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The Temporary Bride
When Miss Helen Denville stepped off a coach en route to her new position as governess, she had no idea she was about to embark on the adventure of her life.
All but kidnapped by the infamous gambler Mr. Darcy, she was caught up in a deception that would change both of their lives forever. Posing as his bride to flush out a criminal who held the key to Mr. Darcy's mysterious past, Helen found herself enjoying the masquerade far too much. She fled from her unwanted desires and unwanted husband, little guessing that their paths were destined to cross again.
All but kidnapped by the infamous gambler Mr. Darcy, she was caught up in a deception that would change both of their lives forever. Posing as his bride to flush out a criminal who held the key to Mr. Darcy's mysterious past, Helen found herself enjoying the masquerade far too much. She fled from her unwanted desires and unwanted husband, little guessing that their paths were destined to cross again.
259 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 10, 2014
Impoverished Helen Denville is traveling to her new post as a governess,when she is accosted outside an inn by a strange man who seems to have mistaken her for someone completely else!
The man turns out to be the valet of one Mr Darcy who Helen recognizes by name as a infamous gamester (it should be noted that the heroine cant help but think this is an alias as will the reader)
After interrogating her the elegant Mr Darcy finally realizes that she isnt the person he is looking for.But her trunk does belong to the person in question.(there was a mixup of the luggage)
He proposes that Helen pose as his wife and help him flush out the original owner of the trunk.She agrees after Mr Darcy promises to pay her handsomely for her time...and she cant help but feel curious about what his goal with all of this is.
And who exactly is Mr Darcy really?
I really liked the no nonsense attitude of the heroine and the and the witty dialogue between Mr Darcy and Helen.
It was just something so comfortable about it,instead of having the two be constantly odds with each other constantly,thís couple actually works together. It was also funny how the supporting characters believed they were a genuine married couple since they got on so well.
I felt that the plot became a little more bogged down towards the end and also some too convenient circumstances occured,but it was only a minor nuisance since it was just a small part and the bigger part of the book was a very good read.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy regencies by Joan Smith or Barbara Metzger,or just a plain fun regency overall.
The man turns out to be the valet of one Mr Darcy who Helen recognizes by name as a infamous gamester (it should be noted that the heroine cant help but think this is an alias as will the reader)
After interrogating her the elegant Mr Darcy finally realizes that she isnt the person he is looking for.But her trunk does belong to the person in question.(there was a mixup of the luggage)
He proposes that Helen pose as his wife and help him flush out the original owner of the trunk.She agrees after Mr Darcy promises to pay her handsomely for her time...and she cant help but feel curious about what his goal with all of this is.
And who exactly is Mr Darcy really?
I really liked the no nonsense attitude of the heroine and the and the witty dialogue between Mr Darcy and Helen.
It was just something so comfortable about it,instead of having the two be constantly odds with each other constantly,thís couple actually works together. It was also funny how the supporting characters believed they were a genuine married couple since they got on so well.
I felt that the plot became a little more bogged down towards the end and also some too convenient circumstances occured,but it was only a minor nuisance since it was just a small part and the bigger part of the book was a very good read.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy regencies by Joan Smith or Barbara Metzger,or just a plain fun regency overall.
June 24, 2015
Mr. Darcy turned and smiled at her, "A gamester must live by the motto Style is All. If you carry off the part, then you are the part. If you make no notice of the state of your clothes, depend on it that no one will dare bring it to your attention." And so it goes for Miss Helen Denville, a no-nonsense, on-the-shelf miss who is at the beginning of an adventure.
Mistaken for someone else, she is approached by Mr. Darcy (yes, Mr. Darcy) to help him catch a mysterious man who sometimes appears as a woman. He/she is either Italian (per Mr Darcy) or the Fugitive Frenchman (Helen believes). Finally convinced to appear as his wife, the two embark on a journey to recoup something Mr. Darcy believes is his.
This traditional Regency romance has a unique plot twist with some light suspense. Boasting a memorable hero and heroine, the dialog between the two seems closer to that of an older married couple. For the most part they get along and their strength is built with each other's help. It is a clean romance with little sizzle or sexual tension but the word play between the two helps to make up for it.
Mistaken for someone else, she is approached by Mr. Darcy (yes, Mr. Darcy) to help him catch a mysterious man who sometimes appears as a woman. He/she is either Italian (per Mr Darcy) or the Fugitive Frenchman (Helen believes). Finally convinced to appear as his wife, the two embark on a journey to recoup something Mr. Darcy believes is his.
This traditional Regency romance has a unique plot twist with some light suspense. Boasting a memorable hero and heroine, the dialog between the two seems closer to that of an older married couple. For the most part they get along and their strength is built with each other's help. It is a clean romance with little sizzle or sexual tension but the word play between the two helps to make up for it.
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April 20, 2017DNF! It would have been great if the heroine would have just STOPPED TALKING!!!! bla bla bla....and then bla bla bla , just couldn't take it anymore .
February 21, 2019
4.57 stars - pg13/(maybe heavy pg13??) (A secular “clean” traditional Regency --- there
might be
use of: mild cursing/profanity, innuendo, mention of mistresses, gambling, drinking, etc. -- see specific details below)
First, I must say that I’m so appreciative to finally find a romance novel where the inside front blurb isn’t a cheesy, out-of-context, compilation of the most embarrassingly tacky parts of the story pasted together to, ostensibly, attract a reader to the book. I usually rip out that page, since it’s inevitably cheesy and not at all representative of the story within. This book blurb, however, was refreshingly fun and non-cheesy and started with this interaction between the hero and heroine, ” ‘Dear ma’am, I feel compelled to tell you that you have tumbled into an Adventure.’ .... ‘Then I must tumble out of it again, sir, for I have another stagecoach to catch at four o’clock.’ “
Loved it!! I loved the clever, witty, funny interactions between Mr. Darcy (yes!) and Nell. The author’s characters were all spot-on and written so well. Character names and place names were fun and creative (for instance, Hieronymus Vest was the local magistrate in the town called Igglesford-upon-Inkleford and his character perfectly fit his name, just as the town, also, perfectly fit its name). I liked the Italian twist in this traditional Regency story. There is a good bit in the story that’s not necessarily era-appropriate, but I’m not a high stickler (well, not all the time ! ); so long as a story is enjoyable, I can overlook some of the minor inaccuracies, contrivances, and faults (including some misspelling and typos).
I love authors who write lines like this: ”This middle-aged exquisite entered the room in his usual languid manner. Upon perceiving four pairs of widened eyes riveted on him, he raised a quizzing-glass and levelled it. ‘But do I intrude?’ he said with a lift of his delicately penciled brows.” < -- Hah! Love it! Can’t you just picture him with his brows?!
(This would be considered a “clean” traditional Regency. I think there were one or two instances of the expletive “damn”, one vague reference to infidelity, and one or two instances of God’s name being used in vain. The book, in general, is not tawdry but the Hero had, previously, been living life as a gamester and with a bit of a rakish reputation. There are no sordid details, but it’s not ignored either.)
I bought this book after perusing my friend Linda’s shelves and finding it on her “kisses only” and “teasing banter” shelves. See her review here
I loved the author’s writing style and was glad that this story was “clean”. I’ve searched out other books by the author, but I’m disappointed to hear that most of them are not clean like this one. Wish she had written more like this. I’m going to try one or two others, but, judging by reviews, this particular book was probably the cleanest and also the most entertaining one she’s written.
