Customer Reviews

The Secret Life Of Lady Gabriella (Harlequin Romance)

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Accident-prone house cleaner and aspiring romance novelist Ellie March receives rejection after rejection. When she house sits for an academic philologist at the request of his sister (and unknown to him, of course), inspiration and calamity strike. Now known as Lady Gabriella March, Ellie writes for Milady magazine as the perfect domestic aristocrat using the grand house as her inspiration. When Dr. Benedict Faulkner returns unexpectedly from his research, the trouble begins. Can she keep her secret identity, maintain her writing career and prevent an accident or two as well? When her heart is exposed in the process, will Ellie choose practicality over long held dreams?

The plot is tight yet maintains the suspense and reader's pleasure. The characterization of both primary and even secondary characters is strong and memorable. By making the heroine a struggling romance author, Liz Fielding opens this romance beyond just a tender romance. The play with the stereotypical romance novel is a scream and priceless. Throughout the novel, her imagery consistently creates a world both vibrantly realistic and sensuously experienced. The reader easily imagines in sight, sound and smell the scenes of the gardens, the meals and even the accidents. The ending was just enough of a surprise to satisfy but at the same time it rang true to the characters.

The Secret Life of Lady Gabriella is the perfect read for any reader who desires something a little different yet tender. Liz Fielding hits the perfect balance in this romance --- a lighthearted yet deep tenderness, complete with humorous zany complications. Not all of us can aspire to a Martha Stewart level of domestic perfection externally, but for those of us who will never succeed at this goal, this house cleaning heroine and her professor stole this reader's heart.

Lady Gabriella is the pen name of the young widow, Ellie, who is still suffering from the loss of her young husband three years before. Her denial of her talent as an artist is at the heart of the problem. The story of how she comes to terms with these issues is told in a gentle and humerous manner, with a well written 'melt down' near the end. She has been hired to take care of a house by a relative of the owner. When he comes back unexpectedly the story becomes a romance. He is a bit introspective, a professor, and needs the warmth and enthusiasm for life that Ellie brings to all things. There's a bit of suspense due to Ellie's secret writing. A very enjoyable read. Passionate, but no real sex scenes, for those of you who complain that today's romances seem to have become erotic fiction.

This is my second novel by Liz Fielding. I have found another favorite author. Since the book has been aptly reviewed by D. Merrimon Crawford I will say that I agree wholeheartedly with that review. I won't duplicate the explanation of the plot, etc. The story was sweet, romantic with a wonderful splash of humor. I loved the characters. With the Amazon-Kindle price of only $2.93 it was a real steal! I am very excited about starting another of Liz Fielding's novels. I certainly wasn't disappointed.