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Honey-Pot (LIN)
'Honey-pot' was a nickname aptly bestowed on Russet Ingram. Lovely, well-born, well-dowered, she drew all men to her. Yet here she was, a prisoner of the one man immune to her graces - accused of frivolously tampering with his young ward's romance! A man with manners more suited to his ancestral highland clan than London society, James Cameron was the enemy she must escape at all costs - or risk the ruin of her reputation and her beloved sister's marriage hopes...
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 3, 2020
I think I decided to pick this up mostly because of the awful title. Surprisingly this turned out to be quite well done.
It’s old fashioned in it plotting - which makes sense since this was published in 1977 - with our hero kidnapping our heroine, she still maintaining her dignity and grace through it, even going so far as to fall in love with him (I would have wacked him with the tea tray that kept being sent up).
There wasn’t a lot of chemistry between the two leads but they squeaked out a win in the end. I think it was mostly due to the fact that the hero was clueless about a thing called an apology. Like genuinely helpless about what he could do to win his lady love - talking not having been invented in history.
Still he did the most silly things which made me smile. It is the hapless hero variety here which worked - probably less as a romance and more as a comedy.
Either way I smiled so 3 stars - check it out on KU where this is available free and get a real blast from the past.
It’s old fashioned in it plotting - which makes sense since this was published in 1977 - with our hero kidnapping our heroine, she still maintaining her dignity and grace through it, even going so far as to fall in love with him (I would have wacked him with the tea tray that kept being sent up).
There wasn’t a lot of chemistry between the two leads but they squeaked out a win in the end. I think it was mostly due to the fact that the hero was clueless about a thing called an apology. Like genuinely helpless about what he could do to win his lady love - talking not having been invented in history.
Still he did the most silly things which made me smile. It is the hapless hero variety here which worked - probably less as a romance and more as a comedy.
Either way I smiled so 3 stars - check it out on KU where this is available free and get a real blast from the past.
August 3, 2021
I've enjoyed re-reading several of Miss Stables novels recently and downloaded this one in the hope of finding another gentle Regency romance with some pleasant characters even if the plots are somewhat old-fashioned.
Oh dear. This was a mistake. The writing is all over the place and as for a plot... - well, let's say it was thin to the point of being almost non-existent.
Unlikeable characters, an unbelievable series of events, and an ending that had me wanting to throw my Kindle against the wall.
euw. Not one to recommend. I'm surprised this was actually re-released considering how dire it really is.
Oh dear. This was a mistake. The writing is all over the place and as for a plot... - well, let's say it was thin to the point of being almost non-existent.
Unlikeable characters, an unbelievable series of events, and an ending that had me wanting to throw my Kindle against the wall.
euw. Not one to recommend. I'm surprised this was actually re-released considering how dire it really is.
August 6, 2019
After two very enjoyable reads from Mira Stables, this one was a slight disappointment. The writing, the historical accuracy and the romance were well up to scratch, but there were elements that I found concerning.
Here’s the premise: Letty Waydene is more or less betrothed to Lucian Staneborough, but she’s deeply suspicious that society belle Russet Ingram is trying to tempt him away from her. She asks her guardian, James Cameron, to do something about it. So he does. He kidnaps Russet and holds her a prisoner at his remote country estate.
Wait a minute… he kidnaps her? Yep. Initially she’s confined to one locked room, but when she makes a risky bid to escape, he gradually allows her a little more freedom. Now, I’m all for a hero being masterful and macho, but there’s a clear line between that and aggressively domineering, and it seems to me that the hero clearly crosses it here. He does soften somewhat as the story progresses, but then there’s a moment towards the end of the book when he has another outbreak of one-sided decision-making. Of course, this was first published in 1979 (forty years ago!) when things were very different, so I make allowances, but it still left a nasty taste in my mouth, and if this would bother you, best avoid.
The other oddity in this book is the extraordinarily convoluted backstories the characters have. Much of this seemed like pure plot contrivance - Russet’s wealth, and the father pensioned off to Italy because reasons, so that Russet can be just setting out on a journey there when she’s kidnapped and so won’t be missed. And then there were James’s Indian servants, whose purpose seemed to be to increase Russet’s isolation in captivity because they couldn’t speak much English. A more serious weakness is James’s complete failure to verify his ward’s story. She tells him Russet is a problem and he immediately jumps to intervene, ending in the drastic step of kidnapping her. That seems to display a sad assessment of his flighty ward’s character.
Really, all these problems should have counted against the book more than they ultimately did, but it’s so well-written and the romance is so beautifully developed that I managed to overlook most of them. Still, that kidnapping keeps it to four stars.
Here’s the premise: Letty Waydene is more or less betrothed to Lucian Staneborough, but she’s deeply suspicious that society belle Russet Ingram is trying to tempt him away from her. She asks her guardian, James Cameron, to do something about it. So he does. He kidnaps Russet and holds her a prisoner at his remote country estate.
Wait a minute… he kidnaps her? Yep. Initially she’s confined to one locked room, but when she makes a risky bid to escape, he gradually allows her a little more freedom. Now, I’m all for a hero being masterful and macho, but there’s a clear line between that and aggressively domineering, and it seems to me that the hero clearly crosses it here. He does soften somewhat as the story progresses, but then there’s a moment towards the end of the book when he has another outbreak of one-sided decision-making. Of course, this was first published in 1979 (forty years ago!) when things were very different, so I make allowances, but it still left a nasty taste in my mouth, and if this would bother you, best avoid.
The other oddity in this book is the extraordinarily convoluted backstories the characters have. Much of this seemed like pure plot contrivance - Russet’s wealth, and the father pensioned off to Italy because reasons, so that Russet can be just setting out on a journey there when she’s kidnapped and so won’t be missed. And then there were James’s Indian servants, whose purpose seemed to be to increase Russet’s isolation in captivity because they couldn’t speak much English. A more serious weakness is James’s complete failure to verify his ward’s story. She tells him Russet is a problem and he immediately jumps to intervene, ending in the drastic step of kidnapping her. That seems to display a sad assessment of his flighty ward’s character.
Really, all these problems should have counted against the book more than they ultimately did, but it’s so well-written and the romance is so beautifully developed that I managed to overlook most of them. Still, that kidnapping keeps it to four stars.
December 13, 2019
I hadn't read a Regency romance in a long time, so this marked a bit of a return to the genre. I'd never read Mira Stables previously either, and while she's no Georgette Heyer (who is!) - 'Honey-Pot' is an entertaining read.
That said, as other reviewers have pointed out, there are a few inconsistencies in the story-line that niggle, including why the very sensible hero would kidnap the heroine for no other reason than his silly ward viewing her as a romantic rival. Also, while we're told early on that the heroine endured a period of financial hardship, there are few very references made to her time as a governess or the influence that may have on her present behaviour/ outlook. Equally, after a few initial references to the heroine's sister, she's also largely abandoned. None of these are major plot holes, but they do result in a lower rating for the book - bring it to three, rather than four stars.
In summary - 'Honey-Pot' is a reasonable regency romance read, penned about two decades prior to Colin Firth/ 'Mr. Darcy' further popularising the period. However, if you want a 'lighthearted romp' in this genre that's slightly wittier, you might prefer to try a novel from Marion Chesney.
That said, as other reviewers have pointed out, there are a few inconsistencies in the story-line that niggle, including why the very sensible hero would kidnap the heroine for no other reason than his silly ward viewing her as a romantic rival. Also, while we're told early on that the heroine endured a period of financial hardship, there are few very references made to her time as a governess or the influence that may have on her present behaviour/ outlook. Equally, after a few initial references to the heroine's sister, she's also largely abandoned. None of these are major plot holes, but they do result in a lower rating for the book - bring it to three, rather than four stars.
In summary - 'Honey-Pot' is a reasonable regency romance read, penned about two decades prior to Colin Firth/ 'Mr. Darcy' further popularising the period. However, if you want a 'lighthearted romp' in this genre that's slightly wittier, you might prefer to try a novel from Marion Chesney.
June 7, 2017
4.55 stars - pg13
Nice romance and engaging writing style (despite somewhat contrived plot premise and need to suspend disbelief). Loved the mature Hero and heroine and their interactions. Secondary characters were good (even the requisite "spoiled brat" character was well-written and not too over-the-top). Ending was "happily ever after" but last three pages seemed vaguely inconsistent with rest of story. As if publisher or someone else decided story needed a little "spice" and rewrote the end to include vague innuendo of upcoming honeymoon endeavors - - nothing at all trashy, but just ever so slightly "off" from rest of interactions between H & h. Nevertheless, a quite good story that I enjoyed and would read again. This was the first book I read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Nice romance and engaging writing style (despite somewhat contrived plot premise and need to suspend disbelief). Loved the mature Hero and heroine and their interactions. Secondary characters were good (even the requisite "spoiled brat" character was well-written and not too over-the-top). Ending was "happily ever after" but last three pages seemed vaguely inconsistent with rest of story. As if publisher or someone else decided story needed a little "spice" and rewrote the end to include vague innuendo of upcoming honeymoon endeavors - - nothing at all trashy, but just ever so slightly "off" from rest of interactions between H & h. Nevertheless, a quite good story that I enjoyed and would read again. This was the first book I read by this author and I'm looking forward to reading more.