First, I must say that I’m so appreciative to finally find a romance novel where the inside front blurb isn’t a cheesy, out-of-context, compilation of the most embarrassingly tacky parts of the story pasted together to, ostensibly, attract a reader to the book. I usually rip out that page, since it’s inevitably cheesy and not at all representative of the story within. This book blurb, however, was refreshingly fun and non-cheesy and started with this interaction between the hero and heroine, ” ‘Dear ma’am, I feel compelled to tell you that you have tumbled into an Adventure.’ .... ‘Then I must tumble out of it again, sir, for I have another stagecoach to catch at four o’clock.’ “
Loved it!! I loved the clever, witty, funny interactions between Mr. Darcy (yes!) and Nell. The author’s characters were all spot-on and written so well. Character names and place names were fun and creative (for instance, Hieronymus Vest was the local magistrate in the town called Igglesford-upon-Inkleford and his character perfectly fit his name, just as the town, also, perfectly fit its name). I liked the Italian twist in this traditional Regency story. There is a good bit in the story that’s not necessarily era-appropriate, but I’m not a high stickler (well, not all the time ! ); so long as a story is enjoyable, I can overlook some of the minor inaccuracies, contrivances, and faults (including some misspelling and typos).
I love authors who write lines like this: ”This middle-aged exquisite entered the room in his usual languid manner. Upon perceiving four pairs of widened eyes riveted on him, he raised a quizzing-glass and levelled it. ‘But do I intrude?’ he said with a lift of his delicately penciled brows.” < -- Hah! Love it! Can’t you just picture him with his brows?!
(This would be considered a “clean” traditional Regency. I think there were one or two instances of the expletive “damn”, one vague reference to infidelity, and one or two instances of God’s name being used in vain. The book, in general, is not tawdry but the Hero had, previously, been living life as a gamester and with a bit of a rakish reputation. There are no sordid details, but it’s not ignored either.)
I bought this book after perusing my friend Linda’s shelves and finding it on her “kisses only” and “teasing banter” shelves. See her review here
I loved the author’s writing style and was glad that this story was “clean”. I’ve searched out other books by the author, but I’m disappointed to hear that most of them are not clean like this one. Wish she had written more like this. I’m going to try one or two others, but, judging by reviews, this particular book was probably the cleanest and also the most entertaining one she’s written.
May 18, 2020
4.5
Excellent read. It was a fun road romance with wonderful hero and heroine. Richard’s moves were excellent. Apart from heroine’s final running away I liked everything else.
Clean romance with funny bantering between hero and heroine.
Excellent read. It was a fun road romance with wonderful hero and heroine. Richard’s moves were excellent. Apart from heroine’s final running away I liked everything else.
Clean romance with funny bantering between hero and heroine.
June 15, 2021
Charming Georgian Romance
A scoundrel duke in hiding and a intrepid young woman find themselves on the road together as the duke seeks to reclaim his duchy. Charming tale. As always, very well written with period jargon. I love any book that requires me to learn things.
A scoundrel duke in hiding and a intrepid young woman find themselves on the road together as the duke seeks to reclaim his duchy. Charming tale. As always, very well written with period jargon. I love any book that requires me to learn things.
January 12, 2019
One of the best (at this point) of this genre amid all the Insipid Fakes. Downloaded FREE from libgen.io (Library Genesis). It has enough stuff here to titillate the most exacting of True Blue Regency readers. It is well~written, reminiscent of Georgette Heyer in its panache and sangfroid in witticisms and smart repartee (most specially between adversaries), plus the reader will not feel cheated in the sub~plot twists to bring this enthralling story into a very satisfactory end.
February 7, 2021
This is one of my favourite Regency books. The dialogue is witty, the romance believable and the heroine is sensible – which I suppose could be seen to be an insult but I definitely mean it as a compliment.
The book blurb isn’t very forthcoming:
While traveling to her first post as a governess, Helen Denville is drawn into an adventure with the infamous gamester Mr. Darcy. While helping him recover an item that is of great value, she loses her heart to him. Once he recovers that item, will he offer his heart to her?
so let’s see if I can expand on this a bit more. Firstly, Helen is actually on her way to take up a role as a companion when she is apprehended by Mr Darcy who mistakenly believes her to be a fugitive he has been tracking.
Once disabused of that notion, he sees another way to use Helen, which necessitates a fake marriage. Although the reasons behind the fake marriage have always seemed a little vague to me, I do appreciate the way Ms Andresen writes and so I’m willing to suspend belief for a while.
Unlike many other regency mystery / romances the mystery takes a back seat for much of the book which is nice. I am a bit sick of so-called romances where I have to guess at why the heroine and hero fall in love – here they spend much of the book together and it is possible to see their romance developing nicely.
With that said, there’s perhaps a bit too much time spent on the commedianti but that is a small negative in the overall scheme of things.
There’s some humour in the book too – mainly from the secondary characters but also between Helen and Mr Darcy. The scene when Vincenzo accuses Mr Darcy in front of Helen of seducing his sister is classic. At this point Helen and Mr Darcy are pretending to be married and her reactions are priceless.
All in all, as I said at the beginning – definitely one of my all time favourite books.
Themes: False marriage / Marriage of convenience, Sensible Heroine
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
The book blurb isn’t very forthcoming:
While traveling to her first post as a governess, Helen Denville is drawn into an adventure with the infamous gamester Mr. Darcy. While helping him recover an item that is of great value, she loses her heart to him. Once he recovers that item, will he offer his heart to her?
so let’s see if I can expand on this a bit more. Firstly, Helen is actually on her way to take up a role as a companion when she is apprehended by Mr Darcy who mistakenly believes her to be a fugitive he has been tracking.
Once disabused of that notion, he sees another way to use Helen, which necessitates a fake marriage. Although the reasons behind the fake marriage have always seemed a little vague to me, I do appreciate the way Ms Andresen writes and so I’m willing to suspend belief for a while.
Unlike many other regency mystery / romances the mystery takes a back seat for much of the book which is nice. I am a bit sick of so-called romances where I have to guess at why the heroine and hero fall in love – here they spend much of the book together and it is possible to see their romance developing nicely.
With that said, there’s perhaps a bit too much time spent on the commedianti but that is a small negative in the overall scheme of things.
There’s some humour in the book too – mainly from the secondary characters but also between Helen and Mr Darcy. The scene when Vincenzo accuses Mr Darcy in front of Helen of seducing his sister is classic. At this point Helen and Mr Darcy are pretending to be married and her reactions are priceless.
All in all, as I said at the beginning – definitely one of my all time favourite books.
Themes: False marriage / Marriage of convenience, Sensible Heroine
(Check out my personal blog for more Traditional Regency Romance reviews)
September 10, 2013
Helen is traveling by coach to her new position as a governess. She's exhausted getting off at one of her stops and inadvertently takes the wrong bag. This lands her in a world that at first seems to be completely out of her element. But she's a smart girl and rallies to the occasion.
The story was fun! The characters were likeable. The details, suspense, and plot were written well enough to keep me entertained. The twists and turns kept me guessing and kept the story interesting. Several reviewers commented on some inconsistencies in the story. But the story was so fun to read, that honestly, I didn't notice them. The sign of a great story teller is to enthrall the reader or listener. And I feel this author has that gift. She told the story well enough that, if there was something wrong, I completely missed it. When reading a story for pleasure, the reader wants something to entertain and amuse. And I was entertained. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
I received this book free of charge from JKS Communications in exchange for my honest review.
The story was fun! The characters were likeable. The details, suspense, and plot were written well enough to keep me entertained. The twists and turns kept me guessing and kept the story interesting. Several reviewers commented on some inconsistencies in the story. But the story was so fun to read, that honestly, I didn't notice them. The sign of a great story teller is to enthrall the reader or listener. And I feel this author has that gift. She told the story well enough that, if there was something wrong, I completely missed it. When reading a story for pleasure, the reader wants something to entertain and amuse. And I was entertained. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
I received this book free of charge from JKS Communications in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2009
Regency
July 29, 2015
A true regency, so hard to find good ones! ......On my second reading I stay with my original evaluation of this very fine Regency.
December 21, 2011
The heroine made this book well worth reading.
October 25, 2013
Review by: Lady Blue
Link to Review: http://romantichistoricallovers.wordp...
Link to Review: http://romantichistoricallovers.wordp...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews