Mystique [Mass Market Paperback]

Amanda Quick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2005

A tantalizing tale of a legendary knight and a headstrong lady whose daring quest for a mysterious crystal will draw them into a whirlwind of treachery–and desire.

When the fearsome knight called Hugh the Relentless swept into Lingwood Manor like a storm, everyone cowered–except Lady Alice. Sharp-tongued and unrepentant, the flame haired beauty believed Sir Hugh was not someone to dread but the answer to her dreams. She knew he had come for the dazzling green crystal, knew he would be displeased to find that it was no longer in her possession. Yet Alice had a proposition for the dark and forbidding knight: In return for a dowry that would free Alice and her brother from their uncle's grasp, she would lend her powers of detection to his warrior's skills and together they would recover his treasured stone. But even as Hugh accepted her terms, he added a condition of his own: Lady Alice must agree to a temporary betrothal–one that would soon draw her deep into Hugh's great stone fortress, and into a battle that could threaten their lives...and their only chance at love.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Dark and forbidding, the legendary knight Sir Hugh the Relentless is aptly named. Yet he has met his match in Lady Alice, the quick-witted, red-haired beauty who can help him find the mysterious green crystal he seeks. Soon she replaces the crystal as the prize of his dreams--but whether she returns his secret passion is another matter! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Strong, independent women are bestselling author Quick's (Mistress) forte, and her newest heroine, Lady Alice, is no exception. A medieval lass of a practical cast, she's lively, determined and sharp-tongued?and she's a whiz of an herbalist, too. At 23, she fears no man, not even Hugh the Relentless, the warrior-knight with whom she initially grapples, and eventually gropes, in order to safeguard a better future for herself and her handicapped, 16-year-old brother. Alice and Hugh strike a bargain and become business partners: she will find the last stolen, mystical Stone of Scarcliffe (which Hugh needs to establish his control over his newly acquired lands); and Hugh will pay for her brother's education on the continent and provide Alice with a dowry. Intrigued by the bold Alice, the knight agrees to her outrageous proposal. However, he makes one of his own: he will support her brother, but, in return, she must become his wife. They set off to find the mystical stone (the key to a hidden treasure), only to find more than they bargained for?a curse, a murder, a villain from the past and, of course, that they are in love. Fast-paced and entertaining, this romance, like Alice, accomplishes everything it sets out to do.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (November 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553588877
• ISBN-13: 978-0553588873
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,991,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With a string of bestselling Regency and Victorian Era romantic-suspense novels under her quill, AMANDA QUICK (who also writes under the pen names JAYNE ANN KRENTZ and JAYNE CASTLE) entered the world of a highly secretive paranormal group, the ARCANE SOCIETY, with her novel SECOND SIGHT. The series moved into a contemporary setting when JAYNE ANN KRENTZ (Amanda's contemporary alter-ego) released the second book in the series, WHITE LIES.

This winter, the ARCANE SOCIETY continues with THE LOOKING GLASS TRILOGY. It begins with IN TOO DEEP by Jayne Ann Krentz this December. Amanda is working on QUICKSILVER, her Spring 2011 contribution is book 2 in the series. The trilogy will conclude when JAYNE CASTLE releases CANYONS OF NIGHT, the futuristic novel, in Summer 2011.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous read, November 16, 2003

By 

S. Lin "SL" (Wellesley, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mystique (Bantam Books Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Mystique was my first Amanda Quick book and it has certainly encouraged me to read more. I would give it 4 and a half stars, but I decided to round up.

Alice is a strongheaded strongwilled young woman bent on escaping her uncle's guardianship and helping her brother establish a future. Hugh the Relentless provides a means to that, so regardless of his reputation, Alice makes a bargain with him. Hugh wants the green crystal to make his people see that he is the true lord of his lands and Alice can find the crystal for him. In return, he has to make sure Alice gets away from her uncle and her brother can study abroad.

This all sounds very nice until Hugh decides that he needs a real betrothal for he has to find someone to oversee the household (he's very picky about food and cleaning) during the winter and to prove to his people that he is ready to settle down. Alice, thinking that it's temporary agrees. But then the unexpected happens...they fall in love.

