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Regency Undone #2
Desperate Measures
Lady Isabelle Pennington has been put off men for life. Married off by her family to an abusive man 35 years her senior, she is now widowed and virtually penniless. His debauched lifestyle and treatment of her has left her deeply scarred and vowing that never again will she allow herself to be subjected to such abuse.
Guy, Duke of Rotherham, has had one wife walk out on him and has no wish to enter the matrimonial stakes again. But when he and Isabelle are thrown together, he finds himself drawn by her calm demeanour and aloof beauty despite himself.
To begin with Isabelle wants nothing to do with this imposing Duke who has dragged her into his life, but then to her shock she realises that he does not repulse her as her first husband had done. Indeed for the first time ever, she actually starts to enjoy the exquisite sensations he is able to arouse in her.
Two damaged people, intent on maintaining their independence. But both turn out to be highly passionate - and once passion flares it is not easily extinguished!
Guy, Duke of Rotherham, has had one wife walk out on him and has no wish to enter the matrimonial stakes again. But when he and Isabelle are thrown together, he finds himself drawn by her calm demeanour and aloof beauty despite himself.
To begin with Isabelle wants nothing to do with this imposing Duke who has dragged her into his life, but then to her shock she realises that he does not repulse her as her first husband had done. Indeed for the first time ever, she actually starts to enjoy the exquisite sensations he is able to arouse in her.
Two damaged people, intent on maintaining their independence. But both turn out to be highly passionate - and once passion flares it is not easily extinguished!
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2014
51 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Claire Firth
5 books17 followersYOU CAN GET THE FIRST BOOK IN MY SERIES, FREE here:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ri8dylgqfx
I've always loved reading Regency Romance and from an early age was hooked on Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer – such beautifully written books. Like many authors, I spent my early years penning manuscripts that never saw their way out of the drawers I stuffed them into, until one day I decided to change that. I've never looked back and write in a variety of genres under different pen names!
My Regency Romances are slightly shorter and HOTTER than either of the authors above, but I hope that I've kept the very necessary elements of an emotionally charged romance, and characters who are flawed but believable. The slow burn (and sometimes explicit) build of sexual tension is the icing on the cake!
I hope you enjoy my books and do join my newly-started Facebook Group if you'd like to be notified of New Releases and any special offers that I might be running. I hope to see you there and bye for now!
JOIN MY FB GROUP HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/34116...
OR you can simply follow me on FB here:
https://www.facebook.com/clairefirtha...
I'm a relative newbie on FB so all followers welcome!
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ri8dylgqfx
I've always loved reading Regency Romance and from an early age was hooked on Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer – such beautifully written books. Like many authors, I spent my early years penning manuscripts that never saw their way out of the drawers I stuffed them into, until one day I decided to change that. I've never looked back and write in a variety of genres under different pen names!
My Regency Romances are slightly shorter and HOTTER than either of the authors above, but I hope that I've kept the very necessary elements of an emotionally charged romance, and characters who are flawed but believable. The slow burn (and sometimes explicit) build of sexual tension is the icing on the cake!
I hope you enjoy my books and do join my newly-started Facebook Group if you'd like to be notified of New Releases and any special offers that I might be running. I hope to see you there and bye for now!
JOIN MY FB GROUP HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/34116...
OR you can simply follow me on FB here:
https://www.facebook.com/clairefirtha...
I'm a relative newbie on FB so all followers welcome!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 30, 2022
All I can say is my wifi was down for a few hours the day I picked it up to read.
Want to read
April 23, 2022🎁Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (4/23/2022)! 🎁
August 1, 2023
A riveting novella that had me engrossed from the very first line. Isabelle and Guy have both previously been, unhappily, married and, initially, a marriage of convenience brings them together. The tender, passionate, sensual story that develops is heartwarming. Isabelle is strong, aloof and, due to her first husband’s cruelty, has an aversion to sex. Despite his stern, grim exterior, Guy is honourable, kind and supportive. His first wife was self absorbed and promiscuous and eventually leaves him and abandons their son for her lover - even so he honours his marriage vows and doesn’t acquire a mistress until after his divorce, then promptly releases her when he becomes engaged to Isabelle. Isabelle and Guy’s relationship is well paced and evolves over time - Isabelle establishes fond relationships with Guy’s mother, married sister and 5 year old son. This is a lovely story that drew me in and captivated my imagination. I will definitely be reading the next in this series.
