"Delightfully Funny Regency Romp"
The Lord: A marquess, forsaking his title by choice...... Mr. Ian Fortune, a renowned financier, has made his fortune
his own way. He did not need one red cent from his
grandfather the duke. After his father had been disowned
for marrying a commoner, Ian had vowed to have nothing to
do with the old man, or his title. The commoner the Duke
has snubbed had been Ian's mother after all. In spite of
working for his living, he is well respected by the ton,
but his is about to make a spectacle of himself over one
Madame Zora. The Lady: Forsaking her name of necessity........ Orphaned and nearly penniless, Lady Alyssa Porter is as
clever as she is lovely. She has devised a daring and
devious plan to provide for herself and her younger sister.
When she poses as Madame Zora, gypsy fortune teller, she
becomes the darling of the ton. It would have all been
perfect were it not for the handsome gentleman who is
determined to plague her. If his name is prophetic, her own
fortune is going to be very bad indeed. Ms. Malvey's stories would not be complete without the
customary villain. This particular villain intends to get
rich quick by duping title gentlemen into investing in his
mining operation. Those strapped for cash are desperate to
have Madame Zora's advice on investment. Believing her to be reckless at best, Ian is determined to
stop Madame Zora's fortune telling. Her tales may be
enthralling but her financial advice could bring his peers
to ruin. He is determined to expose her one way or another,
pun intended, for though he'd be the last to admit it, his
more than a bit smitten with the lovely lady. Ian's desire is dashed with cold water by his grandfather's
scheming. The duke has decided that its time for the boy to
do his duty to his title, to marry and produce and heir.
Reports indicate that one Lady Ayssa Porter would make him
the perfect bride. Unbeknownst to Alyssa, who has fallen
hard for Ian, the offer has been made without his
knowledge. In addtion the duke had been completely unaware
of her duplicity, masquerading as the audacious Madame
Zora. Naturally he is determined to make the best of
matters when the truth is discovered. Once she is aware of all the facts, Allyssa finds she cares
too much to let Ian be manipulated into the marriage. She
decides thwart the duke by discrediting Zora, thus
becoming an unsuitable bride. The story goes from amusing
to hysterical as Zora's outrageous predictions are
mysteriously fulfilled. Soon even Ian stops hoping she will
fail. He might even attempt to bury the hatchet with his
grandfather, if the man can help him winner her back. FORTUNE'S BRIDE was another wonderful funny regency
romp by
Ms. Malvey. I look forward to her next effort A PROPER
AFFAIR due out in May 2001. Copyright © 2001
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted September 5, 2001
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