SCOTSMEN PREFER BLONDES by Sara Ramsey

Publisher:   Spencerhill Associates

Date published:   April 4, 2012

ISBN:  B007RP2Y0U

Genre:   Historical Romance

Book format:  Paperback

Obtained via: Author

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

Aside from her role in society, Lady Amelia Staunton has a secret life. In the ilk of the Bronte’s, she is a writer and where she finds her true expression. She’s actually quite content with her situation and really, marriage doesn’t fit into her plans. True to her friends, when it appears one of her friends is on the path to an unwanted marriage Amelia steps in to save her friend. Unfortunately for Amelia, her best laid plans, backfire and Amelia finds herself wed to the gentleman.

Malcolm MacCabe puts his clan and family first. As one of the few Scotsmen in the House of Lords he wants a wife who will fit in with his political plans and lifestyle.  Amelia isn’t quite sure how Malcolm’s life and plans will fit with her secret life.  Still, a marriage of convenience can’t be all that bad, right? But can will it be enough?

I had a little problem getting into Sara Ramsey’s SCOTSMEN PREFER BLONDES, book 2 of her Muses of Mayfair series. Life with book 1, HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE I felt some of the language was forced and there was too much telling narrative rather than showing emotion.  At times the writing felt a bit formulaic but the concept of a Regency woman with a secret life was still very appealing. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Amelia’s life as a writer—having snippets of her writing interspersed in the story would have been fun—perhaps that instead of so much narrative would have made this a stronger read.

I liked the concept of Sara Ramsey’s Muses of Mayfair series when I first read her blurbs for HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE and SCOTSMAN PREFER BLONDES – creative and talented women who must pose as men to carry on their artistic pursuits. It will be interesting to see what careers the Muses come up with next.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE by Sara Ramsey

Publisher:   Spencerhill Associates

Date published:   February 23, 2012

ISBN:  B007CK70ZY

Genre:   Historical Romance

Book format:  Paperback

Obtained via: Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

Lady Madeleine Vaillant isn’t quite on the shelf. She’s had her season but little of society’s trappings interest her. Oh she plays the game and does her best to look like she follows society’s rules. But Madeleine has a secret life. One that few others, especially those of the ton, know about.

William "Ferguson" Avenel is plain and simple a rake of the first order. Breaking hearts and living a rather hedonistic life is just fine with him. He does have one obligation, however, and that is to see that his younger, twin, sisters have their season and hopefully land themselves husbands.  When he meets the quiet, bookish Madeleine he decides she would be the perfect chaperone for his sisters. He asks her to do the deed and she consents. Before she settles into her life as a chaperon Madeleine has one bit of her secret life to conclude.

On what is to be her last night engaging in that secret life Ferguson appears on the scene. He is enamoured of the woman he sees but doesn’t quite connect her with Madeleine. Before Madeleine can fade into her new life she is blackmailed into continuing that secret life a bit longer.

Attracted to Ferguson as Madeleine with Ferguson attracted to her alter ego the two begin a dance of mystery that could lead to love or heartbreak.

I liked the concept of Sara Ramsey’s Muses of Mayfair series when I first read her blurbs for HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE and SCOTSMAN PREFER BLONDES – creative and talented women who must pose as men to carry on their artistic pursuits. They must hide behind costumes and guile to pull off their various endeavours.  Ladies of the ton by day; artists by night. HEIRESS WIHTOUT A CAUSE was a cute story. It was a light-hearted read while riding home on the bus after a hectic day at work. Sometimes you just need to drop into a book and be transported to another time and place. With HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE the reader has a double escape from the day—first with a romantic tale and then with Madeleine’s other life.

I did have a bit of a time with what began to feel like extensive third person narrative with a considerable amount of telling but not showing. At times I felt like the author had a dictionary of Regency terms and felt she needed to include them rather than have them naturally woven in the story. 

It will be interesting to see what other careers the “muses” have in their “other” lives and how Ms. Ramsey tells their stories.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.