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Regency Sting
THE VISCOUNT FROM AMERICA
Anne gasped. The stranger's sunstreaked hair was much too long to be fashionable. His buckskin breeches seemed woefully out of place in a London drawing room.
Anne's heart began inexplicably to pound, as she asked: "You are the new Viscount Mainwaring?"
The stranger broke into a laugh that seemed to shake the walls.
"I reckon so, Ma'am. I reckon so..."
Anne gasped. The stranger's sunstreaked hair was much too long to be fashionable. His buckskin breeches seemed woefully out of place in a London drawing room.
Anne's heart began inexplicably to pound, as she asked: "You are the new Viscount Mainwaring?"
The stranger broke into a laugh that seemed to shake the walls.
"I reckon so, Ma'am. I reckon so..."
232 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
19 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Mansfield
59 books61 followersElizabeth Mansfield is the author of numerous regency romances. She is an intelligent and thoughtful writer, a hidden gem whose novels deserve to be more widely read and enjoyed.
Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz also wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.
Elizabeth Mansfield is the pen name of the talented Paula Reibel Schwartz. Ms Schwartz also wrote different genres under the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 13, 2025
finally!
I’ve been going through all the authors I loved in my younger years and mostly come away a bit disappointed. Except for Georgette Heyer and Mary Balogh, who I have read over and over until I know the next scene and the one after that. So what a pleasure to find Mansfield again!
I’ve been going through all the authors I loved in my younger years and mostly come away a bit disappointed. Except for Georgette Heyer and Mary Balogh, who I have read over and over until I know the next scene and the one after that. So what a pleasure to find Mansfield again!
April 1, 2015
American Ajax Triumph
If you enjoyed Georgette Heyer's The Unknown Ajax, this Regency Romance is for you. The basic premise is the same, a noble family learns that in their opinion, a common man has inherited the Nobel Title and fortune of the Viscount. In this case, instead of being in trade, he is a uncouth American.
It is most interesting to see how another fine writer handles such a fun theme. The new Viscount Manwaring is a annoyance to the daughter of the house, intentionally meeting her somewhat exaggerated expectations and enjoying her aggravation. Although the plot is similar, different characters, emphasis, and writing style makes it a unique and delightful read.
If you enjoyed Georgette Heyer's The Unknown Ajax, this Regency Romance is for you. The basic premise is the same, a noble family learns that in their opinion, a common man has inherited the Nobel Title and fortune of the Viscount. In this case, instead of being in trade, he is a uncouth American.
It is most interesting to see how another fine writer handles such a fun theme. The new Viscount Manwaring is a annoyance to the daughter of the house, intentionally meeting her somewhat exaggerated expectations and enjoying her aggravation. Although the plot is similar, different characters, emphasis, and writing style makes it a unique and delightful read.
November 4, 2025
I was entertained but I don't really know what the MMC likes about the FMC because I didn't care for her attitude.
It gets a bit political about British-American prejudices and conflicts
It gets a bit political about British-American prejudices and conflicts
January 19, 2012
The characters are either cartoons or unappealing. The hero is appealing, but cartoonishly portrayed as a hillbilly from the American backwoods (which he could not be given his background as the son of an English aristocrat).
January 1, 2012
I really like Elizabeth Mansfield's historicals - she gives good romance within the length constraints dictated by categories. This was a traditional regency with an American heir being the main plot point. It was a decent read - I liked the relationship between the h/h and how the story eventually played out. Yes, it was a bit predictable and the secondary romance didn't do anything for me, but overall, I enjoyed this.
June 14, 2022
I was in the mood for a good Regency romance and when I read the blurb of this one, I thought it would be fun to read about an American in London at this time in history.
I was wrong.
While the story itself was fine, and I did rather like Jason, though the author seemed to delight in making a man who would not sound like he had lived on the frontier his entire life (yes, I understood the character was supposed to be doing it on purpose) it became tiresome. Just like Anne's constant anger and insistent need to be in love with a milksop of a man, who clearly wasn't right for her, no matter how handsome he was. Anne was rather shallow and I'm still not certain why anyone would fall in love with her.
I think I will read some Tessa Dare to get the bad taste of two less than stellar Regency romances out of my mouth.
I was wrong.
While the story itself was fine, and I did rather like Jason, though the author seemed to delight in making a man who would not sound like he had lived on the frontier his entire life (yes, I understood the character was supposed to be doing it on purpose) it became tiresome. Just like Anne's constant anger and insistent need to be in love with a milksop of a man, who clearly wasn't right for her, no matter how handsome he was. Anne was rather shallow and I'm still not certain why anyone would fall in love with her.
I think I will read some Tessa Dare to get the bad taste of two less than stellar Regency romances out of my mouth.
October 23, 2025
Fun read
This was a delightful story for the most part with quite a few laughs. But I'm not sure about how it ended. Too quick with a sudden flip over in the two major plot areas. So it left me feeling unsettled. However, it's a tribute to a story to be able to engage me to the degree that I'm actually concerned for the characters, so I have to say good job to Mansfield.
I do wish she'd get a better editor/proofreader who knows the difference between journalistic and fiction possessive forms. And there were some odd typos spellcheck missed. Book publishers have an obligation to get it right because otherwise readers learn the wrong way and keep perpetuating it, which is just adding to the weakening of language clarity.
This was a delightful story for the most part with quite a few laughs. But I'm not sure about how it ended. Too quick with a sudden flip over in the two major plot areas. So it left me feeling unsettled. However, it's a tribute to a story to be able to engage me to the degree that I'm actually concerned for the characters, so I have to say good job to Mansfield.
I do wish she'd get a better editor/proofreader who knows the difference between journalistic and fiction possessive forms. And there were some odd typos spellcheck missed. Book publishers have an obligation to get it right because otherwise readers learn the wrong way and keep perpetuating it, which is just adding to the weakening of language clarity.
May 11, 2021
Mentioned on Facebook, I tried this writer in my search for intelligent Regency romances. Not intelligent, not witty or funny. It reminded me of a novel by Georgette Heyer, The Unknown Ajax, but badly written. Don't waste your time.
November 18, 2022
3.5 stars. These books are so much fun!
March 10, 2023
Another charming Regency romance. No steamy sex scenes, just pure romantic love. I noticed this book was published in 1980. Maybe sex hadn't invaded this lovely genre yet.
February 24, 2024
Nice read, but not great. The ending could have been better. Hero was better than heroine.
October 17, 2025
Promising premise but fell flat. Had some good points though. Do not plan to read again in the future.
October 31, 2025
Such a fun book, very reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. And the penultimate chapter was absolutely hilarious. I definitely plan to read more of Elizabeth Mansfield’s books!
May 11, 2015
It's true
As much as I like this author, I don't like the heroine. I wish the author had taken a moment to show us her softer side while she was teaching Jason to be proper rather than tell us about it. It would have made her more likable...instead she comes of as shrewish and angry all the time. But the hero was good...
As much as I like this author, I don't like the heroine. I wish the author had taken a moment to show us her softer side while she was teaching Jason to be proper rather than tell us about it. It would have made her more likable...instead she comes of as shrewish and angry all the time. But the hero was good...
July 14, 2015
Regency Sting by Elizabeth Mansfield
A delightful regency story. It was funny. I found that it was a delightful read. I won't tell you what happens. I will tell you that it was enjoyable.
A delightful regency story. It was funny. I found that it was a delightful read. I won't tell you what happens. I will tell you that it was enjoyable.
Read
June 19, 2022The annoying signs of modernization are there: inserted commentary on women figures (although not lingering as far as i reread to) and no thought to chaperones or walking into someone's bedroom... I did read this book before, and this is my 2022 attempt that ended about 44% in.
April 22, 2024
An OK, if tedious, read. The female lead is obnoxious in that self-centered dictatorial way. She's like nails on chalkboard, which makes our hero, who fell in love with her at first sight [and stayed that way!!!] a dunce. But so it goes.
October 24, 2010
The new Viscount Mainwaring is from America and changing the view of Anne who needs to make a successful marriage.
June 18, 2012
slow start
December 9, 2020
2.5 stars
September 22, 2022
I usually enjoy books written by this author, birthstone wasn't very good. It was predictable and dull. As were the main characters. I own this Book but will be donating it.
August 3, 2017
Better than most of her books
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews