Iris, A Cinderella for the Earl of Selmore (Ethereal Regency Ladies Book 8)
Iris vaguely remembers being part of a happy family, but everything changed for the worse when her mother died. Her cruel stepmother has forced Iris into a situation where she is a servant in her house! Her hopes of marrying and escaping the household have faded. Only a miracle could save her…
Christian Fletcher, Earl of Selmore and duke in training to his father is pressured by his family to marry the beautiful but venomous heiress Lady June Cartaret, the Season’s Diamond. But she is a woman he can never love, and time is running out before he is forced into a lifetime of misery with her. Then, quite by chance, he literally bumps into a young lady in the street. One glance into her frank blue eyes has his heart singing and sets into motion a series of events that brings him both trouble and lasting happiness.
Iris Hartwell is a rich baron’s daughter without a dowry. With a cold father and bullied by her stepmother and stepsisters, she leads a miserable existence as their chattel, sewing lovely dresses for them that she never gets to wear. She dreams of making a happy marriage with her true love, but that’s all they can ever be . . . dreams. That is, until she goes shopping one day and collides with a handsome young man who, though she doesn’t know it, will transform her life from nightmare to fairy tale.
Iris vaguely remembers being part of a happy family, but everything changed for the worse when her mother died. Her cruel stepmother forced Iris into a situation where she is the servant in her house! Her hopes of marrying and escaping the household have faded. Only a miracle could save her…
All books in this series, ”Ethereal Regency Ladies”, have their own Happily-Ever-After and are best enjoyed in proper order.
Enjoy every book of the series:
Book 1: ”Louisa, the Scarred Governess”
Book 2: ”Eloise, a Benevolent Lady”
Book 3: ”Imogene, his Courteous Muse”
Book 4: ”Jessica, the Viscount’s Wallflower”
Book 5: ”Bellinda, the Duke’s Guardian Angel”
Book 6: ”Mary, Escaping a Marriage of Convenience”
Book 7: ”Hope, the Scarred Spinster”
Book 8: ”Iris, A Cinderella for the Earl of Selmore”
Free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
R*****d
Easy
FunNovember 13, 2024
V******a
Sweet Story
This book is a sweet, warm romantic story. Author knows nothing about the Regency period or history. As an example, uses the word Footman and Valet interchangeably. And permits new acquaintances to use each other’s first names. However, the book is perfection for those who love a sweet love story and don’t give a fig for history.April 28, 2024
L***********a
Not Well Written
I’m only 12% through and giving up. You know how books like this end, and I’ve read several books like this that I don’t feel I’m losing out on much. I just can’t take the writing anymore. They say show don’t tell when discussing creative writing. That is not done in this book. The writing is very awkward and stiff. It feels inexperienced. Very very short paragraphs that don’t expand an idea or go into detail. It doesn’t give you a feeling of an idea or use figurative language to present scenes, it straight out tells you. It’s more like reading a summary of the plot or bullet points than reading a novel. I’m not sure if other authors make it flow better, but the author doesn’t use contractions. I’m not sure if that’s supposed to make it feel more like a period book, but it just feels very awkward.April 19, 2024
A*************r
Iris, A Cinderella for the Earl of Selmore
Great reading. It brought tears to my eyes the way Iris’s stepmother and sisters treated her. I wanted for them to get their just dues somewhere. Her father had to be a cade to let it happen regardless of his own grief. Thank goodness for the Earl standing firm on his beliefs.September 28, 2023
J*J
Cinderella retold
Charming retelling of Cinderella with the fairy godmother as the sister of the Earl. Friends, servants and parents of both lovers arranging unwanted marriages for them. Extremely wordy descriptions were somewhat repetitive and slowed down story at times.September 14, 2023
L***e
Surprisingly good for a Cinderella rewrite
As a rule, I’m not a fan of rewrites, but this one was different enough to be entertaining and hold my interest.September 6, 2023
J***************f
A Very Awkward Cinderella Retelling
Why do writers persist in retelling fairy tales and Jane Austen novels? More significant, why do publishers continue to produce them? This is just plain awful. Ponderous, full of typos, misuse of words and intermediate school level of writing. The characters are cardboard. Many readers enjoy the descriptions of clothing, houses and interior decorations. This author simply calls everything opulent or elegant. Decorative items are trinkets. The story? Well, you know it already so don’t bother.September 6, 2023
C*************s
Saccharine…
I found myself skipping through dialogue and the characters’ inner monologues. I liked the concept of an older daughter being tormented by an evil step-mother and mean step-sisters. The handsome Earl that saved her was being tormented by his parents to marry the season’s diamond. I wish the dog he’d purchased on a whim, only to have it topple the heroine was used more for comedy relief. But, he wasn’t…August 27, 2023
D******.
A nice clean romance
A nice clean romance. This is an old fashioned romance of love and conflict. I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance.August 22, 2023
P****************m
Terribly written, repetitive, and ignorant of the times
I hope this wasn’t written by AI, but it is so poorly written, ignorant of the times it writes about, and mindlessly repetitive in word usage and phrasing that I am having trouble understanding what kind of human would write it.August 15, 2023
k**********o
Exciting
When Iris’ mother died her father pushed her away because she reminded him painfully of his dead wife. He seems clueless about the fact that her step mother and half sisters treat her like a servant, although she’s the eldest daughter of a baron. Iris and Christian meet in the market when she is knocked down by his overly friendly dog. Christian is intrigued by the girl who is dressed like a servant but speaks like a lady. He invites her to a ball, and provides clothing and transportation to make sure she attends. Meanwhile, Christian’s parents are dead set on him marrying Lady June, who he dislikes. Furious at learning of the connection between Christian and Iris, her spiteful step mother arranges for her to marry the odious Sir Lumpton. With the help of his best friend, sister, and a few loyal servants, Christian plans her rescue and a secret wedding. Will they succeed? Needs a final proofreading session, but very enjoyable.August 12, 2023
T************m
Really Bad
This book is absolute ridiculous drivel, and that is being kind.August 6, 2023
M**********K
Couldn’t even finish it.
Character development was weak. Writing was EXTREMELY repetitive. It seems like the author is trying to mimic what she thinks fairy tale language would sound like in this book, but it’s extremely tedious. As with her other books, there are many grammatical errors and just plain typos.August 2, 2023
s**************s
Iris a Cinderella story
Nice story but very drawn out and repetitive. I felt I could have skipped half of it easily as I’d already read lots of the narrative earlier.July 29, 2023
M**B
so so
For some reason I just could not get into this book. I found myself skipping through much of it just to get to the end. Sorry not a fan of this book though I usually like this authors work.July 27, 2023
T**H
someone did Cinderella dirty with this book!
I’m 20% in and giving up. I love a good Cinderella story but this book is too bizarrely written and constructed. Why would a man from the upper echelons of Victorian society be willing to lose everything for someone he has barely had a conversation with? She was described as filthy dirty as well. He barely knows her and she’s the One? This isn’t love at first sight, it’s more like a Savior Complex plus infatuation. Where is the love story? Where is the big love at first sight moment to justify his interest? Why is this man’s sister and best friend so supportive of some random dirty woman they don’t even know marrying in to their group. In addition, the repetition is annoying. I just finished reading ten pages of the same (senseless) point over and OVER again, to the point of nonsense. I’ve heard the myth of AI writing books now. Either one helped write this book, or someone took a nice story and absolutely butchered it trying to expand it into a book. This book badly needs a good Editor and to be yanked off KU until basic standards for story-crafting and writing can be met. It is salvageable; the vocabulary indicating an educated writer is there and some of the sentences are nice. Hence, I’m giving it two stars and throwing the book back out of frustration.July 25, 2023
E**************r
trite and poorly written
This book could use a good editor. There were misspellings, grammatical errors and a complete misunderstanding of the use of commas. Much of the story is the repetition multiple times of the same themes and the same vocabulary. It’s a very quick read.July 23, 2023
K*******************B
Very fairy
A sticky sweet Cinderella fairytale. The wording very idealistic. The love was instantaneous. Unrealistic as hell. Baron Hartley sucked as a parent. Iris suffered way too much for it to go unnoticed by her father. Joby Sally and Mrs Hutchins were the real heros. Yay for Veronica also. She truly shined.July 23, 2023
