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Escapade #1
Escapade
Alternate Cover Edition of ASIN: B00CG8F2A2
From New York Times bestselling romance author Kasey Michaels: The Enterprising Ladies series
Caledonia Johnston lies in wait inside the dark town coach of one Noel Kinsey, rotter, eager to exact justice in the name of her absent brother. It may not be the best plan, but it seems workable, at least until she realizes she has hidden herself inside entirely the wrong coach.
Worse, the man now being held at pistol-point is maddening, unflappable, condescending, and quite unimpressed that his would-be assailant holds his life in her hands. In fact, he seems to find her amusing.
Callie escapes the encounter, but not the man, as it falls out that Simon Roxbury also has a bone to pick with Noel Kinsey, and it would seem Miss Johnston and her bloodthirsty plans could serve him very well.
An unholy alliance is struck, the two conspirators battle each other, a matchmaking mama, two interested and not above interfering friends, and a poor soul (who doesn't look his best in pink), in this delicious tale of revenge gone wrong and romance definitely gone right!
From New York Times bestselling romance author Kasey Michaels: The Enterprising Ladies series
Caledonia Johnston lies in wait inside the dark town coach of one Noel Kinsey, rotter, eager to exact justice in the name of her absent brother. It may not be the best plan, but it seems workable, at least until she realizes she has hidden herself inside entirely the wrong coach.
Worse, the man now being held at pistol-point is maddening, unflappable, condescending, and quite unimpressed that his would-be assailant holds his life in her hands. In fact, he seems to find her amusing.
Callie escapes the encounter, but not the man, as it falls out that Simon Roxbury also has a bone to pick with Noel Kinsey, and it would seem Miss Johnston and her bloodthirsty plans could serve him very well.
An unholy alliance is struck, the two conspirators battle each other, a matchmaking mama, two interested and not above interfering friends, and a poor soul (who doesn't look his best in pink), in this delicious tale of revenge gone wrong and romance definitely gone right!
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1999
333 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Kasey Michaels
307 books541 followersKasey Michaels is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books (she doesn't count them). Kasey has received three coveted Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, two for the historical romances, THE SECRETS OF THE HEART and THE BUTLER DID IT, and a third for contemporary romance LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY (that shows diversity, you see). She is a recipient of the RITA, a Waldenbooks and Bookrak Bestseller award, and many awards from Romantic Times magazine, including a Career Achievement award for her Regency era historical romances. She is an Honor Roll author in Romance Writers of America, Inc. (RWA)
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Kasey has appeared on the TODAY show, and was the subject of a Lifetime Cable TV show "A Better Way," in conjunction with Good Housekeeping magazine, a program devoted to women and how they have achieved career success in the midst of motherhood (short version: "with great difficulty").
A highly praised nonfiction book, written as Kathryn Seidick, "...OR YOU CAN LET HIM GO," details the story of Kasey and her family during the time of her eldest son's first kidney transplant.
Kasey has written Regency romances, Regency historicals, category books including novellas and continuities and a few series "launch" books, and single title contemporaries. She has coped with time travel, ghosts, trilogies, the dark side, the very light side, and just about everything in between. Hers is also the twisted mind behind her ongoing Maggie Kelly mystery series starring a former romance writer turned historical mystery writer whose gorgeous hunk of a fictional hero shows up, live and in color, in her Manhattan living room – to melt her knees, to help her solve murders, and to leave the top off her toothpaste. And, says Kasey, she's just getting started!
Series:
* His Chariot Awaits
* Lion On the Prowl
* Crown Family
* London Friends
* Chandlers Request
* The Trehan Brothers
* Maggie Kelly Mystery
* Romney Marsh
* Sunshine Girls
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 5, 2019
Hilarious dialog, entertaining plot, but I felt the ending was a tad lackluster. I really enjoy’s Simon’s character.
November 8, 2018
I hate to give any book a bad review. I know it's hard work for any author, but I simply did not like this book. There was WAY too much ridiculous dialogue, I didn't really care for the heroine or her bumbling friend. There wasn't nearly enough action for me to enjoy the book. Most of it took place when she was held captive in the Hero's house. Most of the time the heroine acted like a spoiled brat, which is probably why her brother and the Hero continually called her that. I can't say I liked any of the characters overly much.
