kidnapped. It just felt too contrived and convenient.
I liked how Ned wanted to marry her and be in his daughter's life right away and didn't like how long Jane took to essentially say yes. Her reasons for not wanting to marry Ned were that they didn't love each other and she didn't want to be in a loveless marriage, have to sit back and watch him go to other ladies' beds, but most importantly she didn't want to give her "career" up. But seriously, she could be a doctor anywhere. Whatever the vale was named isn't the only place I'm sure that could use her.
The romance could have been a little better, you know. Also, I found myself a little bored in the middle and could have dropped the book easily without being too upset about it, so that's why I'm giving this 3 stars.
My favorite part of the book was the author's wry humor that had me quirking my lips (smirking?).
September 10, 2023
4.5 stars
Reading the blurb, I was vaguely interested although the time period was not my preferred one. But I am so glad I jumped into it, because I really did not expect that actually reading the story would be such a delightful moment. The writing style won me over completely. It was captivating, delicate, and had that quaint brand of humour that had me grinning silly many a times. The world building just sucked me it, what with all the side characters that had their own interesting background which presages well for the rest of the series. In this book, I did not see the time go as the story developped at a good pace with many surprising plot layers. I got romance, OW machinations, a murder investigation and even some action scenes!
The romance was not a wind sweeping one, BUT it oozed so much charm and sweetness that I really fell for the refreshingly painted characters that Ned and Jane were. There was some OW drama that had some very funny moments though in final the angst was more gently latent than overdramatic. It did fit the ambience of the book. The sex scenes, though few, were decently hot.
Funnily enough, very recently I had complained in a review for another book that the use of the third person narrative with povs alternating every other paragraph made me in for a miserable reading experience. Guess what? Same happened here (though not systematically) and it worked like a charm! It all felt so natural and smooth. I can't explain why this worked in one but not in the other, except perhaps that a great pen does make all the difference!!
There are two specific events that I berated namely, . Also, while the epilogue was nice, it was too short. Nevertheless, I am rating it up in GR because the whole story left me with such a feel-good experience. I was so happy to see that the other siblings had stories as well and happier still that the series is already completed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2020
I enjoyed this read a lot. It was fast, easy read.
February 8, 2019
Regency, briefly in Belgium (for Waterloo), then
England.
Jane served as a 'de facto surgeon' for English troops.
Taught by her late surgeon father. She sewed up Lord
Edward a spy/soldier for his thigh wound after he'd
rescued her from 2 French soldiers who tried to rape
her. She lied to H, called herself: widowed innkeeper
Iris Johnston. They got cozy & one thing led to another.
He reacted in anger on discovering "Iris" a maiden.
7 years on. Jane now had a dtr, a farmhouse, v little funds,
farmers etc. bartered for her surgeon services, low on food
supply and had a leaking roof. She and Edward met again.
I liked the push-pull of this couple and the sexual tension.
Their dtr Violet was sweet yet wise. At times Jane came
across as too independent. Jane stood up to the Ned's
intimidating brother the Duke. But here's the thing, IMO
attempted kidnappings are overused in HRs.
It's doubtful witchy, kissy, rude Maddy Merriman would
have gotten away with her unladylike behavior in this time
period.
England.
Jane served as a 'de facto surgeon' for English troops.
Taught by her late surgeon father. She sewed up Lord
Edward a spy/soldier for his thigh wound after he'd
rescued her from 2 French soldiers who tried to rape
her. She lied to H, called herself: widowed innkeeper
Iris Johnston. They got cozy & one thing led to another.
He reacted in anger on discovering "Iris" a maiden.
7 years on. Jane now had a dtr, a farmhouse, v little funds,
farmers etc. bartered for her surgeon services, low on food
supply and had a leaking roof. She and Edward met again.
I liked the push-pull of this couple and the sexual tension.
Their dtr Violet was sweet yet wise. At times Jane came
across as too independent. Jane stood up to the Ned's
intimidating brother the Duke. But here's the thing, IMO
attempted kidnappings are overused in HRs.
It's doubtful witchy, kissy, rude Maddy Merriman would
have gotten away with her unladylike behavior in this time
period.
Read
November 21, 2022meh
Want to read
March 8, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/3/2020)! 🎁
August 13, 2016
Gallant British Operative Lord Edward (Ned) Kellington, second son and brother of a Duke has decided he'd work assignments for the British Forces before he's inevitably forced to marry a titled insufferable Lady from the Ton. Lady Jane Wetherby is a titled Lady of the Ton who would rather practice medicine than be forced to take a husband and have children. Jane's grandfather and guardian would like nothing better than to see Jane taking her place in society doing just that. During a war campaign while Ned is carrying dispatches and Jane is returning to her assignment she is accosted by renegade soldiers when Ned comes to her aid. After dispatching the thugs, Ned is in need of Jane's nursing services which she is more than happy to provide. Far from home and amid a war the chances of finding someone so appealing is unexpected for both Jane and Ned and a few kisses become a night of passion which leaves them both wanting more. Having arrived in her current situation via ruse, Jane cannot give Ned her true name as his family is certain to be aware of hers in London society. When Ned returns home to England, he cannot find Jane as she'd given him a false name and Jane's grandfather has summoned her home and punished her for disobedience by condemning her to near poverty at an outlying estate.
Seven years later finds Jane practicing the medicine in the countryside outside London but living poorly as she still won't heed her grandfather's directive. Jane accidently runs into Ned who is in town to formally declare his decision whether or not he will take the local viscount's daughter to wife. The scheming viscount and his family have noticed Ned's interest in the doctor and give a good showing to thwart a denial from Ned and remove Jane from the picture. After finding out Jane's real name, Ned is puzzled by the level of poverty she is living in and the deadly threats against her person that he's noticed since his arrival. With all clues pointing to London, Ned , Jane and Vi set off to get to the bottom of things and resolve Jane's financial issues. Unraveling the betrayals and subtleties that threaten Jane while getting to know Ned's family keeps this read fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful read that wound drama, romance and mystery in equal measure and look forward to continuing the series. I still have no idea how or why this book appeared in my TBR pile. I'd never heard of this author, or seen the book, the cover is particularly appealing to me and the synopsis just okay. But somehow someone somewhere knew something and lucky me, I followed my subconscious to picked this fun read.
Original Read: February 2, 2014
Rating: 5 Stars Actually
More reviews can be found at: http://www.ireadthatbook.com
Seven years later finds Jane practicing the medicine in the countryside outside London but living poorly as she still won't heed her grandfather's directive. Jane accidently runs into Ned who is in town to formally declare his decision whether or not he will take the local viscount's daughter to wife. The scheming viscount and his family have noticed Ned's interest in the doctor and give a good showing to thwart a denial from Ned and remove Jane from the picture. After finding out Jane's real name, Ned is puzzled by the level of poverty she is living in and the deadly threats against her person that he's noticed since his arrival. With all clues pointing to London, Ned , Jane and Vi set off to get to the bottom of things and resolve Jane's financial issues. Unraveling the betrayals and subtleties that threaten Jane while getting to know Ned's family keeps this read fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful read that wound drama, romance and mystery in equal measure and look forward to continuing the series. I still have no idea how or why this book appeared in my TBR pile. I'd never heard of this author, or seen the book, the cover is particularly appealing to me and the synopsis just okay. But somehow someone somewhere knew something and lucky me, I followed my subconscious to picked this fun read.
Original Read: February 2, 2014
Rating: 5 Stars Actually
More reviews can be found at: http://www.ireadthatbook.com
October 1, 2015
**SPOILERS**
First and foremost this title is ridiculous and has absolutely nothing to do with this story. Second, I did like the book to an extent….so here are my pro’s and con’s.
Pro’s:
• The hero was likeable and kept me interested in the story
• I like how the story kept us in suspense regarding Ned finding out about Vi. (so many close calls) I also, liked his emotional reaction once he found out. It was believable
• They finally got married
Con’s:
• The story didn’t really grab me like I thought it would, sure it was a nice read but nothing profound was going on in the story. I didn’t have one of those “I can’t wait to read the next book by this author” kind of feeling…not even a “I can’t wait to discuss this with other reviewers” kind of feeling. It was just a simple story to pass the time by.
• I didn’t like how the heroine gave up her virtue to a complete stranger for no apparent reason. I didn’t even by that she was attracted to him. Also, the fact that the hero JUST got shot in the leg and was unconscious for days…the first thing he is thinking about is getting laid in a cave…again, just not believable.
• As a mother, I HATED…the parts where Vi kept freaking running off…like really….the heroine just allows her child to continue to run off at 8 years old even though there’s been NUMEROUS kidnapping attempts on this child. COME ON!!!
• The situation with the heroine grandfather and the kidnappers and the other men (there were so many) was becoming long winded and took too much time to resolved so the point you couldn’t really focus on the love story…I love a good suspense/thriller in a romance book but I don’t want it to overpower the romance.
I wouldn’t recommend this book, unless you are going on a road trip and have ran out of “Good” books to read.
First and foremost this title is ridiculous and has absolutely nothing to do with this story. Second, I did like the book to an extent….so here are my pro’s and con’s.
Pro’s:
• The hero was likeable and kept me interested in the story
• I like how the story kept us in suspense regarding Ned finding out about Vi. (so many close calls) I also, liked his emotional reaction once he found out. It was believable
• They finally got married
Con’s:
• The story didn’t really grab me like I thought it would, sure it was a nice read but nothing profound was going on in the story. I didn’t have one of those “I can’t wait to read the next book by this author” kind of feeling…not even a “I can’t wait to discuss this with other reviewers” kind of feeling. It was just a simple story to pass the time by.
• I didn’t like how the heroine gave up her virtue to a complete stranger for no apparent reason. I didn’t even by that she was attracted to him. Also, the fact that the hero JUST got shot in the leg and was unconscious for days…the first thing he is thinking about is getting laid in a cave…again, just not believable.
• As a mother, I HATED…the parts where Vi kept freaking running off…like really….the heroine just allows her child to continue to run off at 8 years old even though there’s been NUMEROUS kidnapping attempts on this child. COME ON!!!
• The situation with the heroine grandfather and the kidnappers and the other men (there were so many) was becoming long winded and took too much time to resolved so the point you couldn’t really focus on the love story…I love a good suspense/thriller in a romance book but I don’t want it to overpower the romance.
I wouldn’t recommend this book, unless you are going on a road trip and have ran out of “Good” books to read.
June 18, 2011
For once there is a story about a fallen woman that is believeable.
Jane is a headstrong girl who knows what she wants and nobody is going to get in her way. Opps was a one night stand with a drop dead handsome and injured son of a Duke in there (she might have even got him drunk but that is still in question)? Well after that she finds herself with a child, she does what nobody thinks she should do, raises it.
Through the years after the one night stand in a cave (love it) Ned is still compairing every woman to a woman he can find. But once he finds her he doesn't know what to do, when she won't do what the Ton (and Ned) would expect. In fact she is nothing that the Ton would completly agree with.
Love of a mother, love of a woman, disowned by a family, shuned by society, love of a child, acceptance by your in-laws, kidnapping, revenge, true love (no it isn't Princess Bride) did I miss anything? :>
Anyway I am not going to give too much away but the characters are well written. The much needed (for me) humor is there. And if you are going to read a romance you want some steam right. Well it is packaged in there too.
This book was only around 4 dollars and it was a happy surprise to read something that didn't fall into the catagory "you get what you pay for."
I am looking forward to the next book to come out hopefully soon.
Jane is a headstrong girl who knows what she wants and nobody is going to get in her way. Opps was a one night stand with a drop dead handsome and injured son of a Duke in there (she might have even got him drunk but that is still in question)? Well after that she finds herself with a child, she does what nobody thinks she should do, raises it.
Through the years after the one night stand in a cave (love it) Ned is still compairing every woman to a woman he can find. But once he finds her he doesn't know what to do, when she won't do what the Ton (and Ned) would expect. In fact she is nothing that the Ton would completly agree with.
Love of a mother, love of a woman, disowned by a family, shuned by society, love of a child, acceptance by your in-laws, kidnapping, revenge, true love (no it isn't Princess Bride) did I miss anything? :>
Anyway I am not going to give too much away but the characters are well written. The much needed (for me) humor is there. And if you are going to read a romance you want some steam right. Well it is packaged in there too.
This book was only around 4 dollars and it was a happy surprise to read something that didn't fall into the catagory "you get what you pay for."
I am looking forward to the next book to come out hopefully soon.
July 21, 2021
A Lifetime of Memories💕💔💘
ADULT Historical Recency Romance 💕 and Second Chance Love 💘
I've had this book in my TBR pile 📚📚📚for quite a while but hadn't gotten around to reading it, and I should have read it long ago, because It's good!
It's a sweet and lovely tale of Lord Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪, a soldier and spy during the Napoleonic wars who was saved by Jane,💃💋 the grand daughter of a crotchety Earl who disapproved of her becoming a surgeon like her late father.
Jane💃💋 ran away to Belgium to tend the wounded, and happened to find Edward 🐺🍆⛲💪🔪wounded and at great risk of dying from infection.
One night of blissful passion💕 and they are separated by circumstances beyond their control.
Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 tries to find her after the war, only to realize she gave him a false name at the time.
Imagine his joy at stumbling upon Jane💃💋 in the countryside on his way to where he is going to visit a viscount and his daughter, a prospective bride he doesn't want. Forced into the visit by his brother, the Duke, Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 immediately sees the viscount's daughter won't do, and contrives to see Jane💃💋 instead.
This is a great book with several villains,👺👺👺 all coming at Jane💃💋 from different sides. Her life as a doctor and midwife 👶to the poor is challenging!
Her secret was safe until Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 finds her!
ADULT Historical Recency Romance 💕 and Second Chance Love 💘
I've had this book in my TBR pile 📚📚📚for quite a while but hadn't gotten around to reading it, and I should have read it long ago, because It's good!
It's a sweet and lovely tale of Lord Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪, a soldier and spy during the Napoleonic wars who was saved by Jane,💃💋 the grand daughter of a crotchety Earl who disapproved of her becoming a surgeon like her late father.
Jane💃💋 ran away to Belgium to tend the wounded, and happened to find Edward 🐺🍆⛲💪🔪wounded and at great risk of dying from infection.
One night of blissful passion💕 and they are separated by circumstances beyond their control.
Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 tries to find her after the war, only to realize she gave him a false name at the time.
Imagine his joy at stumbling upon Jane💃💋 in the countryside on his way to where he is going to visit a viscount and his daughter, a prospective bride he doesn't want. Forced into the visit by his brother, the Duke, Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 immediately sees the viscount's daughter won't do, and contrives to see Jane💃💋 instead.
This is a great book with several villains,👺👺👺 all coming at Jane💃💋 from different sides. Her life as a doctor and midwife 👶to the poor is challenging!
Her secret was safe until Edward🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 finds her!
February 13, 2023
Despite a slightly confusing title (I thought it meant maidservant rather than maid as in virgin), this was a good start to Driscoll's Regency world. I read this one after the Emerson books, so I was slightly familiar with the characters and their future. I enjoyed this book, although it wasn't quite as sweet and full of love as the Emerson series. We get a nice introduction to the Kellington family here, though they are very different from the way they are after they've all found love. I didn't love the Kellington series as much as the Emerson series, but I think if you start with this book as the first chronologically you will get the full experience of the saga and grow to love all of the characters in the Kellington and Emerson (and later Jasmine Cottage) families. This one worked well in terms of not being too melodramatic and having a compelling storyline. I'm not always a fan of kids in books but Vi is adorable and it's precious to watch her parents interact with her as they fall in love with each other. I strongly recommend this one.
October 6, 2011
"One of the best things about being a reviewer (beyond reading the books, of course!) is finding out about a new author who happens to bring forth a tale that not only surprises you but also puts you on the edge of your seat, wanting more. And truth be told, Ms. Driscoll did just that. Never A Mistress, No Longer A Maid was quite riveting and I found myself charmed by its story."
Reviewed at the Reading Haven.
Rated 5 out of 5 White Roses.
Content rated with the Pale Pink Rose.
Reviewed at the Reading Haven.
Rated 5 out of 5 White Roses.
Content rated with the Pale Pink Rose.
December 2, 2017
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
I loved this book , it was recommended by a friend and it was a brilliant suggestion.
A wounded spy saves a young girl from rape by two French soldiers.
In return she heals his leg from a bullet wound, unplanned , they sleep together, but after returning to camp she is sent home to England.
Seven years pass before they meet again , but the road to love is never a smooth one .
Fantastic story and the basis for a great series , can’t wait for more
💋💋💋
I loved this book , it was recommended by a friend and it was a brilliant suggestion.
A wounded spy saves a young girl from rape by two French soldiers.
In return she heals his leg from a bullet wound, unplanned , they sleep together, but after returning to camp she is sent home to England.
Seven years pass before they meet again , but the road to love is never a smooth one .
Fantastic story and the basis for a great series , can’t wait for more
March 27, 2013
Review to come....4.5, I was up all night reading.
May 29, 2020
The pacing here was strange and definitely impacted my enjoyment of the story. I read on my Kindle, and the end of the prologue was at 9%. What? The prologue takes up nearly a tenth of the book? The early chapters seemed fine, but then the last act packs a lot of action and intrigue in at a pace that left my head spinning: two failed kidnapping attempts before a successful one; a murder; a daring rescue; blackmail; and the end to the subplot I originally thought was the major external conflict, a strange and rushed resolution to an unwanted betrothal for the hero.
The last act seemed like it was finishing a different book than the one I'd been reading, which had almost no physical danger in it.
As for the romance itself, I'm used to contrived setups, but this didn't put in the work to make it really work. The hero's career as a "spy" is thin and never seems important aside from making sure he's in the war in Belgium to have sex with, then lose, the heroine. Who also has a somewhat unbelievable backstory, that she runs away from home to be a surgeon in the war but then as soon as she's found goes meekly back to England to be a good daughter, except woops she's pregnant now.
And neither of them display much growth as the story progresses, because most of the conflicts are those pesky external ones, the kidnapping, the unwanted almost-betrothal, the murder. I guess the hero does go from finding marriage distasteful to being all on board, mostly due to meeting and falling hard for his adorable little daughter (who was probably the best thing about this book, realistic, funny, not too well-behaved or perfect, but not a stupid brat either. I liked Violet a lot.) But the heroine's internal conflict is "I don't want to get married because I think that means giving up the life and career I have now" and she doesn't deviate from that at all until the very end, when the rampant danger to her, her daughter, and the hero, prompts her to change her mind and think being a family together is more important than her career. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it didn't feel natural, because it wasn't set up at all by the earlier story.
The last act seemed like it was finishing a different book than the one I'd been reading, which had almost no physical danger in it.
As for the romance itself, I'm used to contrived setups, but this didn't put in the work to make it really work. The hero's career as a "spy" is thin and never seems important aside from making sure he's in the war in Belgium to have sex with, then lose, the heroine. Who also has a somewhat unbelievable backstory, that she runs away from home to be a surgeon in the war but then as soon as she's found goes meekly back to England to be a good daughter, except woops she's pregnant now.
And neither of them display much growth as the story progresses, because most of the conflicts are those pesky external ones, the kidnapping, the unwanted almost-betrothal, the murder. I guess the hero does go from finding marriage distasteful to being all on board, mostly due to meeting and falling hard for his adorable little daughter (who was probably the best thing about this book, realistic, funny, not too well-behaved or perfect, but not a stupid brat either. I liked Violet a lot.) But the heroine's internal conflict is "I don't want to get married because I think that means giving up the life and career I have now" and she doesn't deviate from that at all until the very end, when the rampant danger to her, her daughter, and the hero, prompts her to change her mind and think being a family together is more important than her career. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it didn't feel natural, because it wasn't set up at all by the earlier story.
January 12, 2021
I've been on a Romance novel binge since getting one in the genre for Christmas. Not my usual reading pastime. After trying two that were lacking in much interest except for the sex and the relationship drama that simply filled in the pages in between, there was little else to savor.
Driscoll was recommended to me, and this first in a series was absolutely delightful. Yes, there was still the explicit sex but it was not the only reason for all the tale in between. The story about a soldier meeting a lady who saved his life and finds her again many years later is truly romantic -- not just a poor vehicle for the intimacy. The entire cast of characters is strong and I could hardly put the book down. I hope some of her other novels are as engrossing and enjoyable.
