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A Dangerous Diversion
Elouise isn’t simply Charming by name...Charming is the job.
When trouble strikes Everwell Manor, headquarters of her fellow Scandalous Spinsters and the only real home she’s ever known, being charming isn’t enough. Especially when the job calls for her to pick the pocket of a handsome blue-eyed stranger at a high society function.
After a suspicious fire killed his brother, Detective Dominic Ashe pointed the finger at one of Boston’s elite and found himself out a job. With his reputation in tatters, he’s come north in a last ditch effort to find justice and maybe a little peace...but he’s unprepared for the well heeled beauty who seems determined to get in his way.
When Dominic is injured helping Elouise’'s students, she wonders if she can trust the illusive American with her secrets. But trusting a man has only led Elouise to ruin...and Dominic doesn’t know how to deal with a woman who doesn’t play by society’s rules.
The clock is ticking...will Dominic steal Louisa's heart? Or is Dominic little more than a Dangerous Diversion?
When trouble strikes Everwell Manor, headquarters of her fellow Scandalous Spinsters and the only real home she’s ever known, being charming isn’t enough. Especially when the job calls for her to pick the pocket of a handsome blue-eyed stranger at a high society function.
After a suspicious fire killed his brother, Detective Dominic Ashe pointed the finger at one of Boston’s elite and found himself out a job. With his reputation in tatters, he’s come north in a last ditch effort to find justice and maybe a little peace...but he’s unprepared for the well heeled beauty who seems determined to get in his way.
When Dominic is injured helping Elouise’'s students, she wonders if she can trust the illusive American with her secrets. But trusting a man has only led Elouise to ruin...and Dominic doesn’t know how to deal with a woman who doesn’t play by society’s rules.
The clock is ticking...will Dominic steal Louisa's heart? Or is Dominic little more than a Dangerous Diversion?
312 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2022
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Helliwell
10 books53 followersJoin Michelle's monthly mailing list! http://www.michellehelliwell.com/join
Michelle is a sucker for hopelessly romantic stories -- the swish of heavy skirts, guys in linen shirts, and moody weather is her happy place.
She lives with her husband and two sons in Nova Scotia, Canada where moody weather and bagpipes are plentiful, but alas, guys in puffy shirts are too few.
Instagram: @mlhelliwell
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellehelliwellhis...
Michelle is a sucker for hopelessly romantic stories -- the swish of heavy skirts, guys in linen shirts, and moody weather is her happy place.
She lives with her husband and two sons in Nova Scotia, Canada where moody weather and bagpipes are plentiful, but alas, guys in puffy shirts are too few.
Instagram: @mlhelliwell
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michellehelliwellhis...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 15, 2022
I just loved Michelle Helliwell’s upcoming romance novel 'A Dangerous Diversion’, the first book in her Scandalous Spinsters series. I am so pleased to say that second half; it means there will be more tales about these delightful Scandalous Spinsters, teachers from the Everwell Society who are more than just teachers. With parallels to the legends of Robin Hood and his merry men, these Scandalous Spinsters are strong, older women (for 1874), each with a skill set above that of regular teachers, who together use their skills to help the unfortunate. Loving this premise, I was glued to the pages as the story of Eloise and Dominic enfolded. An added perk was the fact that the story was set in Halifax, just across the harbour from where I live, an area I am quite familiar with so I can easily imagine the places described in the story. I am really looking forward to the next installment in this series!!!
February 19, 2022
The perfect read for cold February days here in Alberta. With just the right amount of intrigue, plot twists, historical elements and steamy love scenes this was a pleasurable read from start to finish.
I have decided I want to join the Scandalous Spinsters at Everwell Manor. The most delightful group of pickpockets, seamstress/inventors, mistresses of disguise and all around strong women characters I have encountered in a long while.
VERY MUCH looking forward to book #2 in this series.
I have decided I want to join the Scandalous Spinsters at Everwell Manor. The most delightful group of pickpockets, seamstress/inventors, mistresses of disguise and all around strong women characters I have encountered in a long while.
VERY MUCH looking forward to book #2 in this series.
April 25, 2022
Helliwell, who wrote a great series of fairy-tale inspired historical romances, shifts gears here and presents a wonderful late-period historical caper romance, set on the sometimes gritty streets of Halifax (which a character describes as "a two-bit town hanging out in the middle of the North Atlantic"). As a Halifax resident for the past decade, I enjoyed the look at the Halifax in the old days, from rotting buildings thanks to the weather to powerful families running the town (hmm).
The story has a great mix of humour, steamy slow-burn romance, and social commentary on the roles and positions of women in society. Helliwell has fun with the marriage-of-convenience trope and adds a few other tropes to the mix. The caper subplot provides great structure for the story, without over-taking the romance, and the occasional coincidence suits the tone. The main characters are mature and well-developed, and the secondary characters - the other scandalous spinsters - are intriguing. I'm looking forward to their stories.
The story has a great mix of humour, steamy slow-burn romance, and social commentary on the roles and positions of women in society. Helliwell has fun with the marriage-of-convenience trope and adds a few other tropes to the mix. The caper subplot provides great structure for the story, without over-taking the romance, and the occasional coincidence suits the tone. The main characters are mature and well-developed, and the secondary characters - the other scandalous spinsters - are intriguing. I'm looking forward to their stories.
March 3, 2022
Such a riveting tale. I couldn’t put it down. I got so engrossed in the story that I actually felt like I was apart of the story. I was actually feeling the emotions of the characters it was that well written. All Michelle Helliwell’s books are written this well, and this didn’t disappoint either. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
December 23, 2024
Excellent independently published historical romance by a Nova Scotia author. Just went and bought the 2nd one in the series!
January 15, 2022
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED!! This book had everything I adore - Romance, Suspense, mystery and wonderful, wonderful characters!! I was intrigued from the first chapter and squeed with glee as the book continued. This is me gushing because this book is gush worthy!! Elouise and Dominic made me laugh, cry and hope! The way they REALLY saw one another, sigh. I cannot wait to read more about the scandalous spinsters. This is a MUST READ.
March 8, 2022
Terrific read
Looking forward to the sequel
Looking forward to the sequel
December 26, 2022
This is the first book in the Scandalous Spinsters series and I devoured it. The whole idea around the series is original and well executed, the characters are wonderfully drawn, and the story had you holding your breath. It's a caper, it's a romance, and it is an amazing read. Definitely recommend!
July 7, 2024
I am a Grinch who hates romance novels, but this? This was delightful! I even wanted the protagonists to have their happily ever after, a rare thing for me! :)
March 19, 2022
“ A Dangerous Diversion “ - the first book in the Scandalous Spinsters series had me hooked from the first page. The description of Halifax at another time had me picturing it , in all its splendour. I doubt I’ll ever see it the same again and I may be looking for Dominic Ash out of the corner of my eye ( a gal can dream ). It’s romantic , it’s exciting and has me wishing the Everwell Society really did exist. Elouise may have the art of “ swooning “ down pat but I’m going to pretend I’m a close second from this day onward . I’ll wear my membership in the Everwell Society for Scandalous Spinsters and Wayward Women with demonstrative pride !
May 30, 2022
I loved this book! The chemistry between Elouise and Dominic was electric right from the beginning, even if they didn't want to admit it. This story delivers intrigue, strong super-sleuth female leads and a satisfying "happily ever after."
I can't wait to read all the other spinsters' stories-but I've already chosen a favourite spinster.
I can't wait to read all the other spinsters' stories-but I've already chosen a favourite spinster.
April 8, 2023
“That gentle but firm voice, commanding him to breathe. A voice, he was certain, could tempt him to commit a thousand sins.”
A Dangerous Diversion & the cast of Scandalous Spinsters who make Everwell Manor their home, have all the expertise and girl gang vibes of Sarah MacLean’s Hell’s Belles series. The added bonus for me was that it takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a nearby city that I once called home for nearly eight years.
This was a case of wanting to like a book so badly and actually ending up loving it, which any reader will tell you is a rare thing indeed.
Both Elouise and Dominic have complicated pasts that keep their respective guards firmly in place. Watching them slowly lay themselves bare to one another had their deepening connection flaring right off the page. The stakes are high so they inevitably make mistakes and jump to conclusions but are quick to reflect and make amends, so that even though their story takes place over a rather short amount of time, I was left with no doubt as to where their romance was headed.
This romantic, feminist tale of stealth and subterfuge sent me straight to Michelle to tell her how much I enjoyed this story and I’m now making plans to visit the residence that inspire Everwell Manor, Prescott House located in Port Williams, Nova Scotia.
If you enjoy historical romance, particularly those with a unique setting and strong female friendships, A Dangerous Diversion by Michelle Helliwell is definitely for you.
A Dangerous Diversion & the cast of Scandalous Spinsters who make Everwell Manor their home, have all the expertise and girl gang vibes of Sarah MacLean’s Hell’s Belles series. The added bonus for me was that it takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a nearby city that I once called home for nearly eight years.
This was a case of wanting to like a book so badly and actually ending up loving it, which any reader will tell you is a rare thing indeed.
Both Elouise and Dominic have complicated pasts that keep their respective guards firmly in place. Watching them slowly lay themselves bare to one another had their deepening connection flaring right off the page. The stakes are high so they inevitably make mistakes and jump to conclusions but are quick to reflect and make amends, so that even though their story takes place over a rather short amount of time, I was left with no doubt as to where their romance was headed.
This romantic, feminist tale of stealth and subterfuge sent me straight to Michelle to tell her how much I enjoyed this story and I’m now making plans to visit the residence that inspire Everwell Manor, Prescott House located in Port Williams, Nova Scotia.
If you enjoy historical romance, particularly those with a unique setting and strong female friendships, A Dangerous Diversion by Michelle Helliwell is definitely for you.
April 4, 2023
This book scratched all my itches as a reader: a fierce female protagonist, local and historical East Coast, Canada setting (Halifax, NS), a badass girl squad who want to make the world a better for women and children and to top it off, written by a Nova Scotia author. I loved it so much that I went out and purchased the second novel in the series. Highly recommend this read!
October 6, 2022
Enjoyable read and I love that it's set in Victorian Halifax. I loved the set up for the series and while I didn't 100% connect with Eloise Charming's character, I am already interested in other characters whose books will follow!
October 31, 2022
An original, fun and delightful read!
Educators by day, Mistresses of covert missions by night.
Scandalous spinsters and passionate bodice ripping happenings.
This ‘Dangerous Diversion’ has assuredly whet my appetite to follow more adventures of the Ladies of the Everwell Society.
Educators by day, Mistresses of covert missions by night.
Scandalous spinsters and passionate bodice ripping happenings.
This ‘Dangerous Diversion’ has assuredly whet my appetite to follow more adventures of the Ladies of the Everwell Society.
September 16, 2023
A Dangerous Diversion was a fun story! I enjoyed how the story was forwarded by an adventurous plot leaving the rest of the time for love to build between the main characters. Loved the strong female lead!
November 1, 2025
Loved this book, and I love the fact that the series is set in Halifax! It's a gorgeous story, to match a gorgeous city. Reading this book, I can just envision all the details; the dresses, the smell of the city streets in Victorian times, and the harbour. Loved the romance as well!
did-not-finish
July 27, 2024i’m so bored, the main characters are so boring i’ve decided to give up and dnf x
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews