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The Duke's Mysterious Lady
When a lady loses her memory, who better to rescue her than a seductive duke?Viola, so named by her benefactor, Hugh, Duke of Vale, has lost her memory, along with her respectability, after being found unconscious near his estate dressed in a male servant’s clothes. She is a mystery unto herself, with her knowledge of books and Latin, and her skill at the pianoforte.Thanks to the duke’s kindness, Viola has found a temporary home with his nanny in a cottage on his estate, while danger lurks in the shadows and darkens her dreams. She must leave beautiful Vale Park before Hugh marries Lady Felicity Beresford, the neighbor’s daughter; their marriage arranged when they were children. And before Viola and Hugh succumb to an impossible passion.As the announcement of Hugh’s engagement draws near, he tries to accept the inevitable, he must marry a woman he doesn’t love. He is intrigued by Viola. Who is she and what has driven her to such an act? As the Bow Street Runners work to find the answers, Hugh grows more deeply and dangerously drawn to the mysterious lady.
The Duke’s Mysterious Lady is a splendid example of a regency that just keeps getting better and better." Amazon Reviewer
The Duke’s Mysterious Lady is a splendid example of a regency that just keeps getting better and better." Amazon Reviewer
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
123 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Maggi Andersen
88 books327 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author of Regency romance, and winner of the RONE award, Maggi Andersen wrote her first book for publication after gaining a BA in English and an MA in Creative Writing. She lives on a farm in the beautiful Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia. She wrote her first adventure story at 8 years old. Her novels are mostly adventure stories, but also sensual romances. Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen inspired her Regencies and Victoria Holt, her Gothic Victorian mysteries She also writes contemporary romantic suspense and young adult novels.
Maggi supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.
Maggi supports the RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals) and animals often feature in her books.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 22, 2014
“Viola” has a sense of self even when amnesia plagues her. In a borrowed, faded servant’s dress, she is still confident and poised, with impeccable manners. She plays the piano beautifully and is better educated than most women of her time. Recognizing the needs of the tenants on Vale Estate where she lives after her rescue, she works to help them. While her upbringing is that of a noble woman, she has none of their affectations. She loves the freedom not usually afforded “proper” young ladies of nobility. People, both male and female, are drawn to her.
Hugh Beauchamp, the third Duke of Vale, fits into the life style of nobility of the Regency age. However, he is tiring of the London scene and of “Prinny’s” excesses. His country estate has more appeal. He is resigned to his arranged marriage to Felicity, his childhood playmate who will inherit the estate adjoining Vale. He supposes his life will change very little. Then, a filthy, unconscious girl lying in the road sets his world on its ear.
For a man of power and influence, he finds himself beset with women and their wishes. His old Nanny, Felicity, his sister Clarissa, and “Viola” rearrange the course of his life before he knows it. The stakes are high as he sets in to find “Viola’s” identity with only a locket for a clue. He grants Felicity her wish, listens to Nanny’s sage advice, and falls in with Clarissa’s plans to help “Viola”.
The attraction Hugh and “Viola” feel for each other is a strong, bright, and beautiful thread that weaves its way through this intriguing Regency tale. Another thread, dark and ominous in the tapestry is the danger that threatens “Viola”. These focal points keep the reader turning pages.
Rules Of Conduct has a gentleness about it at times that makes it beguiling. At other times, the insatiable desire for wealth and power threatens to destroy all the beauty.
Maggi Andersen gives the reader humor, suspense, mystery, historical tidbits, and a charming, fresh love story. She takes the reader along as the story weaves its way through a maze of twists and turns with danger, conflicts, and “rules of conduct” threatening at every turn. Good Reading!
Long and Short Reviews
February 3, 2024
The Duke of Earl finds a mysterious woman on the side of the road. She's wearing men's clothing and claim she has lost her memory.
A very predictable late period Regency with a rushed ending.
A very predictable late period Regency with a rushed ending.
December 31, 2020
Not bad but definitely not great. For first the plot is excellent. Characters are fine. I like Hugh as a reasonable, sympathetic, handsome man, who is no womanizer, I like Viola and Rupert even, he is quite great horrible bastard ever! But what I dislike is the writing style of this author. Maybe I'm just pampered by Lisa Klaypas of Sabrina Jeffries books and maybe I'm quite sexual frustrated, too. But damn it! Such poor sexual description of sex scenes as in books of such style like this is miserable! Sometimes it was nerve-racking that they were so incapable to kiss each other or just do some gentle interaction between them. I am disappointed.
I just cannot give more than 3 stars! And I give them just because of the plot! And I am not going to read any other book from this writer. Not my cup of tea.
I just cannot give more than 3 stars! And I give them just because of the plot! And I am not going to read any other book from this writer. Not my cup of tea.
June 3, 2019
Che dire di Maggi Andersen? Avevo appena attribuito tre stelle a un suo romanzo (leggero, certo, ma nel complesso divertente e ben scritto) quando sono inciampata in questo polpettone indigeribile. Non posso neppure dire di averlo letto: arrivata a metà (in pratica, dal momento in cui eroe ed eroina si abbandonano di punto in bianco a eccessi amorosi rotolandosi tra le foglie morte del parco ducale) ho scorso le pagine con fastidio crescente, prima di liberarmene, etichettandolo tra le letture 'ignobili'.
December 29, 2014
Short and sweet
One of the books I finished in one sitting. Very well written romance and mystery rolled into one. The story of Viola the young lady suffering from amnesia and Hugh, the Duke of Vale who cross paths when she's found in the path of his carriage.
One of the books I finished in one sitting. Very well written romance and mystery rolled into one. The story of Viola the young lady suffering from amnesia and Hugh, the Duke of Vale who cross paths when she's found in the path of his carriage.
December 19, 2014
Not very elaborate. It's so disappointed when she recovers her memory, as if it was nothing extraordinary.
September 30, 2018
Good read
Good clean book. Could have been better. Characters are charming. Could have expounded on some of them better. A good read for an afternoon.
Good clean book. Could have been better. Characters are charming. Could have expounded on some of them better. A good read for an afternoon.
October 20, 2024
I read 'Murder at Pendleton Manor' by the author and loved it. Hence I immediately picked this one up only to be very disappointed.
It begins well but then totally meanders. The book is unnecessarily long. There are far too many instances of 'a few weeks later'... 'several days later...' without the story moving forward. I hated the sister. Remove her character (the entire Bath detour) and nothing changes. The goons could've found the h just as easily at Vale Park.
I wonder if the author has been inspired by Georgette Heyer because of the thing with Felicity and her beau (amusing) as well as the h going off to London for a while (this reminded me of one of the worst Heyer novels 'Venetia').
The villain didn't seem villainous enough because of the vile things he doesn't do. He seemed to be fine with the h roaming around in London. No reason given as to why or what exactly was he waiting for.
Terribly disappointing.
It begins well but then totally meanders. The book is unnecessarily long. There are far too many instances of 'a few weeks later'... 'several days later...' without the story moving forward. I hated the sister. Remove her character (the entire Bath detour) and nothing changes. The goons could've found the h just as easily at Vale Park.
I wonder if the author has been inspired by Georgette Heyer because of the thing with Felicity and her beau (amusing) as well as the h going off to London for a while (this reminded me of one of the worst Heyer novels 'Venetia').
The villain didn't seem villainous enough because of the vile things he doesn't do. He seemed to be fine with the h roaming around in London. No reason given as to why or what exactly was he waiting for.
Terribly disappointing.
April 15, 2019
This was a very enjoyable story. It had some romance and intrigue in the plot. The characterisation was good especially of Vale, Rosie and Nanny. Good escapism!
July 13, 2019
The Duke,a Mysterious Lady
An interesting story of an amnesiac lady and the duke who do her. The characters involved create mystery and love.
An interesting story of an amnesiac lady and the duke who do her. The characters involved create mystery and love.
August 16, 2020
Great love story
I enjoyed this book. I knew Hugh had fell in love with Rosie (Violet) from the way he could not leave her alone.
I enjoyed this book. I knew Hugh had fell in love with Rosie (Violet) from the way he could not leave her alone.
October 21, 2010
Seriously Reviewed review of Maggi Andersen's Rules of Conduct
The reviewer rated Maggi's story an 8.5 and gave the presentation of the novel a rating of 9, giving the novel a total score of 17.5.
"This is one of those stories that you just can't help but like...The characters were memorable and the plot solid. I totally enjoyed every page and found the ending well worth the journey. It was one that I can see re-reading many times before /if I get tired of it.
Ms Andersen has done a great job in creating a wonderful tale that kept me interested and involved. I look forward to reading more from this author :)"
The reviewer rated Maggi's story an 8.5 and gave the presentation of the novel a rating of 9, giving the novel a total score of 17.5.
"This is one of those stories that you just can't help but like...The characters were memorable and the plot solid. I totally enjoyed every page and found the ending well worth the journey. It was one that I can see re-reading many times before /if I get tired of it.
Ms Andersen has done a great job in creating a wonderful tale that kept me interested and involved. I look forward to reading more from this author :)"
January 1, 2015
Good story of a lady with amnesia (I know-cliche). Andersen doesn't really take the soft route, though. She makes us work for an HEA. The Duke of Vale finds said young lady and is intrigued. However, he is betrothed to a young neighbor in an arranged match.
One surprise happens there, another when the Duke's sister, a Duchess in her own right, takes a fancy (of the Pygmalion type) to the young lady, while thinking to get her away from her eligible brother. Adventures ensue and as the lady's memory returns, she determines to do the right thing - and that is not to stay with the Duke of Vale. A merry chase ensues, whether they realize it or not.
Overall, pretty satisfying.
One surprise happens there, another when the Duke's sister, a Duchess in her own right, takes a fancy (of the Pygmalion type) to the young lady, while thinking to get her away from her eligible brother. Adventures ensue and as the lady's memory returns, she determines to do the right thing - and that is not to stay with the Duke of Vale. A merry chase ensues, whether they realize it or not.
Overall, pretty satisfying.
December 31, 2014
Sweet love story
The Duke is an honorable, romantic, protective hero and Viola is a beautiful, elegant mystery. As you follow them while they fall in love, you find yourself wondering about our heroine's past and what she is running from. We also struggle with Hugh as he fights his attraction and tries to meet his ducal responsibilities honorably. It is a sweet love story, not filled with endless illicit sexual encounters, but allows you to understand their passionate feelings all the same. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys regency romance.
The Duke is an honorable, romantic, protective hero and Viola is a beautiful, elegant mystery. As you follow them while they fall in love, you find yourself wondering about our heroine's past and what she is running from. We also struggle with Hugh as he fights his attraction and tries to meet his ducal responsibilities honorably. It is a sweet love story, not filled with endless illicit sexual encounters, but allows you to understand their passionate feelings all the same. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys regency romance.
December 28, 2014
The Dukes Mysterious Lady by Maggi Andersen
Maggi Andersen has written a delightful story full of fascinating characters with a great storyline. On the whole this is one wonderfully written book. It contains all my favorites things some humor, a little mystery, some nice steamy romance scenes, and charming characters. I would recommend this book to others and I look forward to more from this author.
Maggi Andersen has written a delightful story full of fascinating characters with a great storyline. On the whole this is one wonderfully written book. It contains all my favorites things some humor, a little mystery, some nice steamy romance scenes, and charming characters. I would recommend this book to others and I look forward to more from this author.
February 7, 2015
My first book by Maggi Anderson and I loved it. Hugh the Duke of Vale finds a women dressed in men's clothes unconscious and brings her back to his house. When she wakes up she has no memory of who she is or anything of her life. You have a mystery surrounding Viola that is the name they give her!!! A Wonderful read with humor, mystery, love and so much more!!!
January 28, 2015
it was a good read. the author kept me guessing til towards the ending. if the duke would ever come save the girl and when will her memory come back!? who is she? she's so polish with lady quality and yet we don't know where she's from.
September 1, 2015
Very Good
This was a different look to arranged marriages and how they were broken . But the story line of lady Rosey was very intriguing and how traumatic events can lead to memory loss. I really enjoyed this book.
This was a different look to arranged marriages and how they were broken . But the story line of lady Rosey was very intriguing and how traumatic events can lead to memory loss. I really enjoyed this book.
Read
January 4, 2015A new author for me and I'm impressed! The story line, hero, and heroine kept me reading thru the night!
January 11, 2015
Great Regency Romance
A little mystery, a little angst and lots of romance. Rosie and the Duke of Vale are an intriguing couple.
A little mystery, a little angst and lots of romance. Rosie and the Duke of Vale are an intriguing couple.
March 26, 2015
Great read
This book was a delight kept you reading you did not want to put it down. A lot of twists and turns. I would highly recommend.
This book was a delight kept you reading you did not want to put it down. A lot of twists and turns. I would highly recommend.
April 3, 2015
A good mystery.
This is a good mystery as well as a good love story. After the first mystery, a second one occurred , but love wins out.
This is a good mystery as well as a good love story. After the first mystery, a second one occurred , but love wins out.
December 28, 2014
BB-IB-$.99
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews