Customer Reviews

The Wicked Ways of a True Hero (Signet Eclipse)

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

 

 

Barbara Metzger's regencies are full of fun and humor. Her heroines need a bit of rescuing, but so do her heros--just in a different way. "The Wicked Ways of a True Hero" is the third connected novel about a family whose sons have the 'special' inherited trait of being able to, in different ways, sense lies and deceit.

Daniel has become something of a dissipated scoundrel since his release from the military. He spends his time gambling, drinking, and consorting with loose women. But he knows his freedom to carouse is about to be cut short because his mother and sister are coming to London for the season. If that weren't bad enough, they're bringing his sister's friend and mother's god-daughter...the same girl he had to retrieve from an inn while trying to elope with a no-good cad! What can his mother be thinking?

Corie has despised Daniel ever since he foiled her youthful escape from her abusive father. And the things she's heard about his life since the military certainly don't change her mind. But living in the same house in London and seeing how he cares for his mother and sister and protects them...and even her despite his opinion of her, may just change her mind.

I have to admit that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have all the rest by Barbara Metzger. I didn't particularly like Corine OR Daniel. Corine came across as more witless than winning and Daniel seemed rather slow. I also missed the normally sparkling banter I'm used to from this author. The relationship between the main characters suffered from a constant lack of communication and that bugged me. They didn't blow hot and cold...they just blew cold and then all of a sudden realized they cared for each other. That just doesn't work for me.

"The Wicked Ways of a True Hero" is a G-rated romance whose sex scenes are more along the lines of make-out sessions. I would have no problem letting a young teen read this as well as most other of Metzger's works. But to be blunt, I'd recommend they start with her House of Cards trilogy which I found fabulous from start to finish.

I really enjoyed the first books in this series. There were mysteries and the weird paranormal talent each hero had to deal with included in those. This one, however, was a disappointment. The hero and heroine don't really like each other through most of the book - not very romantic, in my opinion. There is an added subplot of a counterfeiting ring, but it is not developed very much. Daniel was one of the interesting supporting characters in the other books; he should have been left that way.

I am working on an outline of a novel. After building a career writing 200-page laugh-out-loud Regency romances with warm and lively characters and intricate plots, a writer is told by her editor/agent she has to produce 350-page novels (maybe with a paranormal plot) or her contract won't be renewed.

And then....

I have ideas - caring for sick parents or foster children has depleted her resources, she goes away to a secluded getaway and meets a sinister-but hot-looking man, she expressed her frustration a little too vehemently and then the editor is murdered.

A lot of the usual plot suspects could fit here, but I get the feeling Ms. Metzger has lived some of my story.

These later books are OK, but it's a pity, she could be allowed, like Jane Austen, to stick to her own little bit of ivory and fine brush.

The rash kind of threw this book off. The story was okay, but a rash every time somebody lies makes this "hero" unappealing. I really didn't like the plot. The characters were okay, but the rash killed it for me. The story would have been much better and more believable minus the hero's "affliction".

[Insert story line from other reviews here.] I did not read the first two stories in this series so I cannot compare how the third book in the trilogy measures up. However, as far as light Regency/Historical stories go, I enjoyed this one. Besides a good mystery, I find a little humor in books to be quite delightful. I found less fault in this adventure than in any number I have recently read.

The whole premise of a rash-encrusted, scratching truth-detector struck me as quite silly but ultimately amusing. Perhaps the heroine was not all that I might have hoped for, but the growth of the hero was well done. After reading the reviews here that state this is not one of Metzger's best but that I found better than many other authors, I am encouraged to find more of her books. I would recommend giving this book a try.

I will never attempt to buy or read another book by this author. This was so boring I could not finish it. I must agree with the person that said do not bother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't read a Barbara Metzger book I didn't like. This one was another enjoyable read. Fun, lighthearted and witty.
I enjoyed the first two books of this trilogy and was happy to see Daniel's story in a book of his own.
There's no need for tissues here. And the love scenes won't scorch the pages. But if you want a break from heartache, anguish and nearly-porn this is a good book that will leave you smiling.

3 ½ - 4 stars. This is the final book in Metzger's 'True Love' trilogy about the Royce family whose men have an unusual ability to detect the truth, such as one sees red and another has a bitter taste when they hear someone speak falsely. They hide their 'gift' from all but a few, lest they be seen as sorcerers or worse. This book features Royce cousin Daniel Stamfield, who breaks out in a rash if he hears a lie, making it difficult for him to be out in society. Using his talent, Daniel was a crack interrogator for the British army during the recent Napoleonic war. But his giant size and amazing success unfairly earned him a reputation as a brute. The war took its toll on Daniel and he has since drowned himself in booze and gambling and women...fiercely resisting pleas from his cousins to put his power to use in fighting crime. Then his widowed mother comes to London for his sister's come-out and insists that Daniel, as head of the family, help in the effort. Daniel is forced to clean up, sober up and move in with his mother and sister. Upon his arrival, he is alarmed to find that his mother's goddaughter, Miss Corisande "Corie" Abbott, is staying with them as well.

Daniel has not seen or heard of Corie in three years...since he helped her father track her down and prevent her elopement to an army officer. Daniel caught them in bed at an inn en route to their wedding and now assumes the worst of Corie, calling her a whore and a bad influence...albeit a very beautiful one. Corie thinks Daniel is the immoral one and a thoughtless ruffian to boot. She hates him for thwarting her escape from her abusive father, who has kept her a virtual prisoner since. Now, with her godmother's help, Corie hopes to once and for all be free of her sire by finding a husband during the London season. Daniel and Corie should want nothing to do with each other...but there's no accounting for the ways of the heart.

Barbara Metzger is an excellent writer with a wonderful sense of humor. Daniel's troublesome and poorly timed outbreaks are truly funny, as are the couple's private thoughts about each other. And the initial exchange between Corie and Daniel is dynamite. Unfortunately, there is not enough of this sparkling banter. There are also too few romantic moments, as the couple spends a good part of the book outwardly resisting the other or denying their feelings, while inwardly yearning for each other's love. Too much of the romance takes place in their minds, and what romance there is, is not very intimate. Daniel is pretty loveable, though, as he progresses from swaggering rake to besotted beau, while coming to terms with his remarkable talent. I like this book overall and have also liked the series, particularly the first book, "Truly Yours".

Three years ago, believing he was doing the right thing, Daniel Stamfield interceded on behalf of her father to stop Corisande Abbott's elopement. She begged him not to return her to her nasty father, but he believed her dad that his daughter was just an inane disobedient daughter. He brought her home to her family.

Chaperoned by her mother and accompanied by her sister, Corisande is in London for the season. Daniel is attracted to her, but still believes her father's assessment of his daughter. However, as he gets to know her, Daniel concludes Corisande was and is telling the truth. They begin sleuthing together seeking to learn who is counterfeiting money. As they fall in love, Daniel no longer regrets what he did three plus years ago as he wants Corisande as his wife while love has enabled her to forgive him. However, as they investigate together neither is confident with taking that critical first step of informing the other of how they feel.

Returning to the Regency world of THE SCANDALOUS LIFE OF A TRUE LADY, Barbara Metzger provides her readers with a wonderful romance starring two delightful intelligent protagonists. The story line is fast-paced from the intervention to the courting as Daniel, an asset to his country for his uncanny ability to know when someone is lying, finds his greatest skill failed him three years ago and apparently fails him now; as it don't work as well as kisses to reveal the truth. Regency romance readers will appreciate Ms. Metzger amusing historical due to the unique courtship of the lead couple.

Harriet Klausner

The heroine was a whiny, ungrateful brat and the hero was a whiny, selfish dolt. I got about halfway in and gave up - there was no hope of redemption.