Setting: Regency England

Sensuality: 8

Having sold her successful business, the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, Miss Hannah Setterington arrives in Lancashire to accept a position as caretaker to the earl of Raeburn's elderly aunt. Hannah is shocked to learn that the newly titled earl is none other than Dougald Pippard, the man she loved and ran away from nine years before. Dougald isn't the slightest bit surprised to see Hannah, for her arrival at Raeburn Castle is the result of a carefully planned scheme to bring her back into his life. Furthermore, he has the power to compel her to remain in Lancashire, for he can give Hannah something she yearns for--a meeting with her deceased father's parents.

While Hannah and Dougald are engaged in a battle of wits and wills, something wicked is afoot at the Castle. The prior two earls were killed in accidents shortly after coming into the title, and when Dougald is shot at and then attacked by thugs, it's clear that he's next on someone's hit list. Whether Hannah and Dougald will arrive at a mutually agreeable truce is debatable, but before the two can live happily ever after they must first discover the identity of the mysterious villain.

This latest in Christina Dodd's Governess series has delightfully Gothic touches with the heroine arriving at a forbidding castle on a stormy night, a dark, brooding hero, and danger threatening the two. In typical Dodd fashion, however, the Gothic elements are offset by the warmth and humor in the wonderfully interesting cast of secondary characters and plenty of romantic tension between Hannah and her earl.--Lois Faye Dyer


From Publishers Weekly
The third installment of Dodd's Victorian-set Governess Brides series (Rules of Surrender, Rules of Engagement) sputters off to a slow start as a jilted husband and his runaway bride rehash old grudges. Hannah Setterington, head of the Distinguished Academy of Governesses, is lured to Lord Raeburn's Lancashire castle with promises of a position on the lord's staff only to find that Raeburn is really Dougald Pippard, the commoner she married when she was only 18 years old. Dougald has waited nine years to exact his revenge on Hannah, and he's more than pleased to engage her services as a companion for his dithering aunt Spring in the hope that Hannah will eventually bend to his will. Despite the obvious sexual tension between the couple, readers will find little relief from their mean-spirited bickering until their first sizzling sexual encounter. A subplot involving a murderer who's intent on disposing of the castle's newest lord provides some additional thrills, and Aunt Spring and her bubbly friends are a comic delight. Although Dodd has an ear for dialogue and a skillful hand, her fiction is a troubling mixture of romance and hostility. While her many fans are sure to enjoy this one, readers who prefer a less brutal courtship should pass. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
When Hannah Setterington sells her school and accepts a position as companion to the new Marquess of Raeburn's aunt, she discovers that the Marquess is actually the husband she fled and hasn't seen for nine years. But the Marquess knows what he wantsAand eventually so does HannahAas passion, revenge, and a pair of appealing protagonists propel this compelling tale to its satisfactory conclusion. Texas-based Dodd (Rules of Engagement) is a popular writer of sassy, passionate romances that do not quite spill over into the erotic category but often have enough sizzle and sensuality to please fans. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.



"Christina Dodd keeps getting better and better!"



"Christina Dodd is everything I'm looking for in an author."



"Treat yourself to a fabulous book -- anything by Christina Dodd."


Book Description
The Rules of Enticement:A woman should never surrender to a man without knowing his intentions. A man should never seduce a woman for the purposes of revenge.Rules of SocietyAfter nine years, Hannah Setterington has decided tosell 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.Rules of FascinationDougald 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.Rules of Attraction


Download Description
After nine years, Hannah Setterington is selling the Distinguished Academy of Governesses to explore her past: the mysterious, and possibly murderous, Lord Raeburn. But it's all a plan: Raeburn has trapped her, and will exact revenge, unless the fire that has always flared between them rages again.The Rules of Enticement:A woman should never surrender to a man without knowing his intentions. A man should never seduce a woman for the purposes of revenge.Rules of SocietyAfter nine years, Hannah Setterington has decided tosell 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.Rules of FascinationDougald 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.Rules of Attraction


About the Author
Christina Dodd is the author of twenty romances that made regular appearances on the bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards including Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart and RITA Awards.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Rules of Enticement:A woman should never surrender to a man without knowing his intentions. A man should never seduce a woman for the purposes of revenge.

Rules of Society

After nine years, Hannah Setterington has decided tosell 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.

Rules of FascinationDougald 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.

Rules of Attraction

FROM THE CRITICS

Kathe Robin - Romantic Times

Christina Dodd knows how to write a romance brimming over with wit and poignancy. The hilarious dotty old ladies, the wonder of falling in love a second time and the touching reconciliation between Hannah and all her family will bring a deep sigh to readers.

Debbie Macomber

Christina Dodd keeps getting better and better!

Jill Barnett

Treat yourself to a fabulous book — anything by Christina Dodd.

Teresa Medeiros

Christina Dodd is everything I'm looking for in an author.

Oakland Press