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An Unlikely Governess
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Plot Summary of An Unlikely Governess
"After the death of her parents during a cholera epidemic, lovely Beatrice Sinclair is forced to fend for herself in an uncaring world. Although Beatrice receives an offer of married from a widowed minister in her village of Kilbridden, she refuses to marry a man she doesn't love. Beatrice's pride costs her dearly, as she struggles to stave off starvation. Desperate, Beatrice seeks employment as a tavern wench and is refused employment due to her inexperience. Beatrice is referred to Castle Crannoch, a dark and forbidding castle in the area. Although Beatrice has heard wild rumors of the castle and its inhabitants, her poverty forces her to travel to the castle to seek employment. On a dark and stormy night Beatrice ventures on foot to the castle and is nearly run down by a carriage. When the carriage stops to offer her a ride to the castle, Beatrice receives her first glimpse of the gorgeous Devlen Gordon, the cousin of the Duke of Brechin. Immediately, Beatrice is attracted to the roguish Devlen, who escorts her to his cousin's home. Upon arriving at the castle, Beatrice is shocked to find that the owner of the castle, the Duke of Brechin, is a seven year old boy named Robert. After the death of his parents in a tragic carriage accident, Robert inherited the title. When Beatrice meets Devlen's father, Cameron, who is wheelchair-bound, she is shocked when he offers her the position of governess. Without any alternatives, Beatrice accepts the offer and begins the task of transforming the spoiled and rude Robert into a polite and loving child. Beatrice soons discovers that all is not what it seems at Castle Crannoch. First of all, young Robert is plagued by terrible nightmares and feels that someone is out to kill him. Devlen informs Beatrice that his cousin has summoned him on several occasions to the castle after he feared attempts were made on his life. Furthermore, Beatrice senses that Cameron has seductive designs on her. However, Devlen's handsome looks and flirtatious nature appeals to Beatrice on a level she cannot comprehend. Although inexperienced in love and romance, Beatrice feels wanton and sexual whenever she is around Devlen. Devlen feels a powerful attraction to Beatrice as well, and tries to shield the governess from his rakish ways. Devlen is convinced that his father plans to seduce Beatrice and he tries to warn her against his father. Further, Devlen suspects that his father may be responsible for the threats against Robert. When Robert's life is again threatened, Devlen transports his cousin and Beatrice away from the castle where romance, passion and danger looms."
Sandra Calhoune, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of An Unlikely Governess
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story - 19th century
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Is really... - a criminal (possibly)
If one lover chases another... - he chases after her
Caretaker, in love with Yes
Falling in love with - Nanny

Main Male Character
Profession/status: - wealthy
Age/status: - 20's-30's
How sexual is this person? - several sexual encounters
How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic
Sex has good effect on him Yes
Sex makes him - blissful - a better lover
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - teacher
How sexual is this person? - naive virgin
How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic
Sex has good effect on her Yes
Effect of sexing - a better lover - blissful - mature
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting - castle

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
What % of story is romance related? - 80%
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - descript of kissing - licking - actual description of sex - descript. of female anatomy (the big B's) - descript. of female anatomy (the big V) - descript. of male nudity (the big P)
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 3-4 sex acts
Most similar books to An Unlikely Governess
Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt
An Affair To Remember by Karen Hawkins
The Cad by Edith Layton
Rules of Surrender by Christine Dodd
The Rogue and the Hellion by Connie Mason


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Karen Ranney Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Sandra Calhoune  

SCHOLARS:
Susannah Spurr  


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