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Nowhere Near Respectable (Lost Lords #3)

3.7 of 5 stars 3.70 · rating details · 905 ratings · 100 reviews

Mary Jo Putney's riveting Lost Lords series unleashes a high stakes royal plot--which may prove easier for Damian Mackenzie to handle than his own unruly desire. . .He's a bastard and a gambler and society's favorite reprobate. But to Lady Kiri Lawford he's a hero--braver than the smugglers he rescues her from, more honorable than any lord she's ever met, and far more attr...more

ebook, 400 pages

Published April 26th 2011 by Zebra Books (first published March 30th 2011)

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Jun 13, 2011 Catherine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-vixen-reviews, first-reads-arcs-won-a-copy, england, falls-for-sibing-s-friend, illegitimate, series, read-2011, romance, halfbreed

It has been a long time since I have read a new Putney book. There are certain things I know I can expect in a book by her. The predictability gives me a certain comfort and nostalgia, even while I roll my eyes a bit. A hero somehow involved with spying? Check. A set of identical twins? Check. A heroine more progressive than the times? Check. The list goes on, but I’m sure you get my point.

I approached this book eagerly. I have very fond memories of many of her books, especially my favorite, Ang...more

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Apr 17, 2013 MrsJoseph rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical, romance, series, tbr-first-look-winner, 100-books-in-2011, format-paperback, heroine-spunky-spitfire

Lady Kiri Lawford –the half-English and half-Indian daughter of an English Duke and an Indian Princess – was spending time with her prospective fiancée and his family in the English country side when she overheard her prospective MIL say something so ghastly about her and her mother that she gathered her belongings and left. Alone. Not the best idea.

She was captured by smugglers but rescued by a gentleman by the name of Damian “Mac” Mackenzie. As Lady Kiri and Mac travel, she finds out that he i...more Lady Kiri Lawford –the half-English and half-Indian daughter of an English Duke and an Indian Princess – was spending time with her prospective fiancée and his family in the English country side when she overheard her prospective MIL say something so ghastly about her and her mother that she gathered her belongings and left. Alone. Not the best idea.

She was captured by smugglers but rescued by a gentleman by the name of Damian “Mac” Mackenzie. As Lady Kiri and Mac travel, she finds out that he is bastard born and owns a gambling casino. Not what would be considered the appropriate company for the daughter of a duke. Although Kiri knows that she should not be interested in Mac, she can’t help her attraction and actively searches him out. In her attempt to spend time with Mac, Kiri learns about a plot against the crown – and only she and Mac can stop it.

It’s been a while since I read this book and I still have mixed feelings about it. I really enjoy historicals but this one felt a little off for me.

The book itself is rather interesting. The writing is good and the pace is pretty swift. I was certainly entertained and I enjoyed the read. It was upon finishing the book that I recognized some of the issues that had unsettled me while reading.

The first issue was Lady Kiri: Lady Kiri is such a Mary Sue. Ugh. She’s beautiful and perfect (of course), extremely intelligent, has that “sparkle” that makes all eyes turn to her when she enters a room. She knows hand to hand combat (??), mixes her own perfumes and has such a great ability to sort out fragrances by smell that the entire plot revolves around her abilities. There are very few items that help keep Lady Kiri from being obnoxiously perfect: she’s more sexually aggressive then the hero and she is half-Indian and takes great pride in it. I loved the fact that the heroine was bi-racial and very proud of her heritage but goodness Kiri got on my nerves!

I also had a problem with Lady Kiri’s sexual aggression. Not the fact that she was sexually aggressive but the fact that she actively tried to take advantage of the hero on more than one occasion. Mac knew that he was not the proper person for Lady Kiri and he wanted to be honorable about that fact – he did NOT make passes at her because he respected her and her position. In fact, Mac has to berate her about her aggressiveness. Lady Kiri, on the other hand, went so far as to mislead Mac regarding her sexual experience. If a man had been that aggressive, he would have been considered a total jackass. But since it was perfect Lady Kiri, all was ok.

