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Millworth Manor #1.5
Lord Stillwell's Excellent Engagements
In a novella, Viscount Winfield Elliott narrates his search for a bride. He proposes three times. Felicia Whitingdon has youth, beauty, style, grace - and a handsome fortune. Lady Lucille Eustice is a widow of impeccable social standing. Caroline Hibbit is sweet and charming in every way. Any one of these intoxicating treasures could make a man happy.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 26, 2012
63 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Alexander
65 books1,329 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.
Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written thirty-one full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife—originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008—hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into more than a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.
Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON’T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.
During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She’s interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor’s helicopter. She’s covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter’s school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She’s never looked back.
Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.
Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and her dogs. Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam (on the left), the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie took on the position of loyal companion and did a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!
Now he's been joined by Reggie, also a faithful companion.
They all live happily ever after in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal—she has to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 9, 2013
I am usually on the same proverbial page as my beloved fellow romance addicts. Even when I don't personally click with a certain popular author, I can almost always understand her objective appeal to others. Of course, there are a couple of exceptions :) (For example, Jill Shalvis' stuff reads like a 12-year-old's fanfic to me; I've proven sadly incapable of understanding her wild popularity!) And, on the other end of the spectrum, I seem to love Victoria Alexander far more than...well, more than almost any of my otherwise similar, you-guys-totally-get-me cyber-friends.
This short novella, which is really just an amusing account of the titular Lord Stillwell's various ill-fated engagements, isn't anywhere near her best work. It does, however, epitomize a lot of the author's strengths and oh-yeah-maybe-THAT'S-why-some-don't-like-her weaknesses ;) If you're looking for heart-wrenching angst and tight, innovative plotting, this is totally not the author for you. If you tire quickly of witty banter and dialogue and crave more actual---well, more actual STORY, then be wary! She does also include her share of tiresome 'misunderstandings' and 'ugh, why don't they just TALK to each other like normal adults?!' miscommunications. So why doesn't this particularly bother me? Because, honestly, for me plots are so rarely a strength in romance novels and tiresome misunderstandings such an insanely common weakness that I'm sort of immune by now. A great plot and a more original, organic and less frustrating conflict is certainly an appreciated bonus, but it's not what factors most heavily into my opinion of a romance author's work.
What I DO care about most deeply are writing style and characterizations, and Victoria Alexander's manage to charm me to no end. Her prose and (especially) dialogue are just so phenomenally sharp, smart and witty, and there's enough genuine insight into life and love to give her books a sneaky amount of substance. I think she's the funniest romance author this side of Tessa Dare and (*shameful whisper*) her humor generally works even better for me than Julia Quinn's. Her heroes are root-worthy and amusingly flawed without ever, in my experience, crossing that line into 'irredeemable bastard' territory. Her characters have interests and talents and care deeply about friends and family---in other words, they're not solely defined by the central romance. Alexander writes those friendships and familial relationships in ways that feel very authentic to me.
Even when I don't THINK I'm especially emotionally invested, I somehow always find myself sighing and awww-ing at her very well-written, sweet-yet-not-saccharine endings. And I'm not someone who does a lot of sighing and awwww-ing! (Okay, so in this novella the hero's real HEA comes in the next installment, so there wasn't quite as much sighing and awwww-ing here, but you get the gist!) That's the subjective aspect to all reading experiences that's nearly impossible to describe and quantify: I just feel awfully happy while I read these books. I hope those with tastes that are similar to mine will give her a chance, though I recommend you start with one of the books from the Effington series rather than this one!
This short novella, which is really just an amusing account of the titular Lord Stillwell's various ill-fated engagements, isn't anywhere near her best work. It does, however, epitomize a lot of the author's strengths and oh-yeah-maybe-THAT'S-why-some-don't-like-her weaknesses ;) If you're looking for heart-wrenching angst and tight, innovative plotting, this is totally not the author for you. If you tire quickly of witty banter and dialogue and crave more actual---well, more actual STORY, then be wary! She does also include her share of tiresome 'misunderstandings' and 'ugh, why don't they just TALK to each other like normal adults?!' miscommunications. So why doesn't this particularly bother me? Because, honestly, for me plots are so rarely a strength in romance novels and tiresome misunderstandings such an insanely common weakness that I'm sort of immune by now. A great plot and a more original, organic and less frustrating conflict is certainly an appreciated bonus, but it's not what factors most heavily into my opinion of a romance author's work.
What I DO care about most deeply are writing style and characterizations, and Victoria Alexander's manage to charm me to no end. Her prose and (especially) dialogue are just so phenomenally sharp, smart and witty, and there's enough genuine insight into life and love to give her books a sneaky amount of substance. I think she's the funniest romance author this side of Tessa Dare and (*shameful whisper*) her humor generally works even better for me than Julia Quinn's. Her heroes are root-worthy and amusingly flawed without ever, in my experience, crossing that line into 'irredeemable bastard' territory. Her characters have interests and talents and care deeply about friends and family---in other words, they're not solely defined by the central romance. Alexander writes those friendships and familial relationships in ways that feel very authentic to me.
Even when I don't THINK I'm especially emotionally invested, I somehow always find myself sighing and awww-ing at her very well-written, sweet-yet-not-saccharine endings. And I'm not someone who does a lot of sighing and awwww-ing! (Okay, so in this novella the hero's real HEA comes in the next installment, so there wasn't quite as much sighing and awwww-ing here, but you get the gist!) That's the subjective aspect to all reading experiences that's nearly impossible to describe and quantify: I just feel awfully happy while I read these books. I hope those with tastes that are similar to mine will give her a chance, though I recommend you start with one of the books from the Effington series rather than this one!
December 20, 2012
Lord Stillwell first appeared in "What happens at Christmas " as a secondary character. The author wasn't ready to let this character go, so he's back in this short story /novella. This book is the prequel to "The Importance of Being Wicked ".
Lord Stillwell takes his responsibility of marrying and producing an heir very seriously. Love is not a requirement, but he hopes it will come in time.
We watch Lord Stillwell go through a series of engagements, none of which quite make it to the alter for one reason or another. Will Lord Stillwell ever exchange vows? Will he find true love? Stay tuned.
Victoria Alexander is a seasoned romance author. The writing here as good as ever . The story is handled with light humor instead of bereft heartbreak. I would have given it a higher rating but I thought we deserved a bit more of a setup or teaser if you will, into the next full length novel. There is a very short sneek peek of "The Importance of Being Wicked " at the very end. Be sure to read the insightful comments by the author, after which you will find a preview .
I am looking forward to reading the full length novel and to Lord Stillwell's HEA! This was a Netgalley e book giveaway in exchange for a review.
Lord Stillwell takes his responsibility of marrying and producing an heir very seriously. Love is not a requirement, but he hopes it will come in time.
We watch Lord Stillwell go through a series of engagements, none of which quite make it to the alter for one reason or another. Will Lord Stillwell ever exchange vows? Will he find true love? Stay tuned.
Victoria Alexander is a seasoned romance author. The writing here as good as ever . The story is handled with light humor instead of bereft heartbreak. I would have given it a higher rating but I thought we deserved a bit more of a setup or teaser if you will, into the next full length novel. There is a very short sneek peek of "The Importance of Being Wicked " at the very end. Be sure to read the insightful comments by the author, after which you will find a preview .
I am looking forward to reading the full length novel and to Lord Stillwell's HEA! This was a Netgalley e book giveaway in exchange for a review.
August 12, 2013
Like I said above, this little novella was very fun and helpful in getting me ready for Win’s full story. It was entertaining to watch our hero, Lord Stillwell, having a hard time holding onto a woman long enough to get her to the altar.
I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry for the poor man! Three times he comes close, and no cigar! Each woman is carefully chosen by him, and in the end each jilts him for another man.
I admired the man for being able to accept the inevitable with understanding of all the women that were ‘almost’ his bride.
You really don’t have to read this novella before the full Win and Felicia story, but I think you should because it’s well written, very entertaining and very enlightening about the hero.
*Book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Melanie for b2b
I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry for the poor man! Three times he comes close, and no cigar! Each woman is carefully chosen by him, and in the end each jilts him for another man.
I admired the man for being able to accept the inevitable with understanding of all the women that were ‘almost’ his bride.
You really don’t have to read this novella before the full Win and Felicia story, but I think you should because it’s well written, very entertaining and very enlightening about the hero.
*Book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Melanie for b2b
May 1, 2015
Lord Stillwell has me intrigued! He is a nice guy, gets along with his parents, and cares about his obligations. He also has a funny and romantic side. What's not to love? I cannot wait to read his story now after learning the backstory of his three failed engagements. He dealt with them all sensibly and I think that it is finally, finally his turn :)
Warning to future readers: this story does not have a HEA. It instead introduces us to Lord Stillwell and gives us a peek into his past so we can further enjoy his story in The Importance of Being Wicked.
Warning to future readers: this story does not have a HEA. It instead introduces us to Lord Stillwell and gives us a peek into his past so we can further enjoy his story in The Importance of Being Wicked.
January 24, 2016
Lord Stillwell gets engaged but doesn't make it to the alter a few times. This was a very humorous interlude in the series and whet my appetite for the next book.
January 18, 2023
Oh my God, I loved it and I'm definitely in love with Lord Stillwell !
( --> PERSONALE PREMISE : I'm from Italy and English is not my mother tongue, so please forgive me for any mistakes you may read in my review )
I first met Win ( Viscount Winfield Elliott ) in the Christmas romance "What happens at Christmas" ( my first book by Victoria Alexander ), I was fascinated by both the cousins Win and Grey, but Win was my crush from the very first page and I was so disappointed he suddenly he disappeared from the book with no more thoughts of him from the author.
As I read in the section dedicated to readers, not even the author felt satisfied without letting anyone know anything more about him and I'm really happy that she wrote this PREQUEL about Lord Stillwell story and then another book about him as the sequel, that I shall read very soon.
Winfield is a very charming young man who is often interpreted by others around him as an adept at amusement, nice and friendly but a little superficial, while in reality he has a romantic soul (more than he himself suspected), is sensitive, affectionate and loyal to his family and kind and generous, intelligent, handsome and with a winning smile and a good sense of humour.
Who among us wouldn't fall in love with a charming bad boy who actually has a noble soul? I certainly fell in love with him and can't wait to read the book n.2 in the Millworth Manor series(
The Importance of Being Wicked) where he too will find the right woman for him.
What happens at Christmas is marked is the BOOK #1 in Millworth Manor series, this novella is marked by Goodreads as 1.5, but actually it should be marked as 0.5 , since everything it tells occurs in the years priors to book N. 1.
Reading this book (as happened to the other) was like seeing a brilliant romantic comedy at the cinema.
For many, many years, I dedicated myself only to mysteries and cozy mysteries, ignoring love stories, I'm not a lover of dramas, but I love stories where deep feelings mix with the fun of misunderstandings and ironic jokes. I'm really happy to have discovered this author and to have opened the doors to another kind of reading.
Only one thing I don't like: the cover.
The man on the cover is definitely not my Winfield ... do you know the actor Thomas Beaudoin ?
Have you ever seen The Spirit of Christmas ( 2015) tv movie? That actor's look is exactly how he imagine Winfield is.
( --> PERSONALE PREMISE : I'm from Italy and English is not my mother tongue, so please forgive me for any mistakes you may read in my review )
I first met Win ( Viscount Winfield Elliott ) in the Christmas romance "What happens at Christmas" ( my first book by Victoria Alexander ), I was fascinated by both the cousins Win and Grey, but Win was my crush from the very first page and I was so disappointed he suddenly he disappeared from the book with no more thoughts of him from the author.
As I read in the section dedicated to readers, not even the author felt satisfied without letting anyone know anything more about him and I'm really happy that she wrote this PREQUEL about Lord Stillwell story and then another book about him as the sequel, that I shall read very soon.
Winfield is a very charming young man who is often interpreted by others around him as an adept at amusement, nice and friendly but a little superficial, while in reality he has a romantic soul (more than he himself suspected), is sensitive, affectionate and loyal to his family and kind and generous, intelligent, handsome and with a winning smile and a good sense of humour.
Who among us wouldn't fall in love with a charming bad boy who actually has a noble soul? I certainly fell in love with him and can't wait to read the book n.2 in the Millworth Manor series(
The Importance of Being Wicked) where he too will find the right woman for him.
What happens at Christmas is marked is the BOOK #1 in Millworth Manor series, this novella is marked by Goodreads as 1.5, but actually it should be marked as 0.5 , since everything it tells occurs in the years priors to book N. 1.
Reading this book (as happened to the other) was like seeing a brilliant romantic comedy at the cinema.
For many, many years, I dedicated myself only to mysteries and cozy mysteries, ignoring love stories, I'm not a lover of dramas, but I love stories where deep feelings mix with the fun of misunderstandings and ironic jokes. I'm really happy to have discovered this author and to have opened the doors to another kind of reading.
Only one thing I don't like: the cover.
The man on the cover is definitely not my Winfield ... do you know the actor Thomas Beaudoin ?
Have you ever seen The Spirit of Christmas ( 2015) tv movie? That actor's look is exactly how he imagine Winfield is.
January 18, 2013
3.5 stars, mostly because it's very short!This was a very quick and rather sweet read. I read What Happens At Christmas recently, and enjoyed it; Lord Stillwell is one of the secondary characters, and it's mentioned a few times that he's been engaged a number of times, but never made it to the altar.
Well, in this story, we find out why.
Stillwell is handsome, rich, charming and clever (of course) and even in a supporting role makes his presence felt. He's also a thoroughly nice person, which isn't always the case with heroes in HR. I'm looking forward to reading his story in :)The Importance of Being Wicked**
If you read this - don't forget to read the author's note at the end.
** Not to be confused with the book of the same title by Miranda Neville which came out at the end of 2012.
Well, in this story, we find out why.
Stillwell is handsome, rich, charming and clever (of course) and even in a supporting role makes his presence felt. He's also a thoroughly nice person, which isn't always the case with heroes in HR. I'm looking forward to reading his story in :)The Importance of Being Wicked**
If you read this - don't forget to read the author's note at the end.
** Not to be confused with the book of the same title by Miranda Neville which came out at the end of 2012.
August 14, 2014
While this novella is certainly not a complete story I still enjoyed it. It fills in the background story that was hinted at in What Happens At Christmas and sets up the situation for the next book. I am very much looking forward to the next book. Alexander's voice is clever and fun.
December 15, 2021
I would say that this novella was pretty unnecessary (as all novellas usually are), but this one really did a great job at layering on the sympathy for Winfield. In her note to the readers concerning What Happens at Christmas, Alexander says that "I knew I could not let [Winfield] appear in more than a handful of scenes because it was entirely possible he would take over".
I wholeheartedly agree. Winfield is an amazing character.
I desperately wanted more Winfield in the series' debut novel, so I was extremely happy to see that the author gave Winfield some backstory in relation to his past engagements. I do almost feel like she might have gone a little too overboard in making Winfield seem like the injured party in every single one of the failed engagements (ghost story, anyone?), but it was still really enjoyable to read.
I'm not usually a fan of reading 400-page romance novels, but I might seriously consider reading the next chapter in the series, which I believe is 'Winfield's story'.
I'm extremely tempted.
I wholeheartedly agree. Winfield is an amazing character.
I desperately wanted more Winfield in the series' debut novel, so I was extremely happy to see that the author gave Winfield some backstory in relation to his past engagements. I do almost feel like she might have gone a little too overboard in making Winfield seem like the injured party in every single one of the failed engagements (ghost story, anyone?), but it was still really enjoyable to read.
I'm not usually a fan of reading 400-page romance novels, but I might seriously consider reading the next chapter in the series, which I believe is 'Winfield's story'.
I'm extremely tempted.
August 2, 2021
Not what I expected
This was a very good, lengthy prologue (4 stars). But it is not a novella.
As the title indicates, this is about Lord Stillwell’s (a very likable fellow) three engagements, his maturing over the years and change in attitude towards marriage resulting from the experience of those broken engagements.
This was a very good, lengthy prologue (4 stars). But it is not a novella.
As the title indicates, this is about Lord Stillwell’s (a very likable fellow) three engagements, his maturing over the years and change in attitude towards marriage resulting from the experience of those broken engagements.
June 16, 2024
This story is mostly interesting exchanges between Winfred Lord Stilwell and his cousin in America about cancelling three of Win’s weddings for various reasons. The author leaves us hanging at the end. I must read on.
September 6, 2019
excellent bonus to importance of being wicked
wish there were further adventures of stillwell
wish there were further adventures of stillwell
August 16, 2020
A cute tongue in cheek almost romance.
February 10, 2021
Read What happened at Xmas from this series.
March 26, 2017
How lucky was I. This novella came at the end of 'The Importance of Being Wicked'. Good to hear the 'rest of the story' of Win's three prior engagements.
February 27, 2013
This is a prequel novella for Win's book The Importance of Being Wicked. We met Win in What Happens At Christmas
This is a novella about what actually happened during Win's engagements and why each was called off.
In The Importance of Being Wicked, the fact that Win has had 3 failed engagements plays a big part of the plot. That being said, it isn't necessary to read this to enjoy The Importance of Being Wicked. You can read this either before or after, I don't think it matters, but it's neat to see what's going on with Win and what it is he thinks he wants from life.
If it's offered as a free ebook, or a $.99 ebook, grab it. It's worth the buck if you like the series. But, on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend buying this unless you like the series as it's not all that satisfying a read as a stand-alone.
Note: Even though I'd already bought this one at full price, in my paperback version of The Importance of Being Wicked, this is at the end.
This is a novella about what actually happened during Win's engagements and why each was called off.
In The Importance of Being Wicked, the fact that Win has had 3 failed engagements plays a big part of the plot. That being said, it isn't necessary to read this to enjoy The Importance of Being Wicked. You can read this either before or after, I don't think it matters, but it's neat to see what's going on with Win and what it is he thinks he wants from life.
If it's offered as a free ebook, or a $.99 ebook, grab it. It's worth the buck if you like the series. But, on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend buying this unless you like the series as it's not all that satisfying a read as a stand-alone.
Note: Even though I'd already bought this one at full price, in my paperback version of The Importance of Being Wicked, this is at the end.
August 11, 2016
It was nice to read the background story to all three of Lord Win Stillwell's engagements and the one happy ending of the three. A few tid-bits I liked from his letter to Gray...note this is a spoiler since it is at the end of the Novella...you have been warned. :o)
December 25, 2012
Review featured on www.books-n-kisses.com
3.5 Stars I will try to explain this novella so it is understood where it lies in Alexander’s stories. We meet Win in “What Happens At Christmas” as the best friend and cousin of Gray. During that story we learned that Win had been engaged three times but it was nothing more than a couple of passing comments. Now “The Importance Of Being Wicked” will be coming out which is Win’s story. So this novella is the short telling of the three engagements that never turned into marriage.
The story makes you almost sad for Win but knowing his story will be out soon does help with that because Alexander would never leave him without a true love. I enjoyed this little romp. Win is a delightful character in the Christmas novel and has a wonderful sense of humor so I can not wait to read his story. And I am very glad that Alexander has given us the background we need to know how Win really wants love.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars I will try to explain this novella so it is understood where it lies in Alexander’s stories. We meet Win in “What Happens At Christmas” as the best friend and cousin of Gray. During that story we learned that Win had been engaged three times but it was nothing more than a couple of passing comments. Now “The Importance Of Being Wicked” will be coming out which is Win’s story. So this novella is the short telling of the three engagements that never turned into marriage.
The story makes you almost sad for Win but knowing his story will be out soon does help with that because Alexander would never leave him without a true love. I enjoyed this little romp. Win is a delightful character in the Christmas novel and has a wonderful sense of humor so I can not wait to read his story. And I am very glad that Alexander has given us the background we need to know how Win really wants love.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2012
As I found out at the end of this novella Lord Stillwell decided he was more than a secondary character in Victoria Alexander’s novels. He showed up in her study demanding a book of his own. To quote the author “I knew the man wasn’t going to leave me alone until I gave him what he wanted. But I will make him earn that happy ending. It won’t be easy for either of us.”
Lord Stillwell’s Excellent Engagements is a prequel in novella form to “The Importance of Being Wicked” It tell the story of Lord Stillwell’s three previous engagements and why they failed. Part of the tale we learn from letters written to Stillwell’s cousin Grey in America and part in story form. This is a great background for what is to come. The story drops off at the end of the last engagement and before the start of the full length book Lord Stillwell demanded from the author. After reading the novella I am anxious for the book.
Lord Stillwell’s Excellent Engagements is a prequel in novella form to “The Importance of Being Wicked” It tell the story of Lord Stillwell’s three previous engagements and why they failed. Part of the tale we learn from letters written to Stillwell’s cousin Grey in America and part in story form. This is a great background for what is to come. The story drops off at the end of the last engagement and before the start of the full length book Lord Stillwell demanded from the author. After reading the novella I am anxious for the book.
January 9, 2013
Nook page count: 71 pages. Lord Stillwell’s Excellent Engagements by Victoria Alexander aka buy the next book and learn what happens to our hero. Yes, fellow readers this short story is a teaser for The Importance of Being Wicked. So, there is no HEA. Instead there is a cliff hanger of sorts. Much to my surprise, I don’t mind that this is a teaser for the upcoming book about Lord Stillwell. I think that some marketing person should be patted on the back, because this was a great hook and did what it was supposed to do. I found Stillwell to be so interesting that I am definitely picking up his full length story! This time I will have already read his background story. Hopefully, I will still remember it when The Importance of Being Wicked comes out in January. By the way, Lord Stillwell was a secondary character in What Happens at Christmas.
KaysBlog
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2012
This is a short novella to get us interested to read 'The importance of being wicked'.
Lord Stillwell, is witty and amusing and I imagine quite dashing! He is though unlucky in love..... We meet a few of his failed engagements in this book, but in my opinion he escaped lol. We hear of Gray in this story too, his cousin in America on business, Winfield writes to him and confides in him.
This book has wet my appetite and as long as Winfield stays as witty I would like to read his book and maybe see a hea for him, hopefully some wicked action too!
For drawing me in to this story I give this 3.5 stars.
**I received a copy of this book from netgalley for an honest review**
Lord Stillwell, is witty and amusing and I imagine quite dashing! He is though unlucky in love..... We meet a few of his failed engagements in this book, but in my opinion he escaped lol. We hear of Gray in this story too, his cousin in America on business, Winfield writes to him and confides in him.
This book has wet my appetite and as long as Winfield stays as witty I would like to read his book and maybe see a hea for him, hopefully some wicked action too!
For drawing me in to this story I give this 3.5 stars.
**I received a copy of this book from netgalley for an honest review**
March 4, 2013
LORD STILLWELL'S EXCELLENT ENGAGEMENTS by Victoria Alexander is a interesting Regency Historical Romance. A prequel Novella to "The Importance of Being Wicked". A quick fun read with witty,sarcastic character in Lord Stillwell,Viscount Winfield Elliott. Will he ever find happiness and his own true love? We shall see! Very entertaining. Written partly, in letters to his cousin. A very well told story. But I am anticipating his happy ever after ending. Well done,Victoria! Three broken engagements to his credit,Win is determined to find the love of his life. Fast paced read full of laughter and romance. A must read for a bit of laughter. A very enjoyable read! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: NONE
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: NONE
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews
December 31, 2012
A novella, or longish short story, “Lord Stillwell’s Excellent Engagement” is Victoria Alexander’s kind of “bridge” work to further develop the character of Winfield Elliott, Viscount Stillwell who was first introduced in What Happens at Christmas and who will be the main character in “The Importance of Being Wicked.” This little story details three unfortunate engagements in Lord Stillwell’s march toward a mature relationship founded on the right reasons, unlike his earlier aborted marriage attempts. The novella was entertaining, but not very exciting. It does, however, fill in the gaps, so to speak, and build a back story upon which to build in the new novel. I normally like Alexander’s work and look forward to a fuller story in the novel.
April 23, 2013
This was a really fun, quick novella that I picked up because it was actually in the back of book two in this series. So I read book two before reading the novella and I read them very close together. I think this helped me enjoy the novella a little bit more because I was so entrenched in the wonderful world created by Victoria Alexander and I was so familiar with the characters. So familiar that I noticed that there was a phrase used verbatim between the novella and the story. Technically you could read book two without picking up the novella but I thought this really added to the readers understanding of Winfield and the emotion behind a lot of his actions. Enjoyable read from a fun author!
December 28, 2012
Lord Stillwell's Excellent Engagements is a lovely prequel to the series. It definitely got me interested in the character and when he will finally get a fiance that actually marries him.
Each separate engagement was it's own little story and each one was entertaining in its own way.
Lord Stillwell was so sweet. I felt so bad for the poor man for being rejected by 3 different fiances. But, it made me really want to see him finally find a woman who will actually want to get married to him.
A lovely prequel that gives a background to Lord Stillwell and gets you hooked into his story.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy!
Each separate engagement was it's own little story and each one was entertaining in its own way.
Lord Stillwell was so sweet. I felt so bad for the poor man for being rejected by 3 different fiances. But, it made me really want to see him finally find a woman who will actually want to get married to him.
A lovely prequel that gives a background to Lord Stillwell and gets you hooked into his story.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy!
February 4, 2013
This was a fun little novella that provides a great lead up to the next book in the series. It tells of the misadventures of Windfield Elliott as he tries to land a bride. His three failed engagements are not something he ever envisioned. Lord Stillwell understands the importance of marrying, and he is ready to find the perfect bride. He has thought three times that he has done so, but it has not worked out that way. In this book, we come to know this wonderful man and hear the stories of his failed engagements. I was left wanting to read the rest of his story, and hoping for a happy outcome for him.
December 23, 2014
Perfect
Lord Stillwell finds himself betrothed to three "perfect" women, but will any of them get him to the altar?
This is a novella and I usually find them lacking in character development and too simple plots. Not here. I usually hate lead in novellas that just dupe you into buying another book to find out what happens. This is not the case here. This is a fully developed story that can stand alone very well. However, there is another book in this series that does further this plotline. Yea!
I found this book delightful, fun, and very entertaining. It was original and fresh. Ms. Alexander hit it out of the park this time!
Lord Stillwell finds himself betrothed to three "perfect" women, but will any of them get him to the altar?
This is a novella and I usually find them lacking in character development and too simple plots. Not here. I usually hate lead in novellas that just dupe you into buying another book to find out what happens. This is not the case here. This is a fully developed story that can stand alone very well. However, there is another book in this series that does further this plotline. Yea!
I found this book delightful, fun, and very entertaining. It was original and fresh. Ms. Alexander hit it out of the park this time!
January 27, 2013
This is a short novella to introduce us to Lord Stillwell. Poor Lord Stillwell. He's trying to find a bride, but instead of ending up married, he's ends up alone. He's been engaged three times. And three times there's been no marriage, at least not for Lord Stillwell.
This novella is merely to introduce us to Lord Stillwell who is the Main Character in
.
Now I'm off to read the Importance of Being Wicked!
This novella is merely to introduce us to Lord Stillwell who is the Main Character in
.Now I'm off to read the Importance of Being Wicked!
February 6, 2013
A enchanting novella that tells the story of Winfield Elliott and his search for a bride. He is engaged 3 times and each time is convinced he has found the perfect woman.
Each engagement ends leaving me feeling very sad for Win yet his wonderful sense of humor helps to fluff off his sadness and he carries on. Will he find love? Will he find the perfect woman for him?
Demanding a book of his own, Lord Stillwell shows up in Victoria Alexander's study which leads to her next novel, "The Importance of Being Wicked", Win's story.
I can hardly wait to read it.
Each engagement ends leaving me feeling very sad for Win yet his wonderful sense of humor helps to fluff off his sadness and he carries on. Will he find love? Will he find the perfect woman for him?
Demanding a book of his own, Lord Stillwell shows up in Victoria Alexander's study which leads to her next novel, "The Importance of Being Wicked", Win's story.
I can hardly wait to read it.
November 27, 2014
This was the prequel (of sorts) to Winfield's story in The Importance of Being Wicked and included as a bonus novella at the end. It was interested to read about his past engagements and how he got to his own story.
In The Importance of Being Wicked, we hear the reasons why but the rest of it was very vague so reading this novella is very much a must to truly understand how he got to be where he was when he finally meets his match in Miranda.
Cute and short!
In The Importance of Being Wicked, we hear the reasons why but the rest of it was very vague so reading this novella is very much a must to truly understand how he got to be where he was when he finally meets his match in Miranda.
Cute and short!
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