Hugh is an amazing hero. He cherishes Alice deeply and never loses his temper with her. Even when she helps his lifelong nemesis, he doesn't embarrass her in public and declares that her word is his word and that he will always support her.

The only complaint that I have about this book is how easily and quickly the green crystal was found. However, the mystery at the end makes up for it...partially.

Overall, this book is a joy to read and you'll laugh reading about how she "controls" her husband and "brings him to heel". Amazing woman. =)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly Different, May 21, 2000

By 

Kelly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystique (Bantam Books Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Mystique- noun- Mystical attitudes or beliefs associated with a particular person, thing, or idea. The definition of the title of this book according to Webter's Dictionary. It tickles me that Ms. Quick chose such an appropriate title for her book. Let me tell you how it fits. 1) First of all there is the green crystal which the people of Scarcliffe believe to have mystical powers over the land and also choses the rightful owner of it. There is quite a fascination with it by the characters and it is really the underlying plot of the whole book. 2) The legend of Hugh the Relentless is very mystical with Alice and is what first makes her interested in him. He is very much a legend in his own time and it is very interesting to read about him. 3) Alcie becomes a legend also at Scarcliffe and the people believe her to be a sort of angel. She is kind and good and extremly smart. When there is a mystery or intrigue, she can't resist but to invesitgate. 4) The spellbinding book that is magic in your hands. When you start reading, you can't stop to see what happens next.

I loved reading *Mystique*. The time change was a lovely addition and a nice change from the troubles of the ton that are often in historical romances. Alice truly was a wonderful heroine, and it was nice that she didn't have to worry constantly about proving that she didn't care what the ton thoght about her. She could easily do what she loved to do... study natural philosophy and study her mother's herbal book. Hugh was definately a great hero. I love the way that all of Ms. Quicks characters are linked together with some shared past, it really makes the reader have a clear picture of why they are together. The language was, as always, lovely. You are pulled into the characters lives and feel like you're living it with them. It seemed that Hugh was not just hugging Alice, he is hugging you too. When everyone looks at Alice when she first meets Hugh, your cheeks almost burn with embaressment too. The scenery was wonderfully depicted and I want to go to England now. All in all, this is a fabulous, refreshing book, and if you love Amanda Quick or are just getting started, this book is for you!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Tale!!, December 3, 2002

By 

Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mystique (Bantam Books Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Well, Jayne Ann Krentz aka Amanda Quick has basically one formula for her stories. But what a formula. She is light, she is witty, but the Quicks are just her JAKs in period costume. But that does not stop her from giving you a winner tale. If you like JAK/Quick, you will LOVE her only medieval. If you are not her fan...your tough luck..lol...you are missing one great time!!
The one of two medievals (Desire being the other) from the talented Ms. Krentz/Quick. With her usual charm and wit, she creates lovable, endearing characters and as with all Quick/Krentz novels, the emphasis is on fun and hi-jinx and romance.

This time Lady Alice joins forces with Sir Hugh the Relentless,on a hunt for a long lost stone, which could cost them their lives. The tale is so endearing! Lady Alice will Capture your heart!!

When Lady Alice plucks up her nerve and approaches Hugh the Relentless, is its a dark and stormy night (lol). He is black haired, with amber eyes (with JAK you get amber, green or grey!). The first impression, he is every bit the fearsome warrior of his reputation, but to Lady Alice he is her knight in shining armour. She thinks she can control this man, after all she has been driving away fortune-seeking suitors for years, along with managing her interfering family.

Lady Alice has deliberately lured him to this man with the promise of a green crystal belong to him. But Lady Alice is using it as a bargaining chips (also she does not have it!!). She is hoping to find it, and her dowry to free herself and her brother from her uncle's clutches. Hugh agrees to her terms, only, he has terms of his own: that Lady Alice must agree to a temporary betrothal and spend the winter in Hugh's great stone fortress, Scarcliffe Keep.

The adventure begins, but Sir Hugh's lifelong enemy is plotting against them.

One of the few authors I keep in hardback and there is a reason for it!!