 |
|
Title: A Lady's Secret
ISBN: 0451224191
Author:
Jo Beverley
Publicate Date: 2008-04-01
Publish: 2008-04-01
List Price: $7.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $1.89
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $7.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: Meandering
Jo Beverly has written some of the best romances ever, but this ain't it. First of all, the book is 200 pages too long. I skipped pages jut to move on. It's a sort of a picarasque novel with far too many episodes and characters that add nothing to the story. For example, the night at a bordello (???) or something (what?) in the middle of the French countryside where old crones and ugly country girls suddenly turn out to be thieving and murderous prostitutes. Completely prepoterous, dull and meaningless -- some 50 pages of this (at least it felt like 50 pages or more). The adventure continues with a reappearance of the Italian villain and I simply lost patience and attention after that. Petra turns out to be the daughter of Lord Rothgar from "The Devilish," a great book. It's hard to believe these two come from the same author.
Beverley's last thre or four books have been a disappointment. If you want a good, strong romance read her earlier books.
|
2: Really enjoyed it
No summary here just adding that I agree will all the other comments made -both the positive and the negative ones. Yes, the book is a bit contrived and the ending was a little bit too wrapped up but I don't care. Beverly's writing is fabulous. She's very historically accurate without the reader feeling bogged down into a history lesson and her characters are always skillfully drawn. I particularly liked Robin. He's that curious and delicious mix of dashing rake and honorable gentleman. A man who would help any Lady in harms way while at the same time trying to take her clothes off. LOL!
And as in her other books A Lady's Secret has nice twists/turns as well as a very unique plot. I mean a Lady posing as a nun?!? And as far as I'm concerned she can write about Rothgar in every book -I just love him! But some may not have Malloren maddness so be warned.
Another keeper for me. I highly recommend it. And those who haven't read Beverley's books, some I have enjoyed are:
Devilish
My Lady Notorious
|
3: Get ready for a long night!
I am happy to say that once again the author has dipped into the world of the Malloren family and brought us a story that I could not put down. I am always happy when I find a book that keeps me up late, and this one delivered.
If you liked the other books in this series, you will enjoy this one as well. The story moves at a pleasant pace and the characters are memorable, the dialogue excellent.
If it is your first foray into the series I suggest starting at the beginning with "My Lady Notorious" and reading them in order. Why eat just the ice cream when hot fudge, whip cream, nuts, and cherries are available? I can't wait for her next installment.
|
4: Entertaining... but a few problems
This was a very enjoyable book. It started out a little differently with a nobleman becoming fascinated with a cursing nun. Sister Immaculata, or Petra as she is later found out to be, has been traveling from Italy and is trying to get to England. Enter Robin; a nobleman who has just come from Versailles and is on his way home to England. They decide to travel together (which stretches credulity) and we are treated to a fun journey filled with half-truths, insults, and desire.
I very much so liked Petra and her outlook on life. Here finally was a heroine who was presented as level-headed and actually stayed level-headed. Even though she occasionally indulged in fantasies of Robin and got distracted at times, she always came back to herself and continued with the path she had set. I liked that she didn't abandon all her plans and become unable to think beyond Robin the minute she met him. I also liked the lack of woe is me about her past with Ludo.
Robin was a pretty good guy, even though he didn't seem to be able to take anything seriously if they weren't in immediate danger. That isn't a bad thing though. His light hearted attitude gave the journey a very fun feel to it. I think Petra's attitude toward his obligatory stroking and petting was very realistic and in keeping with her level-headed attitude. The aftermath of the first love scene emphasized her feelings on that very well. One thing that bothered me about him was his interactions with his mother. She was very interfering and felt a bit spoiled. Robin made her butt out on some points and hired someone who wasn't her spy, but he didn't seem to mind her prying conversations that much. I couldn't help but think mama's boy and get a little sneer.
The only major problems I had with the book started when Petra got to her father. I never got a sense of adjustment or any real closeness to them. I read the author's note and apparently the family is part of a series, so maybe I was supposed to care about them and know how they would feel already? If so, it doesn't really help her new readers. Petra's lack of upset about her father's lack of attachment toward his past with her mother was refreshing.
I liked the dueling views of what was going on with Petra and Robin while they were apart. I was irritated by the fact that they were separated for so long though. I also never got a real sense of why Petra had to get to her father alone. I would fear rape if I were traveling alone like that. When Petra and Robin reunited I was left feeling dissatisfied. All of a sudden everything will work out without any reservation or problems? No more discussions and growing as a couple? I couldn't help but be reminded that they had only spent a few days together and start to doubt the strength of their attachment for the future.
Overall a good book with enjoyable characters and well written prose. The relationship seemed a little weak, but the bones were there and it would have been great if they were built on a little more.
|
5: A Lady's Secret
I really enjoyed it! Fast-paced, exciting...a real page-turner. I especially enjoyed how Petra was not your typical helpless female, she managed to save herself and others a few times. This was my first Malloren novel and I can't wait to read the rest.
|
|
|
|
|
