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Dangerous #1
Dangerous Illusions
The first book in Amanda Scott’s acclaimed Dangerous series journeys from the battlefields of Waterloo to the ballrooms and boudoirs of London, where a deadly deception unfolds...Engaged by proxy to a man she’s never met, Lady Daintry Tarrant is dismayed when the war hero returns, introducing himself as her fiancé, Lord Penthorpe. She cherishes her independence and has turned away many suitors, but this one she must marry. Penthorpe is completely captivated by Lady Daintry - but he’s not who he claims to be.Penthorpe and Lord Gideon Deverill fought together at the battle of Waterloo, and when Penthorpe fell, Gideon assumed his identity in order to see the beautiful Lady Daintry. Gideon knows there’s bad blood between Lady Daintry’s family and his own, but he’s smitten with Daintry and determined to reunite the bitterly feuding clans. When a ghost from Gideon’s past appears, he could lose everything - including Daintry’s love.
482 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
233 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Scott
172 books382 followersAmanda Scott, USA Today Bestselling Author and winner of Romance Writers of America’s RITA/Golden Medallion (LORD ABBERLEY'S NEMESIS) and Romantic Times’ Awards for Best Regency Author and Best Sensual Regency (RAVENWOOD'S LADY), Lifetime Achievement (2007) and Best Scottish Historical (BORDER MOONLIGHT, 2008), began writing on a dare from her husband. She has sold every manuscript she has written.
Amanda is a fourth-generation Californian, who was born and raised in Salinas and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in history from Mills College in Oakland. She did graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in British History, before obtaining her Master’s in History from California State University at San Jose. She now lives with her husband and son in northern California.
As a child, Amanda Scott was a model for O’Connor Moffatt in San Francisco (now Macy’s). She was also a Sputnik child, one of those selected after the satellite went up for one of California’s first programs for gifted children. She remained in that program through high school. After graduate school, she taught for the Salinas City School District for three years before marrying her husband, who was then a captain in the Air Force. They lived in Honolulu for a year, then in Papillion, Nebraska, for seven. Their son was born in Nebraska. They have lived in northern California since 1980.
Scott grew up in a family of lawyers, and is descended from a long line of them. Her father was a three-term District Attorney of Monterey County before his death in 1955 at age 36. Her grandfather was City Attorney of Salinas for 36 years after serving two terms as District Attorney, and two of her ancestors were State Supreme Court Justices (one in Missouri, the other the first Supreme Court Justice for the State of Arkansas). One brother, having carried on the Scott tradition in the Monterey County DA’s office, is now a judge. The other is an electrician in Knoxville, TN, and her sister is a teacher in the Sacramento area.
The women of Amanda Scott’s family have been no less successful than the men. Her mother was a child actress known as Baby Lowell, who performed all over the west coast and in Hollywood movies, and then was a dancer with the San Francisco Opera Ballet until her marriage. Her mother’s sister, Loretta Lowell, was also a child actress. She performed in the Our Gang comedies and in several Loretta Young movies before becoming one of the first women in the US Air Force. Scott's paternal grandmother was active in local and State politics and served as president of the California State PTA, and her maternal grandmother was a teacher (and stage mother) before working for Monterey County. The place of women in Scott’s family has always been a strong one. Though they married strong men, the women have, for generations, been well educated and encouraged to succeed at whatever they chose to do.
Amanda Scott’s first book was OMAHA CITY ARCHITECTURE, a coffee-table photo essay on the historical architecture of Omaha, written for Landmarks, Inc. under her married name as a Junior League project. Others took the photos; she did the research and wrote the text on an old Smith-Corona portable electric. She sold her first novel, THE FUGITIVE HEIRESS - likewise written on the battered Smith-Corona in 1980. Since then, she has sold many more books, but since the second one she has used a word processor and computer. Twenty-five of her novels are set in the English Regency period (1810-1820). Others are set in 15th-century England and 14th- through 18th-century Scotland, and three are contemporary romances. Many of her titles are currently available at bookstores and online.