The final thing that bothered me was the fact that the majority of the plot revolved around Lady Kiri’s nose. More specifically it revolved around her “perfumer’s nose” that allowed her to pick out specific fragrances. It was such a thin plot that it ticked me off. Just to add insult to injury, Lady Kiri is allowed to leave her parents and ALL chaperones and go live in a house with more than one single man.

Those are the thing that bothered me about the book but all in all was an entertaining read.

http://bookslifewine.wordpress.com/20...

Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book free through the Goodreads First Reads program.(less)

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Apr 27, 2011 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance-european

"I am not a gentleman," he said with a laugh. "In fact, I'm nowhere near respectable, which makes life easier than if I was a gentleman."

When Lady Kiri Lawford overhears her suitor's mother disapproving of her and her mother, Kiri is affronted and livid. Her mother may be Indian, but she is descended from royalty and Kiri, though she is half-Indian and half-British, is the daughter of a Duke. Deciding it best to leave Lady Norland's unwelcoming home in Kent, Kiri borrows a horse to ride to Dover...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Elis Madison rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: a-bit-of-mystery, add-a-half-star, adventure-and-danger, authors-to-follow, bad-guys-galore, era-regency, good-historical-detail, hero-damaged, like-the-author, masquerade, part-of-series, we-don-t-need-no-stinkin-logic

The story in a nutshell:

But how did one interrupt a conversation to say, “By the way, last night I slipped out to an alarmingly fashionable club and helped foil a royal kidnapping, and I intend to move to a house in a bad neighborhood so I can live with dangerous strangers and dress like a doxy and go to gambling hells and sniff men to see if they’re French conspirators?”

It’s rare that a sequel rates better than the first book in the series, but this one has gone and done it, mainly because Pu...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Yellow Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved the story line, I loved the writing, I loved the development between the heroine and hero. Some of you have put forth concerns that the story is unrealistic; yes, it is highly unlikely for a young lady at that time to be involved in fighting. However, in my opinion I think the author redeemed that and made it sound believable the main heroine is half-Indian and half-English, her father was a general she was raised surrounded by military men. So obviously, she has experienced more adventu...more I loved the story line, I loved the writing, I loved the development between the heroine and hero. Some of you have put forth concerns that the story is unrealistic; yes, it is highly unlikely for a young lady at that time to be involved in fighting. However, in my opinion I think the author redeemed that and made it sound believable the main heroine is half-Indian and half-English, her father was a general she was raised surrounded by military men. So obviously, she has experienced more adventure than a homegrown English girl at that time. Another point were the fighting scenes yes she was a fighter, but overall she was still succumbed by the men (during the attempted kidnapping of Charlotte) so the believable balance is won in a sense that the author did not make her the Angelina Jolie type where she can beat any man into submission (that would've been completely unrealistic). Therefore, for me the story made sense it is not as far fetched as it seems and the story has its limitations and it has set frames therefore it has nothing extraordinary that would make it highly unbelievable in my opinion.

Now I gave this book three stars because I really had a love hate relationship with this book during some parts, I was cringing in disbelief and how ridiculous the main characters were acting. Now Kiri she is a girl that is completely unrealistic. Surely she is the example of today's feminist woman (independent and strong) and clearly suffers from the superwoman syndrome that today's modern women suffer from, the belief that they can have it all.

I understand Kiri was raised among military men, she learned how to fight and do all these things but the demeanor and the actions about her do not reflect what even women who would be raised in such unconventional situations, would reflect. Kiri is a feminist woman first of all in the book there is a lot of repetition on her being strong and independent, she was described as such by the author, Damian, Will, Kirkland, Charlotte, Cassie I mean everyone just loves her for her masculine characteristics, (of course being feminine is wrong?). This was so annoying!!! Then she was called a "warrior queen" by Damian all through the book, again absolutely nothing attractive about that at all, Damian the hero on the other hand exhibited the tendencies of an emasculated male by worshiping his "warrior queen." In addition, he constantly put himself down as unworthy (now I do not meet many real men who act like this) Damian's just do not exist it is plain unattractive to have a male who thinks he is less then his "warrior queen" he is definitely not an alpha male.

Furthermore, Kiri knows everything about anything and she always is out to rescue and save or help somebody. She runs off to save Charlotte, she patches up Damian and Will after an accident, she makes perfume; she can smell perfume on other people. In addition, she constantly challenges men by saying why are men allowed to do this while women can't. Such an irritating and an annoying character!!!! One example she said "why should men be the ones allowed to die for their country?" you know why so the country survives, if all women are sent into the military to die then the human race would die out. She does not exhibit any feminine qualities at all and she does not care for her accept maybe for her longing to be with Damian.

She was a male in my opinion accept when they were both making love she would become female. Just because the author thinks that women before feminism were oppressed does not mean that all women wanted to be like men. In a sense the author is just reaffirmed a feminist dogma that everything that men do is important and anything that women do is unimportant. Therefore, Kiri thought that feminine qualities were unimportant (except for when it came to seducing men) and she wanted to be the man because men are so much important (according to feminists).

Overall I enjoyed the book but the main characters were irksome Kiri was a self-centered wannabe man (and she came close to achieving that) and Damian had no self-respect and is a clear example of an emasculated male.

I recommend this book however because It is a good escapist tale it is interesting and well written and just like Mary Jo Putney's The Bargain I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you like a little bit of spark and adventure in your romance go for it!! However, this is no way a classic or deep writing with a lesson.(less)

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Mar 29, 2012 Sierra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Ok, so this is officially my favorite Putney book to date. History, romance, adventure, and spies what else could a girl ask for in a book. I also enjoyed finally getting to hear Lady Kiri Lawford’s story, I loved her brother’s story but her’s is definitely far better. Like most of Putney’s heroines, Kiri is a strong, forceful character, an equal and powerful match for Mackenzie. The development of their relationship was very funny because Mackenzie tried so hard to stop it but he just could not...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Radella rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lady Kiri Lawford is unique among her peers. Half English and half Indian, she fits into both worlds and neither. While she lives in England, she faces prejudice from some of the pillars of society. Growing up in India, and in a military camp, she has skills that most would consider improper for her position... but they hold her in good stead when she accidentally runs afoul of smugglers. While she was rescuing herself, she falls in with Damian Mackenzie. Mac is the owner of a popular night club...more

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Jun 22, 2011 Mollie *scoutrmom* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of historical romance

Shelves: romance, read-in-2011

I was thrilled to come across this at Half Price Books, because I liked the first two books in the series. I think this third story is best of the three.

Lady Kiri is the daughter of an English Duke, but her mother is a princess of India. She had an unconventional upbringing around the British Army camps of India due to her stepfather, a British General. This is how a princess learns to have such diverse skills as to make tea, set broken arms, brew perfumes, and perform martial-arts self-defense...more

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Jun 13, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance-regency-england

NOWHERE NEAR RESPECTABLE by Mary Jo Putney is an exciting historical romance set in 1812 England.It is well written with depth and details. This is the third in "The Lost Lords" series,but can be read as a stand alone. SEE: "Never Less Than A Lady, and Loving A Lost Lord".The characters are engaging,believable,enchanting,and will capture your heart. It has romance,secrets,treason,a high stake royal plot,sweet sensuality, passion,desire,and love.Damian Mackenzie,sexy,handsome,a gambler,a bastard,...more

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May 09, 2011 Jackie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Truly not up to Putney's usual standards, either in terms of character-development or in terms of crafting a believable, engaging plot. Lots of secrets about the hero's past are told to little effect -- we never really see how his past shaped the person he is today. And Lady Kiri was simply too out of period to be at all believable (perhaps if Putney had included more specific incidents from her upbringing, I might have bought it, but without...). The central plot conceit -- that Princess Charlo...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney
Historical Romance –April 26th 2011
4 ½ stars

Nowhere Near Respectable is the third in the Lost Lords series. This was a fun, well-written read with deep characterization. Both main characters have a shady heritage - the heroine due to her mixed blood and the hero due to his illegitimacy. I liked how the author does not dwell on their backgrounds so much that it makes the story depressing but rather shows how they used these 'disadvantage' to become better...more Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney
Historical Romance –April 26th 2011
4 ½ stars

Nowhere Near Respectable is the third in the Lost Lords series. This was a fun, well-written read with deep characterization. Both main characters have a shady heritage - the heroine due to her mixed blood and the hero due to his illegitimacy. I liked how the author does not dwell on their backgrounds so much that it makes the story depressing but rather shows how they used these 'disadvantage' to become better people.

