A Question of Impropriety

by Michelle Styles

Diana Clare has had enough of London—the balls, the rakes you can never trust.... Now, having returned home in disgrace, she is trying to forget what drove her from the ton. Rake and gambler Brett Farnham, Earl of Coltonby, seems intent on making Diana remember exactly what it was like to be whirled around the ballroom and seduced by the glint in her partner's eye.... But Brett has "mistress" rather than "marriage" in mind, and Diana is not sure her reputation can stand up to another scandal....

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Mills and Boon, Harlequin Historical, Harlequin

Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Born and raised near San Francisco Califorinia, Michelle Styles currently lives a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall with her husband, three children and menagerie of pets. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance when she discovered Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt in her school's library. Michelle enjoys writing stories in a wide range of time periods including Roman, Viking, Regency and early Victorian. Her website can be found at www.michellestyles.co.uk

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise. I picked it up off my shelf because I needed a 'Q' book for my A to Z challenge. The blurb didn't really call my name at all. However, I started reading and sunk deep into this story, leaving Texas and finding myself in Regency England. The writing flows naturally and smoothly, and the characters meant something to me. I could see where Diana was coming from with her very real issues. What happened to her was awful! And Brett wasn't the cad I expected him to be. He actually had some scruples, and was motivated by more than just his own pleasure. I started to realize that Diana really did need to come out of her self-imposed shell, because it wasn't healthy. She had let her dead fiance' steal away most of who she was as a person. Brett did have a way about him that definitely translated an irresistible vibe, and I enjoyed their flirtation and deepening relationship. I also liked the way the author turned things around. Brett was somewhat hoisted by his own petard, but in this case, it wasn't the best thing for either Brett or Diana. I was glad that he's a persistent fellow, and not one to settle. As far as any obvious flaws, I can only think of one--some parts got a little confusing as far as character motivation, but not so much that it ruined the book.

For a quick, enjoyable Regency read, I think this book will suit very well. It was nicely sensual, and the period aspects rang true. I liked both the hero and the heroine, and I wanted them to end up together. That adds up to a successful read for me. I'm glad that I have several of this author's books since I have a subscription to the Harlequin Historicals.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to read this because I needed a Q book title for an A-Z romance challenge. This is where I’d like to say, ‘and I’m so happy I did!’ but…

A Question of Impropriety wasn’t that great, I’m afraid. Diana has vowed to never fall for another man after she learnt the truth of her fiance’s intentions just before he died. She fled London for a quiet unmarried life until she crosses paths with her new neighbour. The new Earl of Coltonby was involved in the duel which saw Diana’s fiance pass away, and she knows his reputation as a rake and gambler and knows she needs to steer clear of such a man.

The book was a lot longer than I anticipated and there just wasn’t enough to this plot and conflict to make 380 pages in any way interesting. There were a couple of B plots featuring Diana’s widowed brother and his son but they really went nowhere (and, goodness knows how, Styles has actually stretched them out enough for them to feature in a sequel).

So, as I ploughed through this ridiculously over-inflated word count, my concentration wavered and my boredom grew.

A lot of the book follows a pretty predictable path right down to the placement of the sex scenes. I was happy that the leads were a little older than the usual Regency characters and, as such, Diana wasn’t a complete innocent but I unfortunately didn’t think there was any chemistry between the pairing and the UST was pretty non-existent.

The book seemed okay when it came to historical details. There wasn’t anything distractingly incorrect. Although I will admit I wasn’t a fan of the names of the leads. They’re quite common 70s/80s names in Australia and I found it a little disconcerting that I pictured one or more of the many Bretts I know romping around in a Regency romance.

I was looking for a little sweet frivolous romance to cleanse my palette of all the heavy thrillers etc I’ve been reading but A Question of Impropriety was not refreshing and ironically I think I now need a thriller to rinse away its tedium.

With tighter editing and additional plot this book could have worked but, as it was, I struggled to carry on to the end and only made it through without adding it to my DNF due to some well-timed skimming. 1 1/2 out of 5

[Becky Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed through the second half of this really. It was okay, but I found the dialogue rather stiff and unnatural. I also didn't feel much heat or sexual tension between the couple. It's readable, but not exciting.

[Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Michelle's books I really love the Regency historical books.

[Elisa Vangelisti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questo libro mi ha spiazzata e non in modo positivo. Il titolo (anche quello originale) e la quarta sembrano far intendere che ci sarà un nobile che chiederà a una donna priva di titolo e di mezzi di diventare la sua amante. La copertina, poi, inganna perché mostra una sorta di contadinella passeggiare trasportando un cesto di panni su uno sfondo campagnolo. In realtà la trama si dipana in maniera del tutto imprevista. Il Lui è un conte, certo, ma non ha nessuna intenzione di compromettere Diana (la Lei), anzi, non fa che proporle di sposarlo e lei non ne vuole sapere. Diana non è una poverella, bensì la sorella di un mercante, che di mezzi ne ha per sé e per gli altri. Non è certo ricchissima, ma fa comunque gola ai cacciatori di dote, motivo per cui si è nascosta in campagna, dopo essere stata ingannata dal primo e ultimo della serie. Durante il volontario esilio si occupa del nipote orfano e di tenere un profilo molto, molto basso. Il conte la risveglia dal suo torpore e vissero tutti felici e contenti. Michelle non è malvagia, ma c’è di meglio.

[Book Review Diva · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Question of Impropriety” By Michelle Styles

Diana left London in shame and she left all of glitz and glamor of London that she loved. Diana Clare has also been mourning her late fiance for five years now, or that is what she wants people to think. What Diana is really mourning, is what happened to her five years ago, the night of the Vauxhall Garden fireworks. Diana Clare has been keeping a very dark secret from everyone, and she plans on never telling anyone that secret.

Diana Clare plans on never marry another man, or giving her heart to another man ever again. Diana also plans on avoiding all men from London, as she does not like their attitudes. Diana's opinion of men from London will soon change, when the dashing Earl of Coltonby stops to help Diana when her carriage and horses become stuck in mud. Diana knows all there is to know about Brett Farnham, Earl of Coltonby and how he is a rake and loves to gamble and play on the hearts of women.

Brett Farnham, Earl of Coltonby is a changed man, and he wants everyone to know that he is not the rake of London that he use to be. Brett Farnham also plans to never to marry, or let any women steal his heart. Brett Farnham has no idea that the land that he won in a horse race bet will be the best prize that he's ever won. When Brett Farnham meets the beautiful Diana Clare, he is immediately awe struck by beauty and will do everything he can to seduce her. Will Brett Farnham's heart betray him? Will Diana Clare give him her heart?

Michelle Styles writes a wonderful novel of seduction and passion. Readers will love reading the passion that Diana Clare and Brett Farnham's have for one another. I'm looking forward to reading more of Michelle Styles lusty novels soon.

4 Hearts Out Of 5

Reviewed by HistoricalRomanceBooks.ca


Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca

[Lorraine Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Question of Impropriety by Michelle Styles

If you love historical romance, this is a must read. Michelle has created engaging characters and believable conflicts that carry the story through to a satisfactory end. Wish I could find a man like Brett. :-)

[Harlequin Historical]

Miniseries: Clare Brother and Sister

[Mhairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book :D have been dying to get a read like this for ages :D a rather lovely guilty pleasure!

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Clare Brother and Sister

[Talei Loto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A jolly good old fashioned romp! I loved it, historical romance - give me more!

Ps: And I'm not just saying that because I won a copy of this book, it was very enjoyable!