24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Optimistic and Wonderfully Romantic Tale of Lovers Reunited!, April 1, 2010
THEY WERE YOUNG LOVERS SEPARATED BY FATE, LIES AND FOOLISHNESS...
He had loved her once...
And she him.
Sterling Harrington met the beautiful Olivia at a London ball and they both fell in love almost instantly. Passion burned brightly for the young couple and their love seemed so strong and true and wonderful that they were sure it was meant to last forever...
They pledged their hearts.
They planned to be married.
They planned to grow old together.
Unfortunately, life--in the form of harsh family secrets, a father's shameful lies and the contemptible wishes of a loathsome, covetous Viscount--had other plans in store for them.
On the brink of announcing their engagement Olivia learns her father has promised her to the wealthy antiquities collector, Viscount Rathbourne, and their marriage must take place immediately.
And Sterling is stunned and devastated when Olivia's father tells him that his daughter doesn't love him, and has decided to marry someone else, someone much wealthier. He foolishly believes Lord Newberry lies, and as a man of pride, refuses to fight for a woman who does not return his love.
But his failure to challenge Lord Newberry's words causes Sterling to make the greatest mistake of his life... Because Olivia did indeed love him, and she expected the love of her life to come and save her when she so desperately needed him... but he never did.
Now 10 years later, her vile husband has been murdered and with his killer still on the loose, Olivia's father thinks her life--as Rathbourne's heir--may be in danger too. Admitting his past deception, an ailing Lord Newberry begs Sterling to rescue his daughter, reminding him that he failed to save her once. Sterling reluctantly agrees to go speak with her, but isn't sure about what he can do to help.
"Sterling's heart twisted the moment Olivia stepped into the room. Livy..."
It's clear from his reaction the moment he sees Olivia that he still loves her...
"There was an air of subtle strength about her, as if she had faced adversity and survived."
And when Sterling recognizes the woman Olivia's become and what she's been through, we know this time--this man--will do whatever it takes to save her. And we know, as well, he'll never fail this woman, the woman he loves... ever again.
*****
I thought Victoria Alexander's latest novel Desires of a Perfect Lady, the second story about the charismatic and adventurous Harrington brothers, was absolutely fabulous! Ms. Alexander shines again by delivering to historical romance readers a brightly optimistic and wonderfully romantic tale of lovers reunited, that's neatly blended with an exciting, high-stakes treasure-hunt-adventure story. With Ms. Alexander's smooth writing, polished prose, talent for brisk dialogue and witty banter, and marvelous storytelling abilities she effortlessly captures her reader's imaginations as she pulls us into the story and takes us--along with her delightfully charming characters--on a captivating and intriguing expedition from the drawing rooms of London to Egypt and Italy and back. The daring journey abroad provides us with refreshing settings and some lively exploits that allow Olivia and Sterling an appropriate amount of time to complete their complex treasure quest, fulfill the difficult stipulations of Lord Rathbourne's will, and help Olivia regain her rightful inheritance, and more importantly, her well-deserved freedom. And their time spent together also inspires exploration of a more sensual nature... and the reawakening of their earlier feelings of attraction, desire... and love.
Sterling Harrington, Earl of Wyldewood, is a good man and a very charming, likeable guy, even if--at times he acts the stiff, stodgy and boring Earl too well. But we know Olivia really does still love him--for the good-natured boy he was and the appealing, mature man she sees he's become--even if she's a little afraid to completely trust him with her heart again. But his failure to act--and at least try to fight for the woman he supposedly loved--made him seem a little less than heroic. So to my mind, Sterling still needed some `redeeming' to make Olivia--and ME--happy.
First he needed to prove that he truly loved Olivia and would never ever fail her so thoughtlessly and unforgivably again ... and of course, he needed to grovel very humbly, and very prettily too because I wanted it ALL. I felt that as the story unfolded--the author succeeded in showing readers all of Sterling's many favorable qualities vs. his flaws, while at the same time allowing us to clearly see how the good ones far outweighed the bad. We saw his care for his family, for his mother's happiness, and also his kindness toward Josiah--how he treated the younger man as an equal--when he could easily have crushed his rival for Olivia's affections, as Rathbourne would have done. We also saw Sterling experience very positive personal growth as he learned things about himself he didn't know, while traveling on their adventures, and how he came to enjoy their exploits much to his own surprise and satisfaction. By the end Sterling was redeemed and transformed into a steadfast, committed and supportive mate--and eminently desirable hero.
I thought Olivia Rathbourne was a superb heroine, she was good and kind and loving, and yet, a very strong, determined woman and a real survivor--and she was genuinely easy to love and empathize with. I understood her desire for independence. Since all the men in her life had failed her, it was understandable that she didn't want to depend on anyone--especially a man--anymore, and with Rathbourne's death she thinks she'll finally have to opportunity to live her own life. But when the stipulations of the will are read she's forced to realize Rathbourne was deviously determined to have his Machiavellian influence on her life extend even from the grave. Though, he underestimated his wife's resolve because Olivia's going to fight to and gain control of everything she's due... her money and comfortable lifestyle, her rightful place in society, her choice of friends; and once and for all, the freedom to choose her own course for the rest of her life.
I found Desires of a Perfect Lady to be a deeply tender and poignant story, yet one that's very emotionally uplifting and hopeful, as well. It combined the realistic touches of sadness and regret that `lovers parted' stories often evoke, and also revealed the terrible heart-tugging distress and pain Olivia--and women of her time--were forced to suffer in unwanted marriages or at the hands of a cruel husband. Yet the story also showed us the genuine pleasure, passion and fulfillment Olivia and Sterling experienced by being together again, and as they worked through past misunderstandings and unfortunate mistakes to rediscover theirs was a true and everlasting love. By the end of the book I was sure Sterling and Olivia were meant to be together and I was overjoyed that these two gentle lovers were finally--blissfully--reunited in mind, and body, and soul.
This book's a sure winner--and NO ONE who enjoys `lovers re-united' stories should fail to fall in love with Sterling and Olivia's heartwarming tale.
Also recommended
The Perfect Wife and
The Virgin's Secret And any of Victoria Alexander's Effington Series or Last Man Standing Series.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sometimes a man can be too serious., April 10, 2010
Ten year ago Lady Olivia "Livy" Newbury thought she would wed Sterling Harrington, the Earl of Wyldewood. But then she had been forced to marry Viscount Rathbourne, a cruel man and avid collector of rare treasures. It was well known that Rathbourne's artifacts were not always obtained legally and he never let anyone view his hidden collections.
After ten years of abuse and basically kept as a prisoner, Livy has a chance at freedom. Someone has finally murdered Viscount Rathbourne. But the viscount has devised a way to control Livy even from his grave. His will stipulates that Livy may continue on as always, living off a minimal allowance to be allotted by a solicitor, or she may embark on a quest to acquire three specific treasures that he had been unable to acquire.
Sterling had been told by Olivia's father that she had changed her mind about marrying him, would wed Rathbourne, and wanted nothing more to do with him. The earl had been so hurt that he never stopped to wonder about Olivia's sudden change of heart and he ignored the three letters Livy sent to him shortly thereafter. But with the manner of Rathbourne's death, her father fears for Livy's life and goes to confess his lies to Sterling and begs him to help Olivia. Only then does Sterling realize that those three letters had been Livy's pleas for help. After reading them, Sterling understands how much he failed Olivia. So when Olivia asks for his aid in locating and retrieving three treasures, Sterling sees an opportunity to win her forgiveness and then her heart.
**** FOUR STARS! The character of Sterling takes all his responsibilities very seriously. That usually makes for a dull personality and a boring read; however, the author refuses to let the hero remain stodgy. To that end, a strong and adventurous heroine is needed and many readers will be able to relate to Olivia. After years of living in a horrible marriage, Livy wants what any female would - freedom. I could easily picture Olivia's excitement at the prospect of being independent only to have the rug virtually pulled out from under her. Sterling and Olivia will travel during their quest, giving readers a glimpse of two exotic locations. Interesting sub-plots keep the story flowing at a steady pace and adds a bit of danger to the story for extra flavor. Well done! ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
