Customer Reviews

The Scandalous Life of a True Lady (Signet Eclipse)

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

 

 

I'm giving this book 2 stars because after reading some glowing reports, I hoped this book will be better than some of Barbara Metzger's recent books.

I used to love Barbara Metzber's early books but I've been very disappointed in her latest ones. They are tedious. Where are the humor, the warmth and the fast pace of books like The Loyal Companion, The Luck of the Devil, Lady Whilton's Wedding and An Early Engagement, to name a few?

I wanted so much to like The Scandalous Life etc, but it was BORING! The beginning was promising, but later on... Moreover, just as "iiireader (USA)" wrote, you get the feeling that the author was asked/told to fill a certain amount of pages, never mind how. Consequently, Metzger wrote ad nauseam about the competition while some other things were not explained or only partially explained.

Ms Metzger, please, let us have some more of your really funny books. You used to be one of a kind, and now you are just a run of the mill historical romances writer.

Harry Harmon goes by many names as spymaster extraordinaire and master of disguises. At the moment Harry needs a smart and beautiful courtesan to gain entrée to a country house party in order to spy on enemies threatening England, and, above all...she mustn't lie.

As a beautiful, young, genteel lady Simone Ryland is desperate for funds to keep her brother in school. With no references and nothing left of material value to sell, Simone decided to approach Mrs. Burton's bawdy house in search of work. Harry's friend Mrs. Burton recognized Simone to be everything Harry was looking for to assist him, Simone also turned out to be more of a temptation than Harry bargained for as well.

*** One thing I've learned is that one should never begin a book by Barbara Metzger in the evening, especially if one must get up early the next morning. First of all I couldn't stop myself from picking the book up to study the beautiful cover. Yes, I know you don't judge a book by it's cover but the artwork on the last few of Ms. Metzger's books, i.e. THE HOURGLASS; TRULY YOURS; and THE SCANDALOUS LIEFE OF A TRUE LADY are simply outstanding! However, fantastic covers are just bait, because once you start reading, you are firmly caught up in the original, sensual and humorous romantic Regency world that is a trademark for this master wordsmith.

Metzger has continued this second novel (the first being TRULY YOURS) with the theme of a blessed/cursed family trait handed down to male issue of knowing the `truth' when they hear it. Not all have the same reaction to lies, and in Harry's case, he tastes it! Unlike his poor cousin Daniel, who itches in some very embarrassing places. With the war over, Harry wants only to complete his service to thwart a ruinous plot to overthrow the government and to finally bury his main alter ego of Major Harrison. The author first introduced Harry in TRULY YOURS as the illegitimate issue of the Earl of Royce setting the plot, giving him motivation and finally this story. Simone was also a gem. Smart and savvy and I loved the way the author reasoned out why her last valuable asset, her virginity, was hers to bestow knowing as an unprotected female living in genteel poverty, it would only be a matter of time before it might be taken by force. This story boasts a plethora of memorable characters especially the assorted mistresses who were oftentimes scandalously funny. I really loved cousin Daniel and hope Ms. Metzger is planning his story next, as with his reaction to lies it is bound to be hilarious!

Bottom line - This is one of the most amusing and original stories you'll find in this genre by an author who continues to satisfy and charm her fans!

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.Ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

I have enjoyed Barbara Metzger's books for years. Lately, unfortunately, I've seen a decline. I would point to the timeframe in which she stopped writing Regencies and instead starting writing Historical Romances. From my point of view, she seems better equipped to deal with the shorter genre and with less sex involved.

In this book, her writing is, as usual, far above average. She has an interesting idea and, at first, it looked as if this might be a four star book. What brought it down was 1) the ridiculous notion that truth could have a "taste"; 2) the time spent at the Cyprian's Ball; 3)the almost but not quite sexual encounters between Harry and Simone; and 4) the lack of finesse with which the book ended.

I have stepped into a series which has "truth" has it's hook - but really, this has no place in an historical romance - it is more of a paranormal element. On top of it being out of place, the author spends a ridiculous amount of the book reiterating how awful lies taste (or for the hero's cousin - how itchy they are!) I could have borne with a slight aside about his "powers" but this was simply too much.

Way, way too much time was spent detailing every element of the contest of the Cyprians. Did we have to know what each of them did for each of the contests - or even what they planned to do for contests that were not even held? I didn't buy the contest to begin with - and saw that the "contest" was the filler to build the book into the longer format historical. It was tedious.

While I actually don't generally appreciate the sexual scenes in historicals, I recognize that the "cleaner" regency genre is, if not dead, at least on hiatus. It was interesting that the hero and heroine
don't actually have intercourse in this book, but I got a little bored by the bedroom scenes where Harry showed Simone her "woman's pleasure" and then spent pages with both of them thinking about doing it again and then thinking that they shouldn't, then doing it again, then thinking about it.... you get the drift. Too much, too out of character for where the heroine seemed going.

Finally, the abrupt ending - well, too bad for the assistant impersonating Harry - he's dead. Why? Why did this happen? Why were the individuals involved in the plot against the government? Why did the woman run off to Scotland? Was the girl the daughter of the lord? It felt like the book was as long as it needed to be and the author/editor just yanked the end out of their hats. The whole Gypsy tells the future seemed to be a mechanism to give closure to each of the individuals without explanation or consideration to the reader.

