Setting: Regency England
Sensuality Rating: 8

Lady Edwina Bollash is a talented linguist, but she may have taken on more than she can handle when she accepts the challenge of transforming handsome commoner Mick Tremore into a gentleman. She only has six weeks to accomplish the daunting task, but Mick proves to be a quick study. Unfortunately for Edwina, Mick is also utterly irresistible. Edwina soon finds herself loving everything about the brash charmer whose approach to life is so less restrictive than her own. But she's a lady and he's a commoner--or is he? And Lady Edwina can't possibly have a future with this handsome, impossible man--or can she?

The classic Pygmalion tale takes on a new twist in Ivory's version with a plot that springs some surprises on the reader. With a villain one loves to hate, a hero and heroine that are so much fun to watch spar and spark, and a cast of secondary characters that add texture, The Proposition is pure delight. Don't miss the fun. --Lois Faye Dyer


From Publishers Weekly
When her father dies, Lady Edwina Bollash is ousted from her ancestral home in Regency London by her greedy cousin, the new Duke of Arles. To support herself, Edwina gives elocution and deportment classes to country folk and foreigners eager to enter polite society. She becomes so successful that twin lords Emile and Jeremy Lamont challenge her to turn Mick Tremore, an ill-mannered, uncouth Cornish rat catcher, into a gentleman and pass him off as a viscount at her cousin's annual society ball. Intrigued by the subject's accent and eager to exact some personal revenge, Edwina agrees to the wager. Little does she know that her life is about to be turned inside out: she discovers that Mick is a virile, handsome, incorrigible man. His wicked propositions boggle her virginal heart but stir her womanly passions. Through skillful writing, Ivory (Beast) captures the subtle sensual pleasures of her colorful characters, creating a sexy varitation on My Fair Lady. (Dec.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
In a creative reversal of the traditional Pygmalion plot, Ivory takes aristocratic linguistic tutor Edwina Bollash, pairs her with street-wise rat-catcher Mick Tremore, and gives them a seemingly impossible challengeAto turn the unpolished but oh-so-charming Mick into a gentleman in just six weeks and pass him off as a viscount at an upcoming ball. They succeed beautifullyAbut in the process fall totally, and inappropriately, in love. Well-done protagonists who become more endearing with each chapter; several memorable secondary characters, including a ferret named Freddie; and shimmering sexual tension and page-singeing love scenes recommend this beautifully written romance, which gently but effectively points out some of the inequities women faced during the late Victorian era. Although the social dilemma is too conveniently resolved, this fairy-tale ending does not detract from the book's overall appeal and should not disappoint Ivory's growing list of fans. Ivory's Sleeping Beauty was just named one of the ten favorite romances of the year by a popular vote of the members of the Romance Writers of America; she lives in Miami. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

No man, gentleman or otherwise, has ever looked at Lady Edwina Bollash the way the brash, handsome man standing before her is doing now. Edwina has accepted the challenge to transform incorrigible Mich Tremore into a gentelman in just six weeks. And although the linguist is sure she can rise to the task, she isn't at all certain she won't swoon under his frankly sensuous gaze before her job is done.

Mick has lived outside of London society long enough to know that appearances can be deceiving. Edwina might look all buttoned up—the perfect English lady—but there is unleashed passion existing just below her placid facade (not to mention a great pair of legs!). And as she prepares him to take his place in society, Mick prepares Edwina to take her place in his heart...and in his bed.

SYNOPSIS

"Judith Ivory writes lush, lyrical romance that seethes with passionate intensity." --Amanda Quick

"Ivory's writing is exceptional."--Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Judith Ivory "accidentally" acquired two degrees in mathematics, then sold her first novel in 1987 and closed up the math books for good. She lives in Miami. Florida, with her two children, two cats and a dog.

FROM THE CRITICS

Romantic Times

Judith Ivory's polished writing carries the story along with aplomb and will appeal to those who wish a luch, artistic romance.

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Ivory's writing is exceptional.

Publishers Weekly

When her father dies, Lady Edwina Bollash is ousted from her ancestral home in Regency London by her greedy cousin, the new Duke of Arles. To support herself, Edwina gives elocution and deportment classes to country folk and foreigners eager to enter polite society. She becomes so successful that twin lords Emile and Jeremy Lamont challenge her to turn Mick Tremore, an ill-mannered, uncouth Cornish rat catcher, into a gentleman and pass him off as a viscount at her cousin's annual society ball. Intrigued by the subject's accent and eager to exact some personal revenge, Edwina agrees to the wager. Little does she know that her life is about to be turned inside out: she discovers that Mick is a virile, handsome, incorrigible man. His wicked propositions boggle her virginal heart but stir her womanly passions. Through skillful writing, Ivory (Beast) captures the subtle sensual pleasures of her colorful characters, creating a sexy varitation on My Fair Lady. (Dec.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

In a creative reversal of the traditional Pygmalion plot, Ivory takes aristocratic linguistic tutor Edwina Bollash, pairs her with street-wise rat-catcher Mick Tremore, and gives them a seemingly impossible challenge--to turn the unpolished but oh-so-charming Mick into a gentleman in just six weeks and pass him off as a viscount at an upcoming ball. They succeed beautifully--but in the process fall totally, and inappropriately, in love. Well-done protagonists who become more endearing with each chapter; several memorable secondary characters, including a ferret named Freddie; and shimmering sexual tension and page-singeing love scenes recommend this beautifully written romance, which gently but effectively points out some of the inequities women faced during the late Victorian era. Although the social dilemma is too conveniently resolved, this fairy-tale ending does not detract from the book's overall appeal and should not disappoint Ivory's growing list of fans. Ivory's Sleeping Beauty was just named one of the ten favorite romances of the year by a popular vote of the members of the Romance Writers of America; she lives in Miami. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

A perfect fairy tale for grown-ups. I loved it! — Susan Elizabeth Phillips