In this particular Covid mess, a little romance is welcome.
Driscoll was recommended to me, and this first in a series was absolutely delightful. Yes, there was still the explicit sex but it was not the only reason for all the tale in between. The story about a soldier meeting a lady who saved his life and finds her again many years later is truly romantic -- not just a poor vehicle for the intimacy. The entire cast of characters is strong and I could hardly put the book down. I hope some of her other novels are as engrossing and enjoyable.
In this particular Covid mess, a little romance is welcome.
July 2, 2021
Really enjoyed this one. I was worried with the rushed relationship in the prolouge, but the characters really make up for it with the second chance romance. This one is available on KU and I am excited to read the sequels soon.
August 19, 2021
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book but the pacing at the end was way too fast and it really brought me out of the immersion. There were just too many things that needed to be resolved right at the end and I think if the author had ended even one of the many conflicts earlier in the book then the ending wouldn’t have been so rushed. I really enjoyed the the Kellington family though and I’m excited to read the other siblings stories!
October 4, 2011
I reviewed this book for my blog at www.bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com
"Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid" a début romance novel by Maureen Driscoll is a thrilling Regency Historical romance that spans seven years and begins in Belgium right after the battle at Waterloo. In this first installment of Kellington Series we meet the family, headed by William, Duke of Lynwood who has three brothers and a sister who were all named after England's Kings and a Queen. Edward, Ned, was second born; Arthur and Henry were followed by Elizabeth.
This is Ned's story and it has everything a romance novel should: a handsome and very charming hero determined to protect the love of his life and a beautiful and strong heroine, determined to keep the biggest secret of her life.
Their story is sweet and sensual as well as passionate. It is filled with secrets and intrigue, redemption and forgiveness, humor and wit. Here's an excerpt that I liked a lot:
"He knew the leg needed to be tended to, even if he didn't quite trust the person would do the tending. But, given the lack of options, he resigned himself to it.
`You have absolutely no respect for good Scots whiskey. May I have another drink? I assure you I'm filled with plenty of spirits that would be well assuaged by the potion.' Then he gave her the smile that had melted half the hearts in the ton and spread a good portion of their legs.
She gave him the drink. Then the stick.
He obligingly bit down.
`Are you ready?' she asked.
`Madam," he said, taking the stick out of his mouth, `I will never be ready for you to cut into me. However, I am resigned.'
He replaced the stick and bit down hard."
I liked Ms. Driscoll's writing style and the pace of the book. When I read a book I want to be invested in these people, I want to care for them, and Ms. Driscoll has managed to meet all those requirements for me. I'm looking forward to visiting these people over and over. However, I still wanted just a bit more depth and detail. For example...
**SPOILER**
Just two or three more sentences would make me feel and not only see the first reunion between Ned and Jane.
All of the secondary characters in this book are well written, three-dimensional with strong voices of their own. I understand that each one will have their own story, and let me tell you, I can't wait to meet Lizzie's hero. The man who tames her will certainly deserve respect of her brother the Duke. Speaking of our Duke, Ms. Driscoll has created a very strong character in writing him and she has managed to keep him under control, lest he take over Ned's story. Not many authors can balance the secondary characters so well, but she has done an outstanding job at that! I will be very disappointed not to have Rosalind fall in love with our Duke. This is a wonderful story of true love, trust, family and friendship. It's a keeper and `must read.'
Yet another discovery of a début author that I've had the privilege to read. I am astonished at some of these women that seem to be coming out of the woodwork, brimming with obvious talent. These women have never been published, yet their prose can go toe-to-toe with the best of them. I know. I've read THE best of the best.
Melanie
"Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid" a début romance novel by Maureen Driscoll is a thrilling Regency Historical romance that spans seven years and begins in Belgium right after the battle at Waterloo. In this first installment of Kellington Series we meet the family, headed by William, Duke of Lynwood who has three brothers and a sister who were all named after England's Kings and a Queen. Edward, Ned, was second born; Arthur and Henry were followed by Elizabeth.
This is Ned's story and it has everything a romance novel should: a handsome and very charming hero determined to protect the love of his life and a beautiful and strong heroine, determined to keep the biggest secret of her life.
Their story is sweet and sensual as well as passionate. It is filled with secrets and intrigue, redemption and forgiveness, humor and wit. Here's an excerpt that I liked a lot:
"He knew the leg needed to be tended to, even if he didn't quite trust the person would do the tending. But, given the lack of options, he resigned himself to it.
`You have absolutely no respect for good Scots whiskey. May I have another drink? I assure you I'm filled with plenty of spirits that would be well assuaged by the potion.' Then he gave her the smile that had melted half the hearts in the ton and spread a good portion of their legs.
She gave him the drink. Then the stick.
He obligingly bit down.
`Are you ready?' she asked.
`Madam," he said, taking the stick out of his mouth, `I will never be ready for you to cut into me. However, I am resigned.'
He replaced the stick and bit down hard."
I liked Ms. Driscoll's writing style and the pace of the book. When I read a book I want to be invested in these people, I want to care for them, and Ms. Driscoll has managed to meet all those requirements for me. I'm looking forward to visiting these people over and over. However, I still wanted just a bit more depth and detail. For example...
