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Crossed Quills
When Wynn Selworth implores Prometheus, a supposed male literary essayist who is actually Phillippa Lisle, to help him, Phillippa poses as Prometheus's liaison since she is determined never to reveal her secret, and together they embark on a madcap adventure of love. Original.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
31 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Carola Dunn
91 books888 followersCarola Dunn is the author of more than 30 Regency romances, as well as 16 mysteries (the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series is set in England in the 1920s). Ms. Dunn was born and grew up in England, where she got a B.A. in Russian and French from Manchester University. She travelled as far as Fiji before returning to settle in California. After 30 years in the US, she says she still sounds as if she arrived a month ago.
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
Prior to writing, Ms. Dunn’s various jobs included market research, child-care, construction--from foundation trenches to roofing--and writing definitions for a dictionary of science and technology. She wrote her first novel in 1979, a Regency which she sold to Warner Books.
Now living in Eugene, Oregon, Ms. Dunn has a son in California who has just made her a grandmother, and a large black dog named Willow who takes her for a walk by the Willamette River each morning. (www.belgravehouse.com)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 7, 2022
What a brilliant book!! Fantastic plot, great characters and the humour - oh! Man what a treat.
Recommended :👍 👍
Recommended :👍 👍
April 3, 2008
This is one of my comfort reads and seeing how hectic my life is, that's exactly what I needed. While it retains all that necessary elements of a regency romance, I love the twist with the politically thinking girl and the guy who can't write anything but purple prose even if his life depended on it. Nice little twist on the gender stereotypes.
February 7, 2021
The blurb is a pretty good description of the novel – the hero is trying to write his maiden speech but finds his writing style is a bit too flowery and overwrought, the result of his experience as a Gothic romance writer. He wants to be taken seriously – he’s got a lot to say about social ills – so he seeks out Prometheus’ help (who’s really a woman writing anonymously) to craft a better speech.
The story is set during the London Season and there’s a lot of description about that as well as about the social issues of the time. Rather ironically the book covers a lot of ground – the plight of women, chimney sweeps, and the politics of the day to name just a few. I say ironically because one of the features of the story is how Wynn’s maiden speech in the House of Lords is too broad-ranging, trying to cover too many social ills in one speech.
I did feel that these descriptions did drag on a bit. Although it was interesting to learn about some of the less desirable side of Regency living, I was reading a romance and it would have been nice to have seen the hero and heroine falling in love a bit more obviously. They’re a lovely pair too – Wynn is a nice guy hero keen to save the world with his new found wealth and privilege, whilst Pippa is a sensible, older heroine who has been using her strong writing abilities to fight for social change for quite a while already.
I loved the strong, supportive female relationships in this book and it’s probably what tipped this over from ‘not recommended’ to ‘recommended‘ ultimately. I really liked seeing the interactions between Pippa and her mother and sister, as well as with her old school-friend. So very different to the ‘evil female relationship’ theme that permeates many Regency Romances.
Ultimately though I guess you want to know – did I feel the HEA was right? Was I left with a warm and fuzzy feeling or wishing I could get my money back?
Yes, I did feel the HEA was right (good thing too since I’m recommending this book!). Although a slightly longer journey than perhaps other books that I’ve read, it seemed realistic.
I’ve just realised whilst writing this review, that there wasn’t a big misunderstanding that had to be overcome and you know what, I did. not. miss. that at all. However, if that’s your thing, then again maybe give this book a miss.
So yes, this is a recommend from me and I look forward to reading more of Ms Dunn’s books in due course.
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
The story is set during the London Season and there’s a lot of description about that as well as about the social issues of the time. Rather ironically the book covers a lot of ground – the plight of women, chimney sweeps, and the politics of the day to name just a few. I say ironically because one of the features of the story is how Wynn’s maiden speech in the House of Lords is too broad-ranging, trying to cover too many social ills in one speech.
I did feel that these descriptions did drag on a bit. Although it was interesting to learn about some of the less desirable side of Regency living, I was reading a romance and it would have been nice to have seen the hero and heroine falling in love a bit more obviously. They’re a lovely pair too – Wynn is a nice guy hero keen to save the world with his new found wealth and privilege, whilst Pippa is a sensible, older heroine who has been using her strong writing abilities to fight for social change for quite a while already.
I loved the strong, supportive female relationships in this book and it’s probably what tipped this over from ‘not recommended’ to ‘recommended‘ ultimately. I really liked seeing the interactions between Pippa and her mother and sister, as well as with her old school-friend. So very different to the ‘evil female relationship’ theme that permeates many Regency Romances.
Ultimately though I guess you want to know – did I feel the HEA was right? Was I left with a warm and fuzzy feeling or wishing I could get my money back?
Yes, I did feel the HEA was right (good thing too since I’m recommending this book!). Although a slightly longer journey than perhaps other books that I’ve read, it seemed realistic.
I’ve just realised whilst writing this review, that there wasn’t a big misunderstanding that had to be overcome and you know what, I did. not. miss. that at all. However, if that’s your thing, then again maybe give this book a miss.
So yes, this is a recommend from me and I look forward to reading more of Ms Dunn’s books in due course.
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
June 4, 2014
An amusing Regency romance, with a twist. The hero, Lord Selworth, supported himself and his impoverished family by writing gothic romances under a pseudonym, before a distant relative died and he inherited a title and a fortune. The heroine, Miss Pippa Lisle, has been supporting her family since her father's death by publishing articles under her pseudonym, Prometheus. When Lord Selworth is faced with making his first speech in the House of Lords, he seeks out the guidance of Prometheus, not knowing that his mentor's daughter has taken over that role. The usual complications over false identities ensue, until all is resolved in the expected happy ending.
December 1, 2017
Man becomes lord, lady remains lady, lord meets lady. Lady has literary secret, lord has literary secret. Very mild shenanigans ensue.
April 26, 2022
Absolutely no Big Misunderstandings here--when the hero and heroine figure out each other's secrets, they just go "yeah that makes sense" and move on. (Wynn previously wrote gothic novels to support his family; Pippa writes political essays under a male pseudonym to likewise support her family.)
I wish that the ending wasn't so abrupt, though, because I wanted to see how Wynn and Pippa planned to go forward with their political activism despite the roadblocks encountered in the last third of the book.
I wish that the ending wasn't so abrupt, though, because I wanted to see how Wynn and Pippa planned to go forward with their political activism despite the roadblocks encountered in the last third of the book.
September 19, 2019
Lots of fun
Crossed quills and seemingly crossed in love, or are they? Maybe this is a political and love match made in heaven. Can two writers keep secrets while falling in love? See if Pippa and Wynn can keep their secrets as they give away their hearts.
Crossed quills and seemingly crossed in love, or are they? Maybe this is a political and love match made in heaven. Can two writers keep secrets while falling in love? See if Pippa and Wynn can keep their secrets as they give away their hearts.
June 16, 2025
Dull
I find this author’s work a little hit & miss. Some are really good, others not so much.
I found this one dull & boring. There was far too much unnecessary detail over irrelevancies; this slowed the pace and added nothing to the story.
Give this one a miss.
I find this author’s work a little hit & miss. Some are really good, others not so much.
I found this one dull & boring. There was far too much unnecessary detail over irrelevancies; this slowed the pace and added nothing to the story.
Give this one a miss.
October 30, 2017
Quick, fun read. Another perfect book for the long trip.
April 19, 2021
but like........... that was such a dumb ending ?????
February 7, 2023
3.5
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Dunn’s abrupt endings drive me absolutely insane 💀
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Dunn’s abrupt endings drive me absolutely insane 💀
August 9, 2024
good one.
September 15, 2020
I am a great fan of traditional regencies and this is one of my favourite stories.
I would judge this as one of Ms Dunn's best Regency efforts, along with Two Corinthians, A Poor Relation and Lavender Lady.
After Georgette Heyer, she, alongside Carla Kelly, Edith Layton (her better efforts) and Mary Kingswood, I believe, are amongst the best of the traditional Regency authors. Mary Balogh's earlier books are also vastly enjoyable.
I shall be reading her Daisy Dalrymple's murder mysteries next.
I would judge this as one of Ms Dunn's best Regency efforts, along with Two Corinthians, A Poor Relation and Lavender Lady.
After Georgette Heyer, she, alongside Carla Kelly, Edith Layton (her better efforts) and Mary Kingswood, I believe, are amongst the best of the traditional Regency authors. Mary Balogh's earlier books are also vastly enjoyable.
I shall be reading her Daisy Dalrymple's murder mysteries next.
September 11, 2016
Dopo aver letto con una certa dose di noia 'A poor relation', ho pensato di offrire a Carola Dunn una seconda possibilità, in considerazione del gran successo di cui gode. L'invenzione del 'plot' mi sembrava stavolta sufficientemente intrigante, ed ho inizialmente apprezzato lo spirito leggero e un po' ironico con cui sembrava decisa a portarlo avanti.
Ma la storia si è presto sgonfiata come un soufflé mal riuscito, e si è rivelata, alla stessa maniera, insulsa e indigesta
Ma la storia si è presto sgonfiata come un soufflé mal riuscito, e si è rivelata, alla stessa maniera, insulsa e indigesta
September 6, 2011
I've read this book a couple times, and liked it enough to give it another read through, but for some reason it annoyed me this time. the jumps from scene to scene were very jarring. the hero was annoying and the drunken confession of love and marriage proposal was the most unromantic I have ever read.
November 8, 2013
The story was fun to read and it was one of the few NOT based on Pride and Prejudice, which was a nice change. I really liked the heroine, but she lost points from me for swooning. The hero also lost points for a drunken proposal, but overall, I enjoyed this book.
June 15, 2010
Loved the story but thought the ending could have been stronger.
October 22, 2013
A pleasant regency romance, not as silly as some of her previous books and with a more unusual plot-line.
April 7, 2014
I enjoy this author but her endings are very unsatisfying. Couldn't we get another couple paragraphs after the marriage proposal? I need a little more denouement in my fiction.
September 19, 2015
Excellent regency of the old school - Heyer fans take note!
February 5, 2016
Eh.
It was great and awesome until they got to the whole novel author mix up and the "a little boxed" confession.
It was great and awesome until they got to the whole novel author mix up and the "a little boxed" confession.
March 23, 2021
4.5 stars
April 28, 2016
I liked this story...it was fun and I like this author.
June 21, 2016
A quick and entertaining read, the romance is a little weak
Read my full review: http://www.regrom.com/2016/06/20/caro...
Read my full review: http://www.regrom.com/2016/06/20/caro...
November 11, 2017
Regency
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews