Let It Be Love [Mass Market Paperback]

Victoria Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2005

When New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander created the Effingtons, she introduced an irresistible clan. Now, meet her most unforgettable hero yet . . .

Dashing Jonathon Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley, has had more than one lady willingly fall into his arms. But he's so delicious none has ever complained at their inevitable parting. And while Jonathon's no stranger to passion of the flesh, his heart has remained untouched. Until now . . .

At each Christmas Ball, Jonathon selects a delectable lady to share the pleasures of the evening—after all, it's a holiday tradition! But he is shocked to discover that his choice is replaced by an enchanting stranger who surprises him with a proposal of marriage. Beautiful Fiona Fairchild is desperate—only a wedding will save her sisters and her inheritance. But Jonathon has no interest in marriage, and what starts as a shocking proposal turns into a scandalous proposition that might ruin them both . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Charismatic bachelor Jonathon Effington, marquess of Helmsley, is a Victorian-age cad with a difference. He never kisses and tells—not even about his notorious annual Christmas trysts with whatever woman who's caught his fancy during the holiday season. He now claims to be ready to marry, once he finds the smart, spirited, strong-willed wife of his dreams. Meeting all qualifications—and needing a husband to gain her inheritance without being forced into an arranged marriage—Fiona Fairchild substitutes herself for Helmsley's Christmas trystee and proposes. Sure that it's a joke, he accepts. The comedy of errors that ensues as the inexplicably panicked marquess attempts to escape his commitment with honor pushes the conventional love-hate plot stretch into strain; after all, Fiona's clearly the marquess's dream damsel. Still, the story's far-fetched twists are festive enough, and coupled with the characters' considerable charm, render this rollicking historical romance from bestseller Alexander (When We Meet Again) the perfect holiday read.
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About the Author

Victoria Alexander was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and has never looked back. Victoria grew up traveling the country as an Air Force brat and is now settled in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, two teenaged children, and a bearded collie named Sam. She firmly believes housework is a four-letter word, there are no calories in anything eaten standing up, procrastination is an art form, and it's never too soon to panic.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Reissue edition (October 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060593202
• ISBN-13: 978-0060593209
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full time and is still shocked it worked out.

Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written twenty-four full length novels and six novellas. The Perfect Wife--originally published in 1996 and reissued in March 2008--hit #1 on the New York Times list. Sixteen of her books are bestsellers hitting the New York Times, USA Today and/or Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. With books translated into a dozen different languages she has readers around the world and has twice been nominated for Romance's Writers of America prestigious RITA award. In 2009 she was given a Career Achievement Award from RT Bookclub and was named Historical Storyteller of the year in 2003. In 2008 she was the keynote speaker for the Romance Writers of American annual conference in San Francisco. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter.

Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: Nebraska and West Virginia. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie BOYS DON'T CRY and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small town dump in rural Nebraska.

During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She's interviewed movie stars including Kevin Costner, ridden an elephant and flown in a governor's helicopter. She's covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Denver as well as small town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glen Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations including the Associated Press who called a feature about a firefighter's school "story telling genius". It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She's never looked back.

Victoria is a former president of the Omaha Press Club and in 2009 was named an OPC Face on the Barroom Floor. A caricature portrait of her joined previous faces including presidents, sports figures and politicians in a tradition that began in 1971.

Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is to due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well drawn.

Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband, a son in college and a daughter working in film.

Victoria had two bearded collies, Sam and Louie (named from characters in one of her books). Sam, the best dog in the world for 13 ½ years, passed away in September 2010. Louie has now taken on the position of loyal companion and is doing a fine job even though he doesn't understand that kitchen counter surfing is not allowed!

They live in a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts. And never ending chaos. Victoria laughs a great deal--she has to.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and funny! 4 1/2 stars on entertainment value!, March 2, 2006

By 

J. M. Crabdree "Book Fan" (So. UT USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Let It Be Love (Mass Market Paperback)

While I am not on the payroll, I found this to be a delightful read. I thought the plot was very light and maybe a tad predictable. I found the characters to be funny, and I loved their interaction with each other. I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times. It is not a serious plot twisting book, so don't buy it if that's what you're looking for. I really did find it entertaining, and I ordered more of Alexander's books because I did enjoy it so much.
Thanks Victoria!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light and fun, February 25, 2006

By 

bbvector, LORE Reading Group (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let It Be Love (Mass Market Paperback)

First book I read in 2006 - Happy New Year to me! Set in 1853 London, twenty-five year old Fiona Fairchild is a gorgeous, smart redhead who needs to marry. Her father's will dictates she must wed or else she and her three younger step-sisters won't have dowries. Jonathon Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley, a friend of Fiona's cousin, is a nice man, liked by men and women. He's told his friends he wants to marry but only to a woman who is perfect for him. Fiona proposes marriage to Jonathon. He thinks it's a joke and accepts. Three days later he backs out but feels an obligation to help Fiona. Jonathon and Fiona's cousin concoct a scheme to publish a book to make money so Fiona's not dependent on the will. Of course it gets a little tricky. Great dialogue, laugh out loud funny at times, strong characters, wonderful story with some twists and turns.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Light and witty romance., December 6, 2005

By 

Viv (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let It Be Love (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed "Let It Be Love". The heroine was strong yet loveable. She knew what she wanted and went for it. Jonathon,was not your usual hero. He was neither broody nor arrogant, but witty and carefree. Once meeting Fiona, the poor man didn't know what hit him.

The banter between Fiona and Jonathon was delicious and hilarious. I laughed out loud at the hero's thoughts and the chapter intros were absolutely brilliant.

There is a "little" misunderstanding, but the heroine manages the hero well. It was nothing drawn out and didn't weigh down the plot.

Another hit for Ms. Alexander!