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Title: Lady Whistledown Strikes Back by Julia Quinn, Karen Hawkins ISBN: 0-06-057748-7 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 27 April, 2004 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.06 (16 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: If only it was longer. . .
Comment: Lady Whistledown Strikes Back is for the most part a well written collection of stories. My main quibble is that the stories were not developed as much as I wanted - but that is to be expected in short stories.
The first story, Julia Quinn's, begins at Lady Neely's dinner party where Lady N's ruby bracelete gets stolen. This is the thread that twines the stories together as all four of the couples are somehow linked to the bracelet. As such, it is probably best to read the stories in order so as not to spoil the ending.
I bought the book mostly because I like Julia Quinn. Her story of a girl falling in love with her dead brother's best friend was entirely believable and surprisingly well developed for such a short story. (I do have to say that I noticed a trend of dead brothers in this anthology, a fact which I find slightly disconcerting)
The second story (by Mia Ryan) is the reason I knocked a star off the total. Her story about an earl falling in love with his party planner felt forced and cliched. Every time something implausible happened (approx every 30 seconds) I would groan and bang my hand against the wall. Needless to say by the end my neighbors were quite annoyed with me. Let me give an example from the book: during one of their meetings the heroine tells the earl that she knew from their first meeting that he was a perfect gentleman (never mind that on their first meeting the earl had mistaken her for his paramour - who was conveniently forgotten during the rest of the story - and basically fondled her behind and kissed her). But it wasn't all bad - Lady W's commentary provided some much needed entertainment.
The third story was a surprising gem (considering I hadn't read anything of Enoch's before), possibly my favorite. A proper girl falls in love with a man her parents dissaprove of, forcing them to court in secret. Wonderfully written, although I would have liked a little more closure.
The final story was of a different formula than the first three (in which rake met girl of dreams and had a miraculous reformation of character). A viscount returns home to his wife, after 12 years away, after she writes demanding an annulment. Very humorous and full of the witty banter one expects from Karen Hawkins. Unlike the other stories there was even a very likeable secondary character, in the form of the heroine's brother.
The bottom line: It's a well-written anthology worth having on your shelf, but unless you have plenty of spare time you don't mind wasting skip the second story.
Rating: 5
Summary: Better than the first!
Comment: I have waited (very impatiently) for this new edition of the Lady Whistledown series. I enjoyed the first and was not disappointed by the second. Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch and Karen Hawkins deliver in a big way. Their stories were fun, romantic and wonderfully woven together. And please, if you don't get the tingles over this exchange...
"I admit I have felt the effect of your mouth, my lord," she said in a low voice.
This looking and not touching was going to kill him. "You haven't begun to feel the effect of my mouth, Charlotte, " he murmured.
(page 228)
WOW! Be still my beating heart!
The only low point in this fabulous collection was the story by Mia Ryan. I was very disappointed by the silly, downright obnoxious character of Miss Martin. What happened to Mia Ryan? I really enjoyed the story she wrote in the original Lady Whistledown compilation, but since, her work has seemed forced and painful. Very sad.
In all, you must read this book for the wonderful stories from Quinn, Enoch and Hawkins. This book is going on my keeper shelf!
Rating: 4
Summary: Mia Ryan
Comment: Actually, I was rather surprised about this anthology in that I did not really care for Ms. Quinn's story with the rather common plot. I am a die-hard fan of hers but this story was a let-down because this plot has been done so many times. Karen Hawkins's story is boring also because it's plot has no ingenuity (I have purchased a book of hers and found it not worth the money). However, a big surprise was Suzanne Enoch's sweet story about two mismatched lovers and their determination to be together. Moreover, I positively adored Mia Ryans's character Bella, even though most people seem to dislike her. I appreciate her because she laughs at herself and at her overactive imagination, which is something I myself do all the time. I enjoyed her lightheartedness and giggly nature because it made sure the story had none of the dramatic overtones prevalent in most romance stories. I liked the relaxed atmosphere and Roxbury's fascination with Bella. So, in the spirit of disagreement, I heartedly applaud Mia Ryan's short story and eagerly await her next work.
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Title: When He Was Wicked (Bridgerton Family Series) by Julia Quinn ISBN: 0060531231 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 29 June, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Slightly Sinful by MARY BALOGH ISBN: 0440236606 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 27 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title: England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch ISBN: 0060543132 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 24 February, 2004 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Married to the Viscount by Sabrina Jeffries ISBN: 0060092149 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 30 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: A Gentleman's Honor by Stephanie Laurens ISBN: 0060002077 Publisher: Avon Books Pub. Date: 30 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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