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The Viscount's Valentine
Viscount Blackthorne is better known as Blackheart, a notorious rogue with a reputation for seduction. Forced to flee London and a young woman’s irate father, he escapes to the wilds of Yorkshire hoping to rest, relax, and wait out the scandal. The last thing he expects to find in the country is the stunning beauty he first eyed twelve years ago, the one woman who captivated his heart and made him question his ways.
The widow Honey Hockley has given up on romance and settled into the quiet simplicity of her small Yorkshire village. Before marrying her infirmed husband, she had one sparkling night of a London Season, a night she’ll hold on to forever. But Honey’s peaceful days are shattered when a handsome and mysterious stranger comes to town, forcing her to question her decision to accept a life alone.
Upon meeting, attraction flares, and it’s only Honey’s fears and the Viscount’s reputation that keep them apart. So while Honey works to accept the possibility that life and love may yet hold some surprises for her, the Viscount works to clear his name and win over the one woman he believes can make him virtuous again.
"The Viscount’s Valentine" was originally published as "Wild Honey" in the anthology, Valentine Rogues .
The widow Honey Hockley has given up on romance and settled into the quiet simplicity of her small Yorkshire village. Before marrying her infirmed husband, she had one sparkling night of a London Season, a night she’ll hold on to forever. But Honey’s peaceful days are shattered when a handsome and mysterious stranger comes to town, forcing her to question her decision to accept a life alone.
Upon meeting, attraction flares, and it’s only Honey’s fears and the Viscount’s reputation that keep them apart. So while Honey works to accept the possibility that life and love may yet hold some surprises for her, the Viscount works to clear his name and win over the one woman he believes can make him virtuous again.
"The Viscount’s Valentine" was originally published as "Wild Honey" in the anthology, Valentine Rogues .
83 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
46 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Donna Lea Simpson
45 books114 followersDonna Lea Simpson is a nationally bestselling romance and mystery novelist with over twenty titles published in the last ten years. An early love for the novels of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie was a portent of things to come; Donna believes that a dash of mystery adds piquancy to a romantic tale, and a hint of romance adds humanity to a mystery story. Besides writing romance and mystery novels and reading the same, Donna has a long list of passions: cats and tea, cooking and vintage cookware, cross-stitching and watercolor painting among them. Karaoke offers her the chance to warble Dionne Warwick tunes, and nature is a constant source of comfort and inspiration. A long walk is her favorite exercise, and a fruity merlot is her drink of choice when the tea is all gone. Donna lives in Canada.
The best writing advice, Donna believes, comes from the letters of Jane Austen. The author wrote, in an October 26th, 1813 letter to her sister, Cassandra, “I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am.”
The best writing advice, Donna believes, comes from the letters of Jane Austen. The author wrote, in an October 26th, 1813 letter to her sister, Cassandra, “I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 6, 2015
I picked this up free from Amazon and decided to give it a try in anticipation of valentine's day. While I really enjoyed the setting of this story, the characters fell flat. I usually have a hard time buying into a rake's "reform" and it was especially hard to believe in this short story. I also did not understand Honey's skittishness. I will add though that this was a closed bedroom door (for the most part) romance which was a nice break.
The plot line of this story centers on a meeting of our hero and heroine 12 years in the past and their connection all those years later after scandal forces the hero from London and the heroine is a widow living in the moors very far north. There were no surprises in this book and while I enjoyed that the story took place away from London, the secondary characters were unlikeable and the main characters had little depth.
This was a fine read for a casual morning, but not something to rave about. 3 stars.
The plot line of this story centers on a meeting of our hero and heroine 12 years in the past and their connection all those years later after scandal forces the hero from London and the heroine is a widow living in the moors very far north. There were no surprises in this book and while I enjoyed that the story took place away from London, the secondary characters were unlikeable and the main characters had little depth.
This was a fine read for a casual morning, but not something to rave about. 3 stars.
September 22, 2015
Boring! The things I read for challenges...
January 2, 2017
A short novella with characters not so interesting as other books from this author, but still entertaining and a welcome deviation from the usual tropes of romantic literature.
February 17, 2026
I enjoyed this historical romance novella. I look forward to reading more by this author in this "series". I say series because there are some overlapping characters in following stories like A Rogue's Rescue, A Scandalous Plan, etc. in her Classic Regency Romances collection.
The main characters Bron and Honey are so lovable; Honey's sister, Nellie, not so much. Bron's friend's sister, Eleanor, is another wonderful character. If you like historical romances, this is a nice quick story that gives the reader all the "feels" and a HEA.
The main characters Bron and Honey are so lovable; Honey's sister, Nellie, not so much. Bron's friend's sister, Eleanor, is another wonderful character. If you like historical romances, this is a nice quick story that gives the reader all the "feels" and a HEA.
August 26, 2017
Kept me turning the pages - a delightful story
Not overly sexy - more romantic and innocent.
Why did hero have to be titled. Why incognito?
Well thought out otherwise they
Not overly sexy - more romantic and innocent.
Why did hero have to be titled. Why incognito?
Well thought out otherwise they
February 5, 2020
Boring
I haven't read books by this author and probably won't read anymore. The book was boring and the story was simple.
I haven't read books by this author and probably won't read anymore. The book was boring and the story was simple.
Read
February 9, 2014A Classic Regency Romance novella celebrating the world first introduced by Jane Austen.
Viscount Blackthorne is better known as Blackheart, a notorious rogue with a reputation for seduction. Forced to flee London and a young woman’s irate father, he escapes to the wilds of Yorkshire hoping to rest, relax, and wait out the scandal. The last thing he expects to find in the country is the stunning beauty he first eyed twelve years ago, the one woman who captivated his heart and made him question his ways.
The widow Honey Hockley has given up on romance and settled into the quiet simplicity of her small Yorkshire village. Before marrying her infirmed husband, she had one sparkling night of a London Season, a night she’ll hold on to forever. But Honey’s peaceful days are shattered when a handsome and mysterious stranger comes to town, forcing her to question her decision to accept a life alone.
Upon meeting, attraction flares, and it’s only Honey’s fears and the Viscount’s reputation that keep them apart. So while Honey works to accept the possibility that life and love may yet hold some surprises for her, the Viscount works to clear his name and win over the one woman he believes can make him virtuous again.
"The Viscount’s Valentine" was originally published as "Wild Honey."
Bron first lays eyes on Honey on the night of her 18th birthday, when she attends her first and only ball. She is the hit of the season, and he falls in love with her there and then, only to have his hopes dashed when she is married off the following day to an older man in order to pay off her father's debts.
Bron spends the next 12 years trying to forget her, but never quite, despite all his dalliances. He escapes to Yorkshire after getting a girl pregnant (apparently), in the hopes of keeping his head down.
Unfortunately he meets Honey again, and starts wooing her, trying to get her to see past his terrible reputation. Things are not helped by Honey's younger sister staying with her and abandoning her marriage vows to throw herself at Bron. Honey seems incapable of getting through to her sister to make her see sense about what she's doing.
Things come to ahead during a ball to mark valentine's day. which is also Honey's 30th birthday. Some scenes at the ball dont stand quite right (the husband comes to claim his wife, resulting in a very public showdown, with sexual infidelity accusations being thrown about all over the place) but it gets the job done. The author came very near to the "taking the virginity" cliché, but narrowly avoided it.
So on the whole - a nice way to spend an afternoon's reading in the run up to Valentine's
Viscount Blackthorne is better known as Blackheart, a notorious rogue with a reputation for seduction. Forced to flee London and a young woman’s irate father, he escapes to the wilds of Yorkshire hoping to rest, relax, and wait out the scandal. The last thing he expects to find in the country is the stunning beauty he first eyed twelve years ago, the one woman who captivated his heart and made him question his ways.
The widow Honey Hockley has given up on romance and settled into the quiet simplicity of her small Yorkshire village. Before marrying her infirmed husband, she had one sparkling night of a London Season, a night she’ll hold on to forever. But Honey’s peaceful days are shattered when a handsome and mysterious stranger comes to town, forcing her to question her decision to accept a life alone.
Upon meeting, attraction flares, and it’s only Honey’s fears and the Viscount’s reputation that keep them apart. So while Honey works to accept the possibility that life and love may yet hold some surprises for her, the Viscount works to clear his name and win over the one woman he believes can make him virtuous again.
