Reviewer: Lori Graham
Title: Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress
Author: Elizabeth Boyle
Publisher: Avon
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-137324-4
Release Date: April 2009
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1837/England and the ocean crossing to Boston
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: Very Mild, period based
Violent Content Rating: Mild, period based
Elizabeth's Website: www.elizabethboyle.com
Lady Gossett is at that point in a woman’s life when she wonders what is next. She lived a married life with a man who loved her dearly and treated her like a queen. He has now passed away. Her children, who are the light of her life, are now adults. Her daughter is married and has a home of her own. Her son has risen to the position of Captain at a very young age. They are safely on their way so what is next for her.
As she witnesses her son take his command, she sees the man from her past, her deep, first, true love. But it can’t be. Some time later, she sees him again but this time they speak. It isn’t the man she thought but it is his son and the spitting image of him. Nate tells her that his father, Captain Dashwell, needs her help desperately – will she come? Pippin (Lady Gossett) needs an adventure and can’t deny the man who has always held the deepest recesses of her heart. However, she is surprised to find the boat leaves the short and Dash doesn’t want her there.
When Dash insists his son return to port and put Lady Gossett off, they are both shocked to learn that Nate set them up by leaving a note at Pippin’s home that she has been kidnapped. Pippin knows her son (who is also Dash’s son) will take that as an affront and a challenge.
Let the chase begin.
Elizabeth Boyle has continued the wonderful story of Pippin with Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress. The reader is taken to a new level of understanding for Pippin and this character shows that a woman, even one with grown children, can have adventures and affairs of the heart. She is determined and courageous, not to mention a whole lot of fun.
The romance between Pippin and Dash really grows, matures and blossoms quite well. Dash is obviously a man who is hurting but refuses to admit it even to himself. Pippin and his son help him to realize that.
The only downside of this wonderful manuscript (in my opinion) were the flashbacks. Don’t get me wrong; they were an important part of the story and really lent a lot to it. The hard part is that sometimes I was so into the current time that I struggled to go back and then return.
Again though, this is a wonderfully exciting, sensual romp through a journey across the ocean.
Lori
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Lori know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews