Amazon www.emilybryan.com Dorchester Publishing Category:  Romance Publisher: Dorchester ISBN-10:  0843958707 Pages: 336 Copyright: February 28, 2008 ISBN-13: 9780843958706 An artistic duchess mistakes Her Majesty's spy for her next figure model. He's about to drive her to . . . distraction! Her Grace, Artemisia Pelham-Smythe, widowed Duchess of Southwycke was an acclaimed child prodigy. Now she won't rest until she's recognized as an artist in the full bloom of her talent. Trevelyn Deveridge never intended to pose nude to serve his Queen and country. But when the trail of the elusive Mr. Beddington leads straight to Her Grace's door, he has little choice but to play the hand he's dealt. The duchess has no idea her newest model is about to drive her to . . . distraction! Excerpt “I’m going to have to shorten his willie.” The artist stepped back from her easel and regarded the offending member with a critical eye. Her name was Artemisia. “Sounds like amnesia,” her father had complained when her mother insisted upon the unusual moniker. Artemisia Dalrymple Pelham-Smythe, to be exact. Such a heavy load might have been a burden for some. But Artemisia was a duchess, so most people simply called her ‘Your Grace.’ “Of course, it’s absolutely true to life,” she said finally, closing one eye and holding her thumb upraised to do a rough comparative measurement. “The proportions are accurate to the model, but critics tend to find well-endowed males in art to be prurient. I can’t imagine why. A willie is just a willie, after all. What do you think, Cuthbert?” “On the subject of art, Your Grace, one is of no opinion.” Cuthbert set down the silver tea tray and poured out a steaming cup with extreme dignity. “But if one may be so bold as to suggest, perhaps Madam would do well to be more delicate in her speech.” Artemisia took the offered cup and sipped the aromatic blend. It was almost as good as the tea she grew up with in Bombay. “I was being delicate, Cuthbert. That’s why I called it a willie instead of a pe—“ “Your daily reading, Your Grace,” Cuthbert interrupted smoothly, handing her a neatly folded newspaper. Hiding her smile, Artemisia set down her tea cup. She knew she shouldn’t purposely try to irritate her butler, but his ears turned such a charming shade of purple when she did. Artemisia ran her gaze over the headlines. “The Tattler?” She tried never to read the ubiquitous scandal sheets and The Tattler was worst of the lot, laden with juicy on dits and sly innuendo. “You know I’ve no time for such drivel.” “Indeed. Then perhaps Madam should refrain from giving the writers so much fodder for their drivel. The article just below the fold could not escape one’s notice. Will there be anything else, Your Grace?” “No, I think that’s quite enough,” Artemisia said wryly. The butler bowed and retreated with dignity. Almost as an afterthought, he stopped and turned back. “A gentleman is waiting to see you, Madam.” “Ah! That will be the model Mr. Phelps is sending round today. I’m ready to start sketches of Eros now that Neptune is finished. Nearly finished,” she amended, silently reminding herself that there was yet a willie to be shortened. “It is highly unlikely that this man is one of your young gods.” Cuthbert shook his head solemnly. “He dresses like a proper English gentleman.” “There are so many second-hand clothing shops in London a stable lad can fit himself out like a lord if he wishes.” Artemisia bit her lip. She realized she was sounding just like the writer in The Tattler who last week bemoaned the fact that distinctions of class could no longer be drawn by dress—not with so many ladies’ maids larking about London as well turned out as their mistresses. It irked her that she should be mouthing the sentiments of a scandal sheet. Artemisia made a mental note not to read The Tattler again even if Cuthbert shoved it under her nose. She consulted the Ormolu mantle clock above her fireplace. Even in summer, she burned a fire for the comfort of her figure models. Goosebumps do not become an Olympian, after all. “Send the man in.” Once Cuthbert closed the French doors to her studio, Artemisia released a pent-up sigh. Perhaps she should encourage him to retire, but the crusty gentleman’s gentleman probably wouldn’t hear of it. Cuthbert had been with the estate all his life, serving Artemisia’s late husband, the Duke of Southwycke, as his father had served the Duke’s father before him. Even though his master was dead and Cuthbert not-so-tacitly disapproved of his unconventional mistress, he lived to serve Southwycke. Anything else was unthinkable. Artemisia donned a paint-daubed smock over her simple day dress and began assembling her materials. Today, she’d do a few preliminary sketches and experiment with poses. Once she settled on a composition, she’d transfer her ideas to canvas with her brushes and pallet knife. As she arranged her tools, one of the soft sticks of chalk rolled from the table’s edge and she bent to retrieve it. She was so intent on her task, she didn’t even hear the door swing open behind her. * * *

Barbara Vey-Beyond Her Book
And since I haven't received any other news in the past week, I'm going to tell you all about the book I read last week. In Friday's blog I mentioned that I read a book the weekend before, but I left the book at my mom's and couldn't remember the name of it. Now, I can be forgiven because I usually have at least 3 books going at the same time (both paper books and audio). So now I can tell you the mystery book is Distracting the Duchess by Emily Bryan.

Lady Artemisia, Duchess of Southwycke was a wealthy widow who was able to spend her time painting nude (don't call them naked) males. When Trevelyn Deveridge, working undercover, needed information from the Duchess, he was willing to bare all in service to his country...as her model.

This book had me hooked from the first sentence, "I'm going to have to shorten his willie." I dare anyone to try to not read on after seeing those words. Often people say, "I couldn't put it down," but once I started I was entranced. When I finally closed it, hours later, my brother said, "Did you just finish that whole book?" (This from the man who has to take a break from reading a magazine article).

As historical romances go, this is a cut above. The political intrigue, mysterious characters and a former spy struggling with dementia make this arresting tale thrilling, inspiring and sensual all at the same time. I won't forget this author's name again.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288/post/260020426.html
Barbara Vey, Beyond her Book


Publishers Weekly
Distracting the Duchess
Emily Bryan. Dorchester/Leisure, $6.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-8439-5870-6
When handsome spy Trevelyn Deveridge comes to the house of young widowed duchess Artemisia Pelham-Smythe, an accomplished painter, she assumes he is there to be her new nude model. He complies with her request in order to get the information he wants, and they soon develop an immediate, potent attraction to each other. As Trevelyn tries to learn more about Mr. Beddington, the business manager who has a key to Artemisia’s father’s safe, the spy finds himself falling in love with the spirited duchess. Meanwhile, Artemisia hides secrets of her own related to her professional ambitions, forbidden to Victorian women. Bryan has a great handle on the material and her characters, creating a charming, colorful story with an intricate, fast-paced story line.


Romance Reviews Today
Victorian England

Lady Artemesia, the widowed Duchess of Southwycke, is waiting for the arrival of her latest model for her portrait of Eros. When the man finally arrives, she realizes he’s much more like the god Mars, and asks him to remove his clothes. When the man comes out of the dressing room and drops his robe, Artemesia is almost left speechless, but she has him hold a weapon and shield and tries not to stare as she begins her sketches. None of her previous models have affected her quite like "Mars" has!

Trevelyn Deveridge is in Her Majesty's Secret Service, and is on the hunt for a man named Beddington, who holds the key to a list of agents that the British government does not want revealed to the Russians. His search has brought him to the home of the infamous Duchess of Southwycke, and before he can ask any questions, Trev finds himself stark naked, posing as a warrior god! Still, it is in the art studio of a most fascinatingly lovely young woman, and he is serving his country, after all. Trev has used one of his false names, so the duchess will not know he's the younger son of an earl. If he can just get her to reveal where Mr. Beddington is! But every time Trev brings up that name, Artemesia changes the subject.

DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS is a delightfully unique tale set amidst the early days of Victoria's reign. Nicely researched, readers will find how difficult it is for a woman of that era to express herself freely, or to fall in love, for that matter. Artemesia is a bright, talented, energetic widow who only wants to paint and be her own person. She has her own secrets that will surprise those around her. Her unexpected feelings for Trev are a shock to her. Trev is the second born son of a set of twins, missing out on being the heir by minutes, but his life has revolved around service to his country, and the sprightly miss he's entangled with is making him think twice about things. He is, however, dedicated to discovering the "key" that only Mr. Beddington holds, and Artemesia may be keeping that secret.

Secondary characters, especially Artemesia's socially conscious mother, add depth and reality to the story. The villains are transparent, but evil, nonetheless. Great dialogue and quite a bit of humor add to this enjoyable tale. There are some sizzling hot love scenes that will have readers fanning themselves! All in all, DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS will make for a unique, totally fun read.