An Affair with Mr. Kennedy (The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jillian Stone (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 31, 2012 | Series: The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard

A scorching Victorian-era romance featuring a stoic Scotland Yard investigator and a beautiful painter—the debut novel from 2010 Golden Heart Award winner Jillian Stone.

Detective Zeno “Zak” Kennedy is considered a hero in London after breaking up a plot against the Crown. But villainy never sleeps, and he’s now after a ring of Irish anarchists plotting a bombing campaign. When he discovers that one of these treacherous lords is acquainted with his new tenant, widowed Cassie St. Cloud, he sets out to get closer to the lady. Cassie is no Victorian prude; the daughter of two prominent doctors, she is a freethinking artist and a volunteer at a girls’ school. She’s set her sights on her handsome new landlord, and soon they’re enmeshed in the most passionate affair of her life. But when she discovers that their meeting was not purely accidental, will she be able to forgive him?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An intriguing debut. . . . A satisfying romance featuring a genuinely original pair of lovers and sparkling supporting characters against an unusual social and political background.” —Publishers Weekly

“The sexy, smart characters will appeal to modern readers as much as the suspense. Their repartee and sensuality heat up the pages, promising a treat for readers.” —RT Book Reviews (4 stars)

“An exciting mystery mixed with steamy romance.”—Fresh Fiction

“A brilliant historical romance that is totally different from the type you may be used to. . . . A totally delightful and provocative story. . . . Will grab your attention and keep you enthralled all the way to the end. This one’s a keeper!” —Romance Reviews Today

“Sizzling hot. . . . An exciting, mysterious historical romance suspense that will steal your heart.” —Romance Junkies (5 ribbons)

“A romance in every sense of that word. . . . Perfectly balanced between pace and plot but always and without a doubt character driven to a point that a reader is living the emotions of the characters and feeling the danger around them.” —bookworm2bookworm

“Intriguingly suspenseful with unique dilemmas and a number of dangerous risks. . . . Stone has created a noteworthy setting for the series, one that is continuously attention-grabbing. Part romance and part mystery with a hefty dose of suspense, where each moment of the novel is imaginatively captivating.” —Single Titles

“...grips the audience from the moment we meet the lead couple...the relentless diligent detective and his courageous equal make the first Gentlemen of Scotland Yard a heated affair."—Genre Go Round Reviews

“An intriguing, well-written romance, this is definitely a must read. Loads of fun and entertainment!”—Historical Novel Review

“Jillian Stone brings 1887 London to life with characters that are smart, sexy and perfect for each other...the mystery will keep you flipping the pages.”—Rogues Under the Covers

About the Author

Jillian Stone was the winner of the 2010 RWA Golden Heart for historical romance—an award given to unpublished writers. She also writes a steampunk series for Kensington books. Visit her at GJillianStone.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Original edition (January 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451629001
• ISBN-13: 978-1451629002
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #867,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jillian Stone was born a storyteller. A skill that got her into considerable trouble as a youth until she solved the problem by becoming an advertising creative! And her career did seem to suit her as she won many national ad awards including the Clio and the New York Art Director's Club Gold. What more could she ask for? Create her own worlds? Become goddess of her own universe? Yes! So, she began to write fiction. Her Victorian Romantic Suspense novel AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY (The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard) won the Romance Writers of America 2010 Golden Heart and sold to Pocket Books. Her steamin' sexy, supernatural Steampunk novel, THE SEDUCTION OF PHAETON BLACK, won the 2010 Romance Through The Ages Erotica category and sold to Kensington Brava. Jillian lives in California and is currently working on more adventures for both series.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A heroine I wanted to love so badly but didnt :( April 7, 2012

By M. Kelly

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

It was An Affair with Mr. Kennedy's cover that drew me in. It is quite beautiful. I also was really intrigued by the time setting of London 1887. I haven't actually read many Victorian romance novels and I have to say, I think I will look into reading more. I like that time period was a bit more technologically advanced than the Regency era. I also read a wonderful blog post (but I can't remember who's blog) where Cassie and Zak played the Newlywed Game. I loved them as a couple and their banter & chitchat made me want to know them more. So those are the direct reasons for me picking up and buying An Affair with Mr. Kennedy.

I loved the conversation and chemistry between Cassie and Zak. In fact that particular banter that I read on that blog was very accurate and I immensely enjoyed reading about the pair. I really liked Zak. He seemed so serious and a bit stiff at first but his wit made perfect appearances. I loved how frank he could be with Cassie and how she made him lose his proper self.
He exhaled. "I'm having wicked thoughts about you. Was that charming?"
"In a wolfish sort of way."
"Excellent"
That charming bit of conversation happened just upon entering a packed ballroom. I loved it!

The interesting part of reading about 1887 is how the women's movement was much more advanced than my more normal reads of the Regency era. I got a really good taste of the how the women were making their way in the world. Cassie and her mother Dr. Oliva Erskine were women before their time. Cassie's mom was a respected doctor and at the beginning of An Affair with Mr. Kennedy, Cassie is visiting the hospital where her mother, Dr. Erskine practices. They have a humourous conversation about how some women come to the hospital to get "treatments" from a vibrator. This treatment is to avoid madness. I was laughing but interestingly enough, I just watched on the history channel where that was an actual fact. Great research done by Jillian Stone.

Cassie and her friend ride bikes; in pantaloons no less! She smokes cigars and is a very modern artist with painting tasteful female nudes. I loved her directness and she was an excellent match for Zak. This independence that she carried herself with was also the downfall in the book for me but I'll explain that part in just one moment.

The story plot itself was a bit confusing for me. There was lots of political focus with Zak being a Scotland Yard officer and the case he was on. I admit to not "getting it". I didn't fully understand the whole Irish struggle and why all the bombings in London. Since that was the main plot of the story, I wish the author took a bit more time with explaining that part of the story. I am not sure if it was historically accurate and I am curious so I'll look it up.

I was also a bit disappointed that Zak is confronted with someone important to him from his past during his investigation and it really seemed to let me down. I wanted more from those few scenes.

I felt as a reader that many parts of the book was left up to the reader to make setting assumptions. It just jumped around for me. I felt I had to go back and re-read a few paragraphs to ensure that I had my bearings correct.
For example: there was an intense scene where Cassie is cornered in an art studio and all of a sudden she is on the platform. I am reading the paragraph and saying to myself, 'what platform?' So I had to go back and re-read the paragraphs and I have no idea where this platform came from or why it was significant. It really wasn't explained correctly so when I went back to read it, I had to envision the entire scene differently so that I could now place in this platform. This lost placement seemed to happen to me a lot.

Okay so now back to Cassie's independence and where An Affair with Mr. Kennedy all went wrong for me. I loved that Cassie was independent and strong and witty but why oh why when the story needs to advance to the next step, do authors sometimes proceed with this advancement at the cost of the making the heroine stupid! Why!?! Jullian Stone built Cassie up to be this modern bright women and just like that, she made her do stupid things. I want to list them all but it basically boils down her protests for having extra protection and her stubbornness. It is so obvious to everyone and even including her that she is in some danger. I wish with all my heart that this story was more about Cassie being smart and realizing that Zak is an experienced, well respected officer and she trusted his decisions. Then go ahead, have everything go wrong but at least she did the right thing. All her actions after she arrived in Paris (after being chased, kidnapped and shot at) was just stupid. Why would she go to an Art Gallery? Alone?

An Affair with Mr. Kennedy would have been a 5 star novel for me if the story would had advanced with Cassie being smart with her moves and decisions. Why build up Cassie to be such a strong women if only to make me dislike her and her weak decisions. I just don't get that line of reasoning. It was frustrating when all I wanted to do was like her so much.

Teasers: secret door opened, sexy champagne encounter, botched kidnapped, a roadster

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sophisticated Victorian Romance January 31, 2012

By Kim Adams

Format:Mass Market Paperback

The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it. ~Roseanne Barr

Jillian Stone delivers a Victorian heroine who is willing to take power in AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY. Cassandra St. Cloud discards her widow's weeds, leaves her aristocratic in-laws, and rents a townhouse owned by, and next to, Zeno Kennedy. Sexual tension ignites as they ride, walk, and dance their way to passion. Their liaison serves multiple purposes for Zeno - the primary being a cover to interact with Cassie's suspicious brother in law. Yet, Cassie sparks a light into his dreary life as a "Yard Man." Likewise, Cassie finds herself living the emotions (and adventures) that she often paints.

From page 1, Stone envelopes the reader in sophisticated dialogue that captures the charm of the Victorian Era and the awe of the Industrial Revolution. The author hits the mark as Cassie and Zero discover achievements in forensics and medicine. Stone also tackles social issues that are often overlooked in historical romances - women's rights, sexual freedom, and growing anarchy across Europe. AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDY creates excitement in a modern reader to live first hand through the later years of the Victorian era as life becomes easier but also dangerous.

Highly recommend to readers who enjoy Amanda Quick, Sherlock Holmes, and even Downton Abbey (as Stone includes the events of the Victorian Era that shape the Edwardian Era).

I received an ARC from Pocket Books for this review.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Kennedy Will Make You Swoon.... August 9, 2012

By Sapphyria

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This is the debut novel of Jillian Stone's, The Gentlemen of Scotland Yard series. It takes place in 1887 London.

Detective Inspector Zeno Augustus Kennedy, also known as Zak, works for Special Irish Branch, a division of Scotland Yard that primarily investigates anarchists. He is in the process of trying to track down some suspected arsonists, Fenians, who have been planting large amounts of dynamite throughout the country. Many people have been hurt or killed by the explosions of the placed dynamite, including Zak's mistress, a very popular actress, Jayne Wells.

Widow Cassandra St. Cloud, also known as Lady Rosslyn and Cassie, had just emerged from a lengthy mourning period as was the custom of those times. She is ready to begin her life again and get on with her teaching of art students and the progression of her own painting. Her emerging independence is exemplified by her desire to reside on her own and Cassie has currently taken possession of a home that is adjoined to her landlord, Mr. Kennedy. It also seems Cassie has several connections to the suspected arsonists, known at the Bloody Four, and their companions, unbeknown to her.

When Zak and Cassie's world collide will either person be the same?

"An Affair With Mr. Kennedy" is an intriguing novel of mystery, romance, historical notations, and humor.

Cassie emerges as a fiercely independent woman that is way ahead of her time. She smokes cigars on the sly; wears riding clothes when on her horse, as opposed to the traditional skirts and side-saddle technique; and rides her bicycle out in public in pants, causing quite a stir - good and bad - with the local men. Her mother, a doctor, is very liberated and is part of a Women's Lib organization, and has passed her opinions down to her only daughter. The Women's Lib is written quite well and doesn't become the main focus of any part of the story. I'm all for Women's Lib but this story wasn't the place to get totally absorbed in the movement and the author handled it properly. She, unfortunately, gets involved in the in a game of cat and mouse that brings her into Zak's life as more than just a tenant.

Det. Zeno, "Zak," Kennedy is busy hunting down arsonists when the beautiful widow, Cassandra St. Cloud, requests housing in the domicile next to, and owned, by him. When he learns her connections to Lord Delamere, and that her brother-in-law is Gerald St. Cloud, Zak finds a way to insert himself into Cassie's life. What starts out as a way "in" to the inner circle of Lord Delamere quickly changes pace when feelings start developing between Zak and Cassie. To complicate matters, Lord Delamere wants Cassie for himself and goes to long lengths to make it so.

Zak is a very strong hero and his character is completely swoon-worthy. Yes, I said it -- "Swoon-worthy." He takes his job very seriously, as any lawman should, but was written with compassion and caring, too. He goes to great lengths to protect Cassie from the threats that surround her. He opens up a bit more as the story progresses, showing his comfort level with Cassie is very high. Cassie, as I've already noted, is a very independent woman. She is strong-willed and protests all the extra protection that Zak insists she have, which isn't always the brightest of decisions, as Cassie will learn. She is a very likable character despite her judgement issues. All of the secondary characters play their parts expertly; baddies were indeed bad and the good guys did their thing.

The revelations that lay within the pages of this novel are well played and revealed at exactly the right times. There aren't any awkward transitions from scene-to-scene or between characters. The plot is strong and is consistent from start to finish. The steamy scenes weren't scorching or erotic, but written in a tasteful, romantic way. The use of a certain word used multiple times to refer to Mr. Kennedy's male parts was annoying but the book was so good I can overlook this.

I'll be honest---I Googled the topic of condoms....this topic pops up in various parts of the book and I just wanted to see when they were invented to make sure they were, you know, used during this time period....They were :)

"An Affair With Mr. Kennedy" has one main storyline with several other smaller ones threaded in for good measure. Each smaller plot line was well developed and if back history was needed, the author made sure we had it. I love the way Ms. Stone wrote the mystery and romance within the pages. I enjoyed this book very much. It kept me engaged from the very beginning. There aren't any slow or boring sections. The dialogue is comfortable and flows well. Zak and Cassie will pull you in and take you for the ride of your life; action and adventure abound.

I have an ARC of Book 2 primed and waiting at the top of the TBR pile. Look for the review to come closer to the end of August.

(Obtained "An Affair With Mr. Kennedy" from my local library).