The Mysterious Governess

Daughters of Sin #3

by Beverley Oakley, Beverley Eikli

Lissa Hazlett lives life in the shadows. The beautiful, illegitimate daughter of Viscount Partington earns her living as an overworked governess while her vain and spoiled half sister, Araminta, enjoys London’s social whirl as its most feted debutante.

When Lissa’s rare talent as a portraitist brings her unexpectedly into the bosom of society – and into the midst of a scandal involving Araminta and suspected English traitor Lord Debenham – she finds an unlikely ally: charming and besotted Ralph Tunley, Lord Debenham’s underpaid, enterprising secretary. Ralph can’t afford to leave the employ of the villainous viscount much less keep a wife but he can help Lissa navigate a perilous web of lies and to ensure everyone gets their just desserts. With a little help from unexpected quarters there may even be a surprise Happy-Ever-After for the star-crossed lovers.

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency, Suspense

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2016

About the author

Also writes under Beverley Eikli.

Beverley Oakley writes Regency, Victorian and Georgian-set romances full of passion and laced with mystery and intrigue.

Born in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho, she married the handsome bush pilot she met in Botswana while managing a safari lodge and has spent the rest of her life as a ‘trailing spouse’ doing what she loves most: writing books from sweet to steamy; and from humorous to historical romantic suspense.

Here’s more about her series.

Daughters of Sin
A very steamy, funny, witty and dangerous Regency-set ‘Dynasty’ featuring two nobly-born debutantes and their illegitimate sisters - laced with political intrigue, cheating spouses and, of course, dangerous gentlemen.

1. Her Gilded Prison
2. Dangerous Gentlemen
3. The Mysterious Governess
4. Beyond Rubies
5. Lady Unveiled: The Cuckold’s Conspiracy
(Prequel coming October 2021)

The Scandalous Miss Brightwells
A humorous, sometimes steamy, matchmaking series – with some books sweeter and more sensual and poignant.

1. Rake’s Honour
2. Rogue’s Kiss
3. The Wedding Wager
4. The Accidental Elopement
5. The Honourable Fortune Hunter
6. The Wilful Widow
7. The Courtship Caper


Fair Cyprians of London

A group of women who work in a high class House of Assignation. Ranging from very steamy to sweet, hopeful redemption stories.

1. Saving Grace
2. Forsaking Hope
3. Keeping Faith
4. Wedding Violet
5. Christmas Charity
6. Loving Lily

Hearts in Hiding

Historical romantic suspense, very steamy often showing the darker aspects of Regency society, including the dependence and subjugation of women – and how, against the odds, they find their happy-ever-afters.

1. The Duchess and the Highwayman
2. The Bluestocking and the Rake
3. Duchess of Seduction
4. The Countess and the Cavalier

Scandalous: Three Daring Charades

Three sweet, yet intrigue-filled Regency historicals

Lady Sarah’s Redemption
Lady Olivia’s Butterfly
A Little Deception

You can connect with Beverley on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeverl...,
or through her website at: www.beverleyoakley.com

http://twitter.com/BeverleyOakley
https://www.facebook.com/beverley.eikli

Reviews

[Sarah Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as books 1-2. This one has a somewhat disjointed feel—not only disconnected from the reader, but also disconnected from itself, as if the various story threads don’t quite mesh. It doesn’t help that the first 80+ pages are occurring at the same time as DANGEROUS GENTLEMEN, so Araminta’s scenes are either glossed over recaps or lacking suspense; we already know she loses Aubrey to Hetty, & we also know she’s on a collision course with Lord Debenham. Meanwhile, Lissa’s story doesn’t get much depth until the halfway point, where the HEA for Hetty is completed & fresh material takes over. It makes me wonder if Araminta’s pagetime here was originally attached to Hetty’s story but removed from the manuscript by over-zealous editors, only to be resurrected & expanded with Lissa’s introduction when Ms Oakley began self-publishing.

Also peculiar is that only bitchy, semi-villainous Araminta is given on-page sexy times. Lissa & Ralph have no intimate scenes of any kind, which is very different from books 1-2. There’s nothing wrong with that, per se—but it does feel odd, given that Ms Oakley hasn’t been shy about H/h sex prior to this.

Anyway. I give it 3 stars—not as much fun as the first two, but I still want to continue the series.

[E.G. Manetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4 because he hero isn't a wealthy nobleman.

The strongest aspect of this story are the well-drawn characters. The plot is a bit all over the place, and aspects of the social dynamics don't track. Ends on an hfn with lots of unresolved plot threads that require further books to resolve.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Regency romantic drama, The Mysterious Governess has a number of inter-twined plots which made this a somewhat complicated book to read. Lissa and Araminta knew about each other, but as half-sisters have spent a lifetime avoiding each other. When a twist in the tale brings them into contact with each other, they find that they are more alike than they thought, both in looks and in problem solving. The romance between Lissa and Ralph is sweet, whilst Araminta's conniving and manipulation become quite ugly. I found the jumps between one plot and the next a bit disconcerting at times, and there were a number of instances where the wrong person was referred to. This book is part of a series, and finishes inconclusively with a number of unanswered questions, which leads the reader to assume that the story will be continued in the next book. I purchased this book some time back, but also received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[vaneeta naik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this through Candid Book Reviews, and this is my honest review.

The Mysterious Governess (Daughters of Sin, #3) by Beverley Oakley is an exciting Regency Romance. intriguing with many twists and turns, and an abundance of adventure...it is my 2rd book by Beverley in dis series ....i had read Hetty's story ...i was captivated by it....had wanted to read another of d stories in dis series ...THe author didnt disappoint as it is a Well written with daring, engaging and intense characters...
The main couple is Lissa and Ralph...Lissa is drawn into a scandal involving one of her half sisters, Araminta, who is cruel and self centered...
Ralph is a sweet ,kind & loving Man....Ralph and Lissa are instantly attracted with each other, romance blooms. they find trouble, danger,passion
Spies, traitors, deception, betrayal, mystery, What an impressive storyline which has all d ingredients to hold a reader..
not one moment of boredom ....This was the secondbook that I have read by this author and she again didnt disappoint....i would recommend dis book & also wouls like to read d other stories in dis series as d concept & execution of dis series is just TERRIFIC...keep it up Beverley ...u did a good job ....

[Andi G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story filled with drama, intrigue and adventure. A heartwarming love story with complex and lovable characters will surely keep you entertained and captivated throughout this book. I recommended it to all HR greedy readers but also to those of you who are looking for something more then a simple love story, a complex story line with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I received a free copy and voluntarily reviewed.

[Candy Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear, Danger and a gentle couple.
Lissa Hazlett is the illegitimate daughter of Lord Partington. She has 2 half sisters that are legitimate and a brother plus another sister that was not. Ralph Tunley is secretary and confidant to Lord Debenham. Ralph is a sweet and kind man. The characters are wonderful, rich and full bodied. The plot is complex but moves smoothly. There is intrigue, deceit, lies and traitors. The author was able to bring a lot of elements together and still make the book, make sense. She has done an exceptional job. Everything flows very well together. The characters are so life like and believable. The descriptions are vivid and bring you into their world. I really love her work and look forward to her next one. I received this from candid Reviews for an honest review.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people get their just desserts and others get the very best. The main couple is Lissa and Ralph with a couple pairings around them. Lissa is a governess to earn her way in this life because she is illegitimate. Ralph is above her station but they feel a pull that draws them together. Their struggles to be with each other kept me reading this story.

I received a copy of this through Candid Book Reviews, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, but really was all over the place with so many plots and intrigues. At times it was difficult to keep up with what plotline was happening at any given time. The book was written in the time period language, so I applaud that, however, the multiple encounters these women had with men ALONE for this time period was ridiculous. I know the series is titled Daughters of Sin, but come on. My biggest pet peeve with this book was how names were misspelled or incorrect. Ralph's brother Lord Ludbridge became Lord Tunbridge a few times (Tunley is his last name). Araminta was Aramina, but don't even get me started on her. Partington was Partinton. Lord Debenham became Lord Partington. Edits! I did enjoy Lissa and Ralph mostly, although they got away with too many intimate encounters, they didn't compare to Araminta. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Danielle Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read in the Daughters of Sin series by Beverley Oakley. Lissa is a governess looking towards the aristocracy. Her father is a viscount but her mother was not his wife. He married for his family, but he spends most of his days with his one true love and his other family. The son of the family she works for uses her artistic skills to his advantage, but Lissa is using him to gain access to the aristocracy. She figures the only way she can become something is marry up. The son gets her to do some drawings she doesn't want and mayhem ensues from there. This is where the villain Lord Debenham comes into play. He is in all the novels. Because of her employer's son cruel ways, Lissa meets a Mr. Tunley, but he is employed by Lord Debenham. New problem, Lissa is in love with Mr. Tunley. but he can't marry her because he can't offer her a home. The problems and mayhem continue. This is one book that keeps you on your toes. The story and plot are good, but the endings lack something, but I'm not sure. It could be because these books overlap each other and the endings of all will culminate in the 5th book with Lord Debenham getting his just deserts.

I received this book from the eBook Discovery and this is my honest review.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think there are so many sub~plots in this story that its hard to keep up plus most of humanity's flaws and weaknesses (and the result of such, like illegitimacy) seem to be crammed in this work: infidelity, sexual promiscuity, lying, misrepresentation, treason, debauchery, vanity, envy, entitlement, pride, abuse of authority, vice, anger, hatred, rumor~mongering, bearing false witness, scheming, spouse abuse, selfishness, manipulation to promote self~interest, etc. This is also full of unresolved innuendos. I also find it difficult to believe that Ralph, with his attributes and with his brother Jordan's ties with Whitehall and the War Office, is working for a mere baron with an unsavory reputation. It would have been more credible if he was planted there (from the start) to spy on Sir Debenham given that the latter was already suspected of treasonous activities among other things.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was interesting and now I may have to find the others in the series. I do want to know what happened to everyone in the books after this.
I did like the main Character Larissa "Lissa" Hazlett and Ralph Tunley. They both seemed to be good people but they got swept up in the drama of everyone else. There were at least a couple of people whom were written to easily be hated and I did hate them.
I would have given it 4 stars if there had been a little more too it. It was left at a cliff hanger.
All in all it was a good quick read.
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is my honest review and the opinions in this review are 100% my own.

[Susan Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it's so different to the usual Regency romance. It portrays feisty women who are not afraid of life or society. Beverley Oakley writes fast-paced intricate plots and does not bother to detail all the action, often leading the reader to expect something to happen and then telling us it has. This seems a little disjointed at times but certainly ups the pace. She seems to have little interest in descriptions of settings but I was always aware I was in Regency England. I will definitely read the rest of her books.
I was sent this novel by eBook Discovery and I honestly volunteer this opinion.

[Zena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in a serialized story with each book adding onto the adventure.
This particular one is told from the viewpoint of two special people, Lissa and Ralph.
It tells of all the trials and hardships that Lissa as a female, a governess and very a talented artist has to go through just to survive in those days. She is well supported by her beau, Ralph and together they begin an interesting life.
It is nicely written and had several villains and nasty people that have to be dealt with but this all helps to make the story a good one to read.
It is enjoyable and held my interest and I am happy to recommend it.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.... First, I want to say the storylines, plots and subplots were extremely enticing. As I started to read the book it became clear that there were a lot of things going on at the same time. Good things, bad things, subterfuge, treason, husband hunting, desperate situations, falseness, distortion, misrepresentation, extortion, blackmail and last but not least the budding romance between two unlikely penniless souls. At first there was too much going on and I had to put the book down. I continued reading and it was a little confusing. Eventually I got my bearings and the story became intriguing. I look forward to the continuing saga in the next book "Beyond Rubies".

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the plot Thickens

This is the third book in this series filled with romance and intrigue. Araminta, a devious soul continues with her escapades to catch a husband, and she will stop at nothing to catch one. There is also her illegitimate sister, who is forced to work as a governess due to circumstances. She falls in love with a secretary. Can the two overcome their difficult circumstances and find a way to be together? There are spies to fear, too. Read this book and find out what happens.

[Wynona R · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book

I can not tell you why I could not read this Book. I just felt a little disappointed in the contents and felt it to be depressing. I have set this aside several times,then picked it up to try again . It is very unusual that I set aside and do not complete one since my normal reading habit is at least one a day, I apologize to the author however I am just too old to waste my time trying to read something where the characters in the story are unlikable.





k

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book three in the Daughter's of Sin series I have now bought the first two in this series.This is Lord Partington's illegitimate daughter Lissa Hazlett who works as a overworked governess and Ralph Tunley who is secretary and confidant to Lord Debenham, it is a story of intrigue, deceit,and traitors. Lissa has a rare talent as a portraitist which brings her into society .This book carries over some of the people from the first books but each book can be read as a standalone.

[Sharon Eikenberry-Deary · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 Lissa and Ralph

Lissa was one of the viscount children. Having known this Lissa was trying hard to get into society, yet she was only a governess because her father chose not to except the children. She was an excellent artist and the Lamont son blackmailed her to draw pictures saying he drew them. When she was coming from a ball her hackney was in an accident and she was hurt. This started her relationship with Ralph who saved her. Then the drama gets more intense.

[Jeanie Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!

I loved the wild ride this book took me on. The idea of the legitimate children being tossed together with their father's mistress' children would on its own make for an interesting story. When that germ of an idea is in Miss Oakley's mind, wonderful machinations are about to ensue!
Be sure to allow time to read this one from cover to cover; you definitely won't want to put it down!

[Glinda Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The Mysterious Governess is the first book that I have read by Beverley Oakley. I must say that it was an intriguing book full of adventure and mayhem, and romance. Since starting with book 3 in the Series Daughters of Sin, I definitely will read the other books in the series.

[Norma Wiegert · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I'm not particularly fond of Regency Romances, This book was pretty good. There were too many characters and too many plots and sub plots to my liking. I liked the story of Lissa and Ralph. The others not so much.
I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lissa works as a governess. She is an artist and her employer’s son uses her talent to earn money. She uses him to go to a ton party. She meets Ralph who is secretary to the only man she danced with at the ton party. Ralph rescued her after her coach crashed. They immediately like each other. Her talent involves them in lots of trouble.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dreaming of Love

Lissa works as governess for a family who's son trays to use her in his endeavor. She is talented in drawing and Cosmo wants to use her talent for his use.
While Lissa is returning home from one of Cosmo endeavor she's in an accident and meet Ralph.
Come along for the adventure that Lissa has to go through thanks to Cosmo.

[Christine Renaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story of Lissa and Tunley. I didn't care for the story of Aramentia, Lisa half sister. It got to the point where it was hard to read the parts with her half sister. It must have something to do with the plot of the story when you read all the books. I found the book slow reading at some points.

[Anita B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mysterious Governess (Daughters of Sin Book 3)

I couldn't put this one down; I had to read it straight through. I Just had to find out what happened next! Now I've got to get the next book! These are great!!!

[Debby Settle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so good

I kept putting it down. The characters not so believing. This was my first read in the series, and then found it to be book 3. Should be read in order, though I now have no desire to buy any others. Sorry.

[Stephen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant story in the series

This is another brilliantly crafted story that continues a great series. This plot which gets a bit steamy at times, is full of emotional suspense and amazing characters. A very gripping read.

[Ann Petitjean · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great read with many twist and turns, got to read the rest on these characters!

Great story kept me guessing what would happen next. I fully int nd to read th entire seri s, because I am not ready to say goodbye,

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I totally and completely loved this story. Lissa was a beautiful and talented portraitist. Araminta was a spoiled brat. And don't forget Ralph. Lissa and Ralph made a lovely couple. This book was so good and I highly recommend to other readers.

[Denise Kearney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle-Free-Ereader News. A very poor ending