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The Third Circle
by Amanda Quick
Published 2008 by Putnam Adult
Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780399154843
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Jacket Notes:
In the fourth volume of Quick's Arcane Society series, Leona Hewitt, a gifted crystal worker, isn't the only one sneaking into Lord Delbridge's private museum to recover a relic. Thaddeus Ware, a mesmerist with psychic gifts, is on a similar mission.
REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 02/18/2008
In Quick's (Jayne Ann Krentz's pseudonym) mediocre latest installment to the Arcane Society series, Leona Hewitt, a crystal reader, and Thaddeus Ware, a hypnotist, meet trying to steal the same relic-the aurora stone-from a private collection, but a murdered prostitute and a trap protecting the stone initially complicate their success. Thaddeus, hired by the Arcane Society to claim the stone, allows the plot's loudly grinding gears to ally him with Leona. Both Leona and Thaddeus are sensible and pragmatic, qualities that make for efficient sleuths but passionless lovers, and Quick has to try unusually hard to make their romance believable. The story fares better when it focuses on the crystal and its connections to secret societies, to the Midnight Monster (a hackneyed serial killer) and to Leona's personal history. When the plot threads finally pull taut and the villains' motives and schemes are completely (if clumsily) exposed, Leona is endangered in a suspenseful climax. This is unlikely to garner Quick any new fans, or even delight her devotees, but it will tide them over until the next episode. (Apr.)
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Secrets of a Proper Lady
by Victoria Alexander
Published 2007 by Avon Books
Mass Market Paperbound, English. ISBN: 9780060882648
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Jacket Notes:
Four society gentlemen make a pact--the last man left unwed will win a prize. Two have fallen--who will be next? "New York Times" bestselling author Victoria Alexander continues her delicious series with this third installment. Original.
REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 08/27/2007
Lady Cordelia Bannister, Lord Marsham's youngest daughter, is a self-assured Victorian woman who writes articles about her extensive travels for ladies' magazines. Still single at 25, even Cordelia admits that too much independence isn't a good thing, but when her father engages Cordelia to a wealthy American, Daniel Sinclair, a man she's never met, Cordelia is furious. Determined to do what is best for her family, Cordelia sets out with her cousin to learn more about Daniel. When she comes upon a man in the park claiming to be Daniel's secretary, she assumes a false name to gather information, not realizing he's actually Daniel. Cordelia quickly finds herself falling for the handsome American, and he with her. Mistaken identities securely in place, Alexander has a fine time orchestrating the sparkling battle of wits between them. The leads make a superb match, bringing to mind classic sparring partners like Katharina and Petruchio or Bogie and Bacall; readers will be too amused by them to care that the supporting characters are a bit stunted. While there is no serious tension, Alexander knows what her romance readers want-charming characters, sharp banter, missed connections and a happy ending-and delivers with gusto.(Oct.)
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Deadly Deceptions
by Linda Lael Miller
Published 2008 by Harlequin Books
Mass Market Paperbound, English. ISBN: 9780373772568
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Jacket Notes:
Feisty Mojo Sheepshanks from "Deadly Gamble" is now coming to grips with her ability to see ghosts. She soon finds herself in over her head as a blackmailer terrorizes her wealthy sister and hard truths about the family begin to surface. Original.
REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 01/28/2008
Miller's got major storytelling mojo for the second adventure set in Cave Creek, Ariz. (after Deadly Gamble) starring Mary Josephine Mayhugh-aka Mojo Sheepshanks. A very green PI who blithely accepts her ability to talk to ghosts, Mojo is determined to help them resolve the issues that keep them hanging around and isn't above asking for their assistance in solving cases involving live people. When seven-year-old deaf-mute Gillian Pellaway is strangled leaving a ballet lesson with her stepdad, the latter is accused of the crime, and Gillian appears to ask Mojo for assistance. Then Alex, the cheating husband of Mojo's adopted sister, Greer Pennington, is brutally murdered, and Greer becomes a prime suspect. Tucker Darroch, a homicide cop who's crazy about Mojo, provides moral support for these parallel cases, and intriguing plot twists involving Greer's past and other ghosts keep the story tight, funny, sexy and cool. Miller makes Mojo much more than another cute, quirky crime solver who sees dead people. (Mar.)
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Practically Perfect
by Katie Fforde
Published 2008 by St. Martin's Press
Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780312378547
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Jacket Notes:
In the latest novel from the top-ten bestselling author of "Flora' s Lot," an interior designer decides it's time she went solo.
REVIEW: Publisher's Weekly 01/07/2008
In the less than sprightly latest from Fforde (Restoring Grace), newly minted interior designer Anna, 27, is renovating a run-down cottage in the Cotswold to flip for a profit. At her neighbor's request, she takes in a homeless greyhound, and it happens that Rob Hunter, the local greyhound "rehoming officer," is also the inspector who ensures that historical homes are properly restored. Though he initially is a thorn in her inexperienced renovator side, Anna comes to appreciate Rob's humor, warmth and caring nature. But then Max Gordon, the architecture guest lecturer Anna's had a crush on for years after a near-miss on getting together when she was in college, appears at her London reunion and seems poised to sweep her off her feet. The cast of country secondaries provides color and interest, and Fforde adroitly registers Anna's subtler feelings. But the pace is slow, and the renovation details overwhelm the romance. (Apr.)
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