August 28, 2013
3.5/4 stars
This was really quite entertaining, right til the end, when I thought it wrapped up rather abruptly.
Apart from that I really enjoyed this read - the characters were great, I loved the character of Imogene (our hero's mother), it really wouldn't have been the same without her, she brought a lot of humour and wittiness to the story.
There was one point early on where Simon was in Whites with his friends and I got a bit confused about their conversation as it was rather convoluted and hard to follow, but other than that the dialogue throughout was pretty good and I loved the witty banter between the friends and between Simon and his mother etc.
I would have liked Callie to maybe be slightly more consistently the tomboy, as we only saw bits here and there and for the rest she acted like a "lady", she also started getting a bit gushy and typically swoony and in love for my liking towards the end.
Apart from the couple of niggles mentioned though I enjoyed this one and will definitely be looking at other books by this author.
This was really quite entertaining, right til the end, when I thought it wrapped up rather abruptly.
Apart from that I really enjoyed this read - the characters were great, I loved the character of Imogene (our hero's mother), it really wouldn't have been the same without her, she brought a lot of humour and wittiness to the story.
There was one point early on where Simon was in Whites with his friends and I got a bit confused about their conversation as it was rather convoluted and hard to follow, but other than that the dialogue throughout was pretty good and I loved the witty banter between the friends and between Simon and his mother etc.
I would have liked Callie to maybe be slightly more consistently the tomboy, as we only saw bits here and there and for the rest she acted like a "lady", she also started getting a bit gushy and typically swoony and in love for my liking towards the end.
Apart from the couple of niggles mentioned though I enjoyed this one and will definitely be looking at other books by this author.
August 16, 2017
I have to write that the story is nice, pleasant, heroes to like. Logical and real. Their love, natural dilemmas. But what is the biggest plus of the book? Simon's mother Imogen and Callie's friend Lester. They are comic, crazy, not serious. Several times I burst out laughing because the author did not spare us the situational jokes. All supporting heroes are great: servants, friends. Very good summer entertainment. With different level books of this author this is one of the better, if we read with a narrow eye.
March 4, 2019
One of the most charming, funny romances I've read in ages. I adore this and it's going on my keeper shelf. Sure, there were a couple things that bothered me, but the writing is so good that I can get past them.
March 5, 2017
This is the story of a delightful young woman who travels to London with her best friend to exact revenge on the man who cheated her brother out of his inheritance by cheating at cards. Callie, dressed in men's clothing and carrying a pistol has entered the wrong coach to await the cheater. She instead is holding up a viscount, Simon, who can't believe he is being held at gunpoint by a young chit. They are outside of London and almost to her destination when she discovers her mistake. Shortly after, Simon gains the upper hand and takes Callie's pistol. He stops the carriage to turn around when Callie jumps out and vaults on a waiting horse held by her best friend. Thus starts an unbelievable tale of romance and suspense. Most enjoyable.
July 23, 2013
I really enjoyed the witty dialogue. It's been a while since I've read a romance that had me smiling at the silly comments between Simon, Callie, and Imogene. I enjoy reading novels about families that have character and life instead of drama and inanity. I seriously doubt that any of these characters had a ready place in Regency England but that in no way diminished my enjoyment of them.
The bit that made me sigh in exasperation was towards the end, where they were setting up the inevitable danger for Callie so she could be rescued...how most romances go...not all romances have to include that!! Anyways, my disappointment was reversed almost immediately. The ending became something I could laugh and smile at.
On my soapbox here: Just because you love someone doesn't mean that everything they do is cute and adorable. I did get tired of the managing sort of personalities of both Simon and Callie. I also don't particularly approve of how everyone treats Lester. He's supposed to be the cuddly but not bright cohort. I found it irritating that when someone wanted a willing patsy they'd go to Lester but then would profess to love him. If you loved him you would stop taking advantage of him.
Even with those grievances, I recall laughing out loud and staying up late to finish the book. It's worth checking out.
The bit that made me sigh in exasperation was towards the end, where they were setting up the inevitable danger for Callie so she could be rescued...how most romances go...not all romances have to include that!! Anyways, my disappointment was reversed almost immediately. The ending became something I could laugh and smile at.
