Miss Sophie Valentine was definitely not known for her patience or meekness. Rather her strong will and self- determination constantly elicited calls from her family to be reined in with a firmer direction for her outrageous conduct. Yet, even when she expected a bit of trouble from doing it, the stubborn, almost 30 year old spinster still went ahead and placed a wee ad in the Farmers Gazette: "Wanted, one husband, not too particular"... but never in her wildest imagination, did she expect a tall handsome stranger named Lazarus Kane to walk into her small village of Sydney Dovedale to claim her hand.

The lovely Sophie could have had position and money had she accepted the marriage proposal from James Hartley years earlier. Yet, she would rather fly off a balcony wall than follow the life he wanted her to lead. Now, with her parents dead, she has been boxed into a narrow life by her debt laden pompous brother, Henry, and his lazy and over- indulged domineering wife, Lavinia. But, as Kane charmed the local girls in the village and worked hard to fix up the place where he secured lodgings, Sophia battled with her interest and desire for him. Could she really even consider marrying a total stranger?

Yet, when James shows up in response to the ad, Sophia is faced with a dilemma. Was he a better man than before? His wealth certainly could help her family. Would his kiss set her heart beating more than the one impishly stolen by the stranger?

Set in the lush summer countryside of 1810 England, Jayne Fresina brings another unstoppable heroine to life in THE MOST IMPROPER MISS SOPHIE VALENTINE, which is an unusual romance, complete with interesting plot development and strong, quirky characters, like Sophie's loveable elderly Aunt Finn and childhood friend, Elly. Fans of Fresina's other works will enjoy how the spirited and scarred Sophie gradually comes to terms with her own behavior while using her wit and determination to sidestep others attempting to impose their will on her. Lazarus Kane is an unusual hero with his strong inner strength of character beleaguered by dark secrets from the past. With a little learning and a haircut, who knows what will happen?

Book Summary

"Wanted: one husband, not too particular. Small dowry, several books, sundry furnishings, and elderly aunt included. Idlers, time-wasters, and gentlemen with other attachments need not apply."--Miss Sophie Valentine

Sophie Valentine knew placing an ad for a husband in the Farmer's Gazette would bring her trouble--and she was right. When the darkly handsome, arrogantly charming, Lazarus Kane shows up on her doorstep, the nosy residents of Sydney Dovedale, are thrown into a gossiping tizzy. After all, it's common knowledge that Sophie is a young lady In Need of Firmer Direction. But even Sophie isn't so scandalous as to marry a complete stranger...is she?

Lazarus Kane has been searching for Sophie half of his life. She may not remember him, but he could never forget her. The night he first laid eyes on his wayward angel is burned into his memory, but the past is a dangerous thing. And it's best if his remains secret if he wants to tempt Sophie with...

A MOST IMPROPER PROPOSAL

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