Lady May's Folly (Zebra Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: Lady May's Folly
Review: I approached "Lady May's Folly" with some trepidation. I had enjoyed "Lord St. Claire's Angel" so much and had been somewhat disappointed with the follow up novel, "Lady Delafont's Dilemma", and I really wanted to be able to endoss "Lady May's Folly". So, it is with great relief that I report that with this latest novel, Donna Simpson has recaptured much of the essence that made her first book so successful and memorable.

Lady May, the secondary female character in "Lady Delafont's Dilemma" is back at her country estate, recovering from the brutal assault she suffered at her mother's lover's hands. She spends her time riding about her estate, thinking about her unhappy childhood and what happened to her in London, and her discomfort in her own sexuality (which she lays entirely at her mother's door). One day she comes across a badly wounded man. Imagine her surprise when she discovers that the man is Etienne Delafont, the gallant Frenchman who helped rescue her from her kidnapper. May, along with the rest of English society, had believed that Etienne had drowned when the ship he was on had gone down; and yet he he was, near death and at her feet!. Realising that Etienne is in some kind of trouble, May hides him in her folly, and begins to try and nurse him back to health.

And indeed Etienne is in serious trouble: not only is he wanted for the several attempts on his cousin's life, the Marquess of Sedgely, he is now also on the run from his former criminal cohorts. May is determined to not only nurse Etienne, but to somehow help him evade those that will come after him as well. And while all this makes sense to May on some conscious level, one another level, May is quite uncomfortable by the attraction she feels for him. How will the attraction and the desire that fairly sizzles between the two pan out? And will Etienne be able to elude the men that are after him?

Donna Simpson's handling of how May comes to terms with her sexuality, and her heritage is nothing short of brilliant. And the romance between Etienne and May unfolds at a pace that is most satisfying. May's character is developed very well, however Etienne's character could have done with a little more fleshing out. However this is primarily May's story, so this is a fault that is almost insignificant. "Lady May's Folly" is an enjoyable book, and will not disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: Fun Read - Not up to par with others in the series!
Review: I approached "Lady May's Folly" with some trepidation. I had enjoyed "Lord St. Claire's Angel" so much and had been somewhat disappointed with the follow up novel, "Lady Delafont's Dilemma", and I really wanted to be able to endoss "Lady May's Folly". So, it is with great relief that I report that with this latest novel, Donna Simpson has recaptured much of the essence that made her first book so successful and memorable.

Lady May, the secondary female character in "Lady Delafont's Dilemma" is back at her country estate, recovering from the brutal assault she suffered at her mother's lover's hands. She spends her time riding about her estate, thinking about her unhappy childhood and what happened to her in London, and her discomfort in her own sexuality (which she lays entirely at her mother's door). One day she comes across a badly wounded man. Imagine her surprise when she discovers that the man is Etienne Delafont, the gallant Frenchman who helped rescue her from her kidnapper. May, along with the rest of English society, had believed that Etienne had drowned when the ship he was on had gone down; and yet he he was, near death and at her feet!. Realising that Etienne is in some kind of trouble, May hides him in her folly, and begins to try and nurse him back to health.

And indeed Etienne is in serious trouble: not only is he wanted for the several attempts on his cousin's life, the Marquess of Sedgely, he is now also on the run from his former criminal cohorts. May is determined to not only nurse Etienne, but to somehow help him evade those that will come after him as well. And while all this makes sense to May on some conscious level, one another level, May is quite uncomfortable by the attraction she feels for him. How will the attraction and the desire that fairly sizzles between the two pan out? And will Etienne be able to elude the men that are after him?

Donna Simpson's handling of how May comes to terms with her sexuality, and her heritage is nothing short of brilliant. And the romance between Etienne and May unfolds at a pace that is most satisfying. May's character is developed very well, however Etienne's character could have done with a little more fleshing out. However this is primarily May's story, so this is a fault that is almost insignificant. "Lady May's Folly" is an enjoyable book, and will not disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: Fun Read - Not up to par with others in the series!
Review: I loved finding out what happened to Lady May. The focus on Etienne made the book enjoyable. He is so patient [ok dreamy!] -- but Lady May for all her education seemed too innocent. After all she had lived in the country and should have known a little more than she did! Her about-face concerning men seemed a little hasty. Her mother's about-face, completely changing her personality wrapped it all up in a neat little package (too contrived!).

But it still was a fun read. If you have read the others in the series (Lord St. Claire's Angel & Lady Delafont's Dilemma) you will definately want to read this. There are updates on both the heroines from the other books. I don't think this book would stand alone. You possibly need to read the others to understand Lady May at all. But since I did read them in order, it made sense.

Worth reading but not as good as the others in the series.