Christina Dodd: Rules of Surrender jne.

Kirjaston kierrätyskirjahyllystä löytyi pino Christina Doddin romaaneja, joista neljä kuului Governess Brides -kirjasarjaan. Samaa reseptiä on jokaisessa käytetty, ja vaikka jonkinlaista omaperäisyyttä ja huumoriakin teoksissa on havaittavissa, melkolailla rutiininomaista viihdehömpää nämä tarjoavat.

Rules of Surrender (Avon, 2016; ISBN 9780380811977)

The Rules of Employment for The Distinguished Academy of Governesses: Always remember your station; after all, you are higher than the house servants but certainly not a member of the family. Be sure to maintain a disciplined schoolroom and to take your meals on a tray. And never become too familiar with the master of the house...

Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is known as England's most proper governess, a woman who has never taken a misstep socially -- or romantically. So, on the surface, she seems perfectly suited to accept the challenge of reforming English-born Lord Wynter Ruskin, sadly uncivilized by his travels abroad.

But the ruggedly handsome man has no desire to be taught manners. He has glimpsed an uninhibited beauty hiding beneath her prim exterior, and he'd much rather spend his days -- and nights -- instructing her in the ways of love.

And when ardor erupts between them, Charlotte learns the pleasures of desire and Wynter the passions of the heart, but before they can love both must first master the rules of employment.

Rules of Attraction (Avon, 2001; ISBN 9780380811991)

After nine years, Hannah Setterington has decided to sell the Distinguished Academy of Governesses and explore the secrets of her past. To that end she has agreed to be a companion to the elderly aunt of Lord Raeburn, a man enshrouded by dark mystery and haunted by the rumor that he murdered his wife. A strong-minded woman accustomed to the vagaries of nobility, Hannah believes the rumor to be so much piffle, until she comes face to face with Lord Raeburn.

Dougald Pippard, Lord Raeburn, is deviously satisfied when his plan to trap Hannah springs itself successfully. But his satisfaction is short-lived as the indomitable Hannah draws the battle lines and kisses him with the pent-up passion Dougald hasn't felt for nine long years. The fire that has always flared between them rages again with every touch, every glance, until Dougald is almost ready to forget his wounded memories and plans of revenge for just one more night with her.

In My Wildest Dreams (Avon, 2001; ISBN 9780380819621)

Having received glowing references upon leaving her post in Paris in a diplomatic household, Celeste Milford is delighted to accept a position at Blythe Hall, where her mother was the cook, her father the gardener, and Ellery Throckmorton, the younger son of the family, her idol. She's been hired to teach Penelope (the daughter of Garrick, Ellery's widowed older brother), and Kiki, a mysterious wild child under the family's protection.

Before long, Celeste has her two young charges well in hand. But she's also encountered several impediments to pursuing her long-unrequited love for Ellery -- and discovered a most unexpectedly passionate attraction to Garrick that her new employer returns with interest. If all goes well, Celeste's next post may be a lifelong position, with extraordinary benefits for all concerned.

Lost in Your Arms (Avoin, 2002; ISBN 9780380819638)

Enid MacLean is finally living a peaceful life when she receives word that an explosion has injured the husband she hoped she'd never have to see again. Reluctantly, she agrees to do her duty but,except for his distinctive green eyes, the man she nurses back to health is not the man she remembers.

And he remembers nothing. From the depths of his amnesia, he reaches out for the woman he believes is his wife, tempting her with ardent words and a reckless passion she finds herself unable to resist. And while Enid finds herself losing her heart to this achingly familiar stranger, she cannot help but wonder how her husband has become such a dangerous, seductive man . . . and what secrets he carries locked away in his lost memories.

Last time marriage cost her her happiness. This time love could cost her more.