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Summary: My first book by Ms. Dodd, but definitely not my last!
Review: I purchased this book on an impulse, and finished it in 1 day! Christina Dodd transports the reader to another time and place, and makes you fall in love with a wonderful "wild" man, Wynter, his children and their wise but lonely governess, Charlotte.The plot is interesting and there is plenty of comic relief (especially whenever Wynter tries to shock Charlotte with his desert ways). The characters, from the children to their grandmother, are well developed and active participants in the story line. The romance that blossoms between the two main characters is slow and sweet, but what I enjoyed the most was waiting for Wynter to realize that men DO love. This is really a wonderful book to curl up with - I highly recommend it!
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Summary: This is one great romance of fun and wit!!
Review: In 1839 England, the newly formed Distinguished Academy of Governesses is a daring venture. Three young ladies--wellborn, beautiful, and poor--have decided to take destiny into their own hands and carve a societal niche as governesses. The Academy's first client employs Lady Charlotte Dalrumple to teach her untrained grandchildren the rules of proper English society. It isn't until Charlotte meets the children that she realizes she's also been hired to re-train their father, who left England at 15 for a life of adventure among the Bedouins of the Far East. Once she meets the handsome Viscount Wynter Ruskin, it becomes instantly apparent to Charlotte why his mother feels he needs instruction in manners--the viscount seems determined to shock her at every turn. Wynter accepts his mother's edict that he pay heed to Charlotte's lessons in decorum, but only because he has plans for the lovely young woman. He needs a wife and Charlotte fills his requirements perfectly. But while Wynter is tutoring her in the art of seduction, Charlotte just might teach the stubborn viscount more about women and his heart than he'd planned to learn.
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Summary: Delightful reading
Review: Lady Miss Charlotte Dalrumple was known as England's most proper governess. Adorna, Viscountess Ruskin, hired Lady Miss Charlotte to help her two grandchildren comprehend the complexities of English society within only a few months. Until now the children had lived with their father in the desert of El Bahar. They were considered barbarians and needed to learn etiquette before Queen Victoria and the Serminian delegation arrived. Once Charlotte and the children began doing well together, Adorna admitted that she hired charlotte in hope she could help reform Lord Wynter Ruskin, who was sadly uncivilized as well. Wynter had no desire to be taught English manners. The Bedouins of the desert were more straight forward with their wants and desires. However, Wynter DID want Lady Miss Charlotte. He would woo her the English way ... up to a point anyway. ***** A delightful story that I enjoyed from beginning to end. This author has always had a way with words and yet to disappoint me. Great for those long rainy nights. *****
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Summary: Dodd Does It Again
Review: Christina Dodd delivers -- as usual -- a terrific story, the first in her new "governess" series. Her heroine, Lady Charlotte, is just the woman to deal with Lord Wynter, an untamed barbarian who must re-learn the rules of polite society. Yet when he meets the beautiful yet very proper governess, Lord Wynter starts making some plans of his own. I particularly enjoyed the unusual supporting cast of characters in this novel -- Lord Wynter's lovable meddling mother Adorna, and his delightful, free-spirited children -- all of whom made "Rules of Surrender" a marvelous read. I highly recommend this novel as one of the best I've read all year.
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Summary: It all began with a delightful Surrender¿
Review: Three young, well bred, but impoverished young women, decide to take their future in their own hands by starting the Distinguished Academy of Governesses. The first client is Lady Adorna, who wishes to hire a governess for her two young grandchildren. Lady Charlotte Dalrumple knows it will be a challenge to teach her young charges how to behave in English society, but she's up to the task. However, she's not so sure when she meets their handsome, uncivilized father, Viscount Wynter Ruskin. As a teenager, Wynter left England to experience adventure, and has been living in the Far East until recently. Charlotte then discovers Adorna not only wants her to instruct the children, but tutor their unruly father as well. For in a short time, the Queen will be coming to visit, and the family will be presented. Wynter goes along with Charlotte's lessons in manners. But only because he needs a wife, and sees she will fill the role nicely. The only lesson he's actually interested in, is tutoring Charlotte in the art of passion, and his behavior toward her is shocking to say the least. In the end, Charlotte may teach him the ultimate lesson...how to love her with his heart. This is the first entry in the Governess Bride series, and quite an enjoyable read. I especially liked the uncivilized Wynter, who frequently did the shockingly unexpected. Charlotte was also quite nice as the typical Dodd heroine I love - intelligent, independent, and pragmatic. They complimented each other nicely. Overall, this is a fun,(...) humorous romp, which sits in a place of honor on my keeper shelf, along with the rest of this wonderful series. Definitely recommend reading this one!
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Summary: Dodd Does It Again
Review: Christina Dodd delivers -- as usual -- a terrific story, the first in her new "governess" series. Her heroine, Lady Charlotte, is just the woman to deal with Lord Wynter, an untamed barbarian who must re-learn the rules of polite society. Yet when he meets the beautiful yet very proper governess, Lord Wynter starts making some plans of his own. I particularly enjoyed the unusual supporting cast of characters in this novel -- Lord Wynter's lovable meddling mother Adorna, and his delightful, free-spirited children -- all of whom made "Rules of Surrender" a marvelous read. I highly recommend this novel as one of the best I've read all year.
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Summary: A delightfully naughty hero.....
Review: Who overcomes his heroine. A funny and poignant story of cultural clash. Charlotte....or Ms. Priss meets Wynter the Bedouin and must teach him and his children manners before they are to be presented to a foreign delegation and the queen. Wynter has decided that he would like the very proper "Lady Miss Charlotte" for his very own bride and seeks to seduce her. Naughty and funny at the same time. Well worth reading. The children are lovely and touching. A great read.
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Summary: Love At First Read....
Review: This was one of the first Christina Dodd books that I was fortunate enough to purchase. I was immediately hooked. The governess series is my favorite series by Christina Dodd,(though I have them all), and is definately one that I recommend to all. This is one that I have read several times and will keep on my shelf for a long time.
I love the scene which takes place in the parlor that includes Charlotte, her soon to be mother in law, who we are aquainted with in the book "That Scandalous Evening" and other society matrons. The scene unfolds when Winter, (love that name), has purchased a jewelry set for Charlotte in honor of their engagement. The women then witness Winter, very seductively, yet so different than any of those "well-bred, England, society-born" women have ever seen, present Charlotte with the gift. I felt that I was in the room with them, it was described so well. It also ended with the reader sighing and laughing, and I still chuckle when I remember the passage where, when Winter left all the women in the room were silent, and in unison snapped out their fans because the room had "become so hot". I can't say enough of the series of books. Thank you Christina Dodd.
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Summary: First and best.
Review: I've read all the books in this series; they are all good, but this is the best. Charlotte is wonderful, and Wynter in fantastic. Laughter, tears, smiles and a happy ending. The author's description of Wynter at times was so good, you could almost feel him standing next to you. Charlotte's character was true throughout. She knew what she wanted and wasn't going to settle for less. This in on my top 10 list. Get it.
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Summary: Opening of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses
Review: Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is co-proprietor of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, and a more morally upright, correct young woman would be hard to find. The first client of the Academy is Adorna, Vicountess Ruskin (remember Jane's sister in 'That Scandelous Evening'?). Adorna engages 'Miss Priss' as governess to her two young grandchildren, newly arrived from El Bahar, and more than a little different from the usual young English nobility. What Adorna hasn't told Lady Charlotte is that she will also be required to remind the children's widowed father, Lord Wynter Ruskin, of proper English behaviour. The problem for Lady Charlotte is her attraction to the man of the house, an attraction that could lead to a repeat ruining of her reputation, already in tatters due to the events of nine years previously, which would mean that she would have to leave England to continue to survive. Lord Ruskin, on his part, soon finds exactly the role he wants his 'Lady Miss Charlotte' to occupy - that of his wife. Christina Dodd is certainly very comfortable writing in this period, and as the start of the DAoG series, this book is a treat. Lord Ruskin is a very different kind of central male character, due to his time spent abroad and his acquisition of much of the culture of the Bedouins. He has some rather strange concepts and a very straightforward approach to getting what he wants - leaving gasps, mayhem and delicious scandal in his wake. Lady Charlotte is enjoyable as a strong minded woman who is able to view the world and her place in it very clearly, and unusually too, is able to recognise that people change, and that even events that have hurt or affected her deeply may be interpreted differently from a new perspective. It's a hard lesson, and a sign of maturity. Her love of the children and her pain at Wynter's apparent inability to love her are very well expressed by Dodd, who has written another winner.
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