Amanda is a fourth-generation Californian, who was born and raised in Salinas and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in history from Mills College in Oakland. She did graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in British History, before obtaining her Master’s in History from California State University at San Jose. She now lives with her husband and son in northern California.
As a child, Amanda Scott was a model for O’Connor Moffatt in San Francisco (now Macy’s). She was also a Sputnik child, one of those selected after the satellite went up for one of California’s first programs for gifted children. She remained in that program through high school. After graduate school, she taught for the Salinas City School District for three years before marrying her husband, who was then a captain in the Air Force. They lived in Honolulu for a year, then in Papillion, Nebraska, for seven. Their son was born in Nebraska. They have lived in northern California since 1980.
Scott grew up in a family of lawyers, and is descended from a long line of them. Her father was a three-term District Attorney of Monterey County before his death in 1955 at age 36. Her grandfather was City Attorney of Salinas for 36 years after serving two terms as District Attorney, and two of her ancestors were State Supreme Court Justices (one in Missouri, the other the first Supreme Court Justice for the State of Arkansas). One brother, having carried on the Scott tradition in the Monterey County DA’s office, is now a judge. The other is an electrician in Knoxville, TN, and her sister is a teacher in the Sacramento area.
The women of Amanda Scott’s family have been no less successful than the men. Her mother was a child actress known as Baby Lowell, who performed all over the west coast and in Hollywood movies, and then was a dancer with the San Francisco Opera Ballet until her marriage. Her mother’s sister, Loretta Lowell, was also a child actress. She performed in the Our Gang comedies and in several Loretta Young movies before becoming one of the first women in the US Air Force. Scott's paternal grandmother was active in local and State politics and served as president of the California State PTA, and her maternal grandmother was a teacher (and stage mother) before working for Monterey County. The place of women in Scott’s family has always been a strong one. Though they married strong men, the women have, for generations, been well educated and encouraged to succeed at whatever they chose to do.
Amanda Scott’s first book was OMAHA CITY ARCHITECTURE, a coffee-table photo essay on the historical architecture of Omaha, written for Landmarks, Inc. under her married name as a Junior League project. Others took the photos; she did the research and wrote the text on an old Smith-Corona portable electric. She sold her first novel, THE FUGITIVE HEIRESS - likewise written on the battered Smith-Corona in 1980. Since then, she has sold many more books, but since the second one she has used a word processor and computer. Twenty-five of her novels are set in the English Regency period (1810-1820). Others are set in 15th-century England and 14th- through 18th-century Scotland, and three are contemporary romances. Many of her titles are currently available at bookstores and online.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 24, 2013
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Amanda Scott's Dangerous Illusions is a romance, but one with some very clear underlying messages regarding the roles women have played throughout history. Admittedly, part of me enjoyed this approach but another part of me found it somewhat frustrating.
On the one hand, I liked that Scott wasn't afraid to paint relationships that aren't all sunshine and roses. I think we tend to overlook the subjugation and suffering many women endured at the hands of their husbands, especially in fiction and applaud this author for having to nerve to go there in her work.
On the other hand, however, I often felt this concept upstaged and undermined the romance between Gideon and Daintry, that their connection relied more on the fact that he isn't heavy handed and abusive than any real exchange of affection. Don't misunderstand, I enjoyed Scott's theme, but I really wanted to like this relationship more than I did.
Not the sweeping romance I'd expected, but even so I consider the time I spent with this piece far from wasted. Dangerous Illusions is a thought-provoking read that offers readers a revealing glimpse into the past and by default, an certain appreciation for how far we've come.
Amanda Scott's Dangerous Illusions is a romance, but one with some very clear underlying messages regarding the roles women have played throughout history. Admittedly, part of me enjoyed this approach but another part of me found it somewhat frustrating.
On the one hand, I liked that Scott wasn't afraid to paint relationships that aren't all sunshine and roses. I think we tend to overlook the subjugation and suffering many women endured at the hands of their husbands, especially in fiction and applaud this author for having to nerve to go there in her work.
On the other hand, however, I often felt this concept upstaged and undermined the romance between Gideon and Daintry, that their connection relied more on the fact that he isn't heavy handed and abusive than any real exchange of affection. Don't misunderstand, I enjoyed Scott's theme, but I really wanted to like this relationship more than I did.
Not the sweeping romance I'd expected, but even so I consider the time I spent with this piece far from wasted. Dangerous Illusions is a thought-provoking read that offers readers a revealing glimpse into the past and by default, an certain appreciation for how far we've come.
April 21, 2013
This wasn't quite what I expected for a Regency era type novel. Usually these are more fluffy, book candy and this really wasn't.
Lady Daintry is a forward thinking woman. She doesn't want to be tied down to a husband because she's seen the way men treat there wives, and in this era, it wasn't uncommon for a husband to beat his wife. She was his property and that was that.
I think that took over the story and really overshadowed the romance especially when things got nasty with Susan and her husband Geoffrey. That was one evil guy. I couldn't stand that no one would stand up for her, it made me hate just about every member of their family. And then with the things that happened to Daintry, I wanted to kill him.
Not to sound like a teenager, but geeze the guys were simply mean. It is understandable that Daintry didn't want to marry with men that didn't have an ounce of kindness to them and her mother was simply too wishy washy.
Gideon is a breath of fresh air among the men that Daintry knows. He's nice, yet it takes a while to really warm up to his character. It was hard to figure out why he masqueraded as his dead friend at the beginning.
The characters that were more fun in this novel were Aunt Ophelia and the two little girls, Charley and Melissa. Such fun, and such terrors in a round about way.
The plot of this novel centered around such vile behavior on the part of most of the male characters..not the hero..and well not another male character whose name would very well be a spoiler. So it keeps this from being a great romance.
I know the message that the author was trying to convey, I just couldn't believe that every man in the heroine's family could be so despicable.
Overall a good read but not the best from this genre.
Lady Daintry is a forward thinking woman. She doesn't want to be tied down to a husband because she's seen the way men treat there wives, and in this era, it wasn't uncommon for a husband to beat his wife. She was his property and that was that.
I think that took over the story and really overshadowed the romance especially when things got nasty with Susan and her husband Geoffrey. That was one evil guy. I couldn't stand that no one would stand up for her, it made me hate just about every member of their family. And then with the things that happened to Daintry, I wanted to kill him.
Not to sound like a teenager, but geeze the guys were simply mean. It is understandable that Daintry didn't want to marry with men that didn't have an ounce of kindness to them and her mother was simply too wishy washy.
Gideon is a breath of fresh air among the men that Daintry knows. He's nice, yet it takes a while to really warm up to his character. It was hard to figure out why he masqueraded as his dead friend at the beginning.
The characters that were more fun in this novel were Aunt Ophelia and the two little girls, Charley and Melissa. Such fun, and such terrors in a round about way.
The plot of this novel centered around such vile behavior on the part of most of the male characters..not the hero..and well not another male character whose name would very well be a spoiler. So it keeps this from being a great romance.
I know the message that the author was trying to convey, I just couldn't believe that every man in the heroine's family could be so despicable.
Overall a good read but not the best from this genre.
June 19, 2013
By: Amanda Scott
Published By: Pinnacle
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Series: Dangerous #1
Review
"Dangerous Illusions" by Amanda Scott was a good historical romance that involved 'women's rights or the lack thereof.' During this period in history this author 'speaks clearly to the lack of rights women had.' In this novel we are dealing with the lives of Lord Gideon Deverill and Lady Daintry Tarrant who if they had did as their families wanted would have never met 'due to a long standing family feud. This will definitely start trouble up between these two families. Now, I will say you must pick up "Dangerous Illusions" to see what all the fuss is about. Just what was this feud about? The characters for the most part were difference in that most of the men seemed to be simply mean...but not Gideon and Aunt Ophelia was very colorful. You will pick this up from the read what I am referring to. Be ready for many twist and surprises that will keep up turning the pages. The laws that applied to 'husbands and wives' left me saying What? What power the men had over the women only left me say OMG! This was definitely a challenging time at this period of time. This left me thinking ... well, I will just recommend this read to you ....for you to decide.
Published By: Pinnacle
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Series: Dangerous #1
Review
"Dangerous Illusions" by Amanda Scott was a good historical romance that involved 'women's rights or the lack thereof.' During this period in history this author 'speaks clearly to the lack of rights women had.' In this novel we are dealing with the lives of Lord Gideon Deverill and Lady Daintry Tarrant who if they had did as their families wanted would have never met 'due to a long standing family feud. This will definitely start trouble up between these two families. Now, I will say you must pick up "Dangerous Illusions" to see what all the fuss is about. Just what was this feud about? The characters for the most part were difference in that most of the men seemed to be simply mean...but not Gideon and Aunt Ophelia was very colorful. You will pick this up from the read what I am referring to. Be ready for many twist and surprises that will keep up turning the pages. The laws that applied to 'husbands and wives' left me saying What? What power the men had over the women only left me say OMG! This was definitely a challenging time at this period of time. This left me thinking ... well, I will just recommend this read to you ....for you to decide.
December 4, 2021
Love the plot and the depth of the characters. Wish I could give it 5 stars but, it is stuffed with pretentious, supercilious prose that diminished the whole.
July 24, 2017
There was so much going on in this book that it was hard to wrap my head around it. Everything going on with Susan, and then Catherine came into the picture, Charles and Davina, and then the little girls who basically had no parents to teach them right and wrong. And then Daintry, the main character who was cried off 3 times from betrothals. It was kind of a mess and there is still more that I haven't mentioned. Plus I wish there would have been an epilogue. Cause then I would have known if things ended up okay.
July 9, 2017
Excellent, as always
When one reads an Amanda Scott book they get an excellent combination of characters ,plot end story. In addition they get chuckles interspersed with sadness along with the excitement and surprise. Her boos are an investment in enjoyment.
When one reads an Amanda Scott book they get an excellent combination of characters ,plot end story. In addition they get chuckles interspersed with sadness along with the excitement and surprise. Her boos are an investment in enjoyment.
November 14, 2017
Danger
I enjoyed reading Dangerous Illusions written by Amanda Scott. This story is about a long ago feud,
Abusive husband, and so much more! I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read this type of genre!
I enjoyed reading Dangerous Illusions written by Amanda Scott. This story is about a long ago feud,
Abusive husband, and so much more! I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read this type of genre!
November 22, 2016
This book really got me worked up. Hate the way women were treated at that time and Gentlemen could get away with it. But at least it worked out in the end. Still hate Geoffrey!
April 1, 2018
Wonderful characters
Just loved Aunt Ophelia. The hero and heroine were both charming and entertaining. The story c captured me from the beginning.
Just loved Aunt Ophelia. The hero and heroine were both charming and entertaining. The story c captured me from the beginning.
February 20, 2019
My library is full of Amanda Scott books, so I downloaded this one to give her a try. I don't like her writing style as much as Kleypass or Eloisa James, but it was entertaining enough.
June 6, 2020
Really good story
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters and plot were interesting. It had a different plot line than other books.
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters and plot were interesting. It had a different plot line than other books.
March 15, 2021
There was a lot going on in this book
July 28, 2021
1st chapter was ok.
2nd chapter was tedious so I quit. Maybe I'll come back to it one day. It's just not working for me.
2nd chapter was tedious so I quit. Maybe I'll come back to it one day. It's just not working for me.
Read
September 22, 2021Did not finish.
December 6, 2025
Too heavy and convoluted for a Regency Romance. Dragged in the middle and a tough finish for me.
March 16, 2013
Amanda Scott wanted to make me think and boy did it work! In Dangerous Illusions she makes quite a statement for women's rights or the lack thereof. In fact this book was more about the social indignities placed upon a woman than about a particular couple. Sure it is in the end a romance but there was just so much more going on.
