Maggi Andersen's Blog, page 60
May 8, 2013
New Book Tour for The Folly at Falconbridge Hall!
May 8 3 Partners In Shopping: Nana, Mommy & Sissy too! ReviewMay 9 Curling Up With A Good Book Guest PostMay 10 Forget The Housework, I'm Reading ReviewMay 11 Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries and More Guest Post May 13 Ai Loves Books ReviewMay 14 My Cozie Corner ReviewMay 15 Hanging With Bells Guest Post Colette
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May 7, 2013
Release Day! Comment to win a copy! THE FOLLY AT FALCONBRIDGE HALL - A Victorian romantic mystery
CONTEST WILL END ON SATURDAY NY TIME! Prize is an e-book copy of the book!
Review: The author deserves high praise for her ability to capture the reader's attention and engage one in both the mystery and the romance of this delightful story!Margaret FariaInD’Tale Magazine
BLURB: Vanessa Ashley felt herself qualified for a position as governess, until offered the position at Falconbridge Hall. Left penniless after the deaths of her artist father and suffragette mother, Vanessa Ashley draws on her knowledge of art, politics, and history to gain employment as a governess. She discovers that Julian, Lord Falconbridge, requires a governess for his ten-year-old daughter Blyth at Falconbridge Hall, in the countryside outside London. Lord Falconbridge is a scientist and dedicated lepidopterist who is about to embark on an extended expedition to the Amazon. An enigmatic man, he takes a keen interest in his daughter's education. As she prepares her young charge, Vanessa finds the girl detached and aloof. As Vanessa learns more about Falconbridge Hall, more questions arise. Why doesn't Blythe feel safe in her own home? Why is the death of her mother, once famed society beauty Clara, never spoken of? And why did the former governess leave so suddenly without giving notice?
Excerpt 1:
Vanessa remembered passing the library on her first day and located it without difficulty. She entered the room, finding it empty. It was designed for masculine comfort. Bookshelves filled with tomes covered all available wall space. A tan leather chesterfield and two chairs were grouped in front of the fireplace, and a tiger skin covered the floor in front of the hearth. The Times, The Daily Telegraph and the Penny Press lay on a table, and the aroma of cigars and pipe smoke lingered in the air.A variety of magazines was stacked in a rack. Vanessa sorted through The Gentleman’s Magazine, Punch, The Strand,and the London Sunday Journal. She selected Punch and the Penny Press to take back to her room. She roamed the shelves searching for suitable books and found several on botany, including one by Lord Falconbridge on Lepidoptera. She piled them onto a mahogany table, along with the books and the notes she’d fetched from her room. Searching further, she spied Plato’s Symposiumand climbed the ladder. It was just out of reach. Not wishing to climb down, she leaned across. Her fingers touched the binding, and she leaned farther. She almost had it.“You read Ancient Greek, Miss Ashley?” Lord Falconbridge asked behind her. Vanessa jumped, and her foot slipped off the rung. She lost her balance and fell into a pair of strong arms.