April 23, 2023
Enjoyable, and somewhat disturbing
Enjoyed this book. Although the writing wasn’t perfect, as there were several typos, it wasn’t so bad as to detract from the story. The dialogue was smooth and enjoyable. Naturally there were modern expressions not appropriate for this era but that is to be expected. Not everyone can be a Georgette Heyer! The storyline was interesting, albeit common, but I found the emotional content (ie spousal abuse, divorce) added a great deal of depth and poignancy to the tale.
There was a bit too much graphic sexuality for my taste but it seemed to be an integral part of the healing process for the main female character. Altogether an interesting read.
Enjoyed this book. Although the writing wasn’t perfect, as there were several typos, it wasn’t so bad as to detract from the story. The dialogue was smooth and enjoyable. Naturally there were modern expressions not appropriate for this era but that is to be expected. Not everyone can be a Georgette Heyer! The storyline was interesting, albeit common, but I found the emotional content (ie spousal abuse, divorce) added a great deal of depth and poignancy to the tale.
There was a bit too much graphic sexuality for my taste but it seemed to be an integral part of the healing process for the main female character. Altogether an interesting read.
September 11, 2021
2.5 stars
My problem wasn’t the story . I loved the story although it was predictable I still enjoyed it but my issue was the writing style , poor grammar and the abrupt end with I love you’s without any proper love development. I was kind of confused with the whole writing style as it looked it wasn’t edited at all .
For eg: when Isabelle was screaming Guy’s name it was written Ralph who is Guy’s cousin and I know it could be a printing mistake or something but same goes when Sophie who is Ralph’s wife , when her name was supposed to come Isabelles name was written .
And the general double quotes were completely gone .
I thought I was reading a wattpad book.
My problem wasn’t the story . I loved the story although it was predictable I still enjoyed it but my issue was the writing style , poor grammar and the abrupt end with I love you’s without any proper love development. I was kind of confused with the whole writing style as it looked it wasn’t edited at all .
For eg: when Isabelle was screaming Guy’s name it was written Ralph who is Guy’s cousin and I know it could be a printing mistake or something but same goes when Sophie who is Ralph’s wife , when her name was supposed to come Isabelles name was written .
And the general double quotes were completely gone .
I thought I was reading a wattpad book.
April 25, 2022
Lady Isabelle, married off very young to someone 35 years her senior, endured an abusive marriage until his death. Never wanting to marry again, she finds herself destitute, until her friend introduced her to her husband's colleague, a duke whose wife divorced him making him dour and bitter. Although a mutually agreed celebrant marriage is arranged for the sake of appearances and as a mother to his young son, some things never turn out as agreed. A singular plot with good character development while maintaining one's interest, despite involving explicit sex scenes.
February 21, 2022
Good one
This was a nice story depicting a couple "with baggage" and how it came to be resolved with patience and understanding (and some education). I don't feel it was necessary to have as much detailed sex to make it a good story.
This was a nice story depicting a couple "with baggage" and how it came to be resolved with patience and understanding (and some education). I don't feel it was necessary to have as much detailed sex to make it a good story.
January 19, 2019
Another good read
I enjoy these short stories by this author .predictable yes but but most enjoyable looking t forward to the next story
I enjoy these short stories by this author .predictable yes but but most enjoyable looking t forward to the next story
April 24, 2022
A passionate and steamy regency story. Isabelle and Guy are two people that are emotionally wounded, I enjoyed their journey to a more fulfilling life and love together.
February 1, 2023
Very poorly written and no attention to detail. Eg was her first husband an Earl a Sir or an Honourable? Couldn’t seem to make up her mind! Not proof read as wrong names used sometimes
March 29, 2024
This is 2.5 stars.
It was fine, but boring and I don’t really want to read the next one. The sex scenes were good, but the story was just a little blah.
It was fine, but boring and I don’t really want to read the next one. The sex scenes were good, but the story was just a little blah.
May 10, 2014
I wasn't too sure about this story when I first started reading it because I don't read a lot of regency or time period stories but I really liked this one. I fell in love with Isabelle. She was set up to be in a marriage to a horrible man who was older than her by 30 something years. He liked things a certain way and that definitely included intimacy. Although in his case it wouldn't really be called intimacy. He was a horrible man. When he died he left nothing to Isabelle. Isabelle turned to her friend and her husband for help. Isabelle didn't want to get re married but instead find a job as a nanny. She didn't have any experience with that so her friend and husband wanted to set her up with the husbands cousin, Guy. Isabelle didn't like this idea because she didn't think it would look too proper but Guy talked her into just going over and meeting his son Charles then make her decision. When Isabelle went over she walked into the mass of friends that Guy had invited over on a whim along with his mistress. Isabelle couldn't believe that that was the kind of person that Guy was especially when he has a son. That isn't the type of person Guy is though. Then all of a sudden Guy gets a message that his mother just had a bad heart attack and he had to go over right away. He talks Isabelle into going with him so that she can meet his son. While at his mothers estate Guy shows up in front of Isabelle and asks her to help him out with a task. His mother has always been sad because after his horrible marriage and divorce she wanted him to remarry. He has come up with the plan that Isabelle is his fiance so that his mother can be happy because the doctor doesn't think she will make it much longer. Then all of a sudden after some time his mother started to get better and their ruse was out in the open. Now people think they are engaged and soon to be married. Isabelle again decides to help Guy out and marry him. Even though Isabelle has no want to get married ever again she does it for him. While they are married they both have some hurdles to jump but they will do their best. This book is an easy read and a good one for anyone.
May 14, 2014
Review left by Leigh a Book Worms reviewer. Thank you Leigh.
We gave this book 4 stars.
Lady Isabelle Pennington has recently lost her husband. It was an arranged marriage that Isabelle was glad to have gotten out of. She wants nothing to do with the Pennington name or wealth. It’s a good thing because the late Sir Richard Pennington left her nothing. Isabelle has decided that she will have to leave her luxury life and become a commoner to make ends meet for herself. Her best friend, Sophia, is determined to help her and decides that Isabelle should apply for a governess position that her husband’s cousin has available. Though she is reluctant to take a position with him, she feels as though she must help him in his time of need. She thinks this will be a short-term position that will help her financially. It turns out to be a long-term commitment that helps her much more than financially.
Sir Guy Rotherham has been left with his small son, ailing mother, and a problem that Lady Pennington just might be able to help him solve. He ends up getting her to help and so much more.
This book gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.
I usually don’t care for historical fiction, but I must say that I really enjoyed this book. You have this jaded woman that wants nothing more to do with men. Then you have this man who is content with his mistress after a failed marriage. When they are thrown together for more time than they expected, they start to grow on each other. Isabelle has this perception of men and what a marriage consists of. Guy changes her views slowly through out the story. It was a nice story to read on a rainy day. It’s one I will keep to reread in the future.
July 10, 2014
Well I have to hand on heart say I really got into this regency style erotic romance. I don’t read many regency romances but I enjoy romance in any form of writing, as long as there are two charasmatic leads and some great supporting roles then whether it be historical, regency, erotic, contemporary I will enjoy it.
And therein is why I enjoyed Desperate Measures. There are actually several reasons why I enjoyed reading about Lady Pennington and Guy Montfort, Duke of Rotherham. Firstly I enjoyed it for the size of the read. This is a novella size book, approx 78 pages so if you want some quick romance in your train ride, lunch break etc etc, then this is perfect. Secondly I really connected with all the characters. From Isi to Sophia and her doting husband to the darker brooding Guy Montfort and let’s not forget little Charles.
The erotic scenes I also felt were match perfectly for the era…. Highly steamy but very tastefully enacted, a perfect mix for this read.
Isabelle’s handling of her abuse at the hands of her deceased husband have scarred her deeply, she’s too deeply messed up to ever begin to have bed relations with Guy but he slowly brings her around and they are pretty darn explosive together. Thrown together surrounding circumstances that are not altogether great they find themselves having to build a pretence surrounding their relationship and because they have both been burned before they are so very wary of each other.
Charles also deserves a mention, oh my lord I wished my kids behaved impeccably like he does! Adnd Guy’s mum also need a mention I really liked that Lady!
All in all I definitely enjoyed my romp into Regency Erotic Romance and I will definitely check out other books by Claire on the strength of this!
I received a copy of Desperate Measures in return for an honest review. My reviews are my own and are 100% honest.
And therein is why I enjoyed Desperate Measures. There are actually several reasons why I enjoyed reading about Lady Pennington and Guy Montfort, Duke of Rotherham. Firstly I enjoyed it for the size of the read. This is a novella size book, approx 78 pages so if you want some quick romance in your train ride, lunch break etc etc, then this is perfect. Secondly I really connected with all the characters. From Isi to Sophia and her doting husband to the darker brooding Guy Montfort and let’s not forget little Charles.
The erotic scenes I also felt were match perfectly for the era…. Highly steamy but very tastefully enacted, a perfect mix for this read.
Isabelle’s handling of her abuse at the hands of her deceased husband have scarred her deeply, she’s too deeply messed up to ever begin to have bed relations with Guy but he slowly brings her around and they are pretty darn explosive together. Thrown together surrounding circumstances that are not altogether great they find themselves having to build a pretence surrounding their relationship and because they have both been burned before they are so very wary of each other.
Charles also deserves a mention, oh my lord I wished my kids behaved impeccably like he does! Adnd Guy’s mum also need a mention I really liked that Lady!
All in all I definitely enjoyed my romp into Regency Erotic Romance and I will definitely check out other books by Claire on the strength of this!
I received a copy of Desperate Measures in return for an honest review. My reviews are my own and are 100% honest.
August 11, 2016
This was short and sweet with a little sexy...
Lady Isabelle wants no part of another marriage. Her first husband was old and cruel. But while visiting her best friend, she meets Guy.
He's cute, if a little cold and off-putting. Isabelle needs a job since her late husband left her nothing, and Guy needs a governess for his 5 yr. old son...
Guess what happens... Suffice it to say that Isabelle is still a virgin and Guy is falling hard. There's a little bit o'sexy mixed up in their lives, and Isabelle finally figures out that it must have been the fault of only her late husband that she didn't like marital relations...
If you've got an extra hour or two and want to read something lighthearted, with no angst and anger, it's a wonderful little read to get you over that last big book hangover!
Lady Isabelle wants no part of another marriage. Her first husband was old and cruel. But while visiting her best friend, she meets Guy.
He's cute, if a little cold and off-putting. Isabelle needs a job since her late husband left her nothing, and Guy needs a governess for his 5 yr. old son...
Guess what happens... Suffice it to say that Isabelle is still a virgin and Guy is falling hard. There's a little bit o'sexy mixed up in their lives, and Isabelle finally figures out that it must have been the fault of only her late husband that she didn't like marital relations...
If you've got an extra hour or two and want to read something lighthearted, with no angst and anger, it's a wonderful little read to get you over that last big book hangover!
May 12, 2014
Category /Genre: Erotic Regency Romance
Received from: Claire Firth (in exchange for an honest review)
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
My only complaint with this story is that it is over.
After each has survived horrible first marriages, Isabella and Guy have sworn off marrying again. His honor and her desperation lead them to a marriage of convenience. Can their marriage ever develop into lust, or maybe even love?
I loved this historical romance novella. I could not put it down. I could completely relate to Isabella, but I was rooting for Guy in the end! Isabella is strong-willed while still feminine and refined. She could be crude, but would still blush – so much like me! I can only hope to find a man like Guy.
I want to read more from this author.
Received from: Claire Firth (in exchange for an honest review)
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
My only complaint with this story is that it is over.
After each has survived horrible first marriages, Isabella and Guy have sworn off marrying again. His honor and her desperation lead them to a marriage of convenience. Can their marriage ever develop into lust, or maybe even love?
I loved this historical romance novella. I could not put it down. I could completely relate to Isabella, but I was rooting for Guy in the end! Isabella is strong-willed while still feminine and refined. She could be crude, but would still blush – so much like me! I can only hope to find a man like Guy.
I want to read more from this author.
September 2, 2016
I read the related book to this book and could not wait for Guy and Isabelle's story. At the end of the first book you know that both Guy and Isabelle were terribly sad and definitely needed a happily ever after. Both were burned in their previous marriages and were reluctant to give themselves emotionally in a new relationship. They get married to appease Guy's mother and are living a typical marriage of convenience. However their feelings for each begin to reveal themselves. Isabelle has a lot of emotional scarring from her first marriage and it hard to see that she just could not get over the pain. Guy's situation was not quite as bad but he still had his emotional relationship problems. The development of their trust and love was beautiful and you are left with a huge smile on your face. I look forward to more of Claire's books.
May 6, 2014
Good steamy regency novella which continues the story from regency bride. Good characters and plot
January 1, 2015
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. Enjoyable book with real characters.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews