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Wicked Widow (Vanza #2)

by Amanda Quick (Goodreads Author)

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 2,075 ratings · 63 reviews

Madeline Deveridge is aware of the whispers behind her back, the rumors that she dispatched her husband to the next world and concealed her crime. But she has a far more pressing problem than her reputation as the Wicked Widow. It's impossible to believe that her late husband is haunting her and her aunt, but something odd is happening, and Madeline doesn't dare take chanc...more

Mass Market Paperback, 330 pages

Published March 2001 by Bantam Books (first published January 1st 2000)

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Jun 13, 2011 The Itzel Library rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, adult, adult-fiction, adventure, couples, cover-love, historical-fiction, mistery, historical, romance, series, society, suspense, women, action, dysfunctional-family, erotic, fiction, fluffy, forgettable, fun, rape, spy

Bueno, nunca había leído nada de la autora, sólo espero que ésto no sea de lo se dice sus mejores novelas porque la verdad es que aunque sí me gustó, no fue todo lo que esperaba.

Se dice que Madeleine asesinó a su esposo y luego incendió su casa para cubrir todas las huellas, en el club hay incluso una apuesta en el que el hombre que pase una noche con ella y salga vivo, conseguirá una buena suma de dinero. Artemis Hunt tiene todos los recursos para saber todo sobre la dama, pero cuando una noch...more Bueno, nunca había leído nada de la autora, sólo espero que ésto no sea de lo se dice sus mejores novelas porque la verdad es que aunque sí me gustó, no fue todo lo que esperaba.

Se dice que Madeleine asesinó a su esposo y luego incendió su casa para cubrir todas las huellas, en el club hay incluso una apuesta en el que el hombre que pase una noche con ella y salga vivo, conseguirá una buena suma de dinero. Artemis Hunt tiene todos los recursos para saber todo sobre la dama, pero cuando una noche ella le busca y amenaza con descubrir sus secretos si él no le ayuda a recuperar a una de sus queridas doncellas; Hunt sabe sin lugar a dudas que tiene que ayudarla. El problema es, que tanto misterio que la rodea no sólo levanta su curiosidad, sino su deseo de protección y cuando el fantasma del esposo vuelve a hacer de las suyas, los intereses personales de Hunt podrían irse por la borda.

Por ser una serie, no puedo decir si en los previos libros se explica a detalle lo que es la sociedad Vanzariana, porque en éste no lo hace mucho y eso me confundió. Por ejemplo en el siguiente extracto:

-No trate de jugar a los juegos de Vanza conmigo, señor. A mí no me interesa si es un maestro supremo... Pág. 20

Y yo no entendía qué diablos era un juego vanza o un maestro supremo, lo busqué en google y me dirigía únicamente a éste libro, lo cual me hizo pensar que tal cosa no existía... y yo seguía con mis lagunas en la historia.

Dicho eso, nos pasamos a Madeleine y Hunt. Yo no entendí el romance. Va poco a poco sí, pero con eso que dice en el libro de que "la rodeaba un aura de misterio y seducción", yo esperaba otra cosa de la protagonista, en su lugar me encontré al final preguntándome en qué momento se habían enamorado, no me lo parecía en absoluto.

Lo que sí es rescatable y mucho, es el misterio que envuelve todo. Ése era el aspecto central de la novela; el fantasma, los libros de la sociedad vanzariana, lo excéntricos que pueden ser los que la practican, etc. Entonces, no sé si es costumbre de la autora no darle mucho peso a los romances o me topé con la novela equivocada. Pero creo que si gustan de libros históricos de misterio, podría ésto ser de su agrado, en cambio si son totalmente fans del romance, lo encontraran escaso de ello.

Voy a buscar algo más de la áutorá, a ver qué tal. Si alguien me recomienda un libro de Quick, lo agradeceré mucho :)(less)

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Feb 22, 2013 Lizabeth S. Tucker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, paranormal

Virgin widow Madeline Reed Deveridge is maddeningly befuddled about men. Dubbed the Wicked Widow ever since she was obliged to shoot her husband, scoundrel Renwick Deveridge, in self-defense, she now seems to be haunted by Renwick's ghost. Worse, she requires an eternity to realize she loves (and is loved by) Artemis Hunt, whose help she enlists when her maid is kidnapped from the Dream Pavilions, London pleasure gardens secretly owned by Hunt. Artemis is gruff and bossy, rather than exquisitely...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Lori McD rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012_read, british-lit, chick-lit, easy-read, fun-fluff, gothic, guilty-pleasure, historical-fiction, kindle-library, regency, romance, some-steam, suspense

2.5-3 stars

This book reminded me a lot of the 2nd book, but with a different couple. While Artemas and Madeline are very different people than Edison and Emma, the banter between them, the chemistry between them, and the whole employer-employee thing was much the same.

The ghost part of the story and the mystery involved was different, and that was more compelling than the relationship between Artemas and Maddie. Somehow, I didn't feel the heat between them like with Edison and Emma. Not sure why...more 2.5-3 stars

This book reminded me a lot of the 2nd book, but with a different couple. While Artemas and Madeline are very different people than Edison and Emma, the banter between them, the chemistry between them, and the whole employer-employee thing was much the same.

The ghost part of the story and the mystery involved was different, and that was more compelling than the relationship between Artemas and Maddie. Somehow, I didn't feel the heat between them like with Edison and Emma. Not sure why...

The Vanza part of the tale was more revealed, but it still seems fantastic - probably because we still know so little about it. The author gives us dribs and drabs of the Strategies, the stealth, and the fighting techniques. I suppose she wants to keep it mysterious by not giving too much away; but it almost backfires, at least with me.

However, there is a brief mention of Edison in this book. Madeline originally wanted to hire Edison, because he was supposedly the best (next possible Vanza Master); but she "settled" for Artemas, because Edison had taken his new bride (Emma) on a honeymoon tour. Later, Artemas remarks that he'll send something to the Isle of V on one of Edison's ships. So we intimate from those brief mentions that Artemas and Edison know one another through Vanza.

But here's the thing: Vanza is supposed to be about suppressing strong emotion, yet Artemas is all about revenge and vengeance for a wrong done to his lover 5 years ago. Not that she didn't deserve to be avenged, it's just that Vanza supposedly helps one master that sort of thing. Artemas seems too emotional to be much good at Vanza, IMO. We never learn if he left the "circle" as Edison did or if Artemas supposedly still practiced. We never learn who Artemas' master was. I'm not sure if it matters, but it does seem as if this part of the tale is left out - and that leaves a hole... how can we really know who Artemas is if we don't know those answers?

Madeline's father was Vanza, as was her grandfather. But again, I'm not sure if her father was a master or not; I *think* so, because I think that's what her husband, Deveridge, was after - the inner-circle knowledge that he thought Madeline's father had about Vanza. And her father did know a lot, but it seems what he knew was information collected about each Vanza member - their darkest secrets. It's never really clear why, except that Lorring (the previous Grandest Master of Vanza in England) appointed her father to keep the record. We know Lorring wasn't all good from the previous book, so one has to wonder about his reasons for wanting those records.

Nonetheless, Madeline's father also taught her much about Vanza, even though it was supposed to be for men only. Most importantly, he taught her how to read the ancient language of Vanza; Madeline has just come into possession of a small bound book that she's deciphering from Vanza to English. But we don't learn much more about the book until the end - we only know that it must be significant somehow.

The point of all of this is that Madeline wants to hire Artemas to find out if her husband is really dead or even if he's haunting her. She doesn't admit to shooting him that night, despite his questions. And no one really knows for sure. But Madeline is frightened and plagued by nightmares of that night. Other Vanza members seem to be encountering her husband's ghost, too. The description of the ghost is vague, but there's just enough detail and just enough that the ghost knows and hints about that neither Artemas nor Madeline can say it's definitely not her husband.

What I do love that's different about this book is Artemas' associates - Zachary and his Eyes and Ears - a group of street urchins who are paid to see and hear what's going on and report back to Artemas through Zach. Artemas pays them enough that these street urchins don't need to pickpocket or do other things to survive and get thrown into jail for. And one of the street urchins plays an important role in the story.

Overall, this book's mystery is compelling, and I enjoyed Madeline's aunt Bernice and Artemas' man Henry. I especially liked their little romance, even though we didn't witness much or even hear much about it - we just know that it was. And Artemas' revenge for Caroline does happen, just not the way that he intended. I realize that's supposed to be the key to Artemas, and I know it, I just wasn't convinced. Just as I wasn't completely convinced that he and Madeline were really that passionate about one another. Something just didn't click, but I am happy for them both. I simply wasn't as engaged in this affair as I have been in previous Amanda Quick books and stories.(less)

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Jan 22, 2011 LibraryLass rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, keeper, 2011

This is probably the third time I have read Wicked widow and it continues to be a 5 star read for me.

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Jul 07, 2012 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, 2012-challenge, appealing-characteristic-story, historical, part-of-a-series, paranormal, romance

Madeline Deveridge is known to the ton as the "Wicked Widow." Everyone knows that she killed her husband, even if it was ruled an accident that he died in a house fire. She doesn't go out in Society, generally, but she has come out to force Artemis Hunt to help her find her maid, a girl who was kidnapped from the pleasure gardens that are run by him (of course, a secret from the rest of the world.)
Artemis isn't too happy to be pulled into the caper. He doesn't want anything to ruin his perfectly...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Talia rated it 3 of 5 stars

One that I have read some time ago, I thought it would be a fun "quick" read. Following her proven formula for the historical romance/history genre, this time the story centers around Madeline Deveridge, a widow is who being haunted by her dead husband who everyone thinks she mostly likely murdered. When the ghost gets too close for comfort, she turns to the service of Artemis Hunt, a master of Vanza and a man who has his own reasons for wanting to help her. It's a fun read if you have some spar...more

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Jan 21, 2011 June rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amanda-quick

This book had a bit of a mystery to it. It was the first Amanda Quick book I've read. I enjoyed the mystery to it. I'm not big into the occult, but it just kind of touched on the fringes of that.

It is speculated that Madeline killed her 1st husband, and now it looks like he is back from the dead to kill her. Madeline gets Artemis to help her get to the bottom of things. Artemis doesn't believe in ghosts, and he believes someone is impersonating Madeline's dead husband.

I really liked how Madelin...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Melissa Levine rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's funny how in the 2nd book, Ignatius Lorring had mentioned that he was the only master of Vanza in London, or something along those lines. Since they were having trouble figuring out how the young Vanza guy, John something?, where he learned his skills. But in this book, there were more masters in London than just Lorring.

If she is having bad dreams all the time at night, hence she doesn't sleep, why doesn't she actually take her Aunts tonics? Either way, if she doesn't want to take them, wh...more

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Mar 27, 2010 Vanessa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, 2010-finished, amanda-quick, romance-historical, own, keep

Another enjoyable historical from Amanda Quick. This one is part of the Vanza series, similar to the Arcane Series, but with more of a philosphy, fighting skills, and other points of interest rather than the psychic angle. One of the common links between the two societies is the practice of mesmerism, which appears to be similar to present day hypnotism.

Of course, it is a romance mixed with a balance of suspense. The hero in our stories is a member of the society, and is involved in a plot of r...more

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Oct 27, 2012 Jage rated it 2 of 5 stars

I must say, as much fun as these stories are, reading them one after the author will just cause irritation, at least for me.

There were a few scenes that were too familiar to ones in other books, mainly the overcome from passions, whoops she may be headstrong and 'old' but she's still and innocent oh wriggle wriggle moment over and disappointment on all sides.

It gets tiring and Madeline got on my very last nerve. Unlike the first book I didn't buy their chemistry at all.

2 stars.

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Sep 11, 2011 Denise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, my-fav-authors

If you like steamy romances and love historical fiction, you'll enjoy this book. The author does an excellent job of setting a scary background (fog and rain, dead bodies, underground maze and even a haunted house!). This is the first book I've read under the Amanda Quick pseudonym and it made for an entertaining story. Have ordered more titles from my local library as I'm disabled and don't get out of the house much these days so it's nice to have good books to curl up with :)

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May 21, 2010 Stacie M. Ritchie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amanda-quick, romance

This is a story of Vanza by Amanda Quick. Madeline Deverage is known by Polite Society as the Wicked Widow. She is believed to have killed her husband, but no one can prove it. Artemis Hunt has had a plan of revenge for years. With the help of money from his businesses, he is a mystery to Polite Society. Madeline blackmails him into helping her find answers to her problem. The romantic side seemed to be a given, because the usual format is there. The customary twists weren’t that affective. This...more

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Nov 02, 2010 Nura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Eyes and Ears-nya Zachary mirip sama Laskar Jalanan Baker Street-nya Sherlock Holmes. Penjahatnya kurang greget. Saking penasaran sama Vanza Society sampe googling nyari soal Vanza Society ini, ternyata cuma rekaan toh. Kurang puas karena ga ada penjelasan sama sekali soal Vanza ini, selain berasal dari wilayah Asia (sepertinya). filosofinya cuma dibahas sambil lalu, jadi sejujurnya agak mengecewakan...

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May 08, 2012 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, 2012, romance-historical

Really enjoyed this book. Madeline was a wonderfully feisty, intelligent, courageous heroine, and Artemas was certainly her equal with a bit of dark warrior added to the mix. The philosophy of Vanza and the mystery of Renwick's spirit kept the plot moving along. Looking forward to reading another in this series. Will admit that books written by Amanda Quick rarely disappoint me. May need to add this to my list of favourites.

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Jul 04, 2008 Mareena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Madeline Deveridge is quite aware of the epithet with which Society has marked her. They call her 'Wicked Widow' after her husband's death a year ago; convinced that Madeline shot her husband, and then set her house on fire to cover the crime. When Madeline's maid is kidnapped in front of the infamous Dream Pavilions, Madeline summons Artemas Hunt - the brilliant and reclusive master of arcane talents and secret owner of London's pleasure pavilions.

Convinced that her husband's ghost is somehow i...more

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Dec 06, 2010 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great book! This is my first time reading an Amanda Quick book. I enjoyed the humor, mystery, and the love story.
Madeline Deveridge is known for being the Wicked Widow and it is said that any man that stays the night with her will be dead before morning. Artemas Hunt loves a challenge and he can not stay away from the headstrong Wicked Widow.

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Mar 31, 2013 Oky Septya rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Meskipun ga ada hubungannya dg karakter di seri sebelumnya tapi sama-sama terhubung dg Vanzagaria. Apa itu Vanzagaria? Itu sebuah aliran filosofis, hm, mungkin mirip ideologis gitu. Anyway, saya suka gaya bercerita Amanda Quick yg seru dan lucu serta penuh aksi ini.

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Aug 15, 2011 nurmawati djuhawan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, dastan, romance, terjemahan, hr

ttg seorang janda (yang masih perawan) yang di tuduh sebagai wicked widow karena baru 2 bulan menikah suami nya tewas terbunuh.....
padahal si suami ini jahat (udah jahat impoten pula wkwkwkwkw...) dan membunuh bapak si ce buat medapatkan rahasia vanza...
akhirnya si ce minta tolong (awalnya dengan cara memeras)seorang master vanza bernama artemas hunt....buat memecahkan kasus penampakan hantu suami nya....
seperti biasa khas nya amanda quick...adegan ehem2 uhuk2 nya di kereta kuda ( woohooo.....:D...more

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Apr 25, 2011 Kristine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, romance-historical

This was just okay for me. There were so many storylines going along that at times I was confused. Along with the storylines, there were a ton of characters that jumped in and out of the story. Overall the story was good and I had a smile on my face when I closed the back cover.

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Nov 20, 2010 Andrea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ok this one was kinda corny and what it is with these Vanza men that every one of the male leads has "Jumped the gun" in all the the first sex scenes written in these books. Ok enough ranting. Other than those two things the story was pretty good.

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Aug 13, 2012 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: jayne-ann-krentz-re-reads, historical-romance

Although I love Jayne Ann Krentz's writing, I'm not fond of the Zamar, Vanza, and extrasensory references in her historical novels (The extrasensory references in her Jayne Castle books work for me, for example), so this book, being Vanza, is less appealing than most of her other books. The main characters, Artemis Hunt and Madeline Deveridge, also lacked something, although I liked Madeline being capable of using a gun and a knife and her brains to protect herself, but I expected Madeline to ho...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Norma Huss rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries, historic

This is historical, romantic suspense. Has good suspense, good characterization, good read. He and she are both strong characters, and that makes for a few arguments, of course. Always good - you don't want things to go smoothly!

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Jan 19, 2012 Hillary rated it 3 of 5 stars

This audio book was a good light read to have while cleaning. In fact I have thought to give it a 4 star but it wasn't quite that. However it was a nice relaxing book at this time of my life.

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Mar 14, 2009 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, crime, romance

Another great read from Amanda Quick. Can't add any more glowing reviews. If you come across one of her books, read it! :)

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Mar 29, 2013 Indah Threez Lestari rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: indonesian, historical-romance

235 - 2013

Biasanya aku suka novel-novel karya Jayne Ann Krentz. Tapi yang ini kok rasanya kurang garam atau gimana gitu.

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Aug 07, 2011 Jane Lonschein rated it 4 of 5 stars

not a regular romance reader,but Amanda Quick is excellent shes more like romanticc suspense.

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Apr 22, 2013 Cruth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, reviewed-on-zon

A book worth staying up late to see the end.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3EK4LHY...

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Oct 07, 2011 Katie Powell rated it 4 of 5 stars

My favorite guilty pleasure! I talk about Amanda Quick here -
http://804-notassigned.blogspot.com/2...

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Apr 27, 2010 Judy rated it 4 of 5 stars

very interesting love story holds your interest all the way to the end.

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Dec 01, 2012 Annette Meier rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

More intriguing chapter in the "Vanza" series. I enjoyed this one the most in the series.

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About Amanda Quick

Pseudonym of Jayne Ann Krentz

The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.

She earned a B.A. in History from the Uni...more

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Wicked Widow (Vanza #2)

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