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One woman in search of passion
Miss Cecilia Hastings has achieved what every young lady hopes for during her first London season...in duplicate! She's caught the eye of not one but two of England's most eligible bachelors. Both Jeremy Battersley, Earl of Henley, and Richard Huxley, Duke of Wexford, are handsome, wealthy and kind, the epitome of proper gentlemen. But Cecilia doesn't want proper, she wants passion. So she issues a challenge to her suitors: a kiss, so that she may choose between them.
Two men in love with the same woman
Friends since childhood, and compatriots on the battlefields of Spain, Jeremy and Richard have found that falling for the same woman has set them at odds and risks destroying their friendship forever. But a surprising invitation to a late-night garden tryst soon sets them on a course that neither of them could have anticipated. And these gentlemen quickly discover that love can take many forms...
London, 1814
Miss Cecilia Hastings was the luckiest girl who had ever lived to draw breath.
This was the near-universal assessment of the five hundred guests who found themselves crushed into Lady Stanhope's lavish ballroom like so many potted fish on this early June evening.
That the young lady was well-favoured, with a tall, even figure, a smooth throat and milk-white skin, striking grey eyes and dark chestnut hair, there was no doubt. Just eighteen, Miss Hastings was everywhere lauded for her calm manners and her unerring ability to navigate London's treacherous social shoals while appearing neither missish nor imperious. She danced divinely. She both sang and played the pianoforte. She could read Italian and spoke French beautifully. She befriended those wealthy and modest, with equal disregard for their particular standings. Her sartorial sense was unmatched and her dresser had been offered no less than a half-dozen bribes if she would but reveal the secrets to her mistress's beauty regime.
But there was no doubt that Miss Hastings's most particular and celebrated feature had been her ability—in this, her first London Season—to attract not one, but two, of the most eligible bachelors in England as suitors to her hand.
Single, handsome, titled heirs, educated at Cambridge, related to some of the oldest families in the country, and possessors of estates that would make the most hardened steward weep for joy. Each with a splendid house in town, their family seats—in Kent and Sussex, respectively—marvels of country grandeur and, crowning joy of crowning joy, each able to avail himself of a clear £30,000 a year.
In a word, that which every young woman—and her mama—aspired to with a fierce and competitive single-mindedness during the whole course of the Season from January to June, Miss Hastings had achieved in duplicate without seeming to discompose a single hair on her perfectly coiffed head.
Of course, there were some of her immediate peers, girls who had not met with such unmatched reception, who thought this excess smacked of matrimonial gluttony and behind her back took a savage delight in criticizing her faults, real or imagined. But to her face, they were all smiles and compliments, begging, in their most gracious voices, to have Miss Hastings share her secrets for winding her turban à la turque or to solicit a recommendation for the name of her mantua maker.
The knowledge that both gentlemen had made handsome presentations to Miss Hastings's gratified father in advance of their declarations to the lady herself was in such widespread circulation that any repetition of the fact elicited the merest murmur of acknowledgement by its weary listeners, so shop-worn had that particular social nugget become in the retelling. Now, as the Season wound its way to another overstuffed and over-heated conclusion, the single most pressing question in the minds of nearly everyone who had made an appearance in the Stanhopes' crowded ballroom on this warm summer night was which of the two gentlemen Miss Hastings would ultimately accept.
Zibith
Posted December 31, 2010
It only took me an hour to read this short story. It was quick, with not enough of a story line, or real background to the characters. The ending, which was quick to come, also left me feeling puzzled over such an abrupt ending to the story. I only wish there was more of a plot than girl courts two men, can't decide between the two, loses her virginity to both courters, and in the end decides on one man who is never named, while still enjoying the second man as well. The End.
A good story, but would have liked it more with an actual, understandable plot.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LASR_Reviews
Posted November 15, 2010
The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady combined historical elegance with scenes hot enough to satisfy modern sensibilities. A very satisfying read.
This story is told with an old-fashioned presentation, a style reminiscent of the era in which it is set (early 19th century.) It's in narrative form, telling, so to speak, setting a certain mood of yesteryear for the reader, and creates a charming feeling despite the distance it necessarily encompasses (until the reader gets to the "hot" scene, which draws one in closely and allows for a sexy sense of empathy.)
The language and setting details are so well done, a reader can get lost in that world.
Miss Cecelia Hastings is likeable because she admires a man for his actions and not so much for his family and money etc. She has ".no cravings for the usual mundane or quotidian aspirations." She wants to marry for passion, making her more relatable to the modern-day woman in that regard.
Two equally great men want to marry her, and she has little time to decide between them. In a panic, she comes up with a wild plan to help her make her most difficult decision.
Richard Huxley is a duke, and his closest friend, Jeremy Battersley, is an earl. For a time, the fact that they both want Cecelia so badly comes between them, breaking up a friendship that goes back many years. This is a sad situation, and both men ponder this. I found their realizations quite interesting. Can their friendship possibly overcome this impossible situation? And if so, how?
The time draws near for Cecelia to make a decision. I just had to know who she was going to choose, the suspense being so well written. More is at stake than just her future marriage. Her gutsy decision to do something crazy could make her dreams come true or lose her everything. The stakes are high.but she goes for it.
I really enjoyed this exciting little story. The end was a bit vague, a little too vague, but I figured it out upon careful reading. For a hot historical, don't pass up The Debutante's Dilemma.
Originally posted at Whipped Cream Reviews
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 4, 2011
Nook-c 163 pages. Straight romance with one long dull sex scene at the end. Could have been a lot better. Want to know which one she married.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 2, 2011
I'm not one to write reviews, but I did not enjoy this book at all! The conclusion left one hanging, and I was left feeling very unsatisfied!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AAR
Posted February 26, 2011
THE DEBUTANTE'S DILEMMA by Elyse Mady is an erotic M/F/M historical romance set in 1814 London. It is an M/F/M (male/female/male) story.It is a debut novel for this author. While the writing is good,the story interesting,the plot has twists and turns. I have a few issues with the story.First,a young debutante in the 1800's,who can't decide on a possible marriage proposal from two men.The two men are,supposedly best friends from their Eton days and military days,are older than the young lady in question.If they are such best friends wouldn't one of them step aside,when he found out the other was seeking her hand in marriage?Second,what young lady in this time era would actually meet two gentlemen together at the same time to find out which one she wants to accept their proposal from.While deciding to partake in an sexual adventure with both men at the same time,please. Last but not least, the end result is marriage to one,have two boys,one favoring each man(assuming they are twins,of course),Then to live happy ever after,with one of the men being Godfather,yes to his own son,and the other husband/father,while at the same time continue with their sexual adventure.Please.This is probably why I don't usually read this type of book.It is a quick read,with an interesting overall storyline,until the ending that is.Although,the end is a little vague to me,I guess I got the overall picture.If you enjoy M/F/M and this sort of thing than this is the story for you. This is my first encounter in this genre and frankly,I just don't get it.I understand love and attraction comes to all kinds,but what about the aftermath? This book was received for the purpose of review from Net Galley and details can be found at Carina Press and My Book Addiction and More.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Debutante's Dilemma is a historical romance set in 1800's London, in the height of the Season. It is a time of strict moral codes of behavior and the Cecilia Hastings is far more passionate than her prim and proper fellow debutantes. Cecilia was a likeable character, and as relatable as a character from another century and society can be. Her emotional struggle between her heart and the rules of society was well-written and well-developed, and drew me in as a reader. While you knew from the beginning where the story was leading, getting there was still an enjoyable thing. I did wonder how there was going to be a satisfying ending, as the story was leading to something other than what society at that time would have expected. But the ending did answer the remaining questions satisfactorily, if a little rushed. There was a bit of an erotic turn to the story, but it didn't overshadow the book and was not the primary focus of the story.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Caffey
Posted November 28, 2010
The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady is a quick erotic romance story of Miss Cecilia Hastings who has been the eye of the ton with her beauty and background. With two of England's most eligible bachelors, Jeremy Battersley, Earl of Henley, and Richard Huxley, Duke of Wexford, both expressing their want of her hand in marriage, Cecilia is at a dilemma of what to do. She has feeling for both of them as well as they do for her.
Cecilia decides that she doesn't want marriage without passion. She comes up with a plan to invite each separately, to share a kiss so she could determine which she felt the highest feelings for in their kiss, despite having feelings for them both. Her plan doesn't go as expected and she's confronted with both at the same time. Now she's at a further dilemma to explain to them what she had wanted to accomplish with them both together as well as how to decide what to do with this challenge of feeling for both of them.
The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady is a erotic romance Menage a trois, MFM (male, female, male) , that concludes as a HEA, Happily Ever After, but at an unusual outcome! Very sensual and romantic scenes with Cecilia, Jeremy and Richard, its one quick read that the author ties together to a successful ending for all three! While in the beginning of the book appears to have some terminology from the author's deep writing that may require looking up as well re-reading as long worded sentences, the second half is much more visually and empathetic connecting with the characters and their emotions. This tied up The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady to be a quick sizzling Menage a trois romance read, great for a one evening read!
Miss Cecilia Hastings is a striking beauty and the toast of the ton with not one but two handsome and eligible bachelors asking for her hand. These are not just any men mind you trying to obtain her favor these two men are the best of friends and have been since their first adventure after moving from the cradle to the adventure. Cecilia is envied and criticized by her peers and for making these two men choose between her and their friendship.
What Cecilia wants more than just a match is a marriage of passion and nightly yearns and cold nights filled with lust. Is it possible to have all that from just one man? Cecilia wants to make sure she choose the right man and the only way to confirm that the decision she is making is the right one is to "test the waters" so to speak. Secret rendezvous arranged, potential husband shows up, Cecilia is ready to - wait a minute both men are here how did that happen? What shall she do now that she is confronted with a decision yet both questions have been asked at the same time? My, my, my whatever shall she do?
When you are sure you see the direction this book is taking, guess what you get smacked right in the head with a new idea and one so outrageous it is believable only because it is well written. Anyone can have an idea it is how you execute that makes the difference to the reader and Ms. Mady really knows about the element of surprise and how to write Regency with a kick!
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Overview
One woman in search of passion
Miss Cecilia Hastings has achieved what every young lady hopes for during her first London season...in duplicate! She's caught the eye of not one but two of England's most eligible bachelors. Both Jeremy Battersley, Earl of Henley, and Richard Huxley, Duke of Wexford, are handsome, wealthy and kind, the epitome of proper gentlemen. But Cecilia doesn't want proper, she wants ...