EXCERPT 2:The maid’s head appeared over the banister rail. “The master will see you now.”Vanessa walked up the wide oak stair to where the maid awaited outside a door. A deep voice answered her knock. Vanessa turned the knob thinking how she would have liked to wash before meeting her new employer; it was difficult to appear cool and in control when so hot. The room she entered was also gloomy. A gas lamp glowed where a man sat in shirtsleeves and braces, his dark head bent over a desk. She took two uncertain steps and paused in the middle of a crimson Persian rug. Vanessa clasped her hands together and inspected the room. Shelves of leather-bound books lined one wall. Heavy bronze velvet drapes, pulled halfway across the small-paned windows, framed a narrow but magnificent view of parkland where broad graveled walks trailed away through well-grown trees. She suffered a sudden urge to walk across, pull the curtains back and throw open a window.Lord Falconbridge put down the butterfly under-glass he had been examining and pushed back his leather chair, rising to his feet. As she edged closer, he donned his coat and came to shake her hand. “Miss Ashley.”“How do you do, my lord?”He motioned her to sit then sat himself.He would be in his mid-thirties, she guessed. His good looks made her feel even more untidy. His dark hair swept off a widow’s peak, and he had a deep cleft in his chin. He removed his glasses, and his eyes were a similar bright blue to the butterfly. Dark brows met in an absent-minded frown as if she was an unwelcome distraction. “Welcome to Falconbridge Hall. I hope you had a good journey?”“Yes, thank you, my lord.”“You’ve come quite a long way. You must be tired.”“I broke my journey with an aunt in Taunton, my lord.” Her aunt was quite elderly, and Vanessa had slept on the sofa, but she didn’t feel at all tired. She expected fatigue would strike once the initial rush of excitement had faded. “My sympathies for your loss, Miss Ashley.”“Thank you.”“You have had no experience as a governess, I believe.”“No.”“Do you like children?” “Very much, my lord.”“Then you have had some involvement with them.”“Yes, I was very fond of my neighbors’ children. I minded them quite often as their parents were both in business.”“You had no opportunity to marry in Cornwall?”“I had one offer, my lord.” The widowed vicar, Harold Ponsonby, had offered, in an attempt to rescue her from the heathenish den of iniquity in which he found her. He eyed her. “And you refused him?”Might he think her imprudent? “Yes.” “Do you have a particular skill, Miss Ashley, which you can impart to my daughter?”“No, my lord.” She drew in a breath. She had not expected such a question. “Sadly, I did not inherit my father’s artistic talent, but I have my mother’s enquiring mind and her interest in history and politics.” “Politics?” He stared at her rather long, and she wished again that she’d had time to tidy herself. “We shall see how you get on. The rest of the day is your own. We will discuss your duties in the library tomorrow at ten. Mrs. Royce, my housekeeper, will show you to your room.” With an abstracted glance at his desk, he rose and went to pull the bell. The mahogany desktop was completely covered with pens and papers, a microscope, a probe of some kind, a set of long-handled tweezers, a large magnifying glass and a small hand-held one, tomes stacked one on top of the other in danger of toppling, and the butterfly in its glass prison, its beautiful wings pinned down, never to soar again. Caught by its beauty and premature death, Keats’s poem Ode to a Grecian Urn, rushed into her head. “Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought…As doth eternity.” The viscount swiveled, and his eyebrows shot up. “Pardon?”Vanessa jumped to her feet as heat flooded her cheeks. She'd said the words aloud. She must have had too much sun. “Keats, my lord.”“Are you a devotee of the Romantics?” “Not especially.” Annoyed with herself and, irrationally, with him for pursuing it, she said, “Forgive me, it was a random thought.”He folded his arms and studied her. “You are given to spouting random philosophical thoughts?”She tugged at her damp collar. “Not usually. I’m a little tired, and it’s been so hot.” Hastening to change the subject, she stepped over to the wall covered in framed butterflies of all sizes and colors. One particular specimen caught her eye. “Exquisite.”She felt his presence disturbingly close behind her. “Which?” She pointed. “This one, with patches of crimson and deep blue on its wings.”“You have a good eye. That’s a Nymphalidaefrom Peru. Do you know much about butterflies?” She looked at him, finding his blue eyes had brightened.“Very little, I’m afraid,” she said, aware her contribution to this discussion would prove disappointing. “We get many orange ones with black spots in Cornwall.” “Dark green Fritillary.” The interested light in his eyes faded. “That can’t be. They’re orange,” she said.“That is their name, dark green Fritillary.”“Why would they call it dark green when …?” Her voice died away at the impatience in his face. “That species is common and of little interest.” He studied her. “Unless you took notice of some interesting aspect of their habitats?”“No, not precisely, my lord … uh, they seemed to gather in trees and grasses ….” She nipped at her lip with her teeth, as he nodded and turned away. Would a governess be required to know much about butterflies or botany? Beyond Cornwall, her knowledge of flora and fauna was barely worthy of comment.A woman entered the room, her neat figure garbed in black bombazine, with a lacy cap over her brown hair and a watch pinned to her breast. A large bunch of keys jangled at her waist. Vanessa thought her to be in her early-forties. She had a pointed nose and sharp eyes that looked like they would miss little.“Ah. Mrs. Royce, this is the new governess, Miss Ashley. Please give her a tour of the day nursery and school room and introduce my daughter to her before you take her to her quarters.”“Yes, milord.” “Miss Ashley.” His lordship nodded. “I shall see you here again at ten o’clock tomorrow. We’ll discuss your plans for teaching my daughter. I’m extremely keen that she becomes proficient in mathematics, the French language, and botany.”“Botany, my lord?” Vanessa’s fears were realized. Completely unprepared, she looked around wildly at the books lining his shelves. Might she have time to bone up on it? She read some knowledge of her discomfort in his eyes and lifted her chin. “Surely English and history are equally as important?” “That goes without saying.” He turned back to his desk. “Tomorrow at ten.”
WEBSITE:
KNOX ROBINSON PUBLISHINGAMAZON AMAZON UK
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
Review: The author deserves high praise for her ability to capture the reader's attention and engage one in both the mystery and the romance of this delightful story!Margaret FariaInD’Tale MagazineBLURB: Vanessa Ashley felt herself qualified for a position as governess, until offered the position at Falconbridge Hall. Left penniless after the deaths of her artist father and suffragette mother, Vanessa Ashley draws on her knowledge of art, politics, and history to gain employment as a governess. She discovers that Julian, Lord Falconbridge, requires a governess for his ten-year-old daughter Blyth at Falconbridge Hall, in the countryside outside London. Lord Falconbridge is a scientist and dedicated lepidopterist who is about to embark on an extended expedition to the Amazon. An enigmatic man, he takes a keen interest in his daughter's education. As she prepares her young charge, Vanessa finds the girl detached and aloof. As Vanessa learns more about Falconbridge Hall, more questions arise. Why doesn't Blythe feel safe in her own home? Why is the death of her mother, once famed society beauty Clara, never spoken of? And why did the former governess leave so suddenly without giving notice?
Excerpt 1:
Vanessa remembered passing the library on her first day and located it without difficulty. She entered the room, finding it empty. It was designed for masculine comfort. Bookshelves filled with tomes covered all available wall space. A tan leather chesterfield and two chairs were grouped in front of the fireplace, and a tiger skin covered the floor in front of the hearth. The Times, The Daily Telegraph and the Penny Press lay on a table, and the aroma of cigars and pipe smoke lingered in the air.A variety of magazines was stacked in a rack. Vanessa sorted through The Gentleman’s Magazine, Punch, The Strand,and the London Sunday Journal. She selected Punch and the Penny Press to take back to her room. She roamed the shelves searching for suitable books and found several on botany, including one by Lord Falconbridge on Lepidoptera. She piled them onto a mahogany table, along with the books and the notes she’d fetched from her room. Searching further, she spied Plato’s Symposiumand climbed the ladder. It was just out of reach. Not wishing to climb down, she leaned across. Her fingers touched the binding, and she leaned farther. She almost had it.“You read Ancient Greek, Miss Ashley?” Lord Falconbridge asked behind her. Vanessa jumped, and her foot slipped off the rung. She lost her balance and fell into a pair of strong arms.
EXCERPT 2:The maid’s head appeared over the banister rail. “The master will see you now.”Vanessa walked up the wide oak stair to where the maid awaited outside a door. A deep voice answered her knock. Vanessa turned the knob thinking how she would have liked to wash before meeting her new employer; it was difficult to appear cool and in control when so hot. The room she entered was also gloomy. A gas lamp glowed where a man sat in shirtsleeves and braces, his dark head bent over a desk. She took two uncertain steps and paused in the middle of a crimson Persian rug. Vanessa clasped her hands together and inspected the room. Shelves of leather-bound books lined one wall. Heavy bronze velvet drapes, pulled halfway across the small-paned windows, framed a narrow but magnificent view of parkland where broad graveled walks trailed away through well-grown trees. She suffered a sudden urge to walk across, pull the curtains back and throw open a window.Lord Falconbridge put down the butterfly under-glass he had been examining and pushed back his leather chair, rising to his feet. As she edged closer, he donned his coat and came to shake her hand. “Miss Ashley.”“How do you do, my lord?”He motioned her to sit then sat himself.He would be in his mid-thirties, she guessed. His good looks made her feel even more untidy. His dark hair swept off a widow’s peak, and he had a deep cleft in his chin. He removed his glasses, and his eyes were a similar bright blue to the butterfly. Dark brows met in an absent-minded frown as if she was an unwelcome distraction. “Welcome to Falconbridge Hall. I hope you had a good journey?”“Yes, thank you, my lord.”“You’ve come quite a long way. You must be tired.”“I broke my journey with an aunt in Taunton, my lord.” Her aunt was quite elderly, and Vanessa had slept on the sofa, but she didn’t feel at all tired. She expected fatigue would strike once the initial rush of excitement had faded. “My sympathies for your loss, Miss Ashley.”“Thank you.”“You have had no experience as a governess, I believe.”“No.”“Do you like children?” “Very much, my lord.”“Then you have had some involvement with them.”“Yes, I was very fond of my neighbors’ children. I minded them quite often as their parents were both in business.”“You had no opportunity to marry in Cornwall?”“I had one offer, my lord.” The widowed vicar, Harold Ponsonby, had offered, in an attempt to rescue her from the heathenish den of iniquity in which he found her. He eyed her. “And you refused him?”Might he think her imprudent? “Yes.” “Do you have a particular skill, Miss Ashley, which you can impart to my daughter?”“No, my lord.” She drew in a breath. She had not expected such a question. “Sadly, I did not inherit my father’s artistic talent, but I have my mother’s enquiring mind and her interest in history and politics.” “Politics?” He stared at her rather long, and she wished again that she’d had time to tidy herself. “We shall see how you get on. The rest of the day is your own. We will discuss your duties in the library tomorrow at ten. Mrs. Royce, my housekeeper, will show you to your room.” With an abstracted glance at his desk, he rose and went to pull the bell. The mahogany desktop was completely covered with pens and papers, a microscope, a probe of some kind, a set of long-handled tweezers, a large magnifying glass and a small hand-held one, tomes stacked one on top of the other in danger of toppling, and the butterfly in its glass prison, its beautiful wings pinned down, never to soar again. Caught by its beauty and premature death, Keats’s poem Ode to a Grecian Urn, rushed into her head. “Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought…As doth eternity.” The viscount swiveled, and his eyebrows shot up. “Pardon?”Vanessa jumped to her feet as heat flooded her cheeks. She'd said the words aloud. She must have had too much sun. “Keats, my lord.”“Are you a devotee of the Romantics?” “Not especially.” Annoyed with herself and, irrationally, with him for pursuing it, she said, “Forgive me, it was a random thought.”He folded his arms and studied her. “You are given to spouting random philosophical thoughts?”She tugged at her damp collar. “Not usually. I’m a little tired, and it’s been so hot.” Hastening to change the subject, she stepped over to the wall covered in framed butterflies of all sizes and colors. One particular specimen caught her eye. “Exquisite.”She felt his presence disturbingly close behind her. “Which?” She pointed. “This one, with patches of crimson and deep blue on its wings.”“You have a good eye. That’s a Nymphalidaefrom Peru. Do you know much about butterflies?” She looked at him, finding his blue eyes had brightened.“Very little, I’m afraid,” she said, aware her contribution to this discussion would prove disappointing. “We get many orange ones with black spots in Cornwall.” “Dark green Fritillary.” The interested light in his eyes faded. “That can’t be. They’re orange,” she said.“That is their name, dark green Fritillary.”“Why would they call it dark green when …?” Her voice died away at the impatience in his face. “That species is common and of little interest.” He studied her. “Unless you took notice of some interesting aspect of their habitats?”“No, not precisely, my lord … uh, they seemed to gather in trees and grasses ….” She nipped at her lip with her teeth, as he nodded and turned away. Would a governess be required to know much about butterflies or botany? Beyond Cornwall, her knowledge of flora and fauna was barely worthy of comment.A woman entered the room, her neat figure garbed in black bombazine, with a lacy cap over her brown hair and a watch pinned to her breast. A large bunch of keys jangled at her waist. Vanessa thought her to be in her early-forties. She had a pointed nose and sharp eyes that looked like they would miss little.“Ah. Mrs. Royce, this is the new governess, Miss Ashley. Please give her a tour of the day nursery and school room and introduce my daughter to her before you take her to her quarters.”“Yes, milord.” “Miss Ashley.” His lordship nodded. “I shall see you here again at ten o’clock tomorrow. We’ll discuss your plans for teaching my daughter. I’m extremely keen that she becomes proficient in mathematics, the French language, and botany.”“Botany, my lord?” Vanessa’s fears were realized. Completely unprepared, she looked around wildly at the books lining his shelves. Might she have time to bone up on it? She read some knowledge of her discomfort in his eyes and lifted her chin. “Surely English and history are equally as important?” “That goes without saying.” He turned back to his desk. “Tomorrow at ten.”
WEBSITE:
KNOX ROBINSON PUBLISHINGAMAZON AMAZON UK
BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
May 4, 2013
REVIEW - AMANDA SCOTT - DANGEROUS ILLUSIONS
The first book in Amanda Scott’s acclaimed Dangerous series journeys from the battlefields of Waterloo to the ballrooms and boudoirs of London, where a deadly deception unfolds . . .Engaged by proxy to a man she’s never met, Lady Daintry Tarrant is dismayed when the war hero returns, introducing himself as her fiancé, Lord Penthorpe. She cherishes her independence and has turned away many suitors, but this one she must marry. Penthorpe is completely captivated by Lady Daintry—but he’s not who he claims to be.Penthorpe and Lord Gideon Deverill fought together at the battle of Waterloo, and when Penthorpe fell, Gideon assumed his identity in order to see the beautiful Lady Daintry. Gideon knows there’s bad blood between Lady Daintry’s family and his own, but he’s smitten with Daintry and determined to reunite the bitterly feuding clans. When a ghost from Gideon’s past appears, he could lose everything—including Daintry’s love.RHFL ClassificationRegency Historical RomanceHEAT RATING: 1.5REVIEW RATING: 4 StarsREVIEW BY: MAGGI ANDERSENHeroine, Lady Daintry Tarrant is a forthright young woman, encouraged to be independent by her spinster aunt, Olivia. She has given several suitors the congé but now her father has her word that she will marry Lord Penthorpe when he returns from the war.There’s been a feud between the Tarrant and the Deverill families for years, but no one seems to know why. While hero, Lord Gideon Deverill and Daintry attempt to uncover the reason behind it, the plot revolves around Daintry’s sister, Susan, who is suffering at the hands of her brutal husband, Geoffrey. Susan has become submissive and bowed down, which well illustrates how little authority women had in those times, often with no help from patriarchal fathers and little aid from the law. I found it interesting and refreshing that Scott focused quite a lot of the story on this theme, although the developing romance does take second place at times.Daintry is outspoken and rails against the constraints placed upon her. She tries to aid her sister. Without giving away too much, something unspeakable happens to Daintry in the course of the story, and although I expected the gently raised young woman to show more emotion, it is a powerful scene.I didn’t warm to the hero immediately. I thought it silly when Gideon masquerades as his dead friend, Penthorpe, who was betrothed by proxy to Daintry before falling at Waterloo, and didn’t feel his reason justified it. He grew on me though. His complex relationship with his father gives us more insight into his character. All the secondary characters are well drawn. Scott creates a great sense of place too; she brings Cornwell vividly alive.When the underlying mystery of why Gideon and Daintry’s families had been feuding is solved, it seems a bit pat, but it quickly loses its relevance in the scheme of things and the story ends well. These are quibbles, I enjoyed the story, the author’s writing style impressed and I will read more of her books.
