From Publishers Weekly
The trend in romance novels has been to throw the bedroom door open as wide as possible, and Carlyle (A Woman of Virtue) succeeds in doing so in this steamy romantic intrigue. Set in Regency-era London, this book chronicles the adventures of Catherine Wodeway, a vivacious country widow who has recently come to town, and Maximillian de Rohan, an enigmatic Westminster magistrate. Despite their disparate social backgrounds he hails from a family of Italian vintners and she's a lady Max and Catherine share a scandalous kiss in Hyde park. A few days later, the two meet again when a murder among the aristocracy takes Max to the home of a mutual acquaintance. Caught up in her desire for Max and her curiosity about him, Catherine seeks to seduce him, but Max's inability to trust may keep him from giving up his heart. When Max isn't puzzling over his emotions, he's fending off his meddlesome grandmother and working to solve a murder. Although Max is no gentleman according to the standards of the time which were defined by Lord Chesterfield's The Fine Gentleman's Etiquette, a book Max tries and fails to read he is an extraordinarily well-developed and believable romantic hero. Catherine is also a strong heroine, and together, they make this one of the year's best historical romances.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
When Maximilan de Rohan passionately embraces Lady Catherine Wodeway in Hyde Park early one morning in order to keep both of them from being recognized by a pair of unsavory characters he is investigating, the attraction is both instantaneous and unwelcome. Getting involved with the ''quality'' is not for him even though the lady is beautiful, intelligent, outspoken, and downright appealing. But fate has other plans, and when the pair join forces to solve a society murder, they realize that their relationship might just have a future. Although there are romance elements here (a lively pairing of two intelligent, independent protagonists who make the sparks fly in a most delightful way), this well-plotted historical definitely leans in the mystery direction and will appeal to readers who like their mysteries with a little romance rather than the other way around. Carlyle (A Woman of Virtue) is an up-and-coming writer, and fans of Amanda Quick's recent Lavinia Lake/Tobias Martin books might find her books of interest.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.