Originally released in 2001 anyone who reads Amanda Scott can see how much her writing has grown as far as character and story development but this book has a very important story to tell. As women we should pay attention! It speaks clearly to the lack of rights women had and to me we need to all pay attention. I especially appreciated that even then there were women who were fighting for women's rights. The right to rule herself, let alone the right to choose.. and yes even then there were women fighting for the right to make their own choices even about abortion.
Dangerous Illusions takes us through the lives of Lord Gideon Deverill and Lady Daintry Tarrant two individuals who if they listened to their families would never have met due to a longstanding family feud. Daintry, an outspoken young woman of 20ish had already called off three betrothals before her father put his foot down and insisted she agree to a betrothal to Lord Penthrope, whom she had never met but her father was great friends with his uncle. Since she had given her word she was determined to follow through with it. Until a stranger came to their door and told her that Lord Penthrope had died at Waterloo. But something about the dashing messenger spoke to her and she found herself reacting to him as she had to no other man.
Lord Gideon Deverill had no idea that fulfilling a simple promise could cause so much trouble. Initially confused as the missing betrothed he was able to enter the household and meet a young woman whose picture had haunted him. Instantly attracted to her ready wit and strong sense of self Gideon had no desire to give her up.
While Daintry tried to be a dutiful daughter she saw only the negative aspects of doing so. Her beloved older sister had slowly turned into a ghost of herself, one beautiful neice all but a shadow and one an outspoken child who all but screamed for her parents attention. Her father was an idiot.. as unlikeable character as you can ever find, her mother was a wuss and the only positive role model she had in her life was her outspoken elderly aunt. Who seriously reminded me of my grandmother.
Aside from familial issues Dangerous Illusions takes on many of the social issues a woman must face.. I don't want to go into great detail because well that would include spoilers but I will say that in spite of the way most of the women behaved in this book and sadly was probably an accurate portrayal, the woman really did control more than they were aware of. They just hadn't learned how to work the system.
I liked this book because so often we fantasize about a time that was full of romance and beauty that we forget the ugliness that was also involved. Maybe this was not supposed to be a feminist rights book and it really isn't but as a woman who was raised to be strong and true to herself I could only cheer that such statements were made.
Check it out, while it isn't Ms Scott's best work by any means it offers wonderful insight.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Dangerous Illusions provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be re released on March 26, 2013
For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Originally released in 2001 anyone who reads Amanda Scott can see how much her writing has grown as far as character and story development but this book has a very important story to tell. As women we should pay attention! It speaks clearly to the lack of rights women had and to me we need to all pay attention. I especially appreciated that even then there were women who were fighting for women's rights. The right to rule herself, let alone the right to choose.. and yes even then there were women fighting for the right to make their own choices even about abortion.
Dangerous Illusions takes us through the lives of Lord Gideon Deverill and Lady Daintry Tarrant two individuals who if they listened to their families would never have met due to a longstanding family feud. Daintry, an outspoken young woman of 20ish had already called off three betrothals before her father put his foot down and insisted she agree to a betrothal to Lord Penthrope, whom she had never met but her father was great friends with his uncle. Since she had given her word she was determined to follow through with it. Until a stranger came to their door and told her that Lord Penthrope had died at Waterloo. But something about the dashing messenger spoke to her and she found herself reacting to him as she had to no other man.
Lord Gideon Deverill had no idea that fulfilling a simple promise could cause so much trouble. Initially confused as the missing betrothed he was able to enter the household and meet a young woman whose picture had haunted him. Instantly attracted to her ready wit and strong sense of self Gideon had no desire to give her up.
While Daintry tried to be a dutiful daughter she saw only the negative aspects of doing so. Her beloved older sister had slowly turned into a ghost of herself, one beautiful neice all but a shadow and one an outspoken child who all but screamed for her parents attention. Her father was an idiot.. as unlikeable character as you can ever find, her mother was a wuss and the only positive role model she had in her life was her outspoken elderly aunt. Who seriously reminded me of my grandmother.
Aside from familial issues Dangerous Illusions takes on many of the social issues a woman must face.. I don't want to go into great detail because well that would include spoilers but I will say that in spite of the way most of the women behaved in this book and sadly was probably an accurate portrayal, the woman really did control more than they were aware of. They just hadn't learned how to work the system.
I liked this book because so often we fantasize about a time that was full of romance and beauty that we forget the ugliness that was also involved. Maybe this was not supposed to be a feminist rights book and it really isn't but as a woman who was raised to be strong and true to herself I could only cheer that such statements were made.
Check it out, while it isn't Ms Scott's best work by any means it offers wonderful insight.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Dangerous Illusions provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be re released on March 26, 2013
For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
April 16, 2013
Heroine, Lady Daintry Tarrant is a forthright young woman, encouraged to be independent by her spinster aunt, Olivia. She has given several suitors the congé but now her father has her word that she will marry Lord Penthorpe when he returns from the war.
There’s been a feud between the Tarrant and the Deverill families for years, but no one seems to know why. While hero, Lord Gideon Deverill and Daintry attempt to uncover the reason behind it, the plot revolves around Daintry’s sister, Susan, who is suffering at the hands of her brutal husband, Geoffrey. Susan has become submissive and bowed down, which well illustrates how little authority women had in those times, often with no help from patriarchal fathers and little aid from the law. I found it interesting and refreshing that Scott focused quite a lot of the story on this theme, although the developing romance does take second place at times.
Daintry is outspoken and rails against the constraints placed upon her. She tries to aid her sister. Without giving away too much, something unspeakable happens to Daintry in the course of the story, and although I expected the gently raised young woman to show more emotion, it is a powerful scene.
I didn’t warm to the hero immediately. I thought it silly when Gideon masquerades as his dead friend, Penthorpe, who was betrothed by proxy to Daintry before falling at Waterloo, and didn’t feel his reason justified it. He grew on me though. His complex relationship with his father gives us more insight into his character. All the secondary characters are well drawn. Scott creates a great sense of place too; she brings Cornwell vividly alive.
When the underlying mystery of why Gideon and Daintry’s families had been feuding is solved, it seems a bit pat, but it quickly loses its relevance in the scheme of things and the story ends well. These are quibbles, I enjoyed the story, the author’s writing style impressed and I will read more of her books.
May 30, 2013
This is a nonstop historical fiction-nonfiction ride. There were so many twists and surprises that it was very hard to have to put it down. I enjoyed the mostly usual plots-married people playing around, war battles and couples who want each other to like the other. What really blew me away was the laws that applied to husbands and wives. I knew the husband had all the power but WOW, I didn't know how much power that was. Reading this book really put you into the role of observer as you watched their lives go by. If you like real life you definitely should not pass this book by. I have read a lot of Amanda's books but this one grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Enjoy!
May 8, 2013
At first glance this book gives you the impression of a romance novel - a young well-bred woman who is promised in marriage without her consent, a friend posing as the consort after he is killed in battle, and an unlikely romance. All this set on the back drop of the aftermath of the battle of Waterloo and society in the 1800's. The social mores of the time and the position of women and their lack of rights can be challenging at times. The characters are well thought out and the story is worthy. I enjoyed this powerful tale.
Read
July 4, 2013I had a hard time getting into this book, it was a little slow. My rule is every book gets at least 100 pages unless it's completely craptastic. I made it to 100 and I just can't justify going any further when there are so many other books on my shelf to read. Sorry Ms. Scott!
Read
April 4, 2013A dnf for me, unfortunately. I appreciated the examination of women's rights in this book, but I felt that it became the main point of the book. The romance got lost in between philosophical debates between the characters. So, it didn't work for me, unfortunately.
April 14, 2013
I don't want to put a bad review but as much as I love historical romance and Amanda Scott this one didn't do anything for me.. I honestly thought it was quite boring and I had a hard time finishing it.
June 5, 2013
Review By: Maggi Anderson
Link to Review: http://romantichistoricallovers.wordp...
Link to Review: http://romantichistoricallovers.wordp...
November 2, 2013
fascinating look into a time before psychologists and self help and how do people of the era deal with trauma within high society
August 2, 2014
Boring. Too much talking.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews