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Seducing Miss Dunaway
A romantic novella set in the 1880s
Strong-willed Miss Mary Dunaway had a plan for her future and she would stop at nothing to reach her goal of working with the poor in London. She was even willing to ask a gentleman, a stranger, to help her.
Twelve years later, the same gentleman reappears in her life. Although he doesn't seem to recall her, she remembers every detail of the kisses they shared. The attractive Lord Fellington apparently sees her as the saintly, nun-like matron of the foundling asylum. Very well, she made her bed and now she lies in it, alone.
warning: this story contains graphic sex ...but only a few pages of it.
ALSO INCLUDED IN DOWNLOAD: The first chapter of another Kate Rothwell novel.
Strong-willed Miss Mary Dunaway had a plan for her future and she would stop at nothing to reach her goal of working with the poor in London. She was even willing to ask a gentleman, a stranger, to help her.
Twelve years later, the same gentleman reappears in her life. Although he doesn't seem to recall her, she remembers every detail of the kisses they shared. The attractive Lord Fellington apparently sees her as the saintly, nun-like matron of the foundling asylum. Very well, she made her bed and now she lies in it, alone.
warning: this story contains graphic sex ...but only a few pages of it.
ALSO INCLUDED IN DOWNLOAD: The first chapter of another Kate Rothwell novel.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2011
88 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Kate Rothwell
22Ìýbooks162ÌýfollowersAlso writes as Summer Devon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 16, 2022
First time reading/listening to this author's work. This is a novella, so it was too short to really determine if I like her style, so I'll read a longer book.
May 17, 2012
This short historical romance story has a lot of potential and I think could be excellent if expanded, but it was just too short for the themes it tried to express.
Mary and Fell had a brief encounter when she recruited him to help her lose her reputation, allowing her to go off to London to do good works. Twelve years later, Mary is the Matron of an orphanage and Fell is a wealthy lord, when extreme loneliness on her part and survivor's guilt on his bring them together again.
The isolation Mary has felt for the past twelve year is heartwrenching; as an authority figure, she can't even get too close to the children. "I can't be too easy or friendly with them... They often take affection as a sign of weakness. I must be consistent." The depiction of the children she works with as sometimes dangerous and untrustworthy, rather than sweet, pathetic angels, is unusually realistic. And Fell's situation is interesting as well. That's why I wanted to see more of all of this, and know that Mary and Fell are building something together than isn't just based on sadness.
Mary and Fell had a brief encounter when she recruited him to help her lose her reputation, allowing her to go off to London to do good works. Twelve years later, Mary is the Matron of an orphanage and Fell is a wealthy lord, when extreme loneliness on her part and survivor's guilt on his bring them together again.
The isolation Mary has felt for the past twelve year is heartwrenching; as an authority figure, she can't even get too close to the children. "I can't be too easy or friendly with them... They often take affection as a sign of weakness. I must be consistent." The depiction of the children she works with as sometimes dangerous and untrustworthy, rather than sweet, pathetic angels, is unusually realistic. And Fell's situation is interesting as well. That's why I wanted to see more of all of this, and know that Mary and Fell are building something together than isn't just based on sadness.
December 24, 2021
This was rather sweet of far too short. The h was feisty she knew what she wanted and how to get it and the H was smitten from the first.
At only 40 or so pages though there could have been more to these 2 it was instalove when they met again 12 years later!
At only 40 or so pages though there could have been more to these 2 it was instalove when they met again 12 years later!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2012
My biggest complaint about this book actually has nothing to do with the actual book -- it's with the formatting. I got this free from Amazon for Kindle, and the actual story only took up about half the file, and the rest was excerpts from other stories. It's a bit disorienting to look at the progress bar on the bottom of the screen and think you have at least another chapter or two and then *BAM* The End.
Otherwise, as with many short stories and novellas, the ILY's came a bit fast for my taste, but it was still a sweet story with just the right amount of steam.
4/5 Stars
Otherwise, as with many short stories and novellas, the ILY's came a bit fast for my taste, but it was still a sweet story with just the right amount of steam.
4/5 Stars
May 5, 2020
A short story with a whirlwind love affair. The story started out with Mary looking for a way to dissuade a current suitor, so she enlists the aid of Fell. Years later he reconnects with her, seduces her, and proposes in the span of a day! Needless to say, the romance was a little too rushed for me.
May 27, 2013
DNF. Read four chapters and almost fell asleep from boredom.
Hero is a rich lord with a wounded heart.
Heroine is a reformer who works in an orphanage. (Quite frankly, the daily running of an orphanage isn't interesting to a stay-at-home mom who deals with those same basic chores every day. If it was that entertaining, I could make millions writing my life story.)
Another version of a "devil" finding redemption from an "angel."
The heroine is too-good-to-be-real. And yet, they have sex in chapter three - their first meeting since they met twelve years previous.
After the act, he offers marriage and his fortune to assist with her good works. She refuses (no reason given).
What's up with writing historical females who reject a husband, home and family in trade for drudgery (cleaning chamber pots), poverty and a lifetime of loneliness?
Why do contemporary themes have to invade historical romances? "Sir, you can bed me but not wed me..."
So I moved on...
Hero is a rich lord with a wounded heart.
Heroine is a reformer who works in an orphanage. (Quite frankly, the daily running of an orphanage isn't interesting to a stay-at-home mom who deals with those same basic chores every day. If it was that entertaining, I could make millions writing my life story.)
Another version of a "devil" finding redemption from an "angel."
The heroine is too-good-to-be-real. And yet, they have sex in chapter three - their first meeting since they met twelve years previous.
After the act, he offers marriage and his fortune to assist with her good works. She refuses (no reason given).
What's up with writing historical females who reject a husband, home and family in trade for drudgery (cleaning chamber pots), poverty and a lifetime of loneliness?
Why do contemporary themes have to invade historical romances? "Sir, you can bed me but not wed me..."
So I moved on...
Read
December 4, 2013of course my rating can't be considered subjective.
February 10, 2012
Good book, kind of short, but a great read.
November 5, 2013
4/11/13 free on kindle
cute short historical romance. The MC is very cheerful, but the writig was a little awkward.
cute short historical romance. The MC is very cheerful, but the writig was a little awkward.
August 9, 2016
found it rather dull
September 24, 2014
I really enjoyed this book!
September 17, 2017
Lovely novella! It pretty much wet my appetite for more. I hope that Ms Rothwell continues with these characters into another, longer novella or story. The characters and plot are such that they would easily transition into an exciting adventure where this story leaves off. If she hasn't already, I do hope she considers taking it further. Annie Aldinton did a wonderful job using her storytelling talents as well as her ability to provide different voices for the different characters. I'd give both 5 stars, but would like to have seen it last a little longer or be continued in a subsequent novel.
December 2, 2020
Mary get Fell to kiss her during a dinner to make another man think she is taken. 20 years later from that night, Mary and Fell meet in London and both think they have forgotten that night. But they have not forgotten and things start heating up between them again. Fell and Mary's lives a different and they don't know if they will be able to make it work between them.
A good love story with great details.
A good love story with great details.
October 6, 2020
Sweet Victorian with a different type of heroine
Short novella but has depth as well. Though things happen quickly as in most novellas, the story is believable despite the limited timeline. I liked the characters and writing style. Sweet story with just a touch of spice blended in nicely. I would read another from this author.
Short novella but has depth as well. Though things happen quickly as in most novellas, the story is believable despite the limited timeline. I liked the characters and writing style. Sweet story with just a touch of spice blended in nicely. I would read another from this author.
February 28, 2021
Seducing Miss Dunaway
Firstly the name is no indication of what the book is about. It was short and to the point. Comes with excerpts from another book just a little after the half of this book, did not bother to read, don't want to be in suspense.
Firstly the name is no indication of what the book is about. It was short and to the point. Comes with excerpts from another book just a little after the half of this book, did not bother to read, don't want to be in suspense.
April 10, 2022
In London in the 1880's, a non-marriage minded heroine seeks to aid the poor and seeks the aid of an aristocratic stranger.
(Audiobook Free for members on Audible Plus. 50 pages/>2hrs. A great short piece to enjoy between mega-series.)
(Audiobook Free for members on Audible Plus. 50 pages/>2hrs. A great short piece to enjoy between mega-series.)
March 15, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
August 21, 2019
Too Quick
This romance novel was too quick. There wasn't much of a build up to the great love scene. The love scene was the best part of the book.
This romance novel was too quick. There wasn't much of a build up to the great love scene. The love scene was the best part of the book.
September 6, 2019
A lovely story about an unlikely couple. I would have loved this in a longer novel.
March 26, 2022
A little more forthright than I am used to in a period romance, especially as a shorter one. But it was a good read.
May 17, 2022
Loved this story.
September 29, 2022
novella
short & sweet
(i think i listened to it in january)
short & sweet
(i think i listened to it in january)
Read
July 1, 2012Not for my LDS or student followers. I've been reading some free Kindle books just to get a feel of what is hitting the top 100. Some books are well-written, and some are not. What I've noticed on several of the books in the romance category is that the authors think that they can throw in a little sex (sometimes a lot of sex) and tell us that the two characters are going to work out all of their differences, so they can just stop the story at that point Unfortunately that isn't true. There still must be character development; there still must be a story arc. Using dialect as a sense of place and tossing in a few explicit scenes isn't enough to carry the story. Several of these authors show a lot of promise as storytellers, but it's obvious they don't care about their craft. They are just hoping for a quick buck. Even those who give their books away free for a week every quarter hope to get enough people interested that they will buy more books from this same author, believing the dream they can make $1 million dollars a year from writing. If only becoming an author were that easy.
October 8, 2012
I liked this little novella, but it left me wanting much more, which is why it's only getting three stars. has so much potential as a full length novel. It has all the necessary bones to make it a fantastic historical romance, but as a novella it's too rushed.
I really loved the premise of the book, and the characters. If this were ultimately converted to full length, I have no doubt that I would revisit this book.
obviously has a talent for storytelling, and is extraordinarily gifted when it comes to writing. I just wished so much for this particular story to be full length.
I'm looking forward to reading more from .
I really loved the premise of the book, and the characters. If this were ultimately converted to full length, I have no doubt that I would revisit this book.
obviously has a talent for storytelling, and is extraordinarily gifted when it comes to writing. I just wished so much for this particular story to be full length.
I'm looking forward to reading more from .
July 27, 2012
I love how this story starts with a almost 17 year old girl Miss Mary Dunaway knows what she wants out of life and her plans do not include a husband. So she takes her destiny in hand and convinces a gentleman to help her 'ruin' herself without actually putting herself at risk. Then we skip 12 years into the adult life of Miss Dunaway when that same gentleman finds her again.
Lord Fellington was young and had no idea that he had fallen in love in those short but passionate minutes with Miss Mary in the garden. So he is out to seduce her as his wife and to change his useless wasted life into something good for society but helping at the foundling asylum that Mary takes care of.
Sweet and spicy historical English romance. I will look for other books by this author because it was light and delicious.
48 pages and a kindle freebie.
2 stars
Lord Fellington was young and had no idea that he had fallen in love in those short but passionate minutes with Miss Mary in the garden. So he is out to seduce her as his wife and to change his useless wasted life into something good for society but helping at the foundling asylum that Mary takes care of.
Sweet and spicy historical English romance. I will look for other books by this author because it was light and delicious.
48 pages and a kindle freebie.
2 stars
Read
August 29, 2012First, I have to say, that this is my opinion. You don't have to agree with me, but I am entitled to it. Read the book at your own peril.
Although I have marked this as read I have not read it. Almost half way through the novel the writer decided to add a sex scene. What is it with women writing smut. This is nothing but pornography. It's disgusting. And to think that some young teenage girl can pick this up and read it is disgusting.
The story started off good and it went down hill from there. All the two characters can think of is having sex with each. And then they do. And she tells it graphically. This is smut.
I do not, under any circumstances, suggest this book to good Christian women. It's nasty and I'm really quite disappointed.
I'm off to B&N website so I can get this trash off my Nook.
Although I have marked this as read I have not read it. Almost half way through the novel the writer decided to add a sex scene. What is it with women writing smut. This is nothing but pornography. It's disgusting. And to think that some young teenage girl can pick this up and read it is disgusting.
The story started off good and it went down hill from there. All the two characters can think of is having sex with each. And then they do. And she tells it graphically. This is smut.
I do not, under any circumstances, suggest this book to good Christian women. It's nasty and I'm really quite disappointed.
I'm off to B&N website so I can get this trash off my Nook.
February 21, 2015
Odd is my word to describe this story. Let me break down “odd� for you. The characters are interesting, they are endearing with their nicknames, although it took me a minute or more to realize who the speaker referenced. They formed a typical scenario for a Victorian story: a ball, a dashing rich gentleman [Fell] and a lovely girl with a situation [Miss Mary]. However, when the story continued the potential romance between Fell and Mary felt awkward and forced. So awkward that I felt the sex scene was forced and rushed. Yes, I know it is a novella but at that point of the story, the scene read like a copy and paste from a more developed story. I believe the probable couple have potential for a novel. A place to explore their sadness and lonely and the readers would link how those emotions brought the two together.
July 21, 2020
Lovely and cute
This was a cute novella with an interesting plot. Mary Dunaway does not wish to get married and despite her family's wishes to see her married off to someone with prospects, she takes upon herself to decide her destiny: she will serve those in need, not getting married!
She then decides the best way to be taken seriously by her family is by compromising herself with the help of a stranger.
Years later they meet again in a most unexpected situation. Up until here the book is cute, original and quite entertaining, but I believe it would have remained so if it had been a full novel, rather than a novella as we are rushed to an too perfect-too fast ending.
This was a cute novella with an interesting plot. Mary Dunaway does not wish to get married and despite her family's wishes to see her married off to someone with prospects, she takes upon herself to decide her destiny: she will serve those in need, not getting married!
She then decides the best way to be taken seriously by her family is by compromising herself with the help of a stranger.
Years later they meet again in a most unexpected situation. Up until here the book is cute, original and quite entertaining, but I believe it would have remained so if it had been a full novel, rather than a novella as we are rushed to an too perfect-too fast ending.
June 30, 2014
4.5 Stars! I really wish that Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ will soon let us give ratings with .5, because it's really frustrating when you have to give 4 stars to a 4.5 stars story! It's not fair!
I've wanted to read this book for some time and now that i did i must say i'm not dissapointed at all!
This was a sweet, light, good, short story with no drama and a beautiful HEA! Perfect to read it at the end of a very bad day, because you will sure go to sleep with a smile on your face and positive thoughts !
Loved the hero and the heroine! They were perfect for each other! I loved how this short story didn't feel rushed and didn't give me the feeling that something was lacking !
I've wanted to read this book for some time and now that i did i must say i'm not dissapointed at all!
This was a sweet, light, good, short story with no drama and a beautiful HEA! Perfect to read it at the end of a very bad day, because you will sure go to sleep with a smile on your face and positive thoughts !
Loved the hero and the heroine! They were perfect for each other! I loved how this short story didn't feel rushed and didn't give me the feeling that something was lacking !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
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