September 2, 2022
I usually really enjoy this authors work, but this was not one of those times.
The Male protagonist was SO supposed to be such a great gentleman; honourable, etc.. but his actions did not at all show this, nor did his thinking.
Any sensible man, which he was purported to be, would not likely believe a young girls tale without some investigation - unless say it was his sister who he knew without a doubt to be honest.
Furthermore, a gentleman would not then undertake the actions this one did.
So implausible a read.
The Male protagonist was SO supposed to be such a great gentleman; honourable, etc.. but his actions did not at all show this, nor did his thinking.
Any sensible man, which he was purported to be, would not likely believe a young girls tale without some investigation - unless say it was his sister who he knew without a doubt to be honest.
Furthermore, a gentleman would not then undertake the actions this one did.
So implausible a read.
July 5, 2019
The prose is very much like Heyer's, so it was enjoyable. But of course it is not Heyer. No-one is. Still, Honey Pot was a nice little Regency to while away the time. The biggest quibble I have is that it didn't show the initial reactions of the characters when they first met again after he abducted her. A crucially interesting scene, one might say! Perhaps Stables' editor removed it for some unknown reason.
September 28, 2018
Not Stockholm syndrome
This started out hard to read, a little confusing but I loved the main characters, apart from the spiteful ward. I enjoyed the story and didn't find abuse, just stubbornness and prideful perhaps. I'm glad a read it.
This started out hard to read, a little confusing but I loved the main characters, apart from the spiteful ward. I enjoyed the story and didn't find abuse, just stubbornness and prideful perhaps. I'm glad a read it.
December 8, 2018
3.5. Not great
December 28, 2025
No depth of characters or plot
March 30, 2022
My first book written by this author decades ago and still is a delightful re~read despite the time lapse. James Cameron, Indian nabob, proud scion of a Scottish clan that supported the Bonnie Prince, imbued with innate fair play and intolerant of feminine wiles (clueless, even) made a grievous mistake... for although his Cameron ancestors traditionally kidnapped their brides, his abduction of Russet Ingram was out of Timeline and his purpose was not to take her to wife. His plan was to keep Russet out of the society that gave her the "honey~pot" moniker... away from Staneborough until his ward (Letty) can bring him up to scratch bacuase she blamed Russet for taking Staneborough's attentions from her as yet to be discovered duplicitous and spiteful self. Owing to a scene Cameron himself witnessed added by half~truths from Letty plus his contentious inauspicious encounter with Miss Ingram, Cameron plotted Russet Ingram's involuntary sojourn at Furze House. This is a deliciously delightful romance that will introduce the reader to some lovable characters and to a beautiful and well~crafted heart~warming story.
March 2, 2022
This is an old favourite by Mira Stables despite the implausible storyline.
Rosetta or Russet as she is affectionately known is a popular debutante in London accused by a jealous other girl of attempting to steal her chosen gentleman. The implausible part is her guardian James, the hero, taking this seriously enough to remove Russet from their orbit until the betrothal is announced.
In part this is done in a way that allows the staff to become affectionate towards her and avoids the dodginess of the kidnap but what follows really doesn’t help the hero in the reader’s eyes. More lies...no real consequences for the accusing girl?
The end just about retrieves our hero and heroine’s story but only just as I liked Russet much more than any of the other characters.
Rosetta or Russet as she is affectionately known is a popular debutante in London accused by a jealous other girl of attempting to steal her chosen gentleman. The implausible part is her guardian James, the hero, taking this seriously enough to remove Russet from their orbit until the betrothal is announced.
In part this is done in a way that allows the staff to become affectionate towards her and avoids the dodginess of the kidnap but what follows really doesn’t help the hero in the reader’s eyes. More lies...no real consequences for the accusing girl?
The end just about retrieves our hero and heroine’s story but only just as I liked Russet much more than any of the other characters.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews