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A Matchmaking Miss
A MANAGING MISS — How could anyone accuse her of being a managing female, wondered Matty. She simply wanted what was best for those around her, and that included the most reserved Earl of Kirkswood. That vexing man claimed he had no need of a wife, but Matty knew better and had set upon a plan of her own to find a suitable match for this stubborn bachelor. Never mind that the new marquess was the most intriguing man Matty had ever met, with his dark red hair and handsomely tanned face. She would present this impossible man with the perfect bride -- even if it meant presenting herself!
A BEMUSED BACHELOR
All Joss wanted was some peace and quiet, not the interfering presence of Miss Matty Stone who seemed set upon finding him a wife. And where had she ever gotten such a ridiculous idea? As a former officer in the East India Company, he was used to being the one in command and had no patience for the matchmaking schemes of Miss Stone. But he did have to admire her persistence, and he certainly enjoyed looking upon her delicate face with that most kissable mouth. Perhaps he was in need of a wife after all....
A BEMUSED BACHELOR
All Joss wanted was some peace and quiet, not the interfering presence of Miss Matty Stone who seemed set upon finding him a wife. And where had she ever gotten such a ridiculous idea? As a former officer in the East India Company, he was used to being the one in command and had no patience for the matchmaking schemes of Miss Stone. But he did have to admire her persistence, and he certainly enjoyed looking upon her delicate face with that most kissable mouth. Perhaps he was in need of a wife after all....
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
6 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Joan Overfield
27 books13 followersAKA: Carolyn Madison
Joan Overfield (aka Carolyn Madison) has been a published author since winning the Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America in 1987 for her Regency, The Prodigal Spinster. Since then she has written a total of twenty-four novels. Along the way Joan has made several bestsellers lists and won numerous awards for her work, including 1998 Career Achievement in Regency Romance from Romantic Times magazine. Her Time Travel, The Door Ajar is in the list of Romantic Times magazine's 200 All-Time Reviewer Favorites.
Joan's varied career has included seven years as a 911 emergency operator. That experience contributed to her writing by training her to assess situations and people – skills she now uses as she develops plots and characters.
Joan uses her stories to showcase characters who reflect her life views. "All of my heroes operate from a strong sense of honor and duty," she says. "I admire that and I believe strongly in right and wrong." The goals of her characters can be summed up in the poem "Ulysses" – "To strive, to find, to seek, and not to yield."
She lives in Oregon with her golden retriever, Libby, and an ornery alley cat named Pounce. She is also a killer Trivial Pursuit player, and loves the smokey wail of a tenor sax and the icy bite of perfectly chilled champagne.
Joan Overfield (aka Carolyn Madison) has been a published author since winning the Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America in 1987 for her Regency, The Prodigal Spinster. Since then she has written a total of twenty-four novels. Along the way Joan has made several bestsellers lists and won numerous awards for her work, including 1998 Career Achievement in Regency Romance from Romantic Times magazine. Her Time Travel, The Door Ajar is in the list of Romantic Times magazine's 200 All-Time Reviewer Favorites.
Joan's varied career has included seven years as a 911 emergency operator. That experience contributed to her writing by training her to assess situations and people – skills she now uses as she develops plots and characters.
Joan uses her stories to showcase characters who reflect her life views. "All of my heroes operate from a strong sense of honor and duty," she says. "I admire that and I believe strongly in right and wrong." The goals of her characters can be summed up in the poem "Ulysses" – "To strive, to find, to seek, and not to yield."
She lives in Oregon with her golden retriever, Libby, and an ornery alley cat named Pounce. She is also a killer Trivial Pursuit player, and loves the smokey wail of a tenor sax and the icy bite of perfectly chilled champagne.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 28, 2015
I really enjoyed this one. I thought Matty was a very likable character. She is frustrated with the new Lord Kirkswood and his lack of interest in his estate. Matty decides that the only way to get him to take responsibility is to kidnap him and bring him home. Once there she decides he needs to marry and begins compiling a list and planning a house party to marry him off. She is definitely one to make sure things get done. Joss, Lord Kirkswood, was likable enough. Sometimes he came across a bit too gruff, but otherwise he was likable. I thought their relationship was rather nice. They of course start out not really caring for the other, but as the story progresses they gain a lot of respect for each other and they have a nice love story. I thought it was an entertaining read, I kept saying I would read one more chapter and then be caught up wondering what would happen next. It was hard to put down. I look forward to reading more of Overfield’s clean regencies.
(Joan Overfield also uses the pseudonym Carolyn Madison.)
Content: Clean romance. Unfortunately, the B word is used twice.
(Joan Overfield also uses the pseudonym Carolyn Madison.)
Content: Clean romance. Unfortunately, the B word is used twice.
June 29, 2015
Blessed with a sharp mind and good sense (which others may see as "managing"), Martha "Matty" Stone loves being a companion to the Lady of Kirkswood, and she loves living at Kirkswood. She believes that the future of Kirkswood is too important to be left to chance. The previous Marquess of Kirkswood ran up debts and left the estate a mess. Matty has written several letters to the new Marquess of Kirkswood and he hasn't responded. So she takes matters into her own hands and decides to kidnap him!
Joss Dunstable never felt love from his family and was exiled to India. Now he is a wealthy man and happy to be far from the ton of London. Until he receives notice of his brother's death informing him he is now the Marquess. He keeps getting messages from a pesky "Mr. M. Stone" summoning him back to Kirkswood. He is about to return when he is kidnapped from a ball. And now that he's been kidnapped and he finds out that Mr. M. Stone is really Miss Matty Stone, he finds out that she also wants to find him a wife!
I loved Joss and Matty - I love that all her motivations for kidnapping him in the first place were to help other people. Even though this novel is predictable it was so fun getting to the conclusion and cheering for Joss and Matty along the way. I loved Lady Louisa and how she managed to appear naive, vulnerable, and optimistic - but really she was taking care of everyone in her own way. And there were a lot of side characters in this story that made it more fun and interesting.
Content: Clean romance, swearing
Source: Amazon.com
Joss Dunstable never felt love from his family and was exiled to India. Now he is a wealthy man and happy to be far from the ton of London. Until he receives notice of his brother's death informing him he is now the Marquess. He keeps getting messages from a pesky "Mr. M. Stone" summoning him back to Kirkswood. He is about to return when he is kidnapped from a ball. And now that he's been kidnapped and he finds out that Mr. M. Stone is really Miss Matty Stone, he finds out that she also wants to find him a wife!
I loved Joss and Matty - I love that all her motivations for kidnapping him in the first place were to help other people. Even though this novel is predictable it was so fun getting to the conclusion and cheering for Joss and Matty along the way. I loved Lady Louisa and how she managed to appear naive, vulnerable, and optimistic - but really she was taking care of everyone in her own way. And there were a lot of side characters in this story that made it more fun and interesting.
Content: Clean romance, swearing
Source: Amazon.com
March 15, 2017
Cute book! I really loved Matty and how spunky she was. I enjoyed her and Joss. My only complaint was how the went from word sparing partners to being in love in like 5 pages. It felt so abrupt.
Still enjoyed the story!
Still enjoyed the story!
June 28, 2017
Funny witty and very entertaining read. Matty is certainly not your conventional heroine as indicated by the title and Joss has his own issues but between them they manage to make this book a rollicking good fun.
May 26, 2019
Quick regency romance of a spare heir returned home from India to take up his title and the young woman who has been managing his estate.
April 2, 2025
A great, old-fashioned, regency romance that was hilarious yet sweet!
June 18, 2025
Sweet little story but I just wished there had been a little more romance!
January 24, 2014
very cute lighthearted read. the ending felt a bit rushed. Matty is wonderfully competent and thus "managing"
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January 29, 2016Liked this one
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews