Never A Mistress, No Longer A Maid by Maureen Driscoll

First published May 2011

Never A Mistress, No Longer A Maid 

by 

Maureen Driscoll

Kellington Series: Book 1

I'm not a great devotee of this steamier sort of historical romance, so when asked to read and review this book, I agreed with more than a little apprehension. I was worried that I would find the plot boringly predictable, and even worse plain uninspiring, but I am more than happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised both by the story and its content. It was nowhere near as ‘steamy’ as I had been led to believe, although there are some explicit descriptions of sexual activity.

The story begins in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo, with a chance encounter between an English nurse, Jane Wetherby, and a British soldier, Edward Kellington. After a night of passion the two are separated, only to discover each other again in the most unusual of circumstances. What then follows is a nicely composed, light historical romance, with enough twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing. I have a couple of tiny criticisms, one is that a few Americanisms appeared within the narrative, which would have no place in Regency England, and towards the end of the novel the plot became a little predictable, but overall the story was no less enjoyable because of these minor points.

By the author’s own admission “The books are all light on the history, heavy on the steam” - I have to agree, but must also add my own warning that these books are also great fun, hugely addictive and great escapism.

Now I have been introduced to the Kellington family, I would like to continue with the series and will no doubt be catching up with the rest of the story in the months to come.

4****

My thanks to the author Maureen Driscoll for a review copy of this book.

Never a Mistress, No longer A Maid is the first in a series of books about the Kellington family, the author has now completed five books in the series, with a sixth story in progress.