Lady Kiri Lawford is of mixed Indian blood. Although her father was a Duke and she is a great heiress, polite society sees her and her Indian mother with disdain. When she impulsively flees from hurtful words about her heritage to return home, she is captured by smugglers. But fortunately she receives the aid of the rakish Damian Mackenzie. Damian is a rich businessman but is also 'tainted' because he is a bastard. Together they use their resourcefulness to escape the smugglers only to find an instant and mutual attraction.

Kiri is drawn to Damian because he is so unlike the dandified men she has met in London. She cannot help thinking of him even in the safety of her home. Determined to thank him for his help in her rescue, she disguises herself and enter his gaming house, but quickly finds herself caught up in a royal kidnapping! As the main witness, she is pulled into secret service to help identify the conspirators against the crown along with Damian. They are forced to work together and although Damian wants Kiri, he believes their differences in station prevent any real relationship. Can Kiri persuade him otherwise?

I really enjoy reading Regency romance but sometimes the heroines are very bland in comparison to the hero. I am overjoyed to say this is not the case in this story. Kiri is high spirited, smart with good, common sense. She seemed almost the perfect heroine. I liked that she had Indian heritage which made her more sympathetic and interesting, especially since she is able to defend herself and is at home at different levels of English and Indian society. Kiri is kindhearted and is aware that her Indian blood 'taints' her but is proud of her heritage despite English society. I liked her confidence in herself and her mischievousness which made her fun to read. The hero also had depth as he is a bastard of a lord who never cared for him. If it weren't for the love his legitimate brother, he would have been out on the streets. He is aware of his lowly status in society, but his hard life has shaped him. I enjoyed how the author brought together two 'misfits' who deserved each other. I enjoyed this book so much I am going to read the prior books in the series.
The best part of the book was the indomitable heroine. I liked how she was essential to the investigation and how the author created some very memorable characters that I would love to revisit. This is a Regency to remember and re-read!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

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Sep 19, 2011 Elena rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance, adult, poc

4.5 stars. This is what Regency romance should be. It doesn't do anything particularly exciting or new with the genre, but what it does is traditional historical romance extremely, extremely well. My favorite bit was that the hero and heroine actually genuinely liked one another. When thinking about each other, they were all, "S/he is so smart and talented and funny! Oh, and also gorgeous," instead of the more typical, "God, s/he is so annoying, but so hot! I guess I have no choice but to furiou...more

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May 13, 2011 Jacqueline rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: from-work-borders, historical-romance, regency

This book was at least better than the last one in the series, but that's really not saying much. It wasn't that it was a particularly bad book but that it is nowhere near as good as MJP's earlier works. The characterization wasn't very deep. The actions of the heroine, Kiri, were not appropriate to the time period. I get that the heroine was a foreigner but even so the author didn't sell me on the idea that (view spoiler)...more

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May 05, 2012 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, fiction, family, lost-lords-series, humor, romance, great-britain, historical-romance, women-writers, brothers-and-sisters

Even though this volume of the Lost Lords series was sitting on my shelf, I skipped to number four when the nice folks at PLA gave me that volume. It would be good if once in awhile I read a series in order, but there really is no need. Most romances stand on their own.

Every thing I said about No Longer a Gentleman holds for this volume by Mary Jo Putney. I had fun reading this, it took my mind off my life especially my work. I was glad to get some of the background on the characters in volume f...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Steamywindows♥♫ rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: heroine-thatdr-me-crazy, historical, history-of-abuse, part-of-a-series, serious-face-plant-moments, i-love-the-way-you-lie

In spite of plot chock-a-block full of events, and characters with unique traits and backgrounds, I had difficulty wanting to keep reading this story. It was slow going due in part to the fact that so many things just didn't seem to work for me.

First, we have a sister of a Duke (introduced in Loving A Lost Lord), who although seeking a proper husband, in a proper manner, attends a country party unchaperoned. Upon being insulted for her "mixed" blood background (her mother is Indian royalty), sh...more In spite of plot chock-a-block full of events, and characters with unique traits and backgrounds, I had difficulty wanting to keep reading this story. It was slow going due in part to the fact that so many things just didn't seem to work for me.

First, we have a sister of a Duke (introduced in Loving A Lost Lord), who although seeking a proper husband, in a proper manner, attends a country party unchaperoned. Upon being insulted for her "mixed" blood background (her mother is Indian royalty), she hies off alone on a stolen horse, gets kidnaped by smugglers, mets the hero Mac and escapes the threat of gang rape by cutting herself out of metal manicles. Then she uncovers a nefarious plot against the British monarchy when she goes in disguise to a gaming house...AND THEN convinces her stepfather the General, and her brother the Duke that they should leave her on her own in London, while they retire to the country. I beg your pardon, she isn't going to be on her own, she will be living with our hero, (ok, they don't know this part of the plan) tacitly under the supervision of Kirkland, the Duke's inestimable friend and espionage coordinator for the government.

Anyway, I just couldn't stop thinking the whole likelihood of this woman being allowed to behave this way was just not plausible. I might have been more willing to work at suspending my disbelief, but I didn't especially like her either. This mostly had to do with how she seemed to just be using our hero. she lies to him when she seduces him, telling him she "isn't innocent" but neglects to clarify that that means she has done everything but loose her virginity with someone she loved, but who died back in India.

I did have all kinds of sympathy for the hero, because of the abuse he suffered at his own mother's hand and the fact that though he was the illegitimate son of a peer, he had scruples and morals that made him an honourable man. When he found out that Kiri, was a virgin, he asked her to stay away from him. Did she respect this? Nope.
The resolution of the plot to get rid of Princess Charlotte, her father and uncles resulted in some amazing twists allowing for the required HEA. I just wasn't that happy that our hero ended up with this "lady".

I do like this author, and though this one didn't quite work for me, I look forward to the missing Wyndham's story in No Longer a Gentleman. (less)

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May 09, 2011 Marisa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

3.5 The other reviews give you a synopsis of the book. What I'd like to say is that after reading Ms. Putney’s Lost Lords series, I realize it doesn’t matter whether the action involves an AK-47 strapped on the back of a CIA operative or a revolver pulled from a reticule, romantic suspense, in any era, if done right, is exciting. I found Nowhere Near Respectable to be a perfect blend of Regency romance and suspense; with two people from different classes saving the day and along the way finding...more

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Jul 17, 2011 TJ rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, adc-reviews

For those who prefer titillation to intelligence, this will do. 2.5/5.0

For a complete review, visit Affaire de Coeur magazine, hard copy or online at: http://affairedecoeur.com/ - May 2011 issue.

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Dec 13, 2012 Black Elephants rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

This novel reminded me of The Scarlet Pimpernel but with sex. Fun plot. Interesting caper. Our heroine was like Marguerite Blakeney in that she got involved in French plots. Our heroine was unlike Marguerite Blakeney in that she never ever ruined the day or was used as bait for the hero. Girl was only captured once and was well on her way to freedom before the hero came along. Our hero was like Sir Percy in that he was a master of disguise. Our hero was unlike Sir Percy in that he really did nee...more

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Dec 31, 2011 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I generally like Ms. Putney's plot lines, but that's about all I can say for this one. Her characters, particularly the female characters, are a little too modern for me, and I get no sense of the period about which she is writing. In fact, several times I felt I had been catapulted into the late eighteen nineties instead of remaining in the early nineteenth century, which I found disruptive since she has her factual history right but the feeling of the period wrong. Once I even checked to be su...more

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Jul 16, 2011 Virginia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Out of the frying pan into the fire, that’s where Lady Kiri finds herself when the dashingly devilish rogue Damian Mackenzie saves her from a band of smugglers. But who’s the real rogue? It looks like Lady Kiri may have to convince Damian that she handle anything he can get her into. Can she convince him that his secrets are not to much for her while also convincing him she doesn’t want to be just a lady?

Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney takes you back to when women were to be quiet an...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Sophie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I was waiting for Kiri, our heroine, to cure cancer by the end of the novel, but she didn't quite manage it. What a slacker! She seems to know how to do EVERYTHING ELSE. I love Mary Jo, but this wasn't one of my favorites. It was just a bit forgettable since the story was so like so many of her other—rascally rakish hero is actually a spy, blah blah. In this case his name is Damien (shocking) and he has one blue eye and one brown eye and a huge...smile. But in spite of my sometimes irritation wi...more

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May 31, 2012 Virginia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, read-2012

When it comes to Regency Romances, I'm always a little torn. By nature of their setting and time period, the characters are rarely diverse. I mean, really, how much variety in terms of race and class can there be amongst the lords and ladies? However, when I do encounter characters of non-Anglo descent (eg: Indian, Chinese, etc), I am very leery of it being done poorly. They could be just like white characters - but with a tan or differently shaped eyes. That would annoy me, too.

Ah well. So it g...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Angelc rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5 Stars

I was looking forward to this book because I really liked the previous book in "The Lost Lords" series. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the last book's charm.

Mac was a nice hero, with a heart of gold underneath the seedy image. And there wasn't a touch of alpha-male in him, much to my relief. Kiri was also the sort of heroine that I like when you read the traits written out on paper. She was strong, unique, and independent. But there was something missing from this couple that would...more

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May 17, 2012 Nickie Kuhn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm almost sad that the next book is the last one in this series. I love the characters so much. This book kind of started out as an eye roller. For the first two chapters I found myself saying, "REALLY?!?", but then I really got into it. It's a good story with great characters and it has an element of history. Damian was super hot (at least in my imagination). I think he is my favorite character in the series so far. He has a great sense of humor. I found myself laughing regularly throughout th...more

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Jul 09, 2011 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I won this book in a giveaway - was super excited to start reading! Excellent charactors, I was pulled into the book very quickly by Lady Kiri. She is much different than most women coming from two different worlds but a really stong woman because of it. A warrior maiden from India and highborn English. Then falling in love with Damian Mackenzie! He is a good natured and good looking fellow but very naughty bastard! Cannot help but to like him instantly. Good plot twists but really don't see tha...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Jodi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-read

Book 3 of the Lost Lords series had a top-notch heroine and a worthy hero and an inventive plot but despite all the right elements it lacked that spark that turns a good romance great. I loved Lady Kiri. She was kind of heroine that all romances deserve. She wasn't afraid of herself but neither was she blind to propriety. Damian Mackenzie may have wanted Lady Kiri for keeps but he knew that even as Will Masterton's brother he was far below her station. He wouldn't make her choose between him and...more

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Sep 24, 2011 Lisa Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, physical-collection

Mary Jo Putney’s Nowhere Near Respectable is an exciting and intriguing historical journey. While the romance may be a little distracted...this novel is still an enjoyable read.

Lady Kiri Lawford is looking for an eligible bachelor to marry. When she overhears the family of her potential suitor saying disgusting things about her mixed blood, Kiri rides off into the night to escape. A short time later, a band of smugglers kidnaps her in the dead of night. Luckily Damian MacKenzie, gambling club ow...more Mary Jo Putney’s Nowhere Near Respectable is an exciting and intriguing historical journey. While the romance may be a little distracted...this novel is still an enjoyable read.

Lady Kiri Lawford is looking for an eligible bachelor to marry. When she overhears the family of her potential suitor saying disgusting things about her mixed blood, Kiri rides off into the night to escape. A short time later, a band of smugglers kidnaps her in the dead of night. Luckily Damian MacKenzie, gambling club owner and bastard son, happens to discover her as a prisoner and ensures she escapes. The two feel a strong attraction to one another, but when Damian finds out she is a well-bred lady and sister of his former classmate, he immediately tries to distance himself from her.

When Kiri attempts to see him again at his establishment, she becomes involved in a horrifying plot of deadly threats to England’s crown. Damian, Kiri and their small group of spies take their knowledge to the streets of London in order to ensure that their country’s royalty is safe again. After working so closely together, Kiri realizes she cannot imagine a life without Damian, but has no idea how to escape the potential damage from their impassable social standings. MacKenzie wants her more than he can possible bear, but knows one thing for certain; he’s nowhere near respectable enough to love an amazing woman like Lady Kiri.

Damian was my favorite type of hero...the tortured hero. I believe this is the first hero I’ve met that fainted at the sight of his own blood. At first, it was comical but by the end when you find out why, it just devastates you and makes you love him more! I always admire a hero with a few weaknesses that overcome those weaknesses for their heroine. Damian was that kind of hero and not ashamed to admit it. He was more submissive than your general historical hero which was rather interesting since it was then left to Lady Kiri to seduce him!

Kiri was an interesting heroine, by that fact that she wasn’t the true ideal English lady. She was stuck between two worlds, trying to belong in both. Sometimes this made you question if she stayed true to the general ideal of the ‘gentle lady’ within a historical romance novel. Really, she didn’t. She was and really could not be a true English lady. That just was not her personality. She always kept you on your toes because she never played by the rules and relished the idea of becoming involved in any dangerous adventure.

Putney pens an interesting back story using historic icons and events. With the threat of French terrorists causing true anarchy and devastation to the throne, Putney give a literary voice to iconic figures from England’s history that is truly enjoyable to read about. It made Kiri’s temporary position as a spy working to save her country much more interesting and intriguing. Kiri’s mission became more personal and displayed why it was so important to her. I found it wonderful to read about Princess Charlotte and the prince regent as actual characters in this novel, even if the historical truth may have been stretched a bit.

The love match was a little off. I understood without a doubt that these two felt a strong undeniable passion between then, but I just wasn’t sure about the love they felt towards one another. Even the characters discovery of the emotions they felt was surprising and shocking to them at times. It was not the most passionate or steamiest novel I’ve had the pleasure of reading, but it was a satisfying romance. You knew they belonged together by the end, but there were a few times I doubted their romance.

Overall, Nowhere Near Respectable was a satisfying read. This was the first novel I have read from the Lost Lords series and it can easily be read as a stand alone and without having read the previous installments. This novel was lovely, but also a lot of fun. Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney delivers a superb cast of characters and takes readers on a delightful historical adventure.

Overall Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3/5

Lisa Jo @ Once Upon A Chapter(less)

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Sep 13, 2011 Nancy Narma rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The third in the “Lost Lord series” follows Lady Kira Lawford, daughter of the
Duke of Ashton and descended from a Royal Hindu Bloodline, on her flight from
a supposed, arranged marriage to Godfrey Hitchcock that was rich with his family’s
sarcasm and insults, to being kidnapped by a band of smugglers and her introduction
to the tall, dark and handsome Damian “Mac” McKenzie, bastard son of Lord
Masterson and owner of the London Gambling Club, “Damian’s”. Mac would become her co-hort in foiling the pl...more

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Jul 31, 2011 Katherine Matthews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I received this book as a first reads it was my first Putney book that I was going to read but knowing it was part of a series and me with my OCD of reading books in order I just had to read the first two books before I could enjoy this book and I'm glad I did I think it really helped me enjoy this book just a lil bit better in her two previous books you get introduced to Kiri and Mac and that just made me fall in love with them more and be happy for them that they got their story told :) now as...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Kat rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

It wasn't the best historical romance I've read but it was entertaining enough and a page turner at more than one point.

Rather typical historical romance with some exciting crime solving parts. I never read the first two books in this series so I don't know if you get to know the characters in those books but in this one you really only get some background on the two main characters and it's not a lot. Even in romance novels like this, I like to get to know the characters a little bit better bu...more

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About Mary Jo Putney

She writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.

Mary Jo Putney was born in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably...more She writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.

Mary Jo Putney was born in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.

While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.

Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.

A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.

Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.(less)

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Nowhere Near Respectable (Lost Lords #3)

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