Customer Reviews

The Virgin's Secret

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Enrico Montini found an ancient Akkadian seal with reference to the Virgin's Secret of the lost city of Ambropia. It is one of three seals that (together) would reveal the location of the city itself. When Enrico went to present the seal to the Antiquities Society he discovered it had been stolen and a false seal left in its place. Enrico was discredited and died shortly thereafter.

Gabriella, Enrico's sister, believes the seal was stolen by one of the Harrington brothers. While searching the Harrington's library, she is caught. The Harrington brothers are sons of the Earl of Wyldewood. After hearing Gabriella's tale, Countess Wyldewood insists they help Gabriella in her quest. Believing Gabriella alone in the world and in financial trouble, the countess offers her a room in their home. Nathanial "Nate", the youngest, agrees to help Gabriella. Nate and Gabriella had danced at a ball recently and their attraction to each other is demanding. So while residing in the same home they can not only keep an eye on each other, but also team up to learn the identity of the real thief and recover the seal to clear the Montini name. And perhaps, if Fate smiles upon them, Gabriella and Nate may take a leap of faith.

***** This is the first of a series about three brothers. Though they are sons of an earl, these brothers love to explore the world and discover artifacts, much like Indiana Jones. I can only hope the two other brothers' stories will be as exciting as this one is. The author created the heroine, Gabriella, to be loyal, brave, and incredibly intelligent. No wimpy lady for this exhilarating adventure. I could not help but admire the earl's entire family. Each member is totally unique in their own way. The author even goes so far as to give each their own set of quirks and personality. Victoria Alexander has outdone herself yet again! Brava! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

There are some authors who are guaranteed to make me shed a tear while reading their emotionally written story and there are some authors who never fail to make me smile and even laugh while reading the witty banter in their delightfully, sexy romp. Victoria Alexander always delivers on the latter. With The Virgin's Secret, Ms. Alexander does just that and begins a new series about an aristocratic family of treasure hunters.

Nathanial Harrington and his brothers, Sterling and Quinton, have longed for adventure from the time they found their great-grandmother's journal in an old trunk when they were children and discovered that their distant relative had been a smuggler (The Perfect Wife). Since then, Sterling had become the Earl of Wyldewood while Nate and Quint went on to complete their studies and travel abroad searching for antiques and antiquities in foreign lands. The discovery of those artifacts and what they represent is Nate's motivation, while the money they would bring in from museums or collectors is Quint's drive. Despite their differences, they make a great team. Their sister's coming out brings them both back to London and, unbeknownst to them, another adventure.

After her half brother's humiliation and untimely death, Gabriella Montini makes it her mission to restore his reputation. A year before, Enrico Montini claimed to have found an ancient Akkadian seal that made reference to the location of the Virgin's Secret, the lost city of Ambropia. When he presented what he thought was the seal to the Validation and Allocation Committee of the London Antiquities Society, he was discredited when it turned out to be fake and he lost his temper in the process. He suspected that someone switched the seal and wrote letters to Gabriella stating that and naming four possible suspects--two of which were Quinton and Nathanial Harrington. After breaking into the Harringtons' London home to search for evidence, Gabriella is caught and uses her wits and intelligence to procure an invitation to stay after explaining to the family about her brother and the seal.

Both Nate and Quint are familiar with Gabriella's story and Nate, who is instantly attracted to the beautiful young woman, offers to help her in any way he can. As they work together to restore Montini's name, more surprises emerge and Nate wonders which would be the greater adventure, the quest or the woman. And which would be the greater find?

I absolutely adore Gabriella and the fact that she is a remarkably brilliant young woman. She has earned a certificate at Queen's College, earned one university degree and still studies ancient civilizations, history, archeology, myths, legends and anything else that would prove useful to her brother's work. She is fluent in nine languages and remembers everything she's ever read. Does this intimidate Nathanial? Absolutely not. In fact, it makes him appreciate and respect her all the more. And this not only makes him an exceptional hero, but also leads to a great deal of witty repartee full of sexual tension between the two. Their exchanges positively sparkle. Some even had me laughing and made my reading experience that much more enjoyable. Ms. Alexander hints at what might occur in future stories and this one certainly leaves readers begging for more. I, for one, am positively bursting at the seams for the next in this exciting new series. Be sure to pick this one up!

Andrea
Romance Novel TV
4.75 stars

I took this book everywhere I went for 24 hours - so if I had a spare moment I could escape back in time. Nathanial Harrington comes from a large boisterous family. His brother is an Earl and his family has been treasure hunters for generations. Gabriella Montini wants to find her deceased brother's stolen artifact and she finds herself breaking into Harrington family home ... only to be caught. The treasure hunt, multitude of evil character, the romance and the knowledge that this is only the being of a great series made for his a delicious book. Looking forward to her next book Believe( due out - Nov 24, 2009)

If you enjoy this genre I would also suggest; Vexing the Viscount (Leisure Historical Romance), Sins of a Wicked Duke (Historical Romance) and Confessions of a Little Black Gown.

In the first book of her new and captivating adventure-styled series ~ THE VIRGIN'S SECRET ~ Victoria Alexander once again delights her readers with an engaging and humorous romance between a deliciously charismatic hero and an equally fascinating heroine whose secrets are divulged in a tale that comes complete with a light murder mystery, a hint of blackmail, a dash of larceny and an intriguing assemblage of possible bad guys thrown in for thrills.

Sometimes the only option we have is a leap of faith...

When Gabriella Montini decided to break into the London home of the nefarious Harrington brothers to search for evidence to prove the fortune-hunters were involved in the theft of an artifact that could confirm the existence of a long lost civilization...

She didn't expect to get caught--or invited to remain in the house as a guest of their mother, the Dowager Countess of Wyldewood.

For two of the Harrington brothers were included on the list of men accused by her brother, archeologist Enrico Montini, of stealing his discovery--a priceless seal of Ambropia--and replacing it with a fake; thereby causing the loss of his good reputation with the illustrious Antiquities Society. Furthermore, the men on that list could quite possibly have been involved in Enrico's suspicious and untimely death. But when the brothers deny being involved the Countess believes her sons are innocent, yet that kindhearted and compassionate lady still wants to help Gabriella, who, aside from her trustworthy servants, is all alone in the world. So in order to protect everyone's reputations from being harmed by the scandal that would ensue--from even false accusations of thievery--she suggests Gabriella form an alliance with the family, and that they work together to solve the riddle of the theft and recover the seal.

And of course Gabriella didn't expect to be drawn in to an awkward and dubious partnership with the Harrington brothers...

However, she agrees because what choice does she really have--as the Earl could easily have had her thrown in jail. Can she trust them??? That remains to be seen, but what better way was there to gather information while keeping her eyes on two of the suspects, than to have them right there under her nose. Besides, if the Harringtons were innocent then searching for the true culprit could prove to be a very dangerous undertaking, so she'd be wise to accept their offer of assistance.

And Gabriella certainly didn't expect to be constantly thrown together with the handsome youngest son of the house...

The very charming, scholarly, and hopefully dependable and trustworthy--archeologist cum adventurer--Nathanial Harrington. Though it's pure madness, she now finds herself intensely attracted to that wickedly sexy scoundrel--and worse--it's becoming impossible to resist the teasing smile, laughing eyes and tempting seduction of the man who promises to delight her with passionate kisses in the moonlight; and soooo much more.

Gabriella is suddenly afraid Nathanial may be the biggest danger of all because he just might be the one man capable of stealing her heart...

And she definitely never expected that.

*****

I thought Gabriella was such an appealing and sympathetic heroine. She's beautiful, intelligent and highly educated, but she definitely has her fair share of character flaws and trust issues; though reasonably so, considering she'd lost almost everyone in her life she'd ever loved and trusted. And now, with her older brother's death all of her dreams--her secret aspirations of working alongside him as a respected expert in the field of archeology, a field she was well trained for even if she was a woman--came to a sudden and unexpected end. Yet whether good or bad, I liked that she took the initiative in making decisions affecting her life, rather than passively sitting back and waiting for something to happen or someone else--like a man--to take charge.

And I absolutely loved Nathanial Harrington--he's a terrific hero! He's a very NICE guy--and his character comes across as a really solidly honorable man, especially for someone involved in the business of treasure hunting. I liked that Nate's smart and clearly scholarly, but not too bookish; and definitely not nerdy. I had no doubt of his charm and could certainly understand why Gabriella was so attracted to him; for both--his pleasing boyishness and physically attractive manliness--carried a heady sexual appeal. I also liked that it was clear that Nate had a very good sense of humor and he's able to laugh at life's little blunders and pratfalls, as well as at himself.

Still, at times he acted like a "guy" and became all "primitive alpha male" on Gabriella, acting like a manly jerk when he got angry. Sometimes he blustered and ranted, and tried to be controlling because HE thinks he knows what's best for the little woman (he is, after all, a man of his time). But, when he's done blustering, Nate had a willingness to listen and try to understand Gabriella`s point of view. He recognized that she was a woman of intelligence and independent spirit, and that she had aspirations--though perhaps futile--of being part of, and acknowledged by a field that was regulated and dominated by men.