D****e
Stiff writing and misuse of words
I am always up for a good Cinderella story. However, this sounded like it was written by someone unfamiliar with English. I did finish it, but the stiffly flowery language, misuse of words and attempts to sound historically accurate repeatedly pulled me out of the story. Example: “We do not want to mount such delicate packages on top of the carriage…” and this exact paragraph: “She walked through the market buying the items on the list slowly filling the basket. Turnips, potatoes, and a small slab of cured bacon. Followed by leafy green bushels and twine to tie the game hen for supper.” When is the last time you had a leafy green bushel? Since when would a bushel of anything fit in a shopping basket. And what game hen? Another example “Get that nasty beast away from me, you hear me? Or I will do with you.” What?? As I said, I did finish it, the story itself was not awful, but the writing put it firmly in my “Books I didn’t like” folder.July 22, 2023
D*****s
Personally, the words killed the vibe for me…
There is one word to describe this book – verbose! Dorothy Sheldon uses way too many words to describe everything from the love between the main characters to all the details within scenes. There came a point where I skipped chapters. When I did resume a new chapter, it was like I never skipped any chapters at all. If you like flowery romance novels where the characters gush about their love for each other, then this might be the book for you. Personally, the words killed the vibe for me…July 21, 2023
J****.
A classic fairy tale brought to reality
How do you turn a fairy tale into real life? Just like this! A dashing hero and a clever heroine, a mean step mother and step sisters, a magical ball and don’t forget a loveable pet.July 21, 2023
K********z
Highly unlikely entertaining storyline
Really liked this storyline although it was highly unlikely to ever have happened, but what else is new with historical novels? Loved the loving couple, disliked the evil stepsisters and stepmother, enjoyed their comeuppance.July 19, 2023
s**********r
A Fairy Tale
A very good tale that matched the original Cinderella which I loved as a child. A happily ever after is always great! I found a few proof reading errors that weren’t caught. Be careful with your proofing.July 19, 2023
J*B
Absolute Rubbish
This appears to have been written by a poorly educated teenager, trying to intersperse big words with incomplete sentences containing appalling grammar. It is not worth spending any time reading this garbage.July 18, 2023
L**************s
Beautiful Writing
I was intrigued by the story but I found myself struggling to stay entranced as the descriptions went on and on and on. It did not build suspense, it bored me. The writer is skilled but too verbose with descriptions.July 18, 2023
T****d
I enjoyed the retelling of this Cinderella story!
Iris our heroine is no more than a family servant to her uncaring father, stepmother and step sisters. She’s lost any hope of ever escaping her situation. Christian our Hero has problems of his own… he’s being pressured by his family to marry a woman he has no desire to. A little bump into each other and its all about to change. I enjoyed the retelling of this Cinderella story as the author puts her own stamp on it. I was gifted this read as an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review.July 17, 2023
B*******.
A Fairy Tale love story
Iris loves the story of Cinderella, her mother used to read her that fairy tale when she was a child. Sadly, her life starts to resemble the well-known tale. She faces so much hardship and depends on the household servants for the love and safety she truly deserves. The hardships Iris face are so frustrating and it makes me really dislike her father, even more than her stepmother and sisters. Overall, I enjoyed this story, the love story was cute and truly love at first sight.July 16, 2023
T****a
A fairy tale…
An interesting and tickling story of iris and Christian filled with conflicts and resistance from their families. The couple persevered and Christian asked her sister and a foot man to arrange the removal of Iris from her prison of a home. Fairly exciting and endearing story.July 15, 2023
P*******.