**SPOILER**
Just two or three more sentences would make me feel and not only see the first reunion between Ned and Jane.
All of the secondary characters in this book are well written, three-dimensional with strong voices of their own. I understand that each one will have their own story, and let me tell you, I can't wait to meet Lizzie's hero. The man who tames her will certainly deserve respect of her brother the Duke. Speaking of our Duke, Ms. Driscoll has created a very strong character in writing him and she has managed to keep him under control, lest he take over Ned's story. Not many authors can balance the secondary characters so well, but she has done an outstanding job at that! I will be very disappointed not to have Rosalind fall in love with our Duke. This is a wonderful story of true love, trust, family and friendship. It's a keeper and `must read.'
Yet another discovery of a début author that I've had the privilege to read. I am astonished at some of these women that seem to be coming out of the woodwork, brimming with obvious talent. These women have never been published, yet their prose can go toe-to-toe with the best of them. I know. I've read THE best of the best.
Melanie
April 15, 2013
At First Sight: Lord Edward Kellington met Jane Wetherby when they came across each other behind the enemy lines in or around the time of the Battle of Waterloo. Ned is an British Officer and Agent of the Crown returning to camp after a mission while Jane, the daughter of a surgeon and granddaughter of an Earl, was nursing the wounded.
Jane saves Ned's life and, after a night of passion between them, she never expects to see him again - and the fact that he offered to set her up as his mistress don't help the odds.
Seven years later, Jane is living in the countryside, trying to survive best she can even though her grandfather won't release her inheritance to her and she works as a doctor of sorts to the poor people of the village of Marston Vale while trying to raise her daughter.
Edward has just returned to England and now his older brother William is pressuring him to go see about the business of his "agreed since childhood" betrothal to the daughter of a viscount. He's not excited about it but figures he might as well get that over with and call off the quasi-engagement.
But, soon upon arriving to Martson Vale, he comes across an accident and sticks around to help - partially because he's basically an OK human being, and partially because he doesn't want to get to his almost fiancée's house - and is surprised when the doctor called is none other than the woman who saved his life seven years before.
Second Glance: I'm going to come out and say it: This is a rather silly book. But that doesn't mean it's bad at all. I mean, it's not stellar, there are some serious clunky parts - the first transition Jane and Ned going from acquaintances to let's go have sex is not exactly smooth, for example - but it's a fun read.
Ned and Jane are basically nice people, Jane's daughter is nice too (She's not an annoying little kid, though she does tend to get in trouble fairly often) and there is a whole host of characters whose names I can't really remember just now but that were pretty okay.
I quite liked Ned's family and, to that point, Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid serves mostly as the set up book for Ned's siblings stories (of which I really want to read the one about his sister and about his oldest brother). Lots of the stuff going on is not exactly accurate, even by Historical Lite standards but meh, it was fun enough that I wasn't bothered by it.
Bottom Line: Fun brain candy, Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid, it's not bad, even if it's title is rather non-sensical (Jane is NEVER A Maid, none of the main characters is ever a maid, why put MAID on the title?) but other than that it's cute, takes an hour or two to read, tops, and it's OK, or at least, it's not boring.
Jane saves Ned's life and, after a night of passion between them, she never expects to see him again - and the fact that he offered to set her up as his mistress don't help the odds.
Seven years later, Jane is living in the countryside, trying to survive best she can even though her grandfather won't release her inheritance to her and she works as a doctor of sorts to the poor people of the village of Marston Vale while trying to raise her daughter.
Edward has just returned to England and now his older brother William is pressuring him to go see about the business of his "agreed since childhood" betrothal to the daughter of a viscount. He's not excited about it but figures he might as well get that over with and call off the quasi-engagement.
But, soon upon arriving to Martson Vale, he comes across an accident and sticks around to help - partially because he's basically an OK human being, and partially because he doesn't want to get to his almost fiancée's house - and is surprised when the doctor called is none other than the woman who saved his life seven years before.
Second Glance: I'm going to come out and say it: This is a rather silly book. But that doesn't mean it's bad at all. I mean, it's not stellar, there are some serious clunky parts - the first transition Jane and Ned going from acquaintances to let's go have sex is not exactly smooth, for example - but it's a fun read.
Ned and Jane are basically nice people, Jane's daughter is nice too (She's not an annoying little kid, though she does tend to get in trouble fairly often) and there is a whole host of characters whose names I can't really remember just now but that were pretty okay.
I quite liked Ned's family and, to that point, Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid serves mostly as the set up book for Ned's siblings stories (of which I really want to read the one about his sister and about his oldest brother). Lots of the stuff going on is not exactly accurate, even by Historical Lite standards but meh, it was fun enough that I wasn't bothered by it.
Bottom Line: Fun brain candy, Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid, it's not bad, even if it's title is rather non-sensical (Jane is NEVER A Maid, none of the main characters is ever a maid, why put MAID on the title?) but other than that it's cute, takes an hour or two to read, tops, and it's OK, or at least, it's not boring.