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a Metzger novel and though I appreciate her writing style, I have to feel that it is probably time to stop buying them. The historical just does not seem to be her best writing venue.

Harry Harmon's family line is able to detect lies. Daniel gets rashes when he hears or speaks lies. Rex sees colors. The earl heard notes of discord. As for Harry, the illegitimate son, he can taste an untruth, and they taste awful. The government considers them to be national treasures because their abilities allow them to ferret out information.

Harry is getting ready to retire from all his aliases and live out the remainder of his life in peace. But his alternate identity as the spymaster, Major Harrison, has many enemies. So while someone disguised as Major Harrison is in London appearing to die, Harry Harmon will be attending a gathering in the country to complete his last job. Harry is to spy on the people at the country house party hosted by Lord Gorham and his mistress, Claire. At least one of the guests is a traitor. Each gentleman is bringing his courtesan to compete in several categories. This means Harry requires a female who can pass as a courtesan, be loyal, and able to understand multiple languages. Above all, she must be honest. Enter Simone.

Simone Ryland has no guardian, dowry, or references. She also has a younger brother away at school and her money has run out. With no other recourse, Simone goes to Mrs. Burton's bawdy house in search of work. After a short interview, the madam sends Simone off with Harry. Unknown to Simone, she is about to claim her first alias character and perhaps find a bit of love along the way.

**** This type of Regency is best for those who enjoy danger, mystery, and intrigue in their stories. If you are looking for a typical Regency Romance about a couple getting together and possible scandals, then you will not enjoy this type of Regency Historical Romance. I have not read many novels by this author, Barbara Metzger, but if I go by the ones that I have picked up thus far, I must say that Metzger's cup of imagination seems to overflow. Stellar! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Barbara Metzger's book are always a treat -- well written, a fresh approach with her unique touch of humor.

Liked the plot okay, but the "Hero" was a little hard to believe. I'd like to have seen the Heroine work at least a few weeks at the "bawdy house" being a "housekeeper or seamstress or cook", but not as a "purveyor of sensual delights". I believe Ms. Metzger could have plotted out a tale on this level that would have been funny and a little more interesting. Yet, it was still a good read and worth the time.

I just recently discovered Barbara Metgzer and have breezed through 5 other of her books at my local library. What a funny and gifted gem of a writer but this book was such a disappointment. The setup for tension and hilarity was there but the characters were as fun as mopping my kitchen floor on a Friday night. The political intrigue and treason has is the basis for the characters getting together is never fully explained but neatly wrapped up in about 5 pages out of a 230 page book. I cared more for some of the lesser characters than the main characters: Sundaree the slave, Chappy the thief and even Mr Black the dog. Give yourself a free pass to just skip to the end...

Simone is a lady who her parents have died and she sold her home to put his younger brother through school. She can't find good governess work so she has decided to become someone's mistress. She walks into a whore house and the owner finds her man who needs a temporary mistress for a party. Simone really does want this life... Harry Harmon can 'taste the truth' as well as all his male family members - - he wants to get out of the spy business with one last case -- he needs a mistress for a house party who will make a big splash in the London papers... and thus the romance begins. This book is very PG-13 the sex is hinted - you don't miss it but it would be fine book to leave around and guest won't be shocked! - Enjoy!

I would also suggest Truly Yours (Signet Eclipse) (Viscount Rexford (Rex) story), How to Abduct a Highland Lord , A Rake's Guide to Seduction (Zebra Historical Romance) and Under Your Spell (Witches of Mayfair, Book 1). Looking foward to The Wicked Ways of a True Hero.

I just stared to read Barbara Metzger. She has good flow and good charater development, she does not have the really hot sex scene but her stories make up for this. I cried at the end of all her books so I consider her a pretty good author.

As much as I love Barbara Metzger, I have to agree with Vicki L's assessment. I thought long and hard about giving this 4 stars but that would have been the action of one of the despised "fangirls" and I hope I am not one of them! I agree that this was too drawn out and there was a lack of character development, particularly for Simone - she's a little two dimensional and we don't really know her at all well by the end of the story. Harry Harmon was an interesting character but there was not enough about his background to make him truly memorable. We get hints about his upbringing and, of course, you would be assisted if you had read "Truly Yours" before this book. One of Metzger's strong points has always been her lively and sparky writing with her wonderful comic jokes and asides. Not here; nor did we have her usual coterie of weird and wonderful animals and zany servants. I expect the forthcoming "Wicked Ways of a True Hero" will be Cousin Daniel's story; he got the short end of the stick in this story as he comes across as a little thick and not particularly attractive but, perhaps I will be surprised when we get his story.

All in all, this is not a keeper for me and perhaps I am being a little harsh because rather than judging it against some of the trite, trivial and boring stuff around under the guise of Regency Historical, I am judging Metzger against herself. It was entertaining but, sadly, for me not memorable and I could not quite bring myself to fall in love with Harry.