Fairytale with a unique twist
I knew to expect some sort of fairytale by the title, I was pleasantly surprised a the plot twist. One being Iris’s father being alive. I thought the dialogue was refreshing and well done. I loved that love, perseverance and plotting was used at the means to a happy ending. I have a things I thought could be better. One, was the descriptions of seemingly every room the heroine found herself in. I thought they were a bit to lengthy, tedious and overdone for my taste. I also found myself wanting a bit more “justice” found against the “evil” players. It was an easy, quick and enjoyable read. I didn’t want it to end so soon.July 14, 2023
E****r
Love is a powerful force!
Loved this story with its twists and turns. So heartbreaking seeing Iris suffer but relished the wonderful Cinderella ending. Great story; you won’t want to put it down once you start!July 13, 2023
T**********n
Cinderella at its best
This was a very good Vinderella story with love, evil step mother, evil stepsisters in it. It draws you in from page one. Very well writtenJuly 13, 2023
K*************r
Everyone loves a different take on Cinderella
This Cinderella story was a bit different and enjoyable, but I couldn’t understand why the young man was an Earl. His father was a Duke. It didn’t make sense to me. There were also a lot of typos that made the reading a bit more difficult than it should have been. But, the characters were enjoyable and so was the storyline.July 13, 2023
M***********n
As always Dorothy hits the mark!
I adore Dorothy’s writing style. She builds her characters so well you feel like you know them She engages us in her stories & she does it every single timeJuly 12, 2023
G**********r
Love
Nice story. Moves along smoothly, welcome quiet reading.July 12, 2023
A***************s
Iris
A good book. Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, it in no way influenced my opinion, and this is my honest review.July 12, 2023
A*********r
Captivating
Iris’s mother the Baroness passed when she was very young, and her father turned against her. Then the Baron remarried, and everything changed becoming much worse for Iris everyday. Yes it’s a Cinderella type story where Iris is treated badly, and turned into Cinder-Iris following her favorite story. Yet Cinderella had it so easy compared to Iris. You follow her through all the struggles she has to go through in her life just to find happiness. A wonderful heartwarming story that is captivating, and difficult to put down. Definitely a must read book.July 11, 2023
S*H
A nice Cinderella story with a few flaws
This is a nice reworking of the Cinderella story, but somehow fell a little flat for me. I generally like Dorothy Sheldon novels quite a lot, but in this case it seemed that the story felt a little weighed down by unnecessarily long and detailed descriptions of places and quite a lot of repetition. There were also context errors throughout, such as Christian being referred to as the Earl of Avon at one point. Throughout, there was a lack of proper usage of titles when addressing nobility with references to Mr instead of lord when addressing titled men. These errors were all relatively minor though, and the overall storyline was entertaining. It could be better yet with another run by a good editor though. This story is a clean, sweet, stand alone novel with a happy ending.July 11, 2023
J**********e
Beautiful retelling
This is a beautiful retelling of a classic we all know and love – but even better! Iris and Christian have so many obstacles to overcome in their journey to love, but they do so with kindness and grace. Wonderfully written, a treasure that I’ll read again and again.July 11, 2023
K*************r
Great story
Light readingJuly 11, 2023
A***********y
iris is the true Cinderella
I read the book in a few hours kept me interested enough to stay up until 1am to finish it loved it!July 11, 2023
C*m
Sweet romance
I loved this retelling of Cinderella! It is a good balance between keeping elements of the original Cinderella story and making it original. I loved the development of the characters. It is a story I couldn’t put down. If you like regency clean romance stories, then this is a must read.July 11, 2023
A*************r
A true fairy tale
The story was cute and was written in the true language of a fairy tale. It is an easy read so a great beach read.July 11, 2023
B************i
A true Cinderella story
This was a true Cinderella story. It followed the original fairy tale except add more meat to the story. Not only was our Cinderella, Iris, treated poorly by her step-mother and two step sisters, but we learn much more about her horrible life. When she meets her prince charming, Christian, he immediately falls in love with her and makes sure nothing will keep them apart. It was a good story with good characters. It was a little long winded but the story had a wonderful ending.July 11, 2023
C***************s
Will Iris find her prince?
