The Rules of Being a Proper Lady2) Never look boldly at a gentleman.
3) And never, ever, kiss a man who is not your fiance.
But beautiful, bold Viola Carlyle doesn't care about the rules. And she desperately wants to kiss the notoriously tempting Captain Jin Seton, the man who brought her kicking and fighting back to English society. Kidnapped as a child, now she longs to return to that life of freedom where she was able to live—and love—as she wished.
Having hunted Viola for two years, Jin Seton has finally found his good luck—for, by finding Viola, his oldest, deepest debt will at last be paid. And although he has vowed not to let her win his heart, this very improper lady might finally be the one who tames him.
Type: Historical Romance
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4 out of 5
I got so wrapped up in this book I totally earned that second half of my name. I am a soup burner. Okay, really it was pasta but I burned the ever living heck out of it. I was just going to read a couple pages but Ashe sucked me in completely and I lost track of time for a LONG time.
How to Be a Proper Lady was such an interesting read. It has one of the most unique heroes/heroines I've read in ages (ex-pirates and female ship Captains!). There's adventure, humor, steamy sexy scenes (that's so where the "soup" burned) and a cast of characters you desperately want to know more about. Damn fabulous combo in my option.
I instantly loved Jin (and freaking love his name, Jinan). He's an ex-pirate and has a pretty shady past but he's on the up and up for the most part now. He's smooth and sexy as hell and just has a way about him that draws you in and makes you want to lick him. <g> Now Viola. She got under my skin at the start but all the sudden she had me too. I absolutely adored her and her unladylike behavior, say-anything-that-crosses-your-mind-attitude, wild-thing personality by the end of the book.
The interactions between Jin and Viola were fabulous. He's been tracking her for years and is determined to have her reunited with the long lost family she was stolen from as a child. The two. Oh lordy they go at it. Their banter is amazing. They're both stubborn and head strong, opinionated and not one bit shy about letting the other have it. Damn it's fantastic watching these two spar with each other. And that crackling chemistry carries over nicely into those steamy scenes. Holy flipping hotness!
"Jealous of their devotion, Seton? Perhaps if you read to them they would make dog eyes at you too." She waggled her brows.
"This is no way to captain a ship. These men are all half in love with you."
Her heart did an odd little jump, but she forced a shrug.
"If it works, who's to complain?" She allowed herself a taunting smile. "Is that why you're distressed that I've been avoiding you? Are you half in love with me too, then?"
"Good God," He scowled. "What do you take me for, a complete fool?"
"A man must be foolish to fall in love with me?"
"That, and nearsighted and bereft of the capacity for rational thought, not to mention in possession of a death wish."
That stung, and she didn't like that it stung.
I think what finally won me over to Viola was that the girl never gives up. Ever. No matter what she comes across she gives it her all even learning to be a right proper Lady and leaving her sea Captain days behind. Which was pretty entertaining because the girl's terrible at all of those proper things like dancing, playing the harp, painting. It was pretty delightful to watch her little slip ups along the way too.
If you're looking for something fresh and new with unique characters that will charm the daylights out of you then look no further. How to be a Proper Lady charmed me completely and will have me reaching for many more books by Ashe in the future.
"You are charming, Miss Carlyle."
"I still have not mastered which glass is meant for which beverage or how to fasten my garters."
"Or apparently which matters are inappropriate to discuss with a gentleman." His gray eyes twinkled. "But, no worry. A footman will always see to the former, and another man altogether is no doubt quite happy about the latter."
Her cheeks warmed.
He grinned. ~Viola and Mr. Yale (who I flipping LOVED)The secondary characters were amazing. From Viola's crew to the proper English family she was kidnapped from as a child and friends like Mr Yale *swoon* they were all very intriguing. I'd love to read stories about so many of them. Some of them are cheeky, some have dark memories that haunt them and some just endearingly sweet and devoted.
If you're looking for something fresh and new with unique characters that will charm the daylights out of you then look no further. How to be a Proper Lady charmed me completely and will have me reaching for many more books by Ashe in the future.
Get Your Copy: Amazon B&N Book Depository
Upon the publication of her debut novel in 2010, the American Library Association named Katharine Ashe among its “New Stars of Historical Romance”. Reviewers call her books “thrilling,” “breathtaking” and “lushly intense.” She is a two-time nominee and 2011 winner of the Reviewers’ Choice Awards for Best Historical Romantic Adventure, and her novella A Lady’s Wish launched HarperCollins Publishers’ newest imprint, Avon Impulse, in 2011. How To Be a Proper Lady was awarded a place on Amazon's list of the 10 Best Romances of 2012.
Katharine lives in the wonderfully warm Southeast with her husband, son, two dogs, and a garden she likes to call romantic rather than unkempt. A professor of European history, she has made her home in California, Italy, France, and the northern US. 
Check out the review and leaving a nice comment for a couple extra entries in the grand prize giveaway!!! It's over on the right side of the page so be sure to get it recorded in that Rafflecopter too! :)
