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Title: The Mystery Kiss by Judith A. Lansdowne ISBN: 0-8217-7016-0 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: April, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Magnificent!
Comment: Quite possibly the only thing better than a 250 page novel by Judith Lansdowne is a 350 page novel by Judith Lansdowne. She is one magnificent story-teller, to be sure.
The longer length allowed in this book (labelled a 'historical romance' by the publisher) allows the author to develop plot and characters more expansively than would be possible in the shorter length. Hooray, I say!
All the conventions of a Regency romance are present here: the stigma of being from 'trade', the war in Europe, the process of making her 'bows to Society' by a young miss of good breeding, all gleefully mixed together in the very original, very special way of this gifted author who seasons everything so well with her own unique brand of humor and absurdity. The extra 'spice' this time is a mystery involved with espionage.
The main love story is a real treat! A widow, with two adult step-children, accompanies the younger to town, in spite of her tendency to awful travel-sickness. And sure enough, the carriage must halt beside the road, where it is encountered by a passing stranger. Fleur, Lady Marston, is in the throes of 'mal de coach' being comforted by her step-daughter Althea, when Lord Hartshire arrives on the scene. A fellow sufferer, he insists on sharing his own remedy for the ailment; a set of beads worn on the wrists, a sort of acupressure treatment, which he acquired from a Chinese seaman, somewhere in his past various travels.
Hartshire, known to many as The Spectre, is intrigued by the woman he aids. Fleur, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with him, believing as she does that having once been known as the Shipbuilder's Daughter and a scourge on Society, she will be denied the entrance to that same Society that she wants more than anything else in the world, but this time for her charge, Althea.
Even though this is called a historical novel, there are no love scenes within. What there is are several enchanting love stories, with enough sexual tension to please everyone and make the various match-ups sensible. Of course, there is the author's trademark brand of humor, and excellent writing. Not to mention characters so real, you expect them to walk right out of the pages and into your room. More, please.
Positively scrumptious!
Rating: 4
Summary: Smartly original! Highly recommended
Comment: A Romantic Times Top Pick, THE MYSTERY KISS by Judith A. Landsdowne recreates the colorful, class bound society of the regency with humor and grace. Breaking the physical stereotypes of perfection, THE MYSTERIOUS KISS brings together a widow and a dashing earl. Fleur Marston has lovely long hair, but her longish nose and slightly jutting chin make her look rather ordinary, if not plain. Atticus Charles Howard, also known as the Spectre, is a very tall, very slender man with decidedly big ears. Both characters are also a bit older than typical heroes and heroines, giving them a depth of characterization and realism that is surprisingly refreshing.
Memories of her late husband's physical and mental abuse still haunt Fleur's sleep, even though Marston has been dead for more than a year. Despite her ill treatment at the hands of her husband and London society, Fleur plans to take her stepdaughter Althea to London for the season, introducing her to a "most intriguing and delightful sort of world." By chance, she encounters Atticus Charles Howard, the Earl of Hartshire, along the way.
London society does not tolerate those who wish to ingratiate themselves in their midst. Fleur, the daughter of a shipbuilder, knows very well the rude remarks, snide comments, and cruel gossip. Nevertheless, she risks her dignity, despite disparaging comments comparing her to an "encroaching mushroom", to provide Althea a coming out. Little does Fleur suspect that someone watches, admiring her strength of spirit, until a few whispers at the appropriate moments help her to secure just the right tone to hush the tongue wagers thereby substitute admiration for the accustomed viciousness.
A widower with a mysterious and exciting past, Atticus confidently tangles with spies and radicals seeking to destroy the crown even as he lacks the same confidence in his personal life. The chance meeting with Fleur captures his imagination, and when he arrives in London after a four year absence, Atticus can't resist inquiring about her. Soon he seems to magically appear at just the moments Fleur most needs encouragement, whether it be in person, or through illusion and the appellation "Montague". Though Fleur's heart and desire becomes torn between the two, it only takes a single magical kiss to convince Atticus of his growing feeling for Fleur. Yet he fears trying to court her, for Atticus can't imagine her wanting such a lump as him.
I admit to being captivating by the myriad details that make THE MYSTERY KISS so extraordinary. The homeopathic cure for motion sickness, the design of Fleur's riding habit, even the comparison of Fleur to a mushroom create a truly delightful tale. It's refreshing to read a novel of the regency not built on extreme youth and misunderstandings; thereby replacing the predictable and ordinary plot with one that's sharply invigorating. And Henry, the tickler dormouse who loves Atticus' pockets, makes an original pet. Unfortunately, there are a few details that do undercut the strength of THE MYSTERY KISS. Language choices do not always feel appropriate especially the not infrequent use of "ain't". Further, the subplots, while intriguing, need further exploration. Nevertheless, THE MYSTERY KISS is delightful, and comes highly recommended.
Rating: 3
Summary: Not All Attempts Are Successful
Comment: This my first Judith A. Lansdowne book, and if this book is any indication, I sincerely doubt that Ms. Lansdowne's name will be gracing my bookshelf.
While the idea of two perfectly average people (Atticus and Fleur) is a nice variation from the usual perfect-perfect couple, and the plot itself had promise the actual story fell oddly flat. Atticus is the dashing and famous Spectre, while Fleur is the shy and social pariah of the ton. While the premise Atticus helping Fleur into society is promising, Atticus' complex regarding his physical size and his incrediable self-consciousness just make you want to close the novel and move onto the next one in the pile.
The secondary characters are interesting, and I would have liked to have seen a little more development there. There were numerous times where I just started skimming the pages and flipping through the book wondering when the end would come. As it was, the ending felt sort of 'slap-'n-dash' as the author attempts to tie up all possible loose ends. The language was another thing that greatly bothered me. An educated earl, who was the King's own spy should know better than to say 'ain't' and a few other less than grammatically perfect words. I'm surprised the editor didn't catch this as it created a jerky and choppy rhythm to the prose.
Overall, I'd give it three stars. An average read, but something you may be tempted to put down one third of the way through.
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Title: Just in Time by Judith A. Lansdowne ISBN: 0821774212 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: March, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Just Impossible by Judith A. Lansdowne ISBN: 0821774239 Publisher: Zebra Books Pub. Date: March, 2004 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: A Season of Virtues (Zebra Regency Romance) by Judith A. Lansdowne ISBN: 082176103X Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: January, 1999 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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Title: Just Perfect by Judith A. Landsdowne, Judith A. Lansdowne ISBN: 0821774220 Publisher: Zebra Books (Mass Market) Pub. Date: November, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: A Devilish Dilemma (Zebra Regency Romance) by Judith A. Lansdowne ISBN: 0821758268 Publisher: Kensington Mass Market Pub. Date: January, 1998 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
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