Discovering Miss Dalrymple

A Baleful Godmother Novella, Book 6

By: Emily Larkin

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Who is the Duke of Vickery?

At the age of four Alexander St. Clare was stolen by gypsies and sold to a chimney sweep. At the age of five he was reunited with his father, the Duke of Vickery. His history is no secret - everyone in the ton knows of his miraculous rescue.

But when Alexander finds his father’s diaries, he discovers that there may be a secret buried in his past.

Georgiana Dalrymple knows all about secrets. She has several herself - and one of those secrets is her ability to find missing people.

When Alexander turns to her for help, Georgiana sets out to discover just who he actually is...

Length: A long novella.

Sensuality level: A Regency romance with a steamy love scene.

Q and A with the author

• How would you describe this series?

It's Regency England with a dash of magic. I hope to take listeners on a journey from the glittering ballrooms of the aristocracy to the dark underbelly of Regency England - with passion, danger, adventure, romance, and a little magic thrown into the mix.

I think the series could also be labelled Regency Noir, because it falls on the darker, grittier side of the romance fence, although each book contains humor, too. The stories are emotional, but not sweet (there’s sex, violence, and my heroes do swear rather badly at times!).

• Why did you write this series?

I wanted to get my well-bred heroines out of the drawing rooms and put them in the way of adventure and romance. But I didn’t want to write a series where magic is common; I wanted to write a series where only a few characters have magic, and it’s a deep, dark secret, and no one else knows.

• But...do magic and Regency England go together?

Definitely! Many, many years ago I read Sorcery and Cecelia (or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot) by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, and totally loved it and ever since then I’ve thought that Regency England and magic go very well together. Other writers think so, too. Just look at Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamourist Histories and Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

• What was the catalyst for this series?

A magazine article I read in which celebrities were asked what magic power they’d choose and why. That got me thinking! (I’d choose shapeshifting, by the way.)

How would you describe your writing?

Several reviewers have likened my writing to Georgette Heyer, which is the hugest compliment ever. I adore Georgette Heyer! She’s why I write historical romance, and I reread her books over and over. (If you’ve not read The Grand Sophy, please do so!) I’ve also had readers compare my writing to Courtney Milan and Mary Balogh, which are also massive compliments.

• Who would like this series?

This series will appeal tolisteners who enjoy the historical backdrop of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen, the dark and sensual "noir" feel of Anna Campbell, the emotion of Mary Balogh or Courtney Milan, and the magic of Patricia Rice and Mary Robinett."

©2017 Emily Larkin (P)2020 Emily Larkin

Good but...

My biggest problem with this story is the way Georgie keeps trying to get Vick to delve into his "other" history. She talks like it just oh SO interesting and not total devastation to Vick. I wonder how she would feel if someone just came up to her and said *oh by the way that old man you love so much isn't really your father*

I think Georgie is bring pretty flippant about it. Also what is the deal with her fascination with dark areas? Vick isn't a kid who is afraid of the dark...he is a man suffering from Claustrophobia.

Buttttt....she gets better and Georgie does love him. So all good.

My favorite!

Of all the "magic" books by Emily Larkin, this one is my favorite! I like that Alexander & Emily had known each other since they were children and didn't fight falling in love. I like that she still loves him when he discovered that he is really not the son of the Duke. I like that both she and her father are so compassionate and understanding of Alexander's fear. It's a lovely story of discovery, but also of classlessness. The Duke, Alexander, and the Vicountess, Emily, realty do not care for The Tom's opinion not whether a poo ersonis of a certain rank or not. They just let Love lead them. I really liked this story!

Lovely story...great characters

Short and sweet. Even though I'm not a great fan of fantasy, I've really enjoyed this series including this book. Ms Larkin is certainly a talented story writer and in this book, the interesting story made the fantasy negligible. The characters were well-developed and Roz Landor gave them voice and personality. Excellent listen....thank you,