Amberley

A young woman converts a dedicated bachelor to a new way of life and love.

Leydon Villiers, Viscount Amberley, is furious when his new editor arrives. The M. Morland he was expecting turns out to be a woman. Due to his tight budget it is imperative that the first edition of his men’s journal is taken to the printers on time. Magdalen Morland was already late due to a heavy downpour, which was to continue into the following day. Leydon decided to allow her to assist him on a trial basis because it was too late to try to find another editor. Magdalen surprises him with her ingeniousness and frank assessments of the submitted articles. She is very easy to work with, and offers sound judgment without false praise. However, no matter how dire his situation, Leydon will not agree to her suggestion to accept female writers for his publication.

Initially, Lord Amberley’s cold and intimidating manner infuriates Magdalen. If not for the fact that she needs the income, Magdalen would have gladly left as soon as she arrived, despite the storm. His stature and masculine virility is striking, but Amberley keeps his distance with arrogance and coldness. Magdalen is glad of the welcoming company of Lord Amberley’s cousin, Geoffrey. Although he is a handsome flirt, Magdalen overlooks his charm, choosing only to see him as a friend.

Geoffrey needs to marry for money. Lord Amberley struggles to pay his regular allowance and has said that he must find employment. When Geoffrey tells Amberley that he has decided to marry Magdalen for love, Lord Amberley does all he can to dissuade the match. Magdalen has no intention of marrying Geoffrey or any other man present. She is outraged when Lord Amberley pays her attention at a Ball when he is all but bethrothed to a wealthy neighbour’s daughter. Magdalen has already been in a similar situation before; in her past employ, she had been unwittingly linked with a gentleman higher than her station. She is unwilling to be the cause of gossip by encouraging Lord Amberley, even if his kisses are breathtaking or that he is the most devastatingly handsome, obstinate and domineering man that she has ever met.

B.L. Dodson’s full- length Regency romance, Amberley, is highly enjoyable and is highly recommended. The main and secondary characters are well developed and most are likable. The interesting plot of a young woman trying to earn acceptance in a man’s profession, then unprofessionally falling in love with her employer against her better judgment, had this reader hooked. Not only does the author keep readers hoping for a happy outcome for the couple throughout, there are many unexpected events which completely alter the lives of the characters in a manner of which they have no control. At the outset, Magdalen is introduced as a woman with some secrets, many are only hinted at. One of Magdalen’s deceptions that were meant to save her employer from ruin continually threatens to destroy any chance that she may have with Leydon if it is exposed. Although an erotic act between the pair would have been scandalous during this period, it occurs naturally and is highly an! ticipated by the reader. The lovemaking is somewhat graphic, but a beautiful introduction for a young untutored woman. I have thoroughly enjoyed this historical tale and hope that B.L. Dodson is planning to write more romances.

Reviewed by: Naomi