Just Perfect (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Judith A. Lansdowne (Author)

Book Description

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

Good manners may have demanded that the unattached Marquis of Kearny and Mallory undertake a trip to the country at his cousin's request, but something far more compelling requires him to remain. A wrong turn leads him directly into danger - and into the most unsettling conviction that his stalwart rescuer, Lady Hannah Thorne, is destined to be the one an only woman he will ever love. That is, if he survives long enough to get to know her, of course, which hardly seems likely with wild dogs on his heels and news of a recent murder that has rocked the peaceful village...Quite content without a husband, Hannah is taken aback when she discovers that the stranger she rescued from Little Mynd moor is the very paragon of manly virtues her best friend, Anne, has been extolling. Something about this Mallory id disturbing - or is that desirable? As their mutual friends insist on throwing them together, Hannah is surprised to realise that her feelings for Mal just may be the romantic sort. But before she can decide if this perfect gentleman will make the perfect husband, she must deduce who is trying to kill him...

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thoroughly delightful and devilish fun."

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821774220
• ISBN-13: 978-0821774229
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #619,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PERFECTLY Warm and Wonderful Read!, March 24, 2004

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Perfect (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Setting - Shropshire, England 1804 --- Ian Denham, Marquis of Kearny and Mallory, at the request of his cousin Martin Gazenby, travels to Shropshire to visit his cousin and wife Anne who have enticed him to visit with the excuse of attending a horse auction for a most sought after yearling. In reality, Martin and Anne are really engineering a bit of matchmaking on the highly eligible Marquis. Anne believes that her very best friend, Hannah Thorne, sister to the feared Duke of Berinwick, would be a perfect match for her cousin Ian. The problem with Anne is that when most suitors discover whom her brother is, they generally run in the opposite direction. Ian, on the other hand, isn't really in the market for a bride, but when he meets the beautiful and strong-willed Anne, who is nothing like the simpering Misses and their overbearing mamas he's been accustomed to fending off, he finds himself immediately attracted.

During the visit a murder occurs on the Duke's estate and at one point even Ian is suspect. Along with the murder other events occur where Ian's life seems to be threatened and Anne who feels the same attraction is determined to keep him safe. With numerous gentlemen in town for the auction, everyone is fearful and everyone is trying to uncover who the murderer is and if it might be the same person trying to harm the Marquis. To top things off, a young 8 year old lad enters the arena which has everyone thinking he might have some connection as to why the young lady was murdered.

This is the second book in this latest trilogy by master wordsmith Judith Lansdowne that can completely stand alone. Although, if you do have the opportunity to read it in sequence you will find yourself enjoying it more! Added to the plot already described are numerous secondary characters, along with wonderful animals that make this novel as robust and enjoyable as ever especially when the eccentric and belligerent brother of our heroine, the Duke, inherits an 8-year-old precocious ward. The by-play between the family members is so honest to goodness sweet that, other than the mystery of solving a murder and preventing another, I found myself with a perpetual smile on my face. I read this book in one sitting as it was simply impossible for me to put down! The dialogs, between the characters are simply delightful and the descriptive prose is so real I feel like I am watching a movie. For me, this book, JUST PERFECT was just perfect in a most enjoyable way! --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official ...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Regency mystery, November 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Perfect (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Upon the request of his cousin, Ian Denham, Marquis of Kearny and Mallory, travels to the country for a horse auction but in reality his cousin's wife is matchmaking. She believes that Ian and her best friend, Hannah, will make a perfect couple. The problem is that Hannah's brother, the Duke of Berinwick, is feared throughout England and very protective of Hannah. Thus, most gentlemen of the ton have been afraid to court Hannah. Although Ian does not wish to marry, he is immediately attracted to strong-willed and beautiful Hannah. But then a murder occurs in the village and for some mysterious reason Ian's life has been threatened on more than one occasion. With numerous gentlemen in town for the auction, everyone is fearful and Hannah and Ian must deduce who is trying to kill him.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable story and keeps the mystery until almost the very end. I loved Ian and Hannah, her mother and step-father (from a previous book, but especially fell in love with the Duke of Berinwick and his little eight-year-old ward, who will be in the next book in this series next March.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars exhilarating Regency romantic suspense, November 7, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Perfect (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

In 1804 Marquess Mallory following detailed instructions still managed to get lost on Little Lynd Moor though his retinue made it safely to their destination. Lady Hannah Thorne notices a light on the moor and rescues Mallory from feral dogs. Hannah and her escort take Mallory to the home of his cousin and the man's wife. They believe that Mallory is the right man for Hannah, as he will not fear her ferocious brother the Duke of Berinwick.

To the shock of Hannah and Mallory, they are attracted to one another. Neither expected love to enter their respective lives, but that seems to be the case. However, Hannah realizes someone wants her beloved dead and she plans to prevent that from happening by exposing the blackguard, not realizing the danger to her.

Though the lead couple is a bit too perfect, readers will like them and appreciate this exhilarating Regency romantic suspense. The story line is action-packed and feels somewhat like an investigative tale as the Duke tries to learn who killed a woman on his property and he and his sister try to learn whether Mallory's cousin wants the Marquess dead too. The secondary characters add depth to a fine novel.

Harriet Klausner