Customer Reviews

The Perfect Desire

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having spent a night of glorious unbridled passion with an unknown Frenchwoman, Barrett Stanbridge finds himself accused of her murder. His guilt is based on the fact that he was last seen in her company and her body was found on his property. In fact, as it stands his arrest is imminent, especially if Inspector Larson has anything to do with it. Barrett, a private investigator himself, is clueless as to where to begin proving his innocence when in walks Isabella Dandaneau, a woman who closely resembles the dead one. A resemblance that is no mistake, the murdered woman is Mignon Richards and Isabella is her cousin. Isabella is sure of Barrett's innocence and she has the evidence which could prove it, but to reveal it would only point the finger of suspicion to her and could quite possibly leave her penniless. So she lets Barrett in on the quest that she shared with Mignon-a quest that could send them both to prison or their deaths.

No stranger to the wiles of the feminine world, Barrett finds himself completely taken by Isabella. She is the perfect woman for him-beautiful, educated in the ways of the world, a good cook, and very enterprising. Isabella sees Barrett as the man of her dreams, he understands her desire to live dangerously, he likes her in a pair of pants and, above all, he awakens the woman in her. As the two join forces to prove Barrett's innocence, passions ignite a desire within each to change their precarious ways while danger lurks at every corner.

I just love a delightful historical romance tale weaved around a riveting mystery and I wasn't disappointed in THE PERFECT DESIRE by Leslie LaFoy. The character development was sensational. I found myself not only caught up in a multifaceted hero and heroine, but in some of the secondary characters as well. The author's attention to historical details was perfect and on point. I was able to really get a feel for the time period and the excitement of the hunt. Although this is the third and final installment of the "perfect" trilogy, I would recommend that readers read the first two as well, because I sure will.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

In London, though frightened, Acadian Louisiana resident Isabella Dandoneau visits Lord Barrett Stanbridge to offer him a deal he cannot refuse. Barrett stands accused of killing Isabella's cousin Mignon Richard, who he had a brief but intimate relationship with until she was murdered; Isabella believes he is innocent and will help prove him so if he assists her in exploring his home where she believes a map to pirate treasure is buried. Isabella further explains that her grandmamma had an affair with Jean Lafitte and that the map would lead to millions.

Though he feels he does not need her assistance, Barrett is intrigued by his visitor who looks very similar in appearance to Mignon, but seems much nicer; he agrees to her deal. As they work together to uncover the map and to find evidence of who really killed Mignon, Isabella becomes a target; however, Barrett will not allow anyone to harm the "Yank" that he loves.

This Victorian romantic mystery is a perfect novel that will elate fans of historical tales who will seek out Leslie LaFoy's previous two stories from this fine trilogy (see PERFECT SEDUCTION and PERFECT TEMPTATION). The story line grips the audience from the moment that Isabella courageously tenders her transaction until the final altercation. Besides insight into the era, historiographic tidbits from the vantage point of post American Civil War looking back at the Battle of New Orleans (during the War of 1812) impart depth to a fine suspenseful who-done-it romance.

Harriet Klausner

This author can write and her stories are hot!! This is her third book and she has been consistently good. Strong female characters, hunky, macho and tender male characters, and DIFFERENT and interesting plots. It is such a thrill to find a new author who writes well enough to place her books on the keeper shelf. If you like Liz Carlyle, pick up one of Leslie LaFoy's books. Trust me. You'll end up with all of them.

The Perfect Desire by Leslie LaFoy had a mix of mystery, romance and strong characters. The main character like each other so much the they lead the story in so many fun ways. Buy it - Read it -- if you like historical romance with dash of mystery you will love this book! If you enjoy this book I would check out all of Samantha Saxon novels.

This was the first time I've ever read Ms. LaFoy and she created a very nice story that was well paced and entertaining. Isabella was a very likable character as was our hero Barrett. There romance was very sensual and at the same time very sweet.

Isabella takes a huge chance when she goes to the office of Barrett after he is acused of killing her cousing Mignon. Each cousin was given half of a map believed to be a treasure map from the pirate Jean Lafitte. Mignon believing that the first clue to the treasures location is in London sets off for England. Her last night alive is spent with the handsome and roughish Barrett. Isabella believes that her cousin hid her portion of the map with Barrett. Isabella makes a bargain with Barrett. He helps her look for that portion of the map and in turn she will tell the authorities everything thereby clearing Barrett of any wrongful deed. After all the focus of the investigation will shift to Isabella after that. Barrett thinking he has nothing to loose and agrees. Problem is he thought wrong. Now against time and a killer they race to find out the truth regarding the treasure...and along the way find love with each other. But will they live happily ever after?

This was again a good book. Isabella and Barrett are strong characters that manage to take control of the story and there by drawing in the reader. They mystery of the treasure map was a fun vehicle for the story. I have no problem recommending Ms. LaFoy and look forward to delving into her backlist of titles.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

The perfect desire is a good book but it drags on. Interesting but slow in spots. I would recommend the book to people just hang with it till the end. It is o.k

This was such a delightful read for me. I admit that in the beginning I was a little skeeved out that the murder victim was Isabelle's cousin and they looked alike. But the author did a good job of handling that in the story so that I could really believe that the H and H were falling for each other. It was really their interaction that made the book for me. Barrett was great and I appreciated that he was really the one to admit his feelings first. This is the third in the series and now I must go back and read the other two - but I didn't feel as if I missed anything so don't feel bad if you start with this one as well. Another plus was that Isabelle was from Louisiana - as am I. :)

This is the second book of a series ("The Perfect Temptation") that I have read that could have been much better. The characters in both books are great, the plot is wonderful, but the book drags. There's so much deliberating in the minds of both characters about their attraction to each other that it gets boring. I would like to see that aspect of the book scaled down. I would also like to see the "mystery" angle played up more (action wise).

Overall it was a good book (not "I can't put it down type"). I have enjoyed reading Leslie LaFoy's previous books.