Customer Reviews

The Indiscretion

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I rarely write reviews because others seem to be able to express my opinions better than I can. But this book inspired me...:) The Indiscretion, while not the best title for the book, had me hooked from the beginning. Lydia Bedford-Browne is a wonderful character. She is fun, unpredictable, and when she stands up for herself, you feel like cheering. Sam, the American cowboy, is just yummy and only a bit complex. Sam and Lydia's relationship, especially on the moor, had me sighing and laughing and smiling, and well, not wanting the book to end!

This book is full of unpredictable and very humerous moments, but it is the time while Sam and Lydia are lost on the moor that I truly appreciated. So often, authors forget that their characters need to spend time together (outside of ballrooms and other crowded events), before the know they are truly in love. The quiet moments on the moor, reading to one another, discovering one another, made this book for me. Their relationship is steamy, fun and a welcome respite from the tortured relationships in so many other books.

If you are a Julia Quinn fan, you will adore Judith Ivory. You will fall in love with Sam and Lydia. You will love this book!

Judith Ivory is one of the best romance writers around--her books have lively, multi-dimensional characters, effortless descriptive passages that pull you into the setting, and quirky, inventive happenings that keep you rooted to the story. A championship archer on the lam from her family? A drunken tycoon escaping from an enraged bride? Leave it to Ivory to whip them together, strand them on the moor, make the plot turn around a flapping pair of red longjohns--and make it all believable, and touching. A fabulous book, one to keep you up way past your bedtime and make you smile and remember a certain scene or two, days later.

I have one major issue with the book, and that is the modern morality inserted, sometimes jarringly, in a story set at the height of the Victorian age. The heroine accepts pre- and extramarital sex, homosexuality, and illegitimate birth with a cheerful carelessness that feels like Ally McBeal, not Victorian virgin. Especially considering how snobbish and tradition-bound the lady is in other areas, this does not ring true. If you can overlook this slight pull out of the time and place of the story, you will have an unmitigated great time with this book; even with the above flaw, I still give it five stars, because the style, the inventiveness, and the sheer heart in the story deserve it.

The Indiscretion was a vastly entertaining book. While reading the first half, I was so enthralled with every page that I wanted to laugh out loud for the shear joy of such great writing and sometimes I did! Judith Ivory vividly portrays two seemingly different people who end up finding they have a whole lot in common.

Sam Cody is an American visiting Europe and is first presented to the reader in a very drunken state. The previews of this book always seems to portray this drunken cowboy as a real highlight of the book - but frankly, it made me hesitate to read it. And I will tell you now - Sam Cody is only a drunken cowboy for a very small portion of this story. There is so much to him - so many hidden facets that we can't even guess them all. Of course, he is handsome and big and strong with a terrific personality and brilliant wit. Sam is a man with a heart and a conscious and is quite mature for a romance hero. When he finds himself stranded on an English moor with an English woman, he proves to be an excellent provider in the wilds - miles from any civilization. He knows that his companion is obviously a lady but is lying to protect her identity. Soon he discovers many layers to this alarmingly direct and gregarious woman and decides he really has missed life in the wilderness.

Lydia Bedford-Browne is the daughter of a viscount and happily unmarried at the age of twenty-four. Her family believes her to be sickly and constantly watches her every move, pouring tonic down her, and protecting her from all potentially harmful situations. Taking a public coach across an English moor without a companion would bring apoplexy upon her family so she doesn't tell them. She is so tired of her confinement and their protectiveness. Stating she is visiting a cousin, Lydia takes off on what she envisions as the greatest adventure of her life. Yes - she is going to ride on that public coach and be totally independent for three whole days. Since her parents are determined to marry her off soon, she believes this may be her last chance to experience some freedom.

Lydia's only companion on the coach is a very handsome man who has obviously been in a fight and is suffering from too much liquor. He must be one of those Wild West cowboys she has read so much about. After all, he is wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. She is more than a little bit interested in her fellow traveler although she doesn't know what to make of him. When the coach crashes and he literally saves her life, she starts to see bits and pieces of a most outstanding man. Lydia is very curious about Sam and his American background and asks very direct questions that alternately surprise and charm him. Sam is hesitant to share much personal information with Lydia. He knows she is lying about her occupation and background. While Lydia lies about her background, Sam just withholds information. Thus is the beginning of a very good friendship. Sam and Lydia thoroughly enjoy each other's company and find more than just friendship during their days of wandering the countryside looking for civilization. The first half of the book is their time in the wilderness and is named Part One - The English Moor.

Part Two - The Negotiation, is literally the last half of the book entitled as such. It is also a sudden change of all circumstances. Both Sam and Lydia are back in civilization and involved in their real-life roles. During this portion of the book, I grew tired of Lydia's obvious conceit, class-consciousness, and believing Sam was not good enough for her family. She is literally hateful to him again and again. But Sam has surprises aplenty for Lydia to mull over. And, after taking pages and pages of her ill treatment, he finally loses all patience with her and loudly enumerates all of her faults to her in front of a room full of people in her home. Of course, by this time, Lydia has begun to see that she is treating Sam unfairly and wants to get close to him. Now - he wants to be away from her. Oh well - such is the plot lines of many romances. However, regardless if they are fighting, loving, or just being friends, this book is charming and pleasurable. There are some sensual scenes that are very well written and rate a solid 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). We actually get to see this couple's relationship develop and that is the main emphasis of the book. My favorite romances are those that allow this time for romantic development. Further, as the readers, we are given pages and pages of talented writing to savor this growth.

Although I have read two other Ivory novels, this is the first I have given the highest rating. I have enjoyed immensely all three of those books but there is something that about The Indiscretion that is a notch above the others. I will continue to read Judith Ivory's backlist and expect to find many more savory books. I highly recommend this book and fondly recall more than one of those great wilderness scenes.

THE INDISCRETION by Judith Ivory is definitely a book that'll make you feel deep down good, and quite insatiable when you reach the end! Full of humorous dialogues and uncompromising events, THE INDISCRETION is a top-fun-filled romance not to be missed!

Setting: 1899, Devonshire, England
Lady Lydia Bedford-Browne, a beautiful, but very skinny lady (the author emphasizes this point quite a lot) of twenty-four, has finally found the freedom she's always sought. Three wonderful days on her own, which she intends to spend in London visiting a friend. On the way there, she takes a coach, and it is there we meet the hero of this fascinating story. Her only companion is an American rancher-looking type of guy, Sam Cody, but in actuality is a millionaire. He's beaten and bruised, and quite drunk, the reason for the previous situation is that he just saved a woman from being robbed, and as a result brings the explanation for the latter problem. Because of his heroic gesture, he has missed his wedding with the same bride, for the second time in a row! As they are riding along, the coach takes a wild turn, ends up crashing and leaving the two passengers really in the middle of nowhere. The place where they end up is known as the English Moor, and it is there, the two strangers really get to know each other, and really put their wilderness survival techniques to work. They end up spending four grand nights of passion and companionship, and are rescued by Lydia's maid the next day, whom Lydia was supposed to meet up with upon her arrival in London. Quickly Lydia and Sam make up a false story, to cover up Lydia's reputation, and from then, Sam and Lydia separate. Although Sam understands that Lydia is English, and that he is not noble enough to court a lady of her status (the Queen is her second cousin, and her dad is a Viscount), he still tries. But Lydia plainly states that it is not possible, and her parents will never allow her to marry an American. Well, all sorts of events occur, Sam obviously comes back into Lydia's life, and how, it's actually very funny and quite imaginative of Ms. Ivory! And how he begins to woo her again, is the best part of all. There's also a nice little glimpse of the romance between Lydia's parents, a little "different" or shall I say "unique" romance between her brother Clive and Barnaby, and of course Lydia's talent in archery that brings her a new Women's Archery Record.

The neatest part of this novel is the way Judith Ivory develops her characters. Lydia and Sam are just so much fun to read about! Lydia has two personalities, the real her is the one that Sam knows personally, and that is when she is her natural self, all passionate and open, then there is the snobby, yet still sweet Lydia when she is back at home, governed by the English society. As for Sam, well he's Sam! Always angry yet still silly, and messes up every "sentimental" situation he's in, even at one point, he humiliates Lydia terribly in front of all her friends and family, but gradually he manages to put Lydia's heart back together. Judith Ivory is wonderfully talented, and I also recommend THE PROPOSITION, another neat and sweet romance, between a lady and a rat-catcher.

I've read all Ivory's books, so I'm a fan. This one, like others, explores the rigidity of Victorian England, and its effect on two people. I love that Ivory goes here so often. The true self vs the "normalizing" insistence of what society wants. The long first section on the English moor is lush and lovely, and also where Lydia and Sam can more easily be true to their natural inclinations, and, oh, yum, some of those inclinations. After the moor, they are never able to embrace what Victorian society demands quite so well again, because they see the hypocrisy more clearly. They know themselves better. Lydia in particular tries to go back to her conventional thinking. But, happily, it proves impossible, even opening her up to privately held unconventional views, for instance a tolerance of homosexuality as old as Greece yet believable in a Victorian heroine, if surprising, because the character is more human than a cardboard cut-out of the time period. Lydia finds a kind of humanity that is wonderful to watch happen. She and Sam find love, Sam not just for her but at long last for his smart aleck, down home Texas self. A very satisfying read with a lot of funny dialog as these two stumble into a better sense of themselves.

There is a lot of sensuality and sexuality in this one, for those interested or as a warning for those especially not interested. Ivory takes you into your senses, and this is especially true when she writes about the sexual aspect of love. She covers it without a hint of shame, describing the sex act openly, poetically, even humorously. I highly recommend her work for anyone trying to find a healthy way of looking at sex. For myself, her frank love of the physical attraction between men and women is one of my favorite aspects of her books. In this regard, The Indiscretion is probably the most explicit of hers to date, though very romantic, gently done, and particular to the characters' relationship, nothing bizarre or gratuitous, just right there, as detailed as any other description in the book. Be warned or enticed, as the case may be.

If you like to read just to savor the words, this book is for you. Its prose is lyrical and sensuous as we peer into the minds of our hero and heroine. They don't talk as much as I prefer, but Ivory's lush use of language to show their emotions and their world is worth the trip. For the first time I feel an urge to travel to England if just to see the moors.

The first half of the book proceeds rather slowly because it's so intricate, but the last half speeds up nicely. Yes, there are some places where the hero talks in romantic hero man-talk, which no man in the world would be caught dead speaking, and the epilogue -- well, why it's even there is a complete mystery to me. In a recent writing workshop, Jennifer Crusie jokingly told us that if we wrote prologues or epilogues to our books, we would burn in Hell. This book's epilogue is an example of why not to do one; it continues a narrative that had already been satisfactorily resolved and introduces characters who have nothing to do with the story (if they're to be used in future books, use them in future books and not this one) and generally confuses the reader. So stop reading right before the epilogue and you'll be quite content with a passionate love story and two unusual characters. My eyes are still throbbing from staying up half the night because I could NOT put the book down!

From the moment sheltered Lydia refuses her maid's help to make her symbolic leap from her carriage, rejoicing in the sense of flying in the seconds before she lands and turns her ankle, I was caught up in The Indiscretion.

Judith Ivory writes truly sensuous books in the finest sense of the word: When her characters are on the moor, you can smell the heather and feel the marsh underfoot. Her writing sweeps you along and makes you part of the story, and that's a great thing because her stories are marvelous. The Indiscretion has a wonderful two-part structure--the first part in the wilderness and the second in civilization--and the contrast between these two settings; between the two protagonists, Sam and Lydia; and between the worlds of American new money and British old; all combine to fuel the conflict of the novel. Add to that Ivory's deft hand at characterization and you have a great, great romance novel. Fabulous book!

Lydia Bedford-Browne is a rather uncoventional daughter of a Viscount. After attending her maid's wedding, unbeknownst to her parents, she sets out on a journey across the Dartmoor, a desolate uninhabited stretch of land, to visit her cousin.

The only other passenger on the coach is a drunken, disheveled cowboy who spends much of the journey sleeping under his hat. That is, until he discovers that the driver is nowhere to be found, and he must try to get the coach under control. The coach becomes mired in a bog, and Sam Cody, the drunken cowboy, frees the horses and saves Lydia. Stranded on the moor, Sam and Lydia are forced to spend several days with only each other for company.

At first they are uneasy around each other as Sam is sure that Lydia isn't the lady's maid she claims to be , and Lydia senses that Sam isn't just the sloppy cowboy who just jilted his bride. Gradually, these two protagonists develop a truce as they progress from sleeping close together to keep warm to making love when Lydia seduces Sam.

Though Lydia finally admits that she is the daughter of a Viscount, Sam is somewhat taken back, when just prior to their rescue, Lydia refuses to allow Sam to see her upon their return to London. Lydia thinks that Sam could never be the person her family would want her to consider for a husband. Sam surprises Lydia, though, when he shows up at her home, having been invited to a party given by her father, the Viscount Wendt. While Sam had admitted to Lydia that he was rich, he never admitted that he was being considered for the position of U.S. Ambassador to Britain.

Lydia tries to avoid Sam at all costs even when her father invites him to stay on at his home in an effort to further some treaty negotiations. Tempers flare between Lydia and Sam as they engage in a quirky archery contest, and Lydia consistently insults Sam thinking that she just wants him to disappear because he coudn't possibly fit into her world. When Lydia discovers that she is pregnant, Sam must do his best to convice her that he wants to marry her not only out of duty, but out of love.

Judith Ivory cleverly delves into the characters of these two main players. They aren't just merely hero and heroine who fall in love, but two people who must come to terms, not only with their preconceived notions of one another, but each other's imperfections. Their dialogue is witty without being contrived as they constantly spar with one another. A hint at the conclusion suggests Sam's half-brother as a hero for a coming book. For those who love a great romance, Judith Ivory's possible sequal to THE INDISCRETION cannot come too soon.

In 1899 Devonshire, England, Texas millionaire Sam Cody missed his own wedding, which means his own family wants to kill him and his now ex- fiancee's family will kill him. Though a bit drunk, Sam takes the coach across the Dartmoors. The only other passenger is Lady Lydia Bedford- Browne, who travels alone for the first time in her twenty-four years of life.

The trek across the thirty miles of mostly barren landscape turns dangerous when their drunken driver falls off the wagon and consequently the driver-less coach crashes into a bog. Lydia and Sam begin the journey to safety, but as they cover common ground, an attraction springs up between them. However, a Yankee, though quite wealthy, cannot be good enough for an aristocrat's daughter even if they are falling in love.

THE INDISCRETION is an outstanding historical romance that centers on the role of women during a period when rights were few and men owned all of them. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with a sense of the era through the relative eyes of the cast, which allows for a diversity of beliefs. Lydia demonstrates her courage throughout the novel even as she struggles with the social straitjacket that binds her tight. Initially Sam appears more as an irresponsible relic of the west, but time proves his worth through Lydia. Judith Ivory strikes platinum by painting a fabulous tale that should send the audience seeking her previous novels.

Harriet Klausner

Historically set at the turn of the 19th century, and the negotiations over the Panama canal this romance will find an audience that loves little tidbits of historical fact thrown in with Ivory's knack for subtle witty dialog as well as rich and interesting characterizations.

In a small attempt at asserting some independence, Lydia Bedford-Browne, the delicate daughter of an English viscount, decides to attend her maid's wedding and travel alone across Dartmoor, a vast expanse of barren flatlands, bogs and rocks. Her lone companion on the coach turned out to be a battered and hung-over Texan from America, named Sam Cody. He had, missed his own wedding for the second time to the same woman - although with a perfectly good excuse that the jilted bride would not hear of - and was on his way back home. The eventful ride across the moors became an adventure when somewhere along the way their inebriated driver fells off the coach, sending it careening into a bog. Luckily for Lydia, Sam is able to save her before the bogg completely sucked the coach down. Stranded with no compass to show them the way and fog so thick they could not see an arms length in front of them, they found that aside from their `cultural' differences (English stuffiness vs. down home folks), and omitting some real facts from their individual backgrounds, they succumb to a physical attraction before they are eventually rescued. Lydia, with her aristocratic stiff upper lip realized that her fling was over, and that her `duty' would be to conform to what was expected of her for the love of her family - so, when Sam asked if he might call upon her, she said no!

Naturally, as romances go, they do meet up again, as the `job' he glossed over turned into a big surprise for her when he walked into her parents little soiree that was hosting the Prince of England's engagement party! To say Sam was modest about his background, was putting it mildly, and I wavered back and forth as to whether I even liked Lydia once she had returned to her natural habitat, but all and all, I truly enjoyed the story. The romance was sweet, the passion was hot, and the characters richly drawn and compelling. The author, for me so far has seemed to find a niche in the early 1900s with some very interesting stories and I will say I am enjoying her books a lot!