Barely Proper (Zebra Regency Romance)

Rating:
Summary: a satisfying read
Review: Here's what I enjoy most about Regency romances written by Shannon Donnelly: she always takes the time to develop her characters, their relationships and the various settings. And with "Barely Proper" these three strengths melds together to give a somewhat much used plot premise a wonderful new lease on life.

Terence Winslow has always been a scapegrace, in and out of trouble either because of his gambling or his womanizing. So it should have come as no surprise to him that he's now been challenged to a duel by Lord Dunscombe for his affair with Lady Dunscombe. Except that when he arrives at the agreed upon spot, he finds that Dunscombe's been shot in the back. The next thing he knows, Terence is facing a charge of murder. Unable to believe his infernal luck, Terence knows that he has to somehow discover who really murdered Dunscombe before charges are formally placed against him. Fortunately for him, his neighbour and friend, Sylvain, is at hand, willing to help. Sylvain knows full well exactly what Terence is capable of, and shooting someone in the back is definitely not one of them. And she's determined to help Terence clear his name. But Sylvain has also long nursed a secret love for her neighbour. And she cannot help but fear what will happen if Terence guesses her secret...

"Barely Proper" rounds off the trilogy that focuses on the Harwood sisters and the Winslow brothers. All three novels feature stories that are not really startlingly new; on the other hand all three novels make for worthwhile reading because of the manner in which Shannon Donnelly tells her tales. In "Proper Conduct" the manner in which the authour draws into the shabby genteel world of the three Harwood sisters who are on the verge of spinsterhood because of their father's folly -- the relationship between the sisters and how each sister's character has been shaped by their circumstances -- was what made reading "Proper Conduct" such fun. Ms Donnelly did the same with "Proper Mistress" -- only this time she drew us into the world of the Winslow brothers, showing us how life with a perpetually angry and judgemental father had made the two brothers rather wild, and how the younger Winslow brother (Theo) is able to change thanks to love and acceptance of his "improper" fiancee. With "Barely Proper" she does for Terence what she did for Theo in "Proper Mistress" -- allowing for Terence to redeem his character and to become to individual he was meant to be. Discovering who the actual murderer was and exonerating himself of the murder charge was only incidental to the main focus of this novel which was all about how Sylvain and Terence act on the feelings they have for each other and how Terence changes most of his scapegrace ways.

With an intelligent story, engaging characters and a good prose style, "Barely Proper" turned out to be a truly enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Barely talking to each other
Review: Shannon Donnelly's latest novel is "Barely Proper" which is filled with characters from her previous novels (including "Proper Mistress" and "Proper Conduct")

The heroine of the novel is Sylvain Harwood, the shy, reserved sister from "Proper Conduct." Sylvain, a gentle spirit, spends her time wandering about the woods, tending to wounded animals. The hero is Terrance Winslow, the trouble-making rogue from Donnelly's two previous novels. He thinks of Sylvain as his friend, and has known her since she was a little girl.

Terrance, a notorious womanizer, has landed himself in a spot of trouble. A jealous husband challenges him to a duel... and then winds up dead. Terrance, now a suspect in a murder case, ends up gravely wounded--and it's Sylvain who tends to him.

I was really looking forward to this book, mainly because of sweet Sylvain. She was always an intriguing secondary character in Donnelly's last novels (and I would recommend both of those). However, I was a bit disappointed. I didn't think Sylvain and Terrance interacted enough; therefore, their romance came across as a bit tepid. Also, their romance was overshadowed by the "murder" plot, which I didn't think was overly intriguing.

But it was still enjoyable, and I'm glad I read it. And I would recommend "Barely Proper", especially if you've read its predeccesors.