"The Viscount’s Valentine" was originally published as "Wild Honey."
Bron first lays eyes on Honey on the night of her 18th birthday, when she attends her first and only ball. She is the hit of the season, and he falls in love with her there and then, only to have his hopes dashed when she is married off the following day to an older man in order to pay off her father's debts.
Bron spends the next 12 years trying to forget her, but never quite, despite all his dalliances. He escapes to Yorkshire after getting a girl pregnant (apparently), in the hopes of keeping his head down.
Unfortunately he meets Honey again, and starts wooing her, trying to get her to see past his terrible reputation. Things are not helped by Honey's younger sister staying with her and abandoning her marriage vows to throw herself at Bron. Honey seems incapable of getting through to her sister to make her see sense about what she's doing.
Things come to ahead during a ball to mark valentine's day. which is also Honey's 30th birthday. Some scenes at the ball dont stand quite right (the husband comes to claim his wife, resulting in a very public showdown, with sexual infidelity accusations being thrown about all over the place) but it gets the job done. The author came very near to the "taking the virginity" cliché, but narrowly avoided it.
So on the whole - a nice way to spend an afternoon's reading in the run up to Valentine's
November 13, 2014
At a London ball just preceding the 1808 social season, Honoria (Honey) Stillwell made her first appearance and turned every head. Attending the ball was also Lord Bron Alvarice and the sight of this eighteen-year-old beauty affected him as few other women ever had. Little did he suspect that her sweet and innocent face would haunt him for years to come. No one would or could imagine that her father would sell her off to the highest bidder and force her into a loveless marriage with an old man, the wine merchant Abner Hockley. Honey a paragon of innocence, virtue, womanhood and beauty. Stuck away in the north along the Scottish border, she withers away for the next twelve years. Viscount Blackthorne (better known as Viscount Blackheart to London’s high society because of the scandals and intrigues with a vast number of women; both married and single. When he again sees the now widowed Honey, he experiences feelings he had hitherto not felt. Could this strange feeling be love? This novella reminds me of works by Thomas Hardy and beautifully portraits pre-Victorian England. If the author would have spent a little more time and effort in building her characters, this may have rivaled the nineteenth century masters. I think many people will enjoy this book and I consider it well worth the reading.
September 8, 2016
Honey makes her debut on the night of her 18th birthday at a Valentine's ball. Shortly after her father marries her off to a seventy year old merchant who whisks her off to Yorkshire.
Bron was captivated by her face at that ball 12 years ago but never spoke to her. In the interim, he fought in the army and gained a reputation as a rake. After being implicated in a scandal he rusticates to his friend's home in Yorkshire where he finds Honey is a neighbour.
This wasn't instalove but I really couldn't understand why either of them fell in love with the other. Also, Bron's thought processes were fairly unacceptable - "she's a widow therefore she must be up for it, I don't know why she's pulling away and looking scared, silly woman". I'm pretty broad minded but he just didn't understand she didn't want to be his lover.
The sister's actions were pretty inexplicable and the denouement was very rushed and required the presence of a stranger to 'splain it all.
Disappointing
Bron was captivated by her face at that ball 12 years ago but never spoke to her. In the interim, he fought in the army and gained a reputation as a rake. After being implicated in a scandal he rusticates to his friend's home in Yorkshire where he finds Honey is a neighbour.
This wasn't instalove but I really couldn't understand why either of them fell in love with the other. Also, Bron's thought processes were fairly unacceptable - "she's a widow therefore she must be up for it, I don't know why she's pulling away and looking scared, silly woman". I'm pretty broad minded but he just didn't understand she didn't want to be his lover.
The sister's actions were pretty inexplicable and the denouement was very rushed and required the presence of a stranger to 'splain it all.
Disappointing
December 2, 2014
Author: Donna Lea Simpson
First published: 2001 as "Wild Honey" in anthology Valentine Rogues.
Length: 1343 locations
Setting: 1820 Yorkshire.
Sex: Closed door.
Hero: Viscount, soldier, rake.
Heroine: widow.
Includes: Excerpt from A Rogue's Rescue.
A nice scenario but not well achieved. Honey is rather Princess Perfect and Bron is difficult to pin down. Nice enough for a (free) novella but not something I'd recommend nor search out.
References:
Author's website: http://www.donnaleasimpson.com/
(ISBN 978-1-937349-58-5)
-CR-
First published: 2001 as "Wild Honey" in anthology Valentine Rogues.
Length: 1343 locations
Setting: 1820 Yorkshire.
Sex: Closed door.
Hero: Viscount, soldier, rake.
Heroine: widow.
Includes: Excerpt from A Rogue's Rescue.
A nice scenario but not well achieved. Honey is rather Princess Perfect and Bron is difficult to pin down. Nice enough for a (free) novella but not something I'd recommend nor search out.
References:
Author's website: http://www.donnaleasimpson.com/
(ISBN 978-1-937349-58-5)
-CR-
July 28, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a fun novella perfect for Valentine’s Day if you love regency romance. I was expecting more spice not gonna lie 😂 but it was pretty tame, mainly just talk of it and a small scene, for those who want to know.
I didn’t like the main male character at times, but eh. From the very very few novels of this genre I read I suppose he’s typical. Other times I did like him.
The whole story was fun and I found myself looking forward to reading it every day the most out of all of my reads.
The ending was a bit… I’m not sure the word. Not quite cringe or cheesy but somewhere in the middle of that. But nothing too terrible and like I said, this was a super fast and perfect for Valentine’s regency novella. There were a few swoon worthy moments. I’m glad I randomly came across it (I think I did… searching for another book and it caught my eye)
I would probably read it again one day for Valentine’s Day! ❤️
This was a fun novella perfect for Valentine’s Day if you love regency romance. I was expecting more spice not gonna lie 😂 but it was pretty tame, mainly just talk of it and a small scene, for those who want to know.
I didn’t like the main male character at times, but eh. From the very very few novels of this genre I read I suppose he’s typical. Other times I did like him.
The whole story was fun and I found myself looking forward to reading it every day the most out of all of my reads.
The ending was a bit… I’m not sure the word. Not quite cringe or cheesy but somewhere in the middle of that. But nothing too terrible and like I said, this was a super fast and perfect for Valentine’s regency novella. There were a few swoon worthy moments. I’m glad I randomly came across it (I think I did… searching for another book and it caught my eye)
I would probably read it again one day for Valentine’s Day! ❤️
April 15, 2014
Historical English romance with a rake that falls in love, gets reformed by a sweet virginal widow.
So not a lot of original content in this short story which was clean for the most part.
Viscount Blackthorne is known in English high society as 'Blackheart' because he has made so many of the ladies fall in love with him, with no feelings invested on his side. I liked the widow, Honey Hockley. She was honest, respectful and totally accepting of her fate, even when it means leaving society to marry a man three times her age and nurse him in his dying old age. Honey was too good to be true and I wanted to shake her sometimes and just throw her into Blackheart's bed for some sexy time because if anyone needs it... it was her!
Quick read which I'll probably forget about later today.
80 pages and kindle freebie
So not a lot of original content in this short story which was clean for the most part.
Viscount Blackthorne is known in English high society as 'Blackheart' because he has made so many of the ladies fall in love with him, with no feelings invested on his side. I liked the widow, Honey Hockley. She was honest, respectful and totally accepting of her fate, even when it means leaving society to marry a man three times her age and nurse him in his dying old age. Honey was too good to be true and I wanted to shake her sometimes and just throw her into Blackheart's bed for some sexy time because if anyone needs it... it was her!
Quick read which I'll probably forget about later today.
80 pages and kindle freebie
April 17, 2016
Good
This book was about the romance of finally finding love after thinking you have lost it. Bron, a future viscount sees Honey across a crowded ballroom but decides his feelings toward her are just lust and he refuses to give in since all the young men are crowded around her. He says he will dance with her at the next ball in two weeks. But alas, two weeks later she is already married to a doddering old man and gone to the North. This is a time when fathers bartered their daughters for money and Honey is no different. Her father is in debt and sells her off without a thought. But in the end this story has a happy ending for Honey. A sweet tale.