May 3, 2013
5 Star Review from Straight from the Library for WITH MURDEROUS INTENT
With Murderous Intent is a story with a strong heroine, a mysterious, emotionally wounded, sexy hero and peril around every corner.Caitlin travels far from her home to work as a nanny in Australia, hoping this will keep her safe. Little does she know she trades one danger – a crazy ex – for others: venomous snakes, crocodiles and more. She spends much of the beginning of the story learning how to survive in the Australian outback.
The children are sweet and engaging, the hero (their father) starts out aloof and disconnected, but she slowly changes that and really, though this is marked as a suspense novel, its focus is really on the romance and characters.
For a touching romance with a touch of terror, I can recommend With Murderous Intent.
*****
Last stop on my blog tour for A Baron in Her Bed. It ends with a nice review.
A BARON IN HER BED - THE SPIES OF MAYFAIR, BOOK ONE This is definitely a good read for historical romance fans. I really enjoyed Horatia's character so much! A welcome change from some of the pampered brats we accustom ourselves to. Horatia is brave, bold, and very spirited, and very determined to never marry. It is a shame she gets swept off of her feet by the dashing and rakish half Frenchman she rescues in the middle of the road. Love is found is the oddest of places. But Guy carries many secrets and they seem to mount up around him. Will he be able to keep Horatia and save his name at the same time? This book takes you on a lovely journey when it was dangerous to be aristocratic and even more so to be French. It has an interesting turn of events and a hint of a possible sequel. A few stones were left unturned and I would LOVE to learn more about Guy's newly acquired best friend. He was quite fascinating!
BUY LINKS:AMAZONBARNES & NOBLE SONY KOBO
May 1, 2013
Another review of WITH MURDEROUS INTENT
She fled Ireland because her life was in danger, now her troubles are worse…To escape a deadly stalker, Caitlin Fitzgerald flees her home in Ireland and takes a governess job in the top end of Australia. In her chosen safe haven, she has poisonous snakes, spiders, and crocodiles to contend with. And the very handsome and moody station owner, Jake Monterey, to keep her awake at night. But not only is Caitlin at risk of losing her heart to Jake and his two adorable children, the danger she thought she’d left behind has found her again. Has she unwittingly placed the lives of those she loves in jeopardy?
REVIEW - STRAIGHT FROM THE LIBRARYWith Murderous Intent is a story with a strong heroine, a mysterious, emotionally wounded, sexy hero and peril around every corner.
Caitlin travels far from her home to work as a nanny in Australia, hoping this will keep her safe. Little does she know she trades one danger – a crazy ex – for others: venomous snakes, crocodiles and more. She spends much of the beginning of the story learning how to survive in the Australian outback.
The children are sweet and engaging, the hero (their father) starts out aloof and disconnected, but she slowly changes that and really, though this is marked as a suspense novel, its focus is really on the romance and characters.
For a touching romance with a touch of terror, I can recommend With Murderous Intent.
EXCERPT: Dublin, Ireland:
I n ten hours she would leave Ireland, possibly forever. Caitlin Fitzgerald eased her stiff shoulders and stirred the froth in her coffee with a spoon. The café was overheated, the air stuffy with the scents of the overdressed crowd, sheltering from the weather. A heavy downpour reduced the view through the window to a blur of moving shapes.Caitlin’s best friend, Rebecca Dunton, a teacher at the school where Caitlin had taught until last week, furled her umbrella as she entered through the door, her short brown hair curling damply around her face.She ordered a drink at the counter and came and sat down.“It’s bad news,” she said without preamble.Caitlin huffed out a breath. Somehow she’d convinced herself there was nothing seriously wrong with Becky. “Tell me.”“It’s breast cancer.”“Oh my God, Becky!” Caitlin leapt up to hug her. “They’re sure?”Becky nodded and, with a shaky hand, picked up the coffee cup just delivered to the table. “They plan to remove the lump. I go into the hospital next week.”“I can’t leave now. I’ll cancel.”Becky slammed the cup down, spilling froth onto the table. She reached over the table and grabbed Caitlin’s hand. “You will go. You must.”“But you need support through this.” Caitlin swiped away a tear. “I want to be here for you.”Becky adjusted her glasses with a finger, a gesture so familiar it tore at Caitlin’s heart. “No, my sweet. You will go as planned. You know you can’t stay here.”“But—”“If you stayed in Dublin, I’d be worried about you the whole time. Now that wouldn’t be good for me, would it?”“I guess not,” Caitlin said doubtfully.“Good, then it’s settled. We’ll keep in touch.”“I believe there’s some mobile reception there, although it’s unreliable. I’ll ring you every day.”“You won’t. It would cost you a king’s ransom. Text me whenever you can.”“You can believe it. I’m there at the end of the phone, anytime you want to talk.”Becky gave a wan smile. “I know you will be, Cat. And God bless you for it. But I won’t relax until you’re on that plane and safe.”
BUY LINKS:
AUTHOR WEBSITE
AUTHOR BLOG
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April 30, 2013
It's Raining Books: With Murderous Intent by Maggi Andersen - Review T...
It's Raining Books: With Murderous Intent by Maggi Andersen - Review T...: Full length, romantic suspense This review is done in conjunction with the author's virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. ...
Review of With Murderous Intent by Long & Short Reviews
With Murderous Intent by Maggi AndersenApril 29, 2013 by The Long and Short Of It 6 Comments
Caitlin leaves her home and country in an attempt to stay safe from a crazy ex-boyfriend, but she trades that danger for others. Much of this book reads like an Australian tour guide. We learn about flora, fauna and how to stay safe in the bush. It’s important to the tale, and quite interesting, especially to someone like me who’s never been.
Caitlin isn’t stupid, thankfully. And while she’s attracted to her new boss, Jake, she also recognizes that he’s nearly engaged. I do wish the author had made Jake’s girlfriend a bit more viable as a potential rival. It reminded me of “The Sound of Music”: the sweet nanny who adores the children versus the wealthy, gorgeous woman who can’t wait to put them in boarding school.
Still, the story has teeth and the plot was engaging enough to keep me reading. I think fewer words could have been used to tell the story and make things move along a bit more quickly. The end was heart-stopping, though, and the love story sweet.
If you don’t need non-stop action in your romantic suspense, and enjoy a touching romance, then this book might be for you.
While, perhaps not romantic suspense in the current sense of the word, With Murderous Intent is a softer, sweeter version of the genre.
With Murderous Intent by Maggi Andersen
Publisher: Black Opal Books
Genre: Contemporary, suspense
Length: Full (252 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review by Poppy
To escape a deadly stalker, Caitlin Fitzgerald flees her home in Ireland and takes a governess job in the top end of Australia. In her chosen safe haven, she has poisonous snakes, spiders, and crocodiles to contend with. And the very handsome and moody station owner, Jake Monterey, to keep her awake at night. But not only is Caitlin at risk of losing her heart to Jake and his two adorable children, the danger she thought she’d left behind has found her again. Has she unwittingly placed the lives of those she loves in jeopardy?
Caitlin leaves her home and country in an attempt to stay safe from a crazy ex-boyfriend, but she trades that danger for others. Much of this book reads like an Australian tour guide. We learn about flora, fauna and how to stay safe in the bush. It’s important to the tale, and quite interesting, especially to someone like me who’s never been.
Caitlin isn’t stupid, thankfully. And while she’s attracted to her new boss, Jake, she also recognizes that he’s nearly engaged. I do wish the author had made Jake’s girlfriend a bit more viable as a potential rival. It reminded me of “The Sound of Music”: the sweet nanny who adores the children versus the wealthy, gorgeous woman who can’t wait to put them in boarding school.
Still, the story has teeth and the plot was engaging enough to keep me reading. I think fewer words could have been used to tell the story and make things move along a bit more quickly. The end was heart-stopping, though, and the love story sweet.
If you don’t need non-stop action in your romantic suspense, and enjoy a touching romance, then this book might be for you.
April 26, 2013
Details of a Regency ball gown
Costume in Detail
