Innocence and Impropriety

The Mysterious Miss M #4

by Diane Gaston

A resolute man

Jameson Flynn is a man with a mission. Nothing will knock him off course. Until one summer's evening in Vauxhall Gardens, when a woman's song reminds him of the world he left behind.

A determined innocent

Rose O'Keefe's beautiful voice and graceful, earthy sensuality have made her a sensation among the pleasure-seekers of the night. In such dissolute company, how long can it be before her virtue is compromised?

A rose among thorns

The man who can make or break Flynn's career desires Rose as his mistress. Soon Flynn will have to choose what matters to him most -- success or love....

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Historical, Harlequin Historical, Harlequin

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Diane Gaston’s dream job had always been to write romance novels. One day she decided to pursue that dream and has never looked back; she is now writing full-time. Her books have won Romance’s highest honour—the RITA Award, the National Readers Choice Award and the Golden Heart. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three very ordinary house cats. Diane loves to hear from readers and friends.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hero Jameson Flynn goes to Vauxhall Gardens in London with his wealthy employer, Tanner, who is eager to meet Vauxhall's newest singing sensation, Rose O'Keefe. Tanner asks Jameson to help him set up a meeting with the lady, but when Jameson sees and hears Rose perform at Vauxhall he discovers he wants her for himself.

Jameson is a good and honorable hero and is trying to do what his employer Tanner asks, but is conflicted because the more he meets and gets to know Rose, the more he finds he is falling in love with her. He also has aspirations of working for the government or royalty sometime in the future.

Rose is a likable and interesting heroine. She has had dreams for most of her life of performing on the stage and being a singer like her mother was before she died. While performing at Vauxhall Rose is also attracting the attention of many men. One man in particular, Lord Greythorne, is an evil sadistic character who is interested in the writings of the Marquis de Sade and has engaged in many of de Sade's practices. He added some dark drama and suspense to the story.

This was an enjoyable read. It was slow sometimes, but I really liked the charming Vauxhall and London locations, and Rose and Jameson made a nice couple.

[Soyanut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the setup of conflicts in the book. Also love the fact that the heroin is the proactive who pursues her love of singing and her love for the hero. She is no wide-eyed naiveté and not blinded to the fate installed for women who would dare ( or for lack of choice) to choose to a life of singing in public in the regency period. But she is in love with a worthy man but both are beholden to people who hold the power in order to realize their goals or even survive. The love and anguish are genuine and highly enjoyable!

[penelopewanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Speak for yourself, John? Or should I say Cyrano? An aristocrat's secretary has to sort out the arrangement with a charming singer and it's the classic proxy situation. Surprising bit of evil in the form of one of the singer's other would-be suitors... Gaston spins a good tale.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one barely earns the three stars I have given it. I had a difficult time staying interested. It was just an "okay" read. Not sure I would recommend to others.

[✨ Twilight Fan ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non leggevo un Harmony da anni, ma siccome era in mezzo a dei libri Bookcrossing che mi incuriosivano, mi sono detta “perché no?”. Ebbene, il risultato è un po’ quello che mi aspettavo, né più né meno: una storia che si fa leggere, che ti spinge a girare le pagine in fretta, ma la trama ahimè è troppo prevedibile, come i personaggi stessi che non hanno nessun spessore, nessuna consistenza e il finale sembra già stato scritto a metà libro. Nel complesso, una lettura leggerissima che richiede pochissima attenzione da parte del lettore.

[Desi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leído en Ene 2011

[Sarah Gent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this really, all about procuring sex which mostly felt tawdry rather than romantic. Just not for me.

[April Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose is an innocent singer with a voice like an angel and beauty that attracts the attention of numerous men.
Jaimson Flynn is sent to procure her for his employer but finds himself more inclined to court her instead.
With passion blooming between them, unwanted suitors and danger lurking can they find the happiness they want in the Vauxhall Gardens?
A wonderful book and a must read.

[Emily Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of romance, with an air of mystery and suspicion and lots of drama. My stomach kept getting butterflies while reading.

Great chemistry between the characters.

Loved it

[Karen Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate that the heroine is treated like a piece of meat .