This book was about the romance of finally finding love after thinking you have lost it. Bron, a future viscount sees Honey across a crowded ballroom but decides his feelings toward her are just lust and he refuses to give in since all the young men are crowded around her. He says he will dance with her at the next ball in two weeks. But alas, two weeks later she is already married to a doddering old man and gone to the North. This is a time when fathers bartered their daughters for money and Honey is no different. Her father is in debt and sells her off without a thought. But in the end this story has a happy ending for Honey. A sweet tale.
February 24, 2014
This was a quick read for me. It's always hard for me to believe in the amount and depth of love characters can feel for each in such a short story. In this case it is the love Bron and Honey had for each other by the end of the story, even thought twelve years elapsed between the beginning of the story and the end of it.
For a straight romance with no smut I want and need a longer story with more insight into the characters.
Though there was nothing bad about this story it just didn't do anything for me.
For a straight romance with no smut I want and need a longer story with more insight into the characters.
Though there was nothing bad about this story it just didn't do anything for me.
August 18, 2014
A sweet short story. Some parts seem to last forever and some went to fast. I wasn't sure if the story had been longer and more developed it would have engaged my emotions. It was nice to see the HEA but it was so sudden that I felt like I was told the story instead of being apart of it. It is a good read regardless.
May 11, 2014
Totally for YA
Totally for YA
I love this read. It's just that I was thinking it would have been a bit hotter. I love romance novels, but I am into more racist romances.
Totally for YA
I love this read. It's just that I was thinking it would have been a bit hotter. I love romance novels, but I am into more racist romances.
March 26, 2016
Good
Honey was wed to a nasty old man for her old man's debts. Then years later she meets Bron. He ignites feelings in her that she doesn't want.
Her sister wants them with him. She is having problems with her husband, and is taking them out on everyone else.
Honey was wed to a nasty old man for her old man's debts. Then years later she meets Bron. He ignites feelings in her that she doesn't want.
Her sister wants them with him. She is having problems with her husband, and is taking them out on everyone else.
February 12, 2016
Loved it!
Loved the way the love of the characters managed to last over years apart a nd that they finally found each other again. Will definitely be looking for more books by this author in the future!
Loved the way the love of the characters managed to last over years apart a nd that they finally found each other again. Will definitely be looking for more books by this author in the future!
March 14, 2023
Love Never Forgotten
I really enjoyed reading this book. When Bron saw Honey at a Valentine Ball, he fell in love. But Honey's father sold Honey to an old man. Abner Hockley held her father's debts and traded them for her.
I really enjoyed reading this book. When Bron saw Honey at a Valentine Ball, he fell in love. But Honey's father sold Honey to an old man. Abner Hockley held her father's debts and traded them for her.
October 6, 2025
Good Oct 2025
A short sweet story but also rather sad, so much wasted time it's surprising that Honey didn't turn into a dried up prime as for her sister she needed a good psychiatrist!
A short sweet story but also rather sad, so much wasted time it's surprising that Honey didn't turn into a dried up prime as for her sister she needed a good psychiatrist!
September 5, 2014
Cute short story
January 17, 2016
I wouldn't say I liked it. But I didn't hate it. It was just okay.
March 4, 2014
It was a let down after Love and Scandal by the author.
July 29, 2016
2.5- it was sweet at the end but I think they'd have needed to at least talked to each other, a word even, to spend 12 years thinking of the other!
July 30, 2014
Sweet
such a sweet story. I wish it had more romance. IT was over to quickly. It is something to read in a pinch
such a sweet story. I wish it had more romance. IT was over to quickly. It is something to read in a pinch
May 19, 2015
This was really good. There are twists and turns and I wondered how the heck a HEA would happen when...it did.
August 11, 2015
Difficult read
I really love Regency Romances but this one did not keep my attention - but I did enjoy the ending!
I really love Regency Romances but this one did not keep my attention - but I did enjoy the ending!
January 28, 2016
Great Story
I love recency romance and this was such a good story about Honey and Blackheath ! It was fun to read. I look forward to reading more of Donna Lea Simpson's books.
I love recency romance and this was such a good story about Honey and Blackheath ! It was fun to read. I look forward to reading more of Donna Lea Simpson's books.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 14, 2015
J'avais besoin d'un peu de romantisme en ce jour de St Valentin .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews