Customer Reviews

Just Perfect (Zebra Historical Romance)

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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 ...

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.

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

I've read other books by Judith Lansdowne and enjoyed them, but with this book I had to read it completely to the end in one sitting. I love the characters! I wasn't even half way through the book when I knew I'd love the first one (which I had ordered at the same time, but didn't get until after this one), and yes, I love it too. I can't wait for the new one "Just Impossible". I haven't read what it's about yet, but believe it will be about Hannah's brother. All the characters "sparkle" here but I think William really is my favorite. Even the secondary characters are great. Way to go Judith!

I loved this story. The characters are believable and the narrative gives just enough detail to bring you into the story without describing every blade of grass. There were a few coincidences that were a little hard to swallow and that it could have done without and one scene that was totally unbelievable - I think just to get the hero and heroine into a cute spot - and that part was very cute and entertaining. But we are supposed to believe that - on horseback - a man could ride down the road so fast that two people were almost trampled and several people (one of whom knew the rider well) could not identify him in any way except for the color of his horse. If it had been explained that they were near a bend in the road and he surprised them, I might have bought it, but apparently they watched him for a bit before realizing he wasn't going to stop. This is a horse and not a speeding car

But that said, I did very much enjoy it and have reread it a couple of times. I am a big fan of this author and this is one of my favorites. I enjoy reading a romance that relies more on character development and story line than sex scenes between hormonally adolescent adults that have no control over their lustful urges. Lansdowne does a great job of portraying growing physical and sexual attraction without the hardcore sex.

I also especially recommend The Mystery Kiss and Just Impossible.

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! ...

Judith Lansdowne has done it yet again. This story kept me reading until I finished the last page. Now I can't wait for the next one in this series to be published. The characters are well developed, humorous and REAL! This book is full of intrigue, human interest, people and animals with delightful personalities, and a love story that grabs my imagination. Lansdowne creates characters that I want to meet and chat with. I have already read this book twice and will read it again before her next book comes out! Lansdowne is a keeper!