Beautiful poor Frederica. She had been cast to the side in the shadow of her gorgeous blonde sister. What to do? A marriage of convience for Frederica? We'll see about that. With her spirit and liveliness she can prove that love conquers all. She is a model for all woman-kind (or man-kind). Her trials and tribulations make even a hard-core romance reader like me feel sympathy for her plight. This is a definite yes, in the "books to be read department". I would suggest that you read it alone and get comfy, it is a very enthralling novel.

MY DEAR DUCHESS

Book Review for Amazon.com.
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
by Mozella R. Sunshine
Contact me at my new email address: mozellasunshine@mediaone.net

I will be looking for more books by Marion Chesney.

In spite of the frightening, escalating heinous, mercenary obstacles hurdled in the newly weds' path, it was a romance novel, after all. Therefore, I was able to endure the pain, confusion and suffering of the young bride who had known virtually nothing but heart aches and slights all her life. MY DEAR DUCHESS, is a gripping tale I couldn't put down. Upon completing it, I felt renewed strength in life, fate and admiration for real women and men who aren't afraid to stare evil point-blank in the face and triumph over it with love, truth and the determination to do the right things regardless of how others think and conventionally behave in the upper societal strata.

The second striking feature of the book was the British version of the English language! Give me a break! Would somebody please send a few million Websters to the British Isles, so souls like myself can curl up and read without having to consult various references to understand what the author is really saying!

(Truth is, I enjoyed every word of the book. I love looking up facts, words and learning new things. That's why I have shelves and boxes full of references and the reference librarians phone number handy. The above paragraph is actually, just a tease to emphasize the difference, diverseness, and richness our mother tongue and the intriguing manner that its' employed in MY DEAR DUCHESS. The syntax and vocabulary of this narrative is an adventure worth the reading even if you're not into the romance genre. Furthermore, I absolutely adore and at times try to imitate the British: "the people that civilized the world." Thanks Brits and Ms. Chesney.)

There are touches of fun in this book, but too much indirect description. Certainly the clothes were over-described.

I expected something more in the way of a typical regency, where the dialogue advances the plot. More direct speech needed!

Miss Honoria Honeyford would much prefer to spend the evening smoking cheroots, drinking brandy in a comfortable coze with her father after a hard day's hunt. Honey is [deemed] an "original" - a country eccentric. Now the young woman, raised as the substitute son her father never had, must catch a prize husband on London's marriage mart in order to solve her father's financial straits.

Reluctantly and duty bound, "Honey" sets out to London for the Season. Along the way, Honey gets herself into several scrapes, only to be rescued by the rakish and autocratic Lord Alistair. He is everything she detests in a man - haughty, austere, lazy, and a fop, not the kind of man to go hunting with at all.

In London, under the careful tutelage and careful machinations of her Aunt Elizabeth, Honey undergoes a transformation from a cheroot smoking, brandy drinking, pistol carrying farouche tomboy into the reigning belle of the Season. Now that Honey's newfound beauty makes her susceptible to the prey of rake, Lord Channington, notorious for seducing naive virgins, Lord Alistair must rescue Honey once more.

Aunt Elizabeth's plan was simple: have Alistair woo Honey away from Channington, break her heart, and thus, make her amenable for a more suitable marriage, one that would help her father. Who better to compete for the heart of Miss Honeyford than another rake? Alistair reluctantly agreed, after all, he was only being "cruel to be kind", or so he told himself...

Marion Chesney comes through with "Miss Honeyford" as the master of the Regency genre. Chesney manages to draw you into the time period not only by depicting the glittering world of the "Exclusives", but also by making references to grimness of that era. Chesney takes her time in developing the story line, so it isn't as rushed. Here, expect the same comforting Chesneyesque plot patterns, i.e. schemes, the escape and the rescue. However, some of the scenes in this book are very funny and some uniquely romantic and poignant.

And the characters are better drawn out. As always, the hero maintains an aloof, austere exterior, but here, surprisingly, the hero's charm and decency shines through. And his struggle to remain detached and indifferent to Honey is such heartache and fun to read. Honey, as the title indicates, is truly original, and takes her place as one of Chesney's most endearing heroines. She is spirited, forward thinking, compassionate, honest, and heartbreakingly awkward at the beginning. The opening chapter and Honey's escapades on the road are pure frothy fun, I found myself laughing outloud. Also, you've got to love the secondary characters, especially the comical country servants, even the world weary jaded Aunt.

This is one of my favorite Chesneys. If you like ugly duckling stories, you'll love this one.

As a result of the outrageous antics of the incorrigible Miss Amy Tribble, the unlikely pair of Maria Kendell and the Duke of Berham settled for a marriage of convenience to suit their equally unromantic goals - for her, freedom from bullying parents, and for him, a marriageable wife to bear him an heir. Why then were the two otherwise sensible cohorts devising to disengage themselves from a practical engagement, and even more troubling was, why the other became so hurt when they discovered their fiancé/e's intent?

This volume of the School for Manners series is the most entertaining for its hilarious characters such as Maria's companion and vulgar parents or the Duke's unconventional mother. Amy and Effy, naturally, are funny as ever.

Maria escapes the harshness of her reality by reveling in dreams of adventure and romance until discovering that real life can be even more fantastic when an arrogant, self absorbed duke experiences agonizing heartache over an indifferent young lady of inferior class. The uptight Duke is rattled by shock, then guilt, condescension, pique, and finally passion by the unsuspecting, unlikely heroine. Though the ending is naturally predictable, the amusing characters and entertaining plot Chesney crafts is worth the read. This book is one of the best in the very good series.

Harriet's sister asks for the impossible. Sponsor her chocoholic niece next London Season. Unfortunately Harriet receives the attentions of a wicked man of the world, whilst her niece, Susan, buries her attentions in box, after box of chocolates. It's almost her downfall. Delightful story from the outstanding Regency Series Writer, Marion Chesney.

I've bought the six sisters' series in the wrong order with Daphne being the last one in the series that I got. The book is good and typical Marion Chesney. Daphne, who knows she is a beauty, finds another beauty in the handsome Cyril Archer, but in typical Marion Chesney style, there is more to meet the eye. The Vicar is indebeted to a Mr. Simon Garfield, who is able to read Daphne like a book. He knows she knows she's a beauty and putting up a front because it's easier that way. The way Marion Chesney gets these two finally together is delightful.

This is not the best of the six sisters' series, that's why I gave only four stars. I was somewhat handicapped since I had the read all the other in the series before I read Daphne. I would recommend you read the series in the correct order, but even if you don't, this book is still wonderful to read.

Charming froth, I don't suppose I have ever read a Regency - or known any distinction between them and the American bodice-ripper - and this was an absolutely exquisite introduction. I have thoroughly enjoyed the almost anti-romances the author writes as M.C. Beaton in the Hamish MacBeth and Agatha Raisin series. Ms. Chesney/Beaton is deliciously clever, is a master of the setting, and is absolutely merciless with her characters. And she must write these books with her tongue firmly in her cheek.

If only Sir Charles Digby hadn't kissed her, perhaps Delilah Wraxall would not be in the spiteful habit of declining so many marriage proposals. In that one impassioned kiss, she had learned the enchantment of true love-and the fury of a woman scorned when Sir Charles vanished without an explanation. Now she breaks hearts with glee, wreaking havoc amongst the surplus of suitors vying for her hand-and driving her father to desperate measures. the only hope for his flirtatious daughter rests in the capable hands of Amy and Effy Tribble and their reputable School for Manners. but subduing Delilah proves a monumental challenge. For as she steps into London's social limelight, she's concocted a plan to pique Sir Vharles' jealousy. And she's already got the season's most roguish bachelor wrapped around her little finger... This book would have been better if there was more to the story. 165 pages isn't enough to bring out a good story.

Ever feel like the ugly duckling in a room full of swans? I'm sure we all have, and the heroine of this story has a simple, yet extraordinarily noticeable problem... she's very, very tall. Sent off to the "School for Manners" her parents hope she will "stumble" her way into a suitable match. Prospective suitors take one look and run, not to mention the trouble coming her way from envious ladies of the competition.

There's no such thing as ghosts... are there? Poor abused scullery maid Alice makes a plea "I wish you were here now sir" to the portrait of the Eight Duke of Haversham (Gervase) -and suddenly there he is! Surprised to be alive, he promises to meet Alice again later and begins his hedonistic after-life, stealing food, loving women (four a night!) and causing havoc in the Tenth Duke's home. He is an unusual ghost in that he eats, loves and can make solid objects pass through walls. But back to poor Alice! After almost being raped by the "Groom of the Chambers," she calls on the Duke again and he appears in time to save her. Then he whisks her off to a secret room where he comes up with the idea of making her into a lady. Dressing her, teaching her French to cover her accent and gathering buried jewels he remakes her into the Comtesse de la Valle-Chenevix. Alice is Cinderella to a specter "Godmother." She even gets to go to the ball - well a masquerade.

Gervase wants her off his hands and married. Acting as her Uncle, he sets her up in London with a companion who paves the way among the ton. Then back to his former estate to write his memoirs. But all is not ending happy for Alice. Her piteous call to him results in saving her from an unsavory fiancée. Then she is set up with a new companion and a new love interest quite different from the first ones. Is this the end? What of the love she still harbors for her handsome ghost? I shall leave you to read the ending for intrigue and trouble still follow our hapless heroine. And what is the story behind the strange new companion? Can a dead man love again?

Spellbinding story! Worth reading because it is so unusual - and ends unusual also. Quick and smooth reading with just enough trauma and wonderful romance.

Fanny and Sir Charles were ticked in to a marriage that neither wanted by their parents. Each believed the other was wealthy and when the truth came out it was in their best interest to pretend they were single and rich to gain a "better" partner.

Surprisingly the main charachters are not as childish as Chesney's other series. Sir Charles doesn't sulk as much as her other heros and Fanny is not a simpering watering pot who lost her head only to be rescued by her husband.

I wished Chesney does more work in this strain, it's more entertaining than her series and eventhough it's still predictable, it makes the journey reading through it, a little more enjoyable.