Ask Me No Questions (Mass Market Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This well-paced, tightly written third volume (after Had We Never Loved ) in Veryan's "Jeweled Men" series set in Georgian England, introduces an attractive young British widow, Ruth Allington, gamely attempting to support her twin nephews and maid after a family disgrace, engineered unbeknownst to her by the devilish League of Jeweled Men. An accomplished artist, Ruth becomes involved in the League's intrigues when a (brilliantly drawn) battle-ax of a noblewoman helps her find a position as an art restorer. Old Brian Chandler would not dream of hiring a young, attractive widow from a besmirched family, but careful half-truths gain Ruth the job. She soon wins her patron's friendship and, slowly, the admiration and love of his son, Gordon. Meanwhile, the League connives to acquire the Chandlers' gorgeous estate, as they have others, by insidious attacks on the family name, a scheme in which Ruth plays an unwitting part. In a less talented writer's hands, the numerous deceptions and obscurities would render this romance incredible, but fine characterizations and cunningly placed plot hints make it all work. Good use of period detail and dialect also distinguish this enjoyable addition to the genre.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Georgian romancer Veryan launches another handsome, nobly jumpy nob who finds a delightful (if considered unsuitable) love, and--with a little help from his friends who've appeared in Times Fool (1991) and Had We Never Loved (1992)--confounds the latest plot of the nefarious League of Jewelled Men. Poor pretty widow Ruth Allington, poverty-stricken daughter of a famous painter and sister of a sea captain branded as a traitor, is fairly desperate. But she perceives help from an odd quarter and moves to a cottage on the estate of Lac Brillant. Its owner, gentlemanly Sir Brian, reluctantly hires her to restore a chapel fresco, despite the fierce objections of his son, glowering Gordon Chandler. Scattering little white lies (Ruth keeps hidden her familial connections and hides the twin nephews she's raising), she restores beautifully. Gordon warms but is still below the boiling point; he's engaged to a gorgeous nasty. Meanwhile, the Jewelled Men are planning to collect another estate to undermine the Realm, and it all has to do with an intentional shipwreck, Ruth's lost brother, and fraudulent cargo. The twins and Ruth save the day as do Gordon's friends--Lt. Morris and ``the Manderin'' August Falcon (the most interesting friend and probably on ice until the last Jewelled Men volume). It all ends with a bang-up storm and gunfire. On automatic pilot--but an enjoyable, lighthearted romantic series. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett (March 2, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449222802
• ISBN-13: 978-0449222805
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,412,019 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely & engaging tale, May 23, 2003

By	Kotori (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ask Me No Questions/a Novel of Georgian England (Hardcover)

If you are, like me, a fan of the genre then you are probably already a Patricia Veryan addict, and if you aren't yet, then you will be.
I recommend all of her books unreservedly.

The Jewelled men series is absolutely delightful as are the Georgian romances, which is the era this book is set in.

In this book the squabbling of the two boys is so cleverley written and this author is a master of the conversational quips - I find myself wishing my dialogue were half as witty/ charming.

The romance is always delightful, but as I read this a few years back and now write the review I don't remember THAT much of it other than I got it at 3pm and stayed up reading it until 6am.

Anyway no need to blab on, the gist of it is, Veryan is the best Regency author around.

I urge you to immerse yourself in her delightfully spun and extremely convincing worlds.
kotori

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best installment of Tales of the Jewelled Men to date., September 30, 1995

By A Customer

This continuation of the Tales of the Jewelled Men series gives us the story of Gordon Chandler, whose brother's story opened The Golden Chronicles, her previous series about Georgian England. The web woven by the nefarious League of Jewelled Men seems truly inescapable in this installment, and Veryan keeps the reader guessing until the final pages. The love story is told very gracefully, with charming flourishes and the added interest of a set of twins. Highly recommended.