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Her Proper Scoundrel
Threatened with an unwanted marriage, Lady Josceline Woodsby escapes London to take a position as a country governess. When she discovers the job is no longer available, Josceline vows she will do anything to avoid returning to her previously dismal life - even if it means coercing the ruthless Captain Sharrington into providing her with employment. Spurned by a father he never knew and sent off to sea at a very young age, Christopher Sharrington leaves a promising naval career determined to make his own mark on society as owner of a shipping enterprise. The only problem is, hiring the alluring Lady Woodsby as governess for children he doesn’t even have, is definitely not part of his future plans. Josceline soon realizes Christopher is under the mistaken impression her social connections will help him attain his dream. Will he cast her out when he determines she is more a hindrance than a help? And what of the devastating secret he harbors? Will it destroy any chance they have of building a future together? "Similar to Philippa Gregory’s A Respectable Trade, Her Proper Scoundrel will be sure to enchant fans of Regency romance who love tales of dashing sea captains and spirited heroines."
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2012
14 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Westerling
15 books62 followers"From vikings to viscounts, join the adventure, live the romance."
Living by the motto "You don't know unless you try", A.M.Westerling started writing historical romance because she couldn't find the kinds of fun stories she enjoyed. After all, she thought, who doesn’t enjoy a tasty helping of dashing heroes and spunky heroines, seasoned with a liberal sprinkle of passion and adventure?
Westerling, a former engineer, is a member of the Romance Writers of America and active in her local chapter. As well as writing, she enjoys cooking, gardening, camping, yoga, and watching pro sports. She lives in Calgary, Canada.
Living by the motto "You don't know unless you try", A.M.Westerling started writing historical romance because she couldn't find the kinds of fun stories she enjoyed. After all, she thought, who doesn’t enjoy a tasty helping of dashing heroes and spunky heroines, seasoned with a liberal sprinkle of passion and adventure?
Westerling, a former engineer, is a member of the Romance Writers of America and active in her local chapter. As well as writing, she enjoys cooking, gardening, camping, yoga, and watching pro sports. She lives in Calgary, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 22, 2012
I admit, I'm a romance junkie. Sometimes ya just wanna read something where you know everything will turn out okay, where you can believe true love will conquer all. Westerling's characters are multi-dimensional people, easy to love and easy to root for. They are intelligent and thoughtful, with skeletons in their closets and dreams they keep secret, hiding unworthiness behind bravado, moving forward with courage and pluck. The setting is perfectly described - not so much as to be intrusive, but plenty to bring you in and allow you to escape to another time and place. A little predictable, of course - romances are like that. But lots of fun just the same.
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December 8, 20124**** A sweet historical romance. The heroine is escaping from an unwanted suitor and a determined father. To try to work as a governess. The hero has been cheated of a ship he won in a game of chance. Everything seems to go wrong for both of them. They team up and things get even more complicated. A nice gentle romance
September 29, 2013
An absorbing story with engaging characters. Some voluptuous love scenes, and climatic ending. I started to love the heroine Lady Jocelyn Woodsby, her fighting spirit and the ability to think quickly. A self-governing lady with a courageous self..... a mistress of her own.
Lady Jocelyn lost her hope to find a husband, due to her father the Duke of Cranston with a distain reputation, a drunkard, and well-known to have a sizeable amount of debt. No man would be interested of her except Mr. Burrow a wealthy merchant who's endeavor was to marry a titled family. As Jocelyn was being forced by the Duke of Cranston to marry, she decided to flee far from everyone to Bristol to become a governess.
Upon her travel to Bristol her carriage was accidentally delayed by Christopher Sharrington not knowing that he stopped the wrong carriage, and the reason Jocelyn didn't get the governess task. Jocelyn didn't have a choice, but black mail Sharrington, rather than going back to London and marry that abhorrent merchant.
Lady Jocelyn lost her hope to find a husband, due to her father the Duke of Cranston with a distain reputation, a drunkard, and well-known to have a sizeable amount of debt. No man would be interested of her except Mr. Burrow a wealthy merchant who's endeavor was to marry a titled family. As Jocelyn was being forced by the Duke of Cranston to marry, she decided to flee far from everyone to Bristol to become a governess.
Upon her travel to Bristol her carriage was accidentally delayed by Christopher Sharrington not knowing that he stopped the wrong carriage, and the reason Jocelyn didn't get the governess task. Jocelyn didn't have a choice, but black mail Sharrington, rather than going back to London and marry that abhorrent merchant.
August 5, 2012
Very enjoyable historical romance story. The characters were charming and the story believable.
August 11, 2012
Typical trashy romance!
August 26, 2012
A decent regency romance, though I don't tend to favor high ranking person marries working class stories.
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September 14, 2012Loved this book, the characters, the plot were delightful!
September 15, 2012
2.5
I liked it but it is not a favourite of mine.
I liked it but it is not a favourite of mine.
July 23, 2016
I liked the story. I liked the relationship between the two characters of them supporting and helping each other.
April 22, 2014
I really liked this book. The storyline and characters were well defined and kept my attention. This author did a wonderful job developing this story.
November 2, 2021
Page turner, great story
September 21, 2013
meh...
March 13, 2023
Her Proper Scoundrel by
During the Regency era, Josceline, Lady Cranston, daughter of a disreputable, impoverished duke, refuses to marry wealthy Thomas Burrows, a businessman. Much older than her, he seeks an aristocratic wife. Determined to make her own way in the world, she goes to Bristol. A series of unfortunate circumstances cause penniless Josceline to become Christopher Sherringham’s governess.
After Christopher resigned from the navy, he bought an estate in the country. He needs two things. First to learn how to be accepted as a gentleman by society, despite imperious Lady Oakland a prominent member of it, which is why he engages Josceline for three months. Second to force well-born Oliver Candell to honour his gambling debt, the ship, Bessie, which he needs to earn a living as a trader.
The story moves forward at a swift pace with lots of twists and turns that include the hero and heroines’ secrets about their pasts, that they don’t intend to divulge to each other, and two delightful young boys from an orphanage.
Intrigued, I read quickly to find out how challenges and problems would be resolved and if Christopher and Josceline would become much more than employer and employee.
I recommend this entertaining novel.
During the Regency era, Josceline, Lady Cranston, daughter of a disreputable, impoverished duke, refuses to marry wealthy Thomas Burrows, a businessman. Much older than her, he seeks an aristocratic wife. Determined to make her own way in the world, she goes to Bristol. A series of unfortunate circumstances cause penniless Josceline to become Christopher Sherringham’s governess.
After Christopher resigned from the navy, he bought an estate in the country. He needs two things. First to learn how to be accepted as a gentleman by society, despite imperious Lady Oakland a prominent member of it, which is why he engages Josceline for three months. Second to force well-born Oliver Candell to honour his gambling debt, the ship, Bessie, which he needs to earn a living as a trader.
The story moves forward at a swift pace with lots of twists and turns that include the hero and heroines’ secrets about their pasts, that they don’t intend to divulge to each other, and two delightful young boys from an orphanage.
Intrigued, I read quickly to find out how challenges and problems would be resolved and if Christopher and Josceline would become much more than employer and employee.
I recommend this entertaining novel.
December 22, 2015
I didn't finish this book, I only got through about a third of it before I had to put it down. There is nothing wrong with the story, it just didn't capture my interest. The progress is so unbelievably slow I just lost patience with it. The writing is good though and the characters are likable. I found the story line a bit ridiculous but it held promise. I just .... didn't feel the need to finish it.
November 8, 2015
I enjoyed this story. Very easy reading. Nicely written too.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews