Customer Reviews

A Season Of Virtues (Zebra Regency Romance)

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

 

 

An unusual plot unfolds as the Earl of Whitshire hosts three young people at his mother's request. These guests bring an extra visitor, who is hiding from her past, a pile of secrets and lies and danger. This all interfers with the fact that the Earl likes to collect murderers. The characters are well developed, as is Ms. Lansdowne's usual. Whit is a little unsure of himself when it comes to the ladies, and Honor is just bold enough to provide some entertaining exploits. For the delectation of the reader, all the secondary characters are also creative. The mother is sought after by many in the ton, but is amusing as she attempts to make a match for her son. The brother is brave and heroic (of course), the sister supportive of all fun, and even the villians add a touch of enjoyment. Lansdowne writes a wonderful story with a touch of humor, mystery and romance which I couldn't put down. Whether you're a ususal Regency fan or not, this is definately an excellent read. And when you're done this one, read "Amelia's Intruige" this author's all-time best!

Garrett Forester, Earl of Whitshire, had a most unusual hobby. He collected murderers. He didn't need his beloved mother bringing guests to his London house while he was in the midst of another murder investigation. Yet he found Honor Virtue quite taking and truly liked her sister and brother. A lovely young runaway from the horse show complicates his life even more, as does objects mysteriously appearing in his house.

Judith A. Lansdowne never disappoints. If you love humor with your romance and would rather your heroine and hero not be at each other's throats throughout most of the book, buy a Lansdowne. Whitshire is definitely a man of many talents who loves his life. There are two other romances and three mysteries to solve, not an easy task for an experienced author to keep straight. No worries, Lansdowne can do it.

A silly book...but a *good* silly. All of the characters are just a little bit "over the top" for a Regency. I giggled quite often while reading it (and I don't usually do that). I have read a lot of Regencies that I didn't even finish, much less keep...this one's a keeper.

This is a light, slightly humorous regency, that the reader needs to not take seriously. I enjoyed it for some of the goofiness though the story was not what I would consider a true-to-type historical romance from this era. If you want Georgette Heyer's or Patricia Veryan's class of story, you won't find it here.

The Earl of Whitshire has managed to avoid marriage. He is 32 years old and his mother has finally decided to take matters into her own hands. The three Virtues: Honor, Prudence and Justice become his guests while the two women are introduced to society.

The buzz in the background occurs because 'Whit' collects murders. In some ways he reminded me of Barney Fife from the Andy Griffith show. Slow-witted and clueless at times he is assisted by various characters to achieve a conclusion. I wondered several times during the story if Whit didn't have his monies and friends what he would do in real life. I don't think it would have been a detective. The story is different then other regencies and you'll find three romances in progress with, of course, three convenient endings.

A very enjoyable read, with a refreshingly different hero who isn't hesitant to speak his feelings of love out loud. Now THAT is truly unique in a regency romance! In fact, all three courting males in this story (yes, there are THREE romances going on) are very upfront about their romantic feelings toward the woman of their choice. I found myself having to remind myself occasionally just WHICH male was courting WHICH female, but that is a very minor detriment. Lots of DELIGHTFUL humor, as is typical for Lansdowne.

Did I read a different book from everyone else below?

This book was AWFUL. From terrible grammar to inability to manage point of view to silly characters to ridiculous, unbelievable plots to, ultimately, a book which made me want to scream. I actually felt like throwing it away after only three pages. I should have done it then, actually; by the time I made it to the end of the book I swore I would never read anything by this author ever again.

Lansdowne invents new speech verbs all over the place. 'He nodded' is supposed to be a speech verb, as is 'she smiled' or 'he sighed' and similar non-speaking actions. Ms Lansdowne, if someone nods at me I don't hear entire sentences! Not unless s/he SPEAKS at the same time!

And her perspective is all over the place. I no sooner get used to being in one character's head when, hey presto, I'm in another. And another. And yet another. I'm getting dizzy trying to take in so many people's points of view! Has Ms Lansdowne ever heard of picking a viewpoint character and *staying* with that character for an entire scene? Try it. It's refreshing. And easy on the reader, too!

The characters. What an idiotic assembly! So Whit is supposed to be an amateur detective, yes? Therefore, one assumes, sharp-witted, intelligent and not easily fooled? So why does he allow his mother to pull stupid tricks on him all the time? Why is he apparently taken in by the incredibly thin tale dreamt up by the clichéd runaway heiress? And why does he not get impatient by Honor's continued butting in to his plans? As for the clichéd runaway heiress, I was rolling my eyes. Apart from the simply incredible plot at this point, I couldn't understand why everyone didn't just tell her to grow up and stop being so pathetic (as well as telling so many lies).

There are times when I wish that Amazon would allow reviews to give a zero-star rating. This is one book which definitely deserves it. A true stinker.

wmr-uk

what I like about Lansdowne novels are that her characters are essentially happy people. It's a fun read with a nicely befuddled hero, a heroine who knows when to just enjoy herself, a happily meddlesome mother, and a host of secondary characters in the mix. All in all it's lighthearted fun.

Excellent book with characters you care about, and a good plot line. Main male character is calm and strong, with a good sense of humor and main female character is the same. Humor important with these two. Also, like subplots with other male and female characters. Everyone likeable and you care about all of the characters. Makes you want to investigate all of Lansdowne's other stories. Not sensual, but the characters are so lively that you can accept the lack thereof. Very good story. A keeper.