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Minerva's Marquess
The former Miss Minerva Braithwaite thought it a promising proposal when the lord whom she had shamelessly snared into wedlock suggested they go to Paris for their honeymoon. But all too swiftly that promise turned into peril for her hopes of happiness. First the fearfully handsome, infuriatingly arrogant Lord Dominic Claireux refused to touch her on their wedding journey. Next she discovered that waiting in Paris was the ravishing Lavinia Winterton, who had broken Dominic's heart once, but who now was eager to make amorous amends. Somehow the beautiful Minerva had to find a way to melt her husband's icy reserve and best a hot-blooded rival for his love. And clearly it was going to be a game of enticement and intrigue that only someone as daring as Minerva would gamble on winning...
128 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
15 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Walsh
28 books10 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Born Sheila O'Nions in 1928 in Birmingham, England, UK. During the Second World War, her family moved to Southport, Lancashire, where she met Des Walsh, son of the Thomas Walsh, who had a jewelry store at 39 Chapel Street since 1926. In 1950, Sheila married with Des Walsh, and they had two daughters, Fran Walsh and Tess Walsh. Sheila worked during years in her husband's familiar jewelry store, with her husband, her husband elder brother Gerard and his wife Dorothy[2].
In 1971, Sheila joined the Southport Writers' Circle, and years later, in 1986 was elected life president. In 1980 she became the vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and later elected Chairman (1985-1987).
Her debut novel, The Golden Songbird, won the Netta Muskett award for new writers from the Romantic Novelists' Association, and in 1984, her novel, A Highly Respectable Marriage won the Elizabeth Goudge award.
Sheila Walsh died on 20 January 2009, at 80.
Born Sheila O'Nions in 1928 in Birmingham, England, UK. During the Second World War, her family moved to Southport, Lancashire, where she met Des Walsh, son of the Thomas Walsh, who had a jewelry store at 39 Chapel Street since 1926. In 1950, Sheila married with Des Walsh, and they had two daughters, Fran Walsh and Tess Walsh. Sheila worked during years in her husband's familiar jewelry store, with her husband, her husband elder brother Gerard and his wife Dorothy[2].
In 1971, Sheila joined the Southport Writers' Circle, and years later, in 1986 was elected life president. In 1980 she became the vice-president of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and later elected Chairman (1985-1987).
Her debut novel, The Golden Songbird, won the Netta Muskett award for new writers from the Romantic Novelists' Association, and in 1984, her novel, A Highly Respectable Marriage won the Elizabeth Goudge award.
Sheila Walsh died on 20 January 2009, at 80.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 6, 2020
I've been wanting to read this book forever so I'm peeved, the blurb surely has to fall under false advertising. Hoping for some significant ow drama, I got little to none, after the intial set up. The ow was a bit part player, how disappointing. I was robbed.
The H was just a big sulky baby but Minerva saved the day though, nothing missish about her.
The H was just a big sulky baby but Minerva saved the day though, nothing missish about her.
March 18, 2011
I really wish there were more couples like this in romance novels, particularly the heroine. She is flawed, but admits the flaws and is trying to change (although the hero finds the flaws relatively charming)and never lets her weaknesses get the best of her. The hero runs into the woman he cared for before this marriage of convenience, and his thoughts all run toward being honorable and faithful to his wife. The wife sees them in an embrace, and while she is hurt and emotional, she is mature and sympathizes with her husband for not being able to help or comfort the woman he loves/loved. They act maturely and reasonably, more of a partnership than in many novels, and that is what I enjoyed. They did seem to fall in love because they were both open and had some delightful shared experiences.
Four stars instead of five just because I'm unsure of the re-read potential. (Bumped up to five after my first re-read. It's a keeper and is just as good the second time)
Four stars instead of five just because I'm unsure of the re-read potential. (Bumped up to five after my first re-read. It's a keeper and is just as good the second time)
March 27, 2025
3.5
I guess I am on a slump and I am just cranky/hard to pleased, because in any other time I would have rated this a 4. There is little to criticize, and most to point out the good stuff. I didn't love it, but I liked it a lot.
The beginning was not convincing. I thought we had another "original" FML; the kind that is free-spirited and raised as a man and "not like the others". And maybe she was, but Minerva was also well-behaved (never rude like other authors love to write their "original"!) and kind and at the same time, never miss-ish but also never vulgar. She was definitely the better lead among the two leads.
And not that Dominic was bad, but he was a bit rude and cranky for most of the time, and when he sees his "love" again after getting married to Minerva.. And not surprisingly, his beloved is a fragile blondie who loves to faint and loves to be pampered. And if Minerva dares to behave like a brat (because Dominic misunderstands that Minerva wants a better life in society), he gets disappointed -_- when his own beloved blondie was the worst! I can't with this type of ML.
But nevertheless, I liked that there was trust between them even if it was a marriage of convenience. Of course Minerva falls in love quickly but she is mostly sad than jealous when the first meeting with the "other" happens (and thankfully, both leads act very maturely.. he doesn't act improperly and she doesn't make a scene, not even when it is just the two of them alone).
The mystery was ok, nothing new. I was expecting a twist, but nope.. who they suspect at first is precisely the one that was the villain. I like that the leads have their supporters (Dominic's 2 friends + his groom/ex-soldier + Minerva's uncle).
Basically the issues they encounter are: Dominic's ex-beloved, Dominic's cousin and.. that's it. It is a very light reading, I only think it was unfortunate that spoiler:
I guess I am on a slump and I am just cranky/hard to pleased, because in any other time I would have rated this a 4. There is little to criticize, and most to point out the good stuff. I didn't love it, but I liked it a lot.
The beginning was not convincing. I thought we had another "original" FML; the kind that is free-spirited and raised as a man and "not like the others". And maybe she was, but Minerva was also well-behaved (never rude like other authors love to write their "original"!) and kind and at the same time, never miss-ish but also never vulgar. She was definitely the better lead among the two leads.
And not that Dominic was bad, but he was a bit rude and cranky for most of the time, and when he sees his "love" again after getting married to Minerva.. And not surprisingly, his beloved is a fragile blondie who loves to faint and loves to be pampered. And if Minerva dares to behave like a brat (because Dominic misunderstands that Minerva wants a better life in society), he gets disappointed -_- when his own beloved blondie was the worst! I can't with this type of ML.
But nevertheless, I liked that there was trust between them even if it was a marriage of convenience. Of course Minerva falls in love quickly but she is mostly sad than jealous when the first meeting with the "other" happens (and thankfully, both leads act very maturely.. he doesn't act improperly and she doesn't make a scene, not even when it is just the two of them alone).
The mystery was ok, nothing new. I was expecting a twist, but nope.. who they suspect at first is precisely the one that was the villain. I like that the leads have their supporters (Dominic's 2 friends + his groom/ex-soldier + Minerva's uncle).
Basically the issues they encounter are: Dominic's ex-beloved, Dominic's cousin and.. that's it. It is a very light reading, I only think it was unfortunate that spoiler:
January 19, 2020
KU read.
Very good trad regency Minerva, daughter of. Yorkshire mill owner, has been brought up to run the business, and groomed to marry an aristocrat. Strong minded, she decides she will marry as per her father’s wishes, and approaches an impoverished Marquess and ex soldier who is struggling under both burdensome debt from his profligate family’s behaviour, and accusations of murdering a moneylender. Dominic is in love with the beautiful Lavinia, and agrees, as he has been refused.
Minerva was a great heroine who was clever and accomplished and steady of character, a refreshing change from wilful heroines who are TSTL. Dominic was honourable and swoony if a bit uptight and obtuse, but fun story nonetheless.
Very good trad regency Minerva, daughter of. Yorkshire mill owner, has been brought up to run the business, and groomed to marry an aristocrat. Strong minded, she decides she will marry as per her father’s wishes, and approaches an impoverished Marquess and ex soldier who is struggling under both burdensome debt from his profligate family’s behaviour, and accusations of murdering a moneylender. Dominic is in love with the beautiful Lavinia, and agrees, as he has been refused.
