"A scandalous book and a ghost make a wonderful Regency Romp!"
Lady Julia Winterset has been widowed for three years now.
Unfortunately, her husband didn't leave her in the best of
circumstances financially. Why, upon his death, her
husband's family cut her off completely. And then when
Julia's parents died, she became responsible for her
grandmother as well. At least Julia has two very good
friends, both in better financial circumstances. In order
to stave off financial ruin, Julia has decided to sell her
great-grandmother's scandalous memoirs. She has already
received an offer for them from a publisher, a Mr.
Cadwallender, a very nice man. However, the advance he has
offered her is not quite as much as what she had been
hoping for. When Julia's friends beg her to read the
memoirs, she gives them each a chapter. After Veronica—one of Julia's friends—reads her chapter,
she takes it to her brother-in-law since it deals with his
father. Considering the fact Harrison—the Earl of Mountdale—
will not allow even a hint of scandal to touch his good
name, he immediately decides to buy the memoirs himself and
destroy them. Even though Veronica warns Harrison that
Julia is independent and he will have to use charm to get
the memoirs, Harrison goes to Julia with an offer and
immediately puts Julia's back up and they end up fighting. Will Julia be able to remain financially solvent? Will she
sell the memoirs to the Earl of Mountdale, even though she
knows he will destroy them? Why did Julia and Harrison have
such a passionate reaction to each other at their very
first meeting? THE PERFECT MISTRESS is a wonderful Regency romp. Victoria
Alexander does a fantastic job of taking the reader into
the Regency world, complete with scandal and the very real
problems of what happened to women when their husbands
died. Not all women were left with financial stability and
this story gives us a very real look at what can happen
when a woman, who has never had to worry about such things,
is suddenly thrust into the position of being responsible
for not only herself, but an older relative as well. Of
course, I really loved the way sparks flew each and every
time Julia and Harrison met. And they both slowly realized
that what they thought they wanted was dead wrong and in
the end managed to embark on the most welcome adventure of
all—true love. I enjoy Regencies and this one has earned
its place on my keeper shelf.
Reviewed by Chere Gruver
Posted March 13, 2011
|
|
Widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, has inherited a book—a very shocking book—that every gentleman in London seems to want. For a charismatic businessman, it’s a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a proud, domineering earl, it means everything… Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, can’t let the obstinate Julia release the shameless memoir that could ruin his family’s name. But the only way to stop her may be equally sordid—if far more pleasurable. For his rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire the book. And Harrison isn’t the sort to back away from a competition with the stakes this high. Now the winner will claim both the scandalous memoirs and the heart of their lovely owner…
|