November 22, 2014
I have to say the only reason it retained a three star rating was because I enjoyed the ending so much. The beginning of the book I liked that was until Jane so easily gives herself to Ned. I liked Ned, so I didn't hold it against her, but I didn't think passion was built that fast for her to so easily give herself. Then there was his offer after the fact. Which makes my point even more valid. The offer he makes her is because he doesn't respect her and while you can say, " yea, but then he spends 7 years dreaming of that night." I still was not convinced.
Maybe he was struck by the shock of how fast it hit him but honestly sometimes guys can say the dumbest things (mainly his proposition afterwards). I was back and forth on the issue and because I did like both H/h I was gentle in my rating. The reason it did not score higher besides the above issues mentioned is because there was far too much separation for my particular taste. Speaking as a mother you always do the best for that child. I don't agree to stay with someone only because of a child but that is because of the times we now live in.
In these days being an unwed mother and a bastard would be far worse than swallowing your pride and going to Ned. What still gets me is you put your trust into a man you've just met to deflower you but you can't explain the consequences to that union. You would have you and your child be disowned and humiliated instead. Again, I didn't believe that. Mother's would give there left arm for their child and Jane was no exception so I just didn't buy it. Than there is the fact that she didn't think Ned had a right to know he was a father. Six years is a major part in a child's life. They've developed their personality to some extent and had a lot of firsts and he missed all of them.
There was a bit of a confrontation as Ned makes his discovery but it wasn't much. I think there was too much time of Jane fighting her obvious feelings for Ned. She was in out of his bed one minute and pushing him away the next. The other trouble makers in the book built your juices flowing even more until I was ready to scream.
Vi was cute and I loved her which lightened my mood. This author makes you earn the HEA and you will struggle to get there and for me the end couldn't have come fast enough. I'm glad I stuck it out but it is a journey I will only take once.
Maybe he was struck by the shock of how fast it hit him but honestly sometimes guys can say the dumbest things (mainly his proposition afterwards). I was back and forth on the issue and because I did like both H/h I was gentle in my rating. The reason it did not score higher besides the above issues mentioned is because there was far too much separation for my particular taste. Speaking as a mother you always do the best for that child. I don't agree to stay with someone only because of a child but that is because of the times we now live in.
In these days being an unwed mother and a bastard would be far worse than swallowing your pride and going to Ned. What still gets me is you put your trust into a man you've just met to deflower you but you can't explain the consequences to that union. You would have you and your child be disowned and humiliated instead. Again, I didn't believe that. Mother's would give there left arm for their child and Jane was no exception so I just didn't buy it. Than there is the fact that she didn't think Ned had a right to know he was a father. Six years is a major part in a child's life. They've developed their personality to some extent and had a lot of firsts and he missed all of them.
There was a bit of a confrontation as Ned makes his discovery but it wasn't much. I think there was too much time of Jane fighting her obvious feelings for Ned. She was in out of his bed one minute and pushing him away the next. The other trouble makers in the book built your juices flowing even more until I was ready to scream.
Vi was cute and I loved her which lightened my mood. This author makes you earn the HEA and you will struggle to get there and for me the end couldn't have come fast enough. I'm glad I stuck it out but it is a journey I will only take once.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2013
Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid
Maureen Driscoll
May 2013, European Historical Romance (19th C. England and Belgium)
Amazon Digital Services, $.99, 323 pages
Grade: C
Sensuality: Warm
This eBook can be purchased at Amazon.
I think that it's harder for me to review a C book than one that is higher or lower than an average grade. There are things to like about Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid, but it misses the mark for me. There are B rated books and even B- books that I would read again. I am a great re-reader of books. Re-reading for me is like visiting friends: Some are close acquaintances and some are dear friends. I did not hate this book at all, but I would never think of visiting this book again, and despite glimpses of a possible friendship in the future, I would prefer to wait before furthering this acquaintance.
Miss Jane Wetherby wants to be a surgeon more than anything else. So much that she is willing to defy her titled grandfather (the Earl of Huntington) who holds the strings to her inheritance. While visiting in Belgium just before the Battle of Waterloo, she sneaks away from her chaperones to tend to the sick and dying soldiers. It is in the aftermath of a battle preceding Waterloo that she meets the wounded Lord Edward Kellington (Ned). After sewing up his injured leg, they proceed to engage in one night of passion, but when Ned wakes up the next morning, his angel of mercy has flown the coop. He was so enthralled with his encounter with the virgin Iris Johnson (aka Jane), that he searches for her for months after he is released from the Army. But Iris Johnson is nowhere to be found.
Seven years pass before the couple meets again and a lot has happened in those seven years. When he travels to Marston Vale to get out of a betrothal agreement made by his father, the deceased Duke of Lynwood, Ned discovers his Iris is actually Jane Weatherby and the largest revelation is that Ned Kellington is a father...
To read the rest of this review, please visit All About Romance at:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
Maureen Driscoll
May 2013, European Historical Romance (19th C. England and Belgium)
Amazon Digital Services, $.99, 323 pages
Grade: C
Sensuality: Warm
This eBook can be purchased at Amazon.