Minerva was a great heroine who was clever and accomplished and steady of character, a refreshing change from wilful heroines who are TSTL. Dominic was honourable and swoony if a bit uptight and obtuse, but fun story nonetheless.
July 16, 2022
I have really enjoyed reading this author‘s books for the last week. I have been binging. I find her references, which are seldom used, but too frequently for my own comfort, to racial profiling. I realize she was raised in a different time and she writes about a different time but I still find those occasional references uncomfortable. Other than that, this was really a good book.
June 28, 2022
Maybe even 4.5.
November 17, 2014
synopsis:
minerva, the daughter of a very rich mill owner, sets out to chose her own husband. she settles on dominic, who has returned home to a mountain of debts. although she compromises herself with him, dominic intends to refuse to bow down, especially since minerva will retain control of the running of the mills, as per her father. however, once dominic talks to minerva, he changes his mind. they get married and dominic takes minerva on a wedding journey to paris. once there, they run into dominic's true love, and minerva has to battle jealousy.
what i liked: that minerva wasn't some twit; she was capable of running a business. even though dominic felt emmasculated because of that, he understood.
what i didn't like: the story telling. i just wasn't interested what was happening.
minerva, the daughter of a very rich mill owner, sets out to chose her own husband. she settles on dominic, who has returned home to a mountain of debts. although she compromises herself with him, dominic intends to refuse to bow down, especially since minerva will retain control of the running of the mills, as per her father. however, once dominic talks to minerva, he changes his mind. they get married and dominic takes minerva on a wedding journey to paris. once there, they run into dominic's true love, and minerva has to battle jealousy.
what i liked: that minerva wasn't some twit; she was capable of running a business. even though dominic felt emmasculated because of that, he understood.
what i didn't like: the story telling. i just wasn't interested what was happening.
October 28, 2015
Although I liked this book, the description is misleading. Based on the description it sounded like it would be about the Hero's " true love " actively pursuing a relationship with him in spite of his marriage, while the heroine does all she can to come between them and make him love her instead.. This was not the case. Other than two brief encounters with the other woman she was more of a shadowy figure in the background. Instead, the plot was about two people falling in love while, trying the clear the hero's name of a past murder charge, and to discover who is framing him.
Not a bad read, just disappointing. I was really in the mood for other woman cattiness with a sprinkle of angst.
Not a bad read, just disappointing. I was really in the mood for other woman cattiness with a sprinkle of angst.
December 19, 2014
Another great romance from a favorite author. This one wasn't quite as riveting as others I've read from her, but it was still a solid 4.5 star read for me.
I tend to love married couple romances--marriage of convenience or estranged husband/wife romances--so I was already biased into liking this story. The heroine is strong and plainspoken and sensible, and the hero is sufficiently brooding without being pigheaded. :) Their romance progressed nicely and there was a little unexpected part of the ending that I liked. It was a sweet romance with all sex behind a closed door.
All in all, really enjoyable book.
I tend to love married couple romances--marriage of convenience or estranged husband/wife romances--so I was already biased into liking this story. The heroine is strong and plainspoken and sensible, and the hero is sufficiently brooding without being pigheaded. :) Their romance progressed nicely and there was a little unexpected part of the ending that I liked. It was a sweet romance with all sex behind a closed door.
All in all, really enjoyable book.
February 17, 2020
I enjoyed the heroine Minerva who is the epitome of a strong woman who can conquer everything thrown at her. Although figuring out who the villain was didn't pose a problem. He was the only one who stood to profit by Dominic's demise. I was amazed since he was the heir and so obvious. I still enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others.
February 20, 2020
I think this was originally published around 1988. I have read a couple of books by this author - an earlier one (published in 1977) was far too 'purple-prosed' for my liking but I enjoyed this immensely. A strong-minded woman, a damaged hero and a a decent plot. Enjoyable bit of fluff with a nice romance.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews