Miss Molly Robbins Designs a Seduction

November 4, 2013
Fresina’s latest Regency romance parallels the events of Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal. Molly Robbins jilts her intended at the altar and moves to London to design dresses for women of the ton. For capital, she goes to Mercy’s brother, Carver Danforthe, the Earl of Everscham, in whose house she lived for years as Mercy’s lady’s maid and best friend. Sleepy and hungover, Carver agrees to lend “Mouse” £200, even though her contract states “No Tomfollerie”—Molly knows he deserves his rakish reputation and doesn’t want him thinking he can request repayment in the form of sexual favors. The clever couturier succeeds with some surreptitious help from Danforthe, but her virtue proves more difficult to maintain as their every argument becomes part of a seduction. Fresina’s frothy style belies her ability to write multidimensional characters deserving of love.

December 1, 2013
Fresina's excellent Sydney Dovedale series (The Wicked Wedding of Miss Elie Vyne; Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal, 2013), of loosely connected families and people, continues with the unique story of Miss Molly Robbins. Molly jilts her country fianc' and returns to London, where Earl Carver Danforthe promised to set her up in a sewing business. The earl is fascinated by the small woman, who disapproves of his rakish life. Though he calls her Mouse, he is affected by her comments, and especially by her requirement of a no-flirting clause in their business contract. His interest in her grows with the business. When she gives in, their sexy encounters propel them into even deeper feelings. Several things stand in the way of their happiness, but many fun surprises and another satisfying ending await them. Fresina's characters are more forthright and modern thinking than in many Regency romances, and that is part of the refreshing appeal of her approach to a genre in which new angles are hard to find. Amanda Quick fans will enjoy Fresina's novels.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)