On my soapbox here: Just because you love someone doesn't mean that everything they do is cute and adorable. I did get tired of the managing sort of personalities of both Simon and Callie. I also don't particularly approve of how everyone treats Lester. He's supposed to be the cuddly but not bright cohort. I found it irritating that when someone wanted a willing patsy they'd go to Lester but then would profess to love him. If you loved him you would stop taking advantage of him.
Even with those grievances, I recall laughing out loud and staying up late to finish the book. It's worth checking out.
July 19, 2016
Funny!
I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book in quite some time, but I did when I read this one. Imogene is big, bold and brash. You never know what will come out of her mouth. Lester was funny too. His father said, "The elevator doesn't make it all the way to the top floors." when talking about him. Callie is the heroine. Simon is the hero. He thinks he has a plan but Callie knows how to foil same. A great read! Kasey Michaels has out done herself with this one.
I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book in quite some time, but I did when I read this one. Imogene is big, bold and brash. You never know what will come out of her mouth. Lester was funny too. His father said, "The elevator doesn't make it all the way to the top floors." when talking about him. Callie is the heroine. Simon is the hero. He thinks he has a plan but Callie knows how to foil same. A great read! Kasey Michaels has out done herself with this one.
February 6, 2016
3.5
Reminded me of Georgette Heyer!
Reminded me of Georgette Heyer!
May 6, 2017
I enjoyed Kasey Michaels' novel,"Escapade," but thought it was slow. The heroine, Caledonia Johnston, reminded me more of a Wild West Calamity Jane character than one in Regency London. The hero, Simon Roxbury, is a strong Regency man with a well-defined sense of right and wrong and the importance of justice. Caledonia shares his feelings about justice, they just go about it differently. The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because this strong-willed, feisty heroine willingly goes along with everyone else's schemes instead of asserting herself. That means that she spent the majority of the book stuck in the hero's home with his mother (a very well-drawn character). If she had stayed true to the person she was and gotten involved in the action, the book would have been better.
April 28, 2018
Want a strong heroine with an unassailable sense of justice and a very strong belief that she is invincible? Meet the irrepressible Miss Caledonia “Callie” Johnson, newly arrived in London on a mission of revenge. There she crosses paths with the much put upon Lord Brockton, who is not only amused by her effrontery but quite smitten as well. While the (often steamy) romance in Kasey Michaels’s Escapade is certainly worth your time, even more so are the secondary characters, their friends and relations – including one particularly delightful hero’s mother, not often a theme in Regencies – stealing the show at almost every turn. A laugh-out-loud joy.
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #1.
This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #1.
August 6, 2020
Why would I give this Regency Romp a 5 star rating? Because it is a marvelous example of the genre. Kasey Michaels never fails to entertain, but this one is just exceptional to me, almost an homage to Heyer and some of the classic tropes of light historic romance, my not so secret guilty pleasure. We have Callie dressing as a man, kidnappings, the gorgeous Simon and his high class friends, rakes with hearts of gold. Imogene the Dowager, and Lester, Callie's lumpy friend, are the comic relief, although Michaels' wit provides plenty of humor. There is an evil earl whose comeuppance needs to be got, and the mystery of Callie's runaway brother. We visit White's and Almack's, of course, and run into the inimitable Silence herself, Lady Jersey. So very enjoyable.
December 31, 2019
It moved fast, was well-written, and made sense... Of course, I also spent a lot of the book wanting to throttle the heroine, the hero, and various other side characters. There comes a point where being impulsive and madcap crosses the line into criminally stupid and should-be-locked-up; Caledonia Johnston dances right across that line with abandon and it got really annoying. I predict Simon will be drinking within 6 months. I also don't care if it's period-correct or not, I will never find it endearing when a hero calls the heroine "brat" for 90% of the book. I can't suspend disbelief that hard. But, oh, I felt SO BAD for poor Lester. He needs to get far away from this crew.
October 28, 2018
Kidnapping for Revenge
Caledonia Johnnston has a plan to make someone pay for ruining her brother. The plan includes kidnapping & shooting the man in the knee. This will be a reminder for him the rest of his life. Viscount Broxton has a plan to ruin a man who is a known cheater at cards. This story brings these two together with different plans to ruin the same man. However, they can't seem to work together & yet can't forget the other. Entertaining story, with enough comedy from side characters to keep a person guessing. I enjoyed the story, but did not like the ending.
Caledonia Johnnston has a plan to make someone pay for ruining her brother. The plan includes kidnapping & shooting the man in the knee. This will be a reminder for him the rest of his life. Viscount Broxton has a plan to ruin a man who is a known cheater at cards. This story brings these two together with different plans to ruin the same man. However, they can't seem to work together & yet can't forget the other. Entertaining story, with enough comedy from side characters to keep a person guessing. I enjoyed the story, but did not like the ending.
July 10, 2024
It started really well. Absolutely hilarious. I wasn't sure about the writing style at first. But it made me laugh out loud several times.
Unfortunately, it became boring after page 80 or so. Nothing happened. Only repetitive dialogues and inner thoughts. And it dragged and dragged on until I couldn't take it anymore. I just skimmed the rest of the book and only read some interesting parts. I appreciate the author's effort at humour, but when two third of a book is about two people denying their feelings for eachother and hardly anything exciting happens, the book is just not for me. Very disappointing.
Unfortunately, it became boring after page 80 or so. Nothing happened. Only repetitive dialogues and inner thoughts. And it dragged and dragged on until I couldn't take it anymore. I just skimmed the rest of the book and only read some interesting parts. I appreciate the author's effort at humour, but when two third of a book is about two people denying their feelings for eachother and hardly anything exciting happens, the book is just not for me. Very disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2017
Casey never lets me down
A rollicking tale full of silliness, laughter, misadventure and, of course, love!
I can always count on Kasey Michaels to give me hours of enjoyable reading. Not at all banal.
A rollicking tale full of silliness, laughter, misadventure and, of course, love!
I can always count on Kasey Michaels to give me hours of enjoyable reading. Not at all banal.
May 18, 2019
Mischief of one kind or another
Loved the heroine in this story, fun frisky and all together fabulous. A romance with humor, a little unpredictability and a heroine who doesn’t understand the concept of can’t.
Loved the heroine in this story, fun frisky and all together fabulous. A romance with humor, a little unpredictability and a heroine who doesn’t understand the concept of can’t.
May 21, 2019
Escapade
I would not say that Simon clung to his mother’s apron strings, but he did reluctantly fall in love with a brat of a girl who was much like her: daring, smart, conniving, and a good horsewoman.
I would not say that Simon clung to his mother’s apron strings, but he did reluctantly fall in love with a brat of a girl who was much like her: daring, smart, conniving, and a good horsewoman.
February 16, 2017
LOVED IT! !
I love a book that makes me laugh out loud. Great dialog. Interesting couple. And I don't know if I ever wanted to see a story about the hero's mother!
I adored her.
I love a book that makes me laugh out loud. Great dialog. Interesting couple. And I don't know if I ever wanted to see a story about the hero's mother!
I adored her.
March 15, 2017
Lots good adventure in Regency England. Couple mismatched people trying to bring down corrupt English noble.
March 24, 2017
It was okay, good in spots. I guess I just don't enjoy books where the heroine is childish.
June 4, 2017
Disappointing
This started out so well! The hero was handsome and witty - just about perfect. I couldn't warm up to the heroine. She acted too much like a child.
This started out so well! The hero was handsome and witty - just about perfect. I couldn't warm up to the heroine. She acted too much like a child.
July 3, 2017
Slow moving. But has an HEA ish. It could have done with out the end bedroom scene as it didn't fit with the story.
July 15, 2017
HILARIOUS.
December 27, 2017
Very wordy, but had an ok storyline.
November 7, 2018
Good long book of 3 books, love Callie, love Imogene, love the men who try to keep up, very entertaining read. Writing flows, characters are well developed, fun adventures and mishaps!
November 12, 2018
Light and fun read. Loved the secondary characters - especially Lester!
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May 4, 2020Fun, quirky characters.
January 9, 2022
2.5 not quite what I had hoped stars. This book is too much and not enough, all at the same time. It’s not particularly bad but it ain’t that great. A so-so book.
August 24, 2020
First this should be a 3.5 and this romance was witty, entertaining, and a real tussle between the sexes. The outlandish mother-in -law to be ( the mom of the hero) was just crazy fun as she ate all the time and worried about her girlish figure- something that seems all to common today. I really admired the heroine's ability on horseback and her bravery and take no prisoners attitude. This was a pleasure to real.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews