Jean A. (readinggenie) reviewed on 7/7/2017 + 55 more book reviews

In May Victoria Hamilton messaged me and told me that when she started her writing career in the Regencies, she wrote under her real name... Donna Simpson. Her first novel was Lord St. Claire's Angel. These days, Donna writes traditional mysteries under the pseudonym .. Victoria Hamilton and Amanda Cooper. I decided I really wanted to read her first Regency novel.
LORD ST. CLAIRE'S ANGEL is Lord Justin St.Claire (Richmond) and Celestine Simons story.
Celestine was from a very good family but when her father died the estate went to a distant cousin, she was without money or a home. She took a position of governess with the St. Claire's (Marquess and Marchioness of Ladymead).
Lord Justin St. Claire was the Marquess' brother. He spent his time in London. He was handsome and a born flirt. He liked to romance the debutantes but never commit. He was coming to Ladymeads for the Christmas holidays. It was not beyond him to have a little flirtation going with the help.
The holidays were quickly coming upon them. Celestine was walking by the drawing room when she heard Lady and Lord St. Claire talking about her.
'She is so plain and homely that Justin will not force his attentions on an aging, plain, arthritic spinster governess. It will definitely save us all from having the problem we had last year with Miss Chambly.
Celestine hung her head, too stunned by the cruel accuracy of the words to retreat, listened while they spoke of her. Embarrassed at having lingered long enough, she began to ascend the great curved staircase.
H Justin St. Claire found her ladyship with his two nieces in the parlor. The two little girls shrieked with delight and pestered their uncle until they found the treats he had brought for them. Lady St. Claire introduced Miss Simons their new governess. Justin saw a drab little creature in an ugly gray gown. "What happened to the little charmer you had here last Christmas? He asked. You know very well what happened. When Celestine took hold of the children's hands, he noticed her hands were malformed.
As the door closed behind her, he gave his sister in law a knowing look. "making sure I don't dally with the governess,, Elizabeth"
Justin decided that he was going to give this little brown mouse of a governess some romance for Christmas.
Celestine was not immune to Justin's charms. Even though she was a daughter of an untitled gentleman, she knew Lord St. Clair was above her touch but she figured she could dream couldn't she? She knew she was but one of the many women who have been drawn to him.
When the book ended I really did not want to leave this story. I found the story riveting. I read it in one day. And to think this was her first book I liked the book very much and as they say " Well done, Miss Simpson, well done!" Donna Lea Simpson has put out a new edition of this book in digital format. The book's new cover page is beautiful.
Happy Reading! @ReadingGenie

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