And, ultimately, we come to know by his words and his deeds that Nate truly loves Gabriella. He wants to make her happy, and if possible, make some of her dreams come true--all while keeping her safe; even from her own impulsive nature. And he's not a fool by any means; he knows he has his work cut out for him with the fair Gabriella of the flashing blue eyes.

Nate seemed a very real and very likeable character to me--a perfect hero--yet not unrealistically perfect. I felt he was definitely a "keeper" in every sense... son, brother, friend, associate, partner--lover--mate. And if Gabriella didn't want him--I'd take him for myself. *G*

THE VIRGIN'S SECRET was a very enjoyable story. I was thoroughly entertained by the amusing ways the author gradually built up the tension and attraction between Gabriella and Nate... and I loved how Gabriella gets so completely flustered by Nate's flirtatious manner--his nearness--and how she tries to fight her growing desire for him. I thought the banter between the characters was fabulously sharp, remarkably witty and marvelously sexy... Just exactly what Victoria Alexander's fans have come to expect from this clever, amazingly gifted and accomplished author.

Gabriella and Nate were well matched and complemented each other wonderfully; Ms Alexander did an admirable job balancing their strengths and weaknesses. And I could realistically believe this couple would come to support each other--neither one overshadowing the other--encourage each other, and would, in fact, become partners in life... and in love.

Well done Ms. Alexander!

The hero and heroine in this book were very interesting characters and the plot made it an enjoyable well rounded read. I didn't feel a lot of chemistry and emotional connection between the H/H to start, but the story was a fun read nevertheless. This author does dialogue best, and the repartee between the characters was fabulous and very well done - worth reading just for this. I do wish the author had focused a little more on an emotional connection between them so I could feel their love grow. I think that would have made it great for me. Love these brothers though, and will probably read the rest in the series.

I read through 158 and that's it. It is just not interesting enough to finish. I usually like the author but not this time.

So boring I only made it to page 152. Usually if I pay money for a book I can force myself to finish it, but not this time. I have in the past enjoyed some of this author's work, but the last few books of hers that I have read were not very good. The only way I'll read another in this series is if I borrow it from the library.

At a glance, Gabriella Montini seems to have everything: she's well educated, well traveled, multi-lingual, financially independent and beautiful. So, why follow her from page one to "the end"? Because master storyteller Victoria Alexander writes about a not so perfect extraordinary character like Gabriella, gives her ordinary emotional issues and delivers a spellbinding story.

From Gabriella's suspicious nature and independent streak, (that get her into serious trouble from the very beginning) her inability to trust others, especially her very handsome partner Nate Harrington, to her compassionate and caring heart she had me cheering her on. I wanted to see her win. Despite all the wonderful things in her life like her education, her wealth and her beauty something is missing. While her external goal is to salvage her dead brother's reputation, this is truly a story about Gabriella's quest for happiness. For meaning in her life. Acceptance.

Her actions both external and internal are well motivated- I understood why Gabriella made her decisions, even when these complicated matters for her and others. I followed her journey because I wanted to see what she'd do next and she did not disappoint.

She's exquisitely well matched with Nate Harrington her partner in the search for an ancient seal that will restore her brother's name. Nate's an amazing hero, honorable, funny, intelligent and not intimidated by Gabriella's professional accomplishments, in fact, he's openly proud of her. Even before he realizes he's in love with her, he desperately wants her to be happy even if it means making sacrifices.

The dialogue exchanges are phenomenal, at times I felt like I was eavesdropping on real people-- real conversations. The story is complete with laugh-out-loud moments, tender scenes that peel away the layers of each of the characters and exhilarating suspense. Ms. Alexander invites the reader into the dangerous and dynamic world of the Harrington brothers. With The Virgin Secret, this series is off to a remarkable start.

Alexander's newest book is a wonderful return to her historical romantic comedy roots. Much like the Marriage Lesson, the Virgin's Secret's charm lies in the dialogue and characters rather than the plot. The witty exchanges between the two main characters had me smiling from beginning to end.

I have a weakness for archaeological mysteries--especially those blended with romance--and this one fit the bill nicely. I loved the interplay between the family members, the continuing revelation of each layer of secrecy, and the light hearted way these two discover their feelings for each other.

My sole complaint is the awful title. While it makes sense within the context of the story and does not, in fact, refer to the heroine's sexual experience, it seems to recall the stereotypical and shallow romances of the past--one that most romance authors (including Ms. Alexander) have left far, far behind. It's a disservice to this wonderful book to have any connection to those trite pieces of writing. I nearly passed it by based on the title alone. Boo to the marketing department that let this title stand.

I love Ms. Alexander so this book wasn't a disappointment. It was a bit predictable at times but very amusing and entertaining. I would definitely recommend this book. Fiery leading lady character and rakish male character. All in all a good read.