Everything I Ever Wanted (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Jo Goodman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Historical Romance | Publication Date: March 1, 2003

The toast of Drury Lane, actress India Parr has claimed the attention of London's most impressive gen-tlemen - including the Prince Regent himself - with her talent and poise. Though her heart hasn't been won, she is intrigued by the devilishly handsome Earl of Southerton - yet equally determined to keep him from the dark, deadly secret that shadows her private life.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Matthew "South" Forrester, viscount Southerton, is sent to investigate India Parr's involvement in the murder of an intelligence agent, he uses the opportunity to attend one of her performances and meet the lovely actress. The reticent India is reluctant to divulge much about herself, and Matthew quickly finds that the more he learns about her, the more questions he has. Even more surprising is the discovery that India actually does some "work" for the same man who sent Matthew to investigate her. While India may not have played a role in the agent's murder, it turns out that she does need protection from the killer, but convincing India to let him protect her may take even more work than keeping her safe from a determined murderer. The second in Goodman's Compass Club series, which centers on four friends each named after a point in the compass, features polished writing, memorable characters, and a delightfully twisted plot composed of equal measures of dangerous intrigue and passionate romance. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821768689
• ISBN-13: 978-0821768686
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good one by Jo Goodman, August 29, 2003

By 

Stephanie Hawkins (Newport, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Everything I Ever Wanted (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

I just started reading Jo Goodman books and have been sad to learn that many of her older books (which really aren't that old!) are out of print. She's an excellent author, and her books are delicious to read.

This story is the second in a quartet of tales about four boy-hood friends known as the Compass Club. In this story we learn about the life and love of The Earl of Southerton, aka, South. In these "Compass" books, I greatly enjoy the change of pace Ms. Goodman offers us from the traditional historical romance--in this and the first book, it's the hero we know more about and we grow attached to, while the heroine remains shadowed in mystery and secrets. I am not often fooled by an author, but Jo Goodman is a master at keeping tricks and surprises up her sleeve. I love it! She has stunned me so many times, I wonder what she could possibly do to surprise me next. But she finds a way!

The only reason this book got 4 stars instead of 5 is because it ends on a rather dark note. Unlike a previous reviewer of this book, I wasn't left with the feeling that they may or may not have lived "happily ever after." The hero and heroine were happily together, but it was the dark and rather unpleasant secrets of the heroine's past that really put a damper on this story at the end. It was hard to feel happy for the two of them with all that other stuff hanging in the background.

But don't let that stop you from reading this book! Jo Goodman has a tremendous wit, and she will keep you guessing until the end!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep Them Coming Jo!, April 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Everything I Ever Wanted (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Everything I Ever Wanted is the second book in Jo's series of the Compass Club. Matthew, Lord Southerton, is working for Colonel Blackwood to uncover a plot to kill the Prince Regent. His path leads him to Indian Parr, a beautiful and talented actresss who has done work for the Colonel in the past. Fearing for her life, South kidnaps India and keeps her in a cottage in the country. They cannot deny their feelings for each other, and start an affair. But, India is not the woman South thought her to be, and she has her own demons to battle, which South helps her to win. Many twists and turns in this mystery. India is a very strong, independant woman, and Jo Goodman let's us see inside her soul and heart. I agree with the previous post that Jo knows how to write a strong heroine. I can't wait for East's story with Lady Sophia, or for West's story.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who says nice guys finish last?, March 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Everything I Ever Wanted (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

I love Jo Goodman's heroes - I get so tired of hard-faced, bottled-up he-men! Her men are always humorous, compassionate, all around good-guy hunks (I especially loved the Thorne brothers!). Her heroines tend to be the walking-wounded, though, and this one is no exception. This book is the second of four in the Compass Club series, about four men who were childhood friends and their continuing adult friendship. The story lines occur simultaneously, not sequentially, so many of the events from the first book, Let Me Be The One, overlap with this one, but from a different point of view. It was helpful to reread the first one before reading this one. I like the intelligence of Goodman's writing and the thought that goes into her plots, while still having the requisite hot love scenes. She seems to be under appreciated, from the way her books are marketed. My only complaint is that the titles of her books are hard to distinguish one from another (like Lisa Kleypas titles). I highly recommend any of Goodman's books (with the exception of her very early books that were reissued - her early writing tends to be a little overwrought).