Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Brandy and I are doing a buddy read of Heiress Without a Cause this week.
Anyone interested can join us.
Please mention the chapter number you have finished in your comment and use spoiler tags wherever necessary.

Note: Kindle book is available free on Amazon

Heiress Without a Cause


One title to change his life...

A disgraced son with a dark reputation, William “Ferguson” Avenel is content to live in exile–until his father dies in the scandal of the Season. With rumors of insanity swirling around them, his sisters desperately need a chaperone. Ferguson thinks he’s found the most proper woman in England–and he won’t ruin her, even if he secretly desires the passionate woman trapped beneath a spinster’s cap.

One chance to break the rules...

Lady Madeleine Vaillant can’t face her blighted future without making one glorious memory for herself. In disguise, on a London stage, she finds all the adoration she never felt from the ton. But when she’s nearly recognized, she will do anything to hide her identity–even setting up her actress persona as Ferguson’s mistress. She’ll take the pleasure he offers, but Madeleine won’t lose her heart in the bargain.

One season to fall in love...

Every stolen kiss could lead to discovery, and Ferguson’s old enemies are determined to ruin them both. But as their dangerous passion ignites their hearts and threatens their futures, how can an heiress who dreams of freedom deny the duke who demands her love?

I will start this tonight! Do you have a number of chapters per day you want to aim for or how do u normally do it?

We can decide on the number of chapters or we can read at our own pace and comment as we go.
I am fine with either way. The choice is yours.

There are more than 30 chapters, but the chapters are short. I finished Chapter 5 and so far nothing caught my interest.

I read this two years ago and loved it! I think I will join in as a reread with you.

Awesome! The more the merrier. I read the first 5 and enjoyed it. I prefer older, smart heroines. I really like Amelia too. I did like how the h/H first meet - not at all what I expected him to ask her. I did not read what the book was about ;). So willkeep chugging along. She has herself in a pickle with that theatre owner.

I have completely forgotten what it is about. (I have read quite a few books in 2 years.) I will start reading tonight and see how much my tastes have changed in that amount of time.

I have read the first chapter. Well, I can tell you for sure, my tastes have dramatically changed in the past two years. When I read this the first book time, I rated the book five stars! It is leasing very close to a 2.5 right now.

Brandy wrote: "Awesome! The more the merrier. I read the first 5 and enjoyed it. I prefer older, smart heroines. I really like Amelia too. I did like how the h/H first meet - not at all what I expected him to ask..."

I have a suspicion that the theatre owner is going to blackmail Mad again.

I always find it hard to imagine a hero attractive with a quizzing glass lol!

I read through 10. SPOILER........












I would like to read a book about the H sister! She's got quite a story going!!! I'm glad we didn't spend 1/2 the book with him trying to figure out who she was!

Brandy wrote: "I always find it hard to imagine a hero attractive with a quizzing glass lol!"

Me neither :)

Brandy wrote: "I read through 10. SPOILER........
I would like to read a book about the H sister! She's got quite a story going!!! I'm glad we didn't spend 1/2 the book with him trying to figure out w..."

I couldn't see your spoiler (a technical glitch?)
Yes. I too wanted to read Ellie's story and checked it on goodreads. The 3rd book in the series is her story.

Mariana wrote: "I read this two years ago and loved it! I think I will join in as a reread with you."

Happy to have you here Mariana.

Oooo I will have to read her book! She's interesting with her handsome butler!

I'm on my phone so I just spaced down a few so if someone didn't want to read it they didn't have to ;)

Brandy wrote: "Oooo I will have to read her book! She's interesting with her handsome butler!

I'm on my phone so I just spaced down a few so if someone didn't want to read it they didn't have to ;)"

Oh ok. I thought I missed some part of comment there.

Ch 10. I see my spoiler comment wasn't complete ;) I'm glad we didn't spend 1/2 the book with the hero trying to figure out who the actress was! I like that he knows who she is right away.

Brandy wrote: "Ch 10. I see my spoiler comment wasn't complete ;) I'm glad we didn't spend 1/2 the book with the hero trying to figure out who the actress was! I like that he knows who she is right away."

Agree with you there. He found her out and didn't hide it from her too.

I don't really see her as an heiress yet.....

I finished reading through chapter 10 today. Now I remember why I loved this book! The story is different, and I also like the fact that the identity was discovered early on. I agree with Brandy. There has been absolutely no mention of anything thus far that would lead us to believe she is an heiress. I honestly can't remember how that comes into play or when.

I agree. I normally don't like actress type books but this one is different!

At Chapter 12. Now, there is some depth to Hero's character. I am interested to read more about his past and his brothers' deaths. So far it isn't clear as to what suddenly drove the family apart. Was it Ferguson's mother's death?
Except for having a good dowry, I too don't see how the h is a heiress.

Priya wrote: "At Chapter 12. Now, there is some depth to Hero's character. I am interested to read more about his past and his brothers' deaths. So far it isn't clear as to what suddenly drove the family apart. ..."

I too look forward to finding out more about Ferguson's family relationship.

I finished reading. I have some mixed feelings, especially on Ferguson (view spoiler)[There are times when I loved him. Like when he professes his love to Madeline. But at some times, I didn't like him. I am not completely sure that he changed for good. (hide spoiler)]
On the other hand, I like Madelaine (view spoiler)[ in spite of her reckless stint on stage. In fact I liked her for that. I am still wondering why the author called the h a heiress. I expected her to inherit a fortune from her father or something to make her a heiress. (hide spoiler)]
I am going to add Ellie's book to my tbr shelf to read some other time.

Ah you sped through. I need to speed up!

I finished re-reading as well. I had a hard time putting the book down. That speaks well for the story.

(view spoiler)[Ferguson frequently mentions he has to convince Madeline and his family that he is not the man of his reputation, but he never gives reasons why. Nothing happened to ever convince me he didn't do everything he is rumored to have done in his past. His first instinct is to run again. He has not changed much. It is more like he did not have the same debauched opportunities in Scotland. However, I forgave him because he is so open and honest about his love for Madeline.

I also liked Madeline; but even looking for it, I found no real reason why she should be called an "Heiress". I think the title should have been more like "Spinster With a Cause".

Did anyone else find the nickname "Mad" odd? Ferguson first called her that, and she didn't comment on it or even blink an eye. Only after that did her cousin call her "Mad". It bothered me. (hide spoiler)]

Mariana wrote: "I finished re-reading as well. I had a hard time putting the book down. That speaks well for the story.

Ferguson frequently mentions he has to convince Madeline and his family that he is not the m..."

Calling her Mad definitely sounded mad to me. An awfully shortened name. But it would have saved the author from typing Madeline every time:)

Priya wrote: "Mariana wrote: "I finished re-reading as well. I had a hard time putting the book down. That speaks well for the story.

Ferguson frequently mentions he has to convince Madeline and his family that..."

Good point. :)

I stayed up late and finished it. Sweet story although a little too nearly tied up in the end. I thought the resolution with his ols

Sorry I accidentally hit post. Old mistress was a bit too tidy and unbelievable. I'm more interested in his family, still holding a grudge against Amelia. I liked Alex and would read his book. Would love his sisters book I think. I liked the hero but a bit on the weak side (?).

I think my love for the theatre caused me to enjoy / rate this book more than it truly deserves.

It's better than the typical actress ones