I think that it's harder for me to review a C book than one that is higher or lower than an average grade. There are things to like about Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid, but it misses the mark for me. There are B rated books and even B- books that I would read again. I am a great re-reader of books. Re-reading for me is like visiting friends: Some are close acquaintances and some are dear friends. I did not hate this book at all, but I would never think of visiting this book again, and despite glimpses of a possible friendship in the future, I would prefer to wait before furthering this acquaintance.
Miss Jane Wetherby wants to be a surgeon more than anything else. So much that she is willing to defy her titled grandfather (the Earl of Huntington) who holds the strings to her inheritance. While visiting in Belgium just before the Battle of Waterloo, she sneaks away from her chaperones to tend to the sick and dying soldiers. It is in the aftermath of a battle preceding Waterloo that she meets the wounded Lord Edward Kellington (Ned). After sewing up his injured leg, they proceed to engage in one night of passion, but when Ned wakes up the next morning, his angel of mercy has flown the coop. He was so enthralled with his encounter with the virgin Iris Johnson (aka Jane), that he searches for her for months after he is released from the Army. But Iris Johnson is nowhere to be found.
Seven years pass before the couple meets again and a lot has happened in those seven years. When he travels to Marston Vale to get out of a betrothal agreement made by his father, the deceased Duke of Lynwood, Ned discovers his Iris is actually Jane Weatherby and the largest revelation is that Ned Kellington is a father...
To read the rest of this review, please visit All About Romance at:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
April 4, 2013
I’m not a great devotee of this steamier sort of historical romance, so when asked to read and review this book, I agreed with more than a little apprehension. I was worried that I would find the plot boringly predictable and even worse plain uninspiring, but I am more than happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised both by the story and its content. It was nowhere near as ‘steamy’ as I had been led to believe, although there are some explicit descriptions of sexual activity.
The story begins in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo, with a chance encounter between a nurse, Jane Wetherby, and a British soldier, Edward Kellington. After a night of passion the two are separated, only to discover each other again in the most unusual of circumstances. What then follows is a nicely composed historical romance, with enough twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing. I have a couple of tiny criticisms, one is that a few Americanisms appeared within the narrative, which would have no place in Regency England, and towards the end of the novel the plot became a little predictable, but overall the story was no less enjoyable because of these minor points.
By the author’s own admission “The books are all light on the history, heavy on the steam” - I have to agree, but must also add my own warning that these books are also great fun, hugely addictive and great escapism. I am sure that I will now go on to read the rest of the series.
Never a Mistress, No longer A Maid is the first in a series of books about the Kellington family, the author has now completed five books in the series, with a sixth story in progress.
My thanks to the author Maureen Driscoll for a review copy of this book.
The story begins in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo, with a chance encounter between a nurse, Jane Wetherby, and a British soldier, Edward Kellington. After a night of passion the two are separated, only to discover each other again in the most unusual of circumstances. What then follows is a nicely composed historical romance, with enough twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing. I have a couple of tiny criticisms, one is that a few Americanisms appeared within the narrative, which would have no place in Regency England, and towards the end of the novel the plot became a little predictable, but overall the story was no less enjoyable because of these minor points.
By the author’s own admission “The books are all light on the history, heavy on the steam” - I have to agree, but must also add my own warning that these books are also great fun, hugely addictive and great escapism. I am sure that I will now go on to read the rest of the series.
Never a Mistress, No longer A Maid is the first in a series of books about the Kellington family, the author has now completed five books in the series, with a sixth story in progress.
My thanks to the author Maureen Driscoll for a review copy of this book.
April 26, 2013
When Maureen emailed the blog about reviewing the first book in her Kellington Family regency romance series, I had a bit of mixed emotions. I am a romance person through and through. If there is a good love story, I am going to read it, whether its teenagers in 2013 or damsels in distress in Scotland in 1510. However, since we started the blog, I realized it had been forever since I read a period romance. I must admit I went through a phase that if there was a Duke, Earl or indescreet courtesan in the story, I wasn't reading it. So, I agreed to review the book but I must admit, I downloaded it and then so many new releases came out that it just got lost in the shuffle. Until last weekend which turned into my pajama weekend. I promised myself I was catching up on all the books that these amazing self-published authors had sent to me. So here we are!
To read the rest of the review, please visit the blog at A Love Affair With Books.
To read the rest of the review, please visit the blog at A Love Affair With Books.
October 8, 2014
Different, passionate and sweet! This book was a surprise. One of my friends recommended it and I wasn't disappointed.
At times I really liked how we got to see different POVs, but by the end I just wanted to know the closure, without interruptions. I enjoyed the little mystery, and I'm glad it wasn't flat obvious, we had a few suspects to watch out for.
Maureen presents us with a family worth of a Julia Quinn novel, intriguing and warm. Edward's sister is one funny human being, just as their brother Kellington, I'm anxious to read their books as we have clues to whom they will fall in love with.
For a debut title, this is a win!
At times I really liked how we got to see different POVs, but by the end I just wanted to know the closure, without interruptions. I enjoyed the little mystery, and I'm glad it wasn't flat obvious, we had a few suspects to watch out for.
Maureen presents us with a family worth of a Julia Quinn novel, intriguing and warm. Edward's sister is one funny human being, just as their brother Kellington, I'm anxious to read their books as we have clues to whom they will fall in love with.
For a debut title, this is a win!
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