Do you believe in love at first sight I am pretty sure our hero and heroine do. This was a wonderful book based on the fairytale of Cinderella. The story has all the good stuff drama, suspense, romance, and a great ending. I am so glad I took the time to read this charmer.July 11, 2023
K***************z
Very Sweet Retelling
I very much liked this book which is the story of Iris and a retelling of the Cinderella story set in Regency times. After her wonderful mother dies her father becomes cold and distant and marries a very terrible woman with two terrible and mean daughters. She longs for a happy life away from this current family situation where she is treated as a servant and worse. She meets Christian as he rescues her from a collision with his new dog. They both feel a magical connection but dreams for their future won’t be easy. His parents have plans for him to choose Lady June, that years diamond. Her family makes a deal for her to marry an awful man for their benefit, knowing she will be mistreated still. Even though we a know how the story ends, this version is very enjoyable. I read an ARC, purchased the book and this my honest review.July 11, 2023
J*d
Great read!
A true Cinderella story. Sweet Iris had to put up with a nasty stepmother and two stepsisters. Her grace knew no boundaries and though difficult she tried to remain obedient.. Would she ever find happiness? You must read to find out.July 10, 2023
M***M
Miss Cinders
Iris is a Regency Cinderella. Her cruel stepmother and half-sisters treat her like a servant. She is hidden away. Members of the ton who knew she existed were told she was frail and sickly. A chance encounter with Christian, a wealthy Earl, has the potential to change that when sparks fly between the two of them. The story was great. My only complaint is that the extended epilog was repetitive. All in all, a fun read.July 10, 2023
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.July 10, 2023
a**********n
Nice job
CoolJuly 10, 2023
b*******s
????
Absolutely loved this story such a wonderful job ???? love love loveJuly 10, 2023
G****a
Great Read
I love the way you to the reader through the sadness and then back through to happiness. Iris was great and I thoroughly enjoyed the book!July 10, 2023
P***y
Very well written
I really enjoyed the book. I especially liked the way the author intertwined the story with the Cinderella fairytale. She did a great job of developing the characters and keeping the story intriguing till the end. If you like love stories then you will really enjoy this book.July 10, 2023
r**e
Lovable new Cinderella
Well written by this author. Fast paced , full of love, romance, drama, suspense and a great storyline. Follows the same plot as the Cinderella fairy tale- has everything similar – evil stepmother, mean step sisters and a father who doesn’t notice and is a bully. Iris is made to work like a servant to her family. Christian is a Earl who is to be a future Duke, whose family wants him to marry someone he does not care for. They meet and each starts to have their own feelings that will need to be explored. All the characters are well defined and fit the need of the story. A book to curl up with and enjoy. The author did a great writing job of intertwining this story and Cinderella, able to draw you in. Loved the happy ending. Would recommend to all. I am an ARC and leave this unbiased, honest review.July 10, 2023
C***n
Cinderella-esque
I read the book without knowing it was a retake on Cinderella. That being said, I love fairy tales, so this book was right up my alley. I was enthralled for the first half of the book, and started skimming over the last half – partly because I wanted to know what happened so badly and partly because I felt that there was a lot of description that could be skimmed over without missing the plot. I loved Christian’s sister and friend, and would have loved to hear more of their relationship and challenges. I hope she writes other fairy tales – I’ll read them all.July 10, 2023
Jo
Lovely
The latest book in this series is not to be missed. Iris must submit to her step mother’s wishes in this Cinderella version of a story. As Cinderella is one of my favorite childhood stories, I couldn’t wait to read this. I was not disappointed, it was full of all the things I love. Drama, suspense, romance, evil step mom and more. Christian is the perfect foil for Iris. The characters are well developed and the story draws the reader in with great craftiness.July 10, 2023
C*****n
Sweet twist on Cinderella
A tried and true story with some fun twistsJuly 9, 2023
