Book Review-The Dangerous Viscount

The Dangerous Viscount
The Burgundy Club (2)
Miranda Neville
Avon
Mass Market Paperback
Published October 2010
372 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-06-180872-2
Author's Website

Synopsis
She is determined to find a husband. . . now!

Lady Diana Fanshawe's impeccable bloodline doesn't stop society from laughing at the antics of her eccentric family. She knows a proper marriage is her one chance to make her way in the world—which is precisely why she will marry Lord Blakeney, though she's certain she'll never love him. But then she's kissed by the brilliant and unconventional Sebastian, Viscount Iverley . . . and her well-laid plans tumble into disarray.

Sebastian wants absolutely nothing to do with love or marriage. But when he arrives at his hated cousin Blakeney's house party, Sebastian is smitten by the tantalizing Diana. But Diana is "the marrying kind," and Sebastian has no wish to risk his freedom—though the passion between them is hard to resist. Should the lady follow her heart in an attempt to win Iverley's, though it seems hardened against her—or should she sacrifice her love for respectability?

My Review
Summary 
Diana has always wanted to marry Lord Bakeney ever since she was a little girl. Diana has viewed him as her "Prince Charming", with plenty of everything she could ever need or want. He is dashing, handsome, titled and they would have a content life together, but then they make a wager against his cousin, to see if they could get Sebastian to kiss her. In the beginning, its a harmless wager, despite the attraction that she feels for Sebastian, she knows that there is no way he would find out, so what is the harm right? Sebastian was raised away from society, and his comfort is his books and the sciences. He has never had much need for women, of any nature. He considers them frivolous and petty at times, and not worth his precious time, until he gets a glimpse of Diana's toned legs while assisting her on her horse. Now he is in trouble, he has no idea what to do with a woman. But when she ends up betraying him in the worst way, he works up a plan to get his revenge, to hurt her just as much as she has done to him.  

My Thoughts 
This is the second book that I have had the pleasure of reading from this author and I was shocked at how well I actually liked it. The first in the series "The Wild Marquis" was an average type book, but didn't exactly reach me in the way I like, so I was a bit nervous to read this, but knew I needed to at least try it out. Sometimes I like multiple books from one author and dislike others as well. So you never know right? Well The Dangerous Viscount is my favorite of the author and can hardly wait to read the next in the series and even more from this author.

It begins with Sebastian seeing Diana's stocking as she is getting on her mount, and its like he is seeing for the first time. Sebastian doesn't like women much and doesn't care to be around them AT ALL. Which means he is a virgin....yep you heard me right? Doesn't happen very often, especially in Regency Historicals, but it added a bit of spice to the story, and I do love it when the author mix things up and change the expected and turn it into the unexpected. Diana has no interest in the beginning in Sebastian, but really wants his cousin, who is Sebastian's mortal enemy (almost)...but these two boys (oops....men right? well they act like children at times) really really really dislike each other, almost to the point of violence. So Diana is put in the middle about, but I didn't like this heroine much. I had a hard time really liking her especially the first half of the book. I just felt so much for Sebastian and I think I was on his side the whole time, he just stirred me up inside in such a way that I couldn't help but become a little emotional at times, for his sake. I felt like Diana really treats him awfully at times, and soon we see a game that begins with this two, its very amusing at times seeing these two go at it like a cat and mouse type scenario.

Sebestian was always bullied and mocked when he was younger, since he has always worn glasses, and he is till mocked to this day especially by his cousin. Sebastian has a lot more to him than what he appears to be. I found Sebastian to have a warm heart, very michievious at times, but when it comes to sexual matters, very very innocent, but he does catch on quickly. Now the heroine, I had such a difficulty with, she didn't seem to me to be the type you like, more like dislike. She seemed to be selfish and calculating  especially in the beginning, but she eventually gets the hint toward the end of the story, and by the end I started to like her (just a bit)

I found The Dangerous Viscount to be a engaging story that deals with rivalry, a endearing hero, and a passion filled romance. I found this one to be much more enjoyable than the first in the series. I had no hard time getting into it, and it seemed to be filled with ups and downs, and certain aspects were a delight to read as it is unusual to have certain characteristics in this type of genre. I found I really liked it, and it came close to a hard to put down, and the only real issue I had with the story is the heroine. Diana and I just didn't click (in any way) oh well, you can't always have it just right? But Overall a engaging and humorous read that kept me on my toes at times.

First Line 
It all began with a glimpse of a stocking 

Favorite Quote 
 Wives nagged. They demanded. They spent too much money. They wept when they didn’t get their way? 
Wives were nothing but trouble. 

My Grade 
4 Blossoms 


Heat Rating 
Warm 


Other Books In Series 
The Wild Marquis
The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton 
Confessions From An Arranged Marriage