Society
Author Reviews
The Mysterious Miss M
Diane Gaston
ISBN# 0373293771
Harlequin Historical, Nov 2005, 304 pp
Regency
$5.50 (US)
Reviewed by Laurel
October 2005
THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M, comes to you in the cover of the night after being won during a hand of cards. She is young and beautiful; she is indifferent and performs her sexual duty. Madeline is only 15 years old, a disgrace to her parents who have cast her off on the man who ruined her--Lord Farley, a nefarious lord who gambles and offers Madeline’s flesh as the prize but only when it suits him. When she is won and given to serve Lord Devlin Steele, she feels a longing and need to be with him not only in the carnal sense but the most intimate. After a night of passion he goes to war, and she is left to the mercy of Lord Farley who in a fit of jealousy takes Madeline the same night. Soon after she finds herself pregnant and at the mercy of Lord Farley, until three years later when Devlin Steele reappears in her life again.
Lord Devlin Steele remembers the incredible and touching night he had with the lady behind the mask. How she touched his soul. When he is at the same gaming house and witness’s Lord Farley roughing her up, he interferes resulting in him winning her to keep in a game of cards. Devlin is an impoverished lord, and he is not quite sure how he is going to maintain the keeping of Madeline let alone her child and maid Sophie. He devises a plan to concede to his brother’s wishes to marry a real lady, in which case all his funds will be restored to him, allowing him to set Madeline and Linette up where she would remain safe from Farley. Problem is, Devlin wants Madeline for his own. He aches to be in her arms. He wants Madeline, not her alter ego THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M
THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M was a subtle paced novel with tension and underlying currents of danger all through the novel. The chemistry between Devlin and Madeline was sweet and honest with both having a desire and a fond memory of that night years ago. When they give into their passion, it was a struggle for Madeline to shed her disguise of Miss M leaving Devlin frustrated but challenged to break through her façade.
Diane Gaston previously released this novel in the UK where it won rave reviews for the angst, passion and story. The characters are flawed but well developed throughout making a pleasurable and enjoyable read. Madeline’s story is an interesting story, heartbreaking at the cruelty of her parents. But her growth throughout the novel helped her heal; enabling her to prove to herself and Society that she was worthy of Devlin’s love. THE MYSTERIOUS MISS M is a novel worth reading, with its unique plot, gripping story and sexually charged chemistry between the main characters.