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Mallorens & Friends #8
A Lady's Secret
When Robin Fitzvitry, the fun-loving Earl of Huntersdown, encounters a cursing nun in a French inn, he can't resist the mystery. He offers to help Sister Immaculata reach England, expecting amusement on the tedious journey home from Versailles.
Petre d'Avernio is not exactly a nun, though she has spent years in an Italian convent with her mother, whose death has left her in danger. She must find the only person who might protect her-her true father, an English lord who does not know she exists. The gorgeous earl Robin Fitzvitry will be a dangerous ally, but she's glimpsed her pursuers and must race to the coast. She will resist him, use him, and eventually escape him with her virtue and secrets intact-she hopes.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2008
85 people are currently reading
1092 people want to read
About the author
Jo Beverley
141 books1,129 followersMary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
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April 2, 2020
4 Estrellitas. Me están encantando los últimos libros que he leído de los Malloren y éste no es una excepción. La serie de los Pícaros tiene un poco de todo, y los Malloren empezaron muy reguleros, pero por suerte desde el cuarto libro no han hecho más que mejorar.
Era excéptica con eso de continuar ésta serie porque para mí los Malloren eran solo los cinco hermanos y los demás son apegados, y me planté hace tiempo con Rothgar, hasta que decidí darle una oportunidad a los siguientes y no me arrepiento.
Dentro de las extravagancias que puede presentarnos Jo Beverley en sus novelas, ésta puede que se lleve la palma, pero estamos ante una novela divertidísima que me ha tenido en vilo durante varios días.
"Secretos de una dama" nos abre una miniserie, dentro de la gran serie, los Malloren. Es una serie de tres nobles amigos, que ocuparán los libros 8°, 9° y 10°, que aparentemente no tienen nada que ver con los Malloren, pero se irá descubriendo la relación a medida que se van leyendo.
La historia empieza cuando Robin, conde de Huntersdown está recorriendo el norte de Francia para volver a Inglaterra. Robin tenía una misión en Versalles en la que tenía que encandilar a una noble con una perrita papillon (que ha sido un personaje más durante el libro). Y en una aislada posada, se encuentra a una monja maldiciendo en italiano. ¿Qué hace una monja en el norte de Francia?
Petra está desesperada, ha pasado sus últimos años escondida en un convento de Milán sin ordenar sus votos. Hace pocos años cometió una imprudencia y un conde de Milán la persigue para hacerla su amante. Pero hay un problema con Petra, es una hija bastarda de un noble inglés un affaire que tuvo su noble madre italiana; pero a su muerte, Petra es repudiada y su hermano no tendrá ningún escrúpulo en entregársela a su amigo el conde Ludovico. Por eso, Petra hace rápido un atillo y vestida de monja se ofrece a acompañar a una dama británica hasta llegar a las islas. Su madre le prometió a Petra que si estaba en apuros, su padre inglés la ayudaría, así que llegar a Inglaterra y conocer a su padre será su salvación para huir de Ludovico.
Petra está harta de la dama británica y sus odiosos hijos, y en cuanto conoce a ése guapo desconocido en una posada en el norte de Francia, no duda en ningún momento en aceptar la ayuda que éste le ofrece y se sube a su carruaje para que la lleve a Inglaterra. Además hay un plus, Petra necesita llegar cuando antes a Inglaterra, se ha dado cuenta de que los secuaces de Ludovico la han descubierto y planean secuestrala para llevarla de nuevo a Milán.
Así que el viaje de Petra y Robin se convierte en seguida en una carrera contrarreloj para escapar de Ludovico. En dicho viaje ambos protagonistas se irán conociendo y destruyendo las barreras que se erigen entre ellos, Robin no solo es un noble disoluto, si no un caballero honorable que hará lo posible porque Petra llegue sana y salva a Inglaterra, mientras que Petra no es una simple monja, si no una mujer pasional que añora las caricias de ése guapo desconocido. En el viaje deberán sortear una serie de peligros, así como la constante amenaza de secuestro que pende sobre Petra.
Una vez en Inglaterra, sus caminos se verán separados, con la principal barrera entre ellos, que ninguno fue completamente sincero con el otro. Robin estaba en una misión, y no podía confiarle a cualquiera quién es. Petra sí es sincera con Robin, pero en ningún momento le dice quién es su padre, no puede arriesgarse a ello, porque no sabe si será aceptada ni mucho menos reconocida.
Aún así será una auténtica y grata sorpresa cuando Petra llegue a casa de su padre, y se le abra una nueva vida en la que quizás sí sea posible descubrir quién es su Robin, y vivir feliz por siempre.
No es la novela más imprescindible de la serie, pero es cierto que me ha encantado y me he dicertido muchísimo con ella, sus personajes son increíbles y las aventuras que les pasan son adictivas. Como punto negativo, quizás que se hace un poco largo el libro y podían sobrarle un par de capítulos, pero Jo Beverley se lo ha currado muy bien investigando para ésta novela.
Me ha encantado ver de nuevo a los Malloren y al marqués de Ashart. Viendo lo bien que han estado los últimos libros de ésta serie no tardaré en leer los siguientes.
Era excéptica con eso de continuar ésta serie porque para mí los Malloren eran solo los cinco hermanos y los demás son apegados, y me planté hace tiempo con Rothgar, hasta que decidí darle una oportunidad a los siguientes y no me arrepiento.
Dentro de las extravagancias que puede presentarnos Jo Beverley en sus novelas, ésta puede que se lleve la palma, pero estamos ante una novela divertidísima que me ha tenido en vilo durante varios días.
"Secretos de una dama" nos abre una miniserie, dentro de la gran serie, los Malloren. Es una serie de tres nobles amigos, que ocuparán los libros 8°, 9° y 10°, que aparentemente no tienen nada que ver con los Malloren, pero se irá descubriendo la relación a medida que se van leyendo.
La historia empieza cuando Robin, conde de Huntersdown está recorriendo el norte de Francia para volver a Inglaterra. Robin tenía una misión en Versalles en la que tenía que encandilar a una noble con una perrita papillon (que ha sido un personaje más durante el libro). Y en una aislada posada, se encuentra a una monja maldiciendo en italiano. ¿Qué hace una monja en el norte de Francia?
Petra está desesperada, ha pasado sus últimos años escondida en un convento de Milán sin ordenar sus votos. Hace pocos años cometió una imprudencia y un conde de Milán la persigue para hacerla su amante. Pero hay un problema con Petra, es una hija bastarda de un noble inglés un affaire que tuvo su noble madre italiana; pero a su muerte, Petra es repudiada y su hermano no tendrá ningún escrúpulo en entregársela a su amigo el conde Ludovico. Por eso, Petra hace rápido un atillo y vestida de monja se ofrece a acompañar a una dama británica hasta llegar a las islas. Su madre le prometió a Petra que si estaba en apuros, su padre inglés la ayudaría, así que llegar a Inglaterra y conocer a su padre será su salvación para huir de Ludovico.
Petra está harta de la dama británica y sus odiosos hijos, y en cuanto conoce a ése guapo desconocido en una posada en el norte de Francia, no duda en ningún momento en aceptar la ayuda que éste le ofrece y se sube a su carruaje para que la lleve a Inglaterra. Además hay un plus, Petra necesita llegar cuando antes a Inglaterra, se ha dado cuenta de que los secuaces de Ludovico la han descubierto y planean secuestrala para llevarla de nuevo a Milán.
Así que el viaje de Petra y Robin se convierte en seguida en una carrera contrarreloj para escapar de Ludovico. En dicho viaje ambos protagonistas se irán conociendo y destruyendo las barreras que se erigen entre ellos, Robin no solo es un noble disoluto, si no un caballero honorable que hará lo posible porque Petra llegue sana y salva a Inglaterra, mientras que Petra no es una simple monja, si no una mujer pasional que añora las caricias de ése guapo desconocido. En el viaje deberán sortear una serie de peligros, así como la constante amenaza de secuestro que pende sobre Petra.
Una vez en Inglaterra, sus caminos se verán separados, con la principal barrera entre ellos, que ninguno fue completamente sincero con el otro. Robin estaba en una misión, y no podía confiarle a cualquiera quién es. Petra sí es sincera con Robin, pero en ningún momento le dice quién es su padre, no puede arriesgarse a ello, porque no sabe si será aceptada ni mucho menos reconocida.
Aún así será una auténtica y grata sorpresa cuando Petra llegue a casa de su padre, y se le abra una nueva vida en la que quizás sí sea posible descubrir quién es su Robin, y vivir feliz por siempre.
No es la novela más imprescindible de la serie, pero es cierto que me ha encantado y me he dicertido muchísimo con ella, sus personajes son increíbles y las aventuras que les pasan son adictivas. Como punto negativo, quizás que se hace un poco largo el libro y podían sobrarle un par de capítulos, pero Jo Beverley se lo ha currado muy bien investigando para ésta novela.
Me ha encantado ver de nuevo a los Malloren y al marqués de Ashart. Viendo lo bien que han estado los últimos libros de ésta serie no tardaré en leer los siguientes.
March 21, 2009
How can you not enjoy a book that begins with a cursing nun? OK, so she's not really a nun, but HE doesn't know that for sure until quite a bit further in the book. "A Lady's Secret" is a wonderful reunion with Jo Beverley's Malloren family, one of my cherished keeper series. It was my own stupidity that had this book sitting in my TBR pile (which should more correctly be called 'the Alps' vice 'pile') as even after reading the back cover blurb, I didn't connect it with the Malloren family. But then again, it was kind of like putting on your favorite jeans and finding a $20 bill in the back pocket! An unexpected, but serendipitous event.
Robin, Earl of Huntersdown, is on his way back to England from a mission in France. He's still the fun-loving and adventurous man from earlier books, but with his father's death he knows it's only a matter of time before he's forced to face the responsibilities and accompanying boredom of life as The Earl. So when he catches sight of what appears to be a nun and hears her utter Italian curses, he's intrigued. And when he sees her face, he's captivated. She's a mystery and an enigma...and Robin is rather bored at the moment.
Petra is on a flight for her freedom. Disguised as a nun, she's trying to reach the father she's never met, and who knows nothing of her, in England. It's either that, or become the mistress to a spoiled and dangerous nobleman back in Italy. All that protects her is her ingenuity, her bravery, and her nun's habit. Then she's surprised by a teacup of a dog...and her life will never be the same.
Coquette the papillon dog is unarguably one of the funniest, and most endearing, secondary characters in this book. There are many scenes where she stole the show and I loved it. Petra is an astonishing woman for her time and it was hard not to admire her bravery, even during the times I thought she was foolhardy and rash. But overall, she's one of the more interesting heroines I've read so far this year. And once her father was revealed...well, enough about that. You'll have to read the book to find out. And Robin? Oh the confusion and consternation Petra brings to his life. I can't think of anyone more deserving and I am awed by the way Beverley uses his situation with Petra to silently spur his emotional and mental growth. Two characters, well three if you count Coquette, who will stay in my memory for a long time.
Beverly's Malloren series is set in the Georgian era and her depictions are fabulous and fascinating. The action never really slows over the 409 pages of the entire story. Fans of the Malloren series MUST buy this book and I would guess those who read this without having read other books about the family will find themselves searching out the previous reads. Sexual tension, mystery, and suspense all liberally interspersed with heaping doses of humor and witty dialogue are all, for me, trademarks of a Jo Beverley story. "A Lady's Secret" didn't disappoint and if those tags sound interesting to you, I can't recommend this one enough.
Robin, Earl of Huntersdown, is on his way back to England from a mission in France. He's still the fun-loving and adventurous man from earlier books, but with his father's death he knows it's only a matter of time before he's forced to face the responsibilities and accompanying boredom of life as The Earl. So when he catches sight of what appears to be a nun and hears her utter Italian curses, he's intrigued. And when he sees her face, he's captivated. She's a mystery and an enigma...and Robin is rather bored at the moment.
Petra is on a flight for her freedom. Disguised as a nun, she's trying to reach the father she's never met, and who knows nothing of her, in England. It's either that, or become the mistress to a spoiled and dangerous nobleman back in Italy. All that protects her is her ingenuity, her bravery, and her nun's habit. Then she's surprised by a teacup of a dog...and her life will never be the same.
Coquette the papillon dog is unarguably one of the funniest, and most endearing, secondary characters in this book. There are many scenes where she stole the show and I loved it. Petra is an astonishing woman for her time and it was hard not to admire her bravery, even during the times I thought she was foolhardy and rash. But overall, she's one of the more interesting heroines I've read so far this year. And once her father was revealed...well, enough about that. You'll have to read the book to find out. And Robin? Oh the confusion and consternation Petra brings to his life. I can't think of anyone more deserving and I am awed by the way Beverley uses his situation with Petra to silently spur his emotional and mental growth. Two characters, well three if you count Coquette, who will stay in my memory for a long time.
Beverly's Malloren series is set in the Georgian era and her depictions are fabulous and fascinating. The action never really slows over the 409 pages of the entire story. Fans of the Malloren series MUST buy this book and I would guess those who read this without having read other books about the family will find themselves searching out the previous reads. Sexual tension, mystery, and suspense all liberally interspersed with heaping doses of humor and witty dialogue are all, for me, trademarks of a Jo Beverley story. "A Lady's Secret" didn't disappoint and if those tags sound interesting to you, I can't recommend this one enough.
May 28, 2016
I picked this as my next Jo Beverley experiment because while it's the middle of the Malloren saga, it's the start of the "Georgian Secrets" triplet. I'm pretty sure I'm going to pause that and go back to the start, though, because I enjoyed this so much. Also, the Malloren's played a major role in this book so now I want the backstories.
The high rating in this case was because I fell in love with both main characters, almost from the start. Robin is daring and competent without being a jerk and Petra is determined and careful and very sympathetic. The story is a road/pursuit story and the villains intrude often enough to keep the pace heartstopping, but Beverley still manages to keep the character interactions front and center and I loved that. Seeing them develop a relationship of trust and caring despite each knowing that the other kept secrets was fantastic and a great deal of fun.
I was initially concerned that this takes place some 70 years before my typical Regency romances, but Beverley also does a great job of giving evocative details without bogging the story down with her research. Interestingly, an author's note at the end gives some of those details and I found them fascinating as well (even as I admire her skill in keeping them out of the story itself).
So this was full of win and now I need to skip back a decade in Beverley's career and see if I can stand her early writing. I certainly hope I can.
A note about Steamy: Robin's a randy little minx, so there's lots of sexual interest. He's not a jerk about it, but it's front and center in a way I'm not terribly used to in period romances. I'm not sure if that's a period, author, or genre thing, but I suppose I'll find out. At any rate, there are only really two explicit sex scenes and both are actually quite short. A page, tops. So this is still the middle of my steam range and seriously, only barely that much.
The high rating in this case was because I fell in love with both main characters, almost from the start. Robin is daring and competent without being a jerk and Petra is determined and careful and very sympathetic. The story is a road/pursuit story and the villains intrude often enough to keep the pace heartstopping, but Beverley still manages to keep the character interactions front and center and I loved that. Seeing them develop a relationship of trust and caring despite each knowing that the other kept secrets was fantastic and a great deal of fun.
I was initially concerned that this takes place some 70 years before my typical Regency romances, but Beverley also does a great job of giving evocative details without bogging the story down with her research. Interestingly, an author's note at the end gives some of those details and I found them fascinating as well (even as I admire her skill in keeping them out of the story itself).
So this was full of win and now I need to skip back a decade in Beverley's career and see if I can stand her early writing. I certainly hope I can.
A note about Steamy: Robin's a randy little minx, so there's lots of sexual interest. He's not a jerk about it, but it's front and center in a way I'm not terribly used to in period romances. I'm not sure if that's a period, author, or genre thing, but I suppose I'll find out. At any rate, there are only really two explicit sex scenes and both are actually quite short. A page, tops. So this is still the middle of my steam range and seriously, only barely that much.
April 25, 2019
No he conectado con este libro en absoluto, por lo tanto esta review va a ser cortita comparada con las anteriores. Es, más bien, una enumeración de los motivos por los que no me ha gustado.
1. No he conectado con los personajes, al principio del libro él miente sobre su identidad, ella miente sobre su identidad. Lo que podría haber sido un punto de partida genial es tan retorcido por la autora que no me permitió empatizar con los protagonistas.
2. Los envuelve en una trama de misterio, dando por presentados a ciertos personajes, y tu solo puedes preguntarte quien narices es quien. Otro punto en contra engancharte a la historia.
3. Se le nota que es “viejuna”. Expresiones como "su vaina estaba a sólo unas pulgadas de la espada de él" me han sacado completamente de la historia 🙄🙄🙄🙄 Ese esfuerzo por resultar atrevida solo me ha hecho rechinar los dientes. Que ella no sea una virgen inocente me parece bien, que sea una excusa para meterlos rápidamente en harina... 🙄🙄🙄🙄
4.El final me ha resultado muy precipitado y muy poco romántico.
Las dos estrellas son porque no está mal escrito, aunque no sea “my cup of tea”, pero entiendo que otras personas les pueda gustar.
1. No he conectado con los personajes, al principio del libro él miente sobre su identidad, ella miente sobre su identidad. Lo que podría haber sido un punto de partida genial es tan retorcido por la autora que no me permitió empatizar con los protagonistas.
2. Los envuelve en una trama de misterio, dando por presentados a ciertos personajes, y tu solo puedes preguntarte quien narices es quien. Otro punto en contra engancharte a la historia.
3. Se le nota que es “viejuna”. Expresiones como "su vaina estaba a sólo unas pulgadas de la espada de él" me han sacado completamente de la historia 🙄🙄🙄🙄 Ese esfuerzo por resultar atrevida solo me ha hecho rechinar los dientes. Que ella no sea una virgen inocente me parece bien, que sea una excusa para meterlos rápidamente en harina... 🙄🙄🙄🙄
4.El final me ha resultado muy precipitado y muy poco romántico.
Las dos estrellas son porque no está mal escrito, aunque no sea “my cup of tea”, pero entiendo que otras personas les pueda gustar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2022
Ogni volta dico che un Malloren tira l’altro, ma, in effetti, è proprio così: e siamo a otto!
Se all'inizio pensavo che con l'esaurirsi dei fratelli la serie sarebbe andata incontro a noia e perdita d'interesse, mi sono dovuta comunque ricredere. Al momento, non ne sono ancora stanca.
La Beverley è riuscita sinora a scovare cugini, amici e personaggi in qualche modo legati alla famiglia (che, peraltro, ed è questo il bello, appare e riappare, come una sorta di zona di conforto, una copertina calda che coccola il lettore).
Qui, ad esempio, troviamo un nobile inglese che sta rientrando in patria, sotto copertura, e che s'imbatte in una suora "papista" (ovvero cattolica) decisa a recarsi anche lei in Inghilterra per ritrovare le proprie origini familiari.
Nessuno dei due, ovviamente, si spinge a rivelare tutti i propri segreti all'altro: così Petra, la piccola pietra, preferisce farsi passare per una falsa suora, un'avventuriera, forse una spia, mentre Robin, il pettirosso, si ritaglia il ruolo del ricco annoiato, che cerca distrazioni e magari una tresca amorosa con la ragazza a cui offre protezione e mezzi di trasporto.
Il loro non è proprio un rientro tranquillo, tra agguati, tentativi di rapina e sequestro, duelli a fil di spada, briganti, contrabbandieri, sicari e altri viaggiatori piuttosto invadenti. Però entrambi riescono a mettere in mostra le proprie doti d'astuzia e a salvarsi a vicenda più volte, riuscendo a raggiungere i loro obiettivi nonostante l'attrazione.
Nel complesso un libro vivace, con due protagonisti simpatici, ciascuno a suo modo caparbio nel non guardarsi indietro e nel non arrendersi di fronte alle delusioni. C'è un sottile gioco di seduzione, anche perché il conte è piuttosto malandrino, ma Petra riesce a tenergli testa, grazie anche a un carattere forte e determinato.
Se poi alla trama aggiungete il ritorno di Rothgar, con una comparsa breve, ma fondamentale, capirete perché ho apprezzato la lettura.
Se all'inizio pensavo che con l'esaurirsi dei fratelli la serie sarebbe andata incontro a noia e perdita d'interesse, mi sono dovuta comunque ricredere. Al momento, non ne sono ancora stanca.
La Beverley è riuscita sinora a scovare cugini, amici e personaggi in qualche modo legati alla famiglia (che, peraltro, ed è questo il bello, appare e riappare, come una sorta di zona di conforto, una copertina calda che coccola il lettore).
Qui, ad esempio, troviamo un nobile inglese che sta rientrando in patria, sotto copertura, e che s'imbatte in una suora "papista" (ovvero cattolica) decisa a recarsi anche lei in Inghilterra per ritrovare le proprie origini familiari.
Nessuno dei due, ovviamente, si spinge a rivelare tutti i propri segreti all'altro: così Petra, la piccola pietra, preferisce farsi passare per una falsa suora, un'avventuriera, forse una spia, mentre Robin, il pettirosso, si ritaglia il ruolo del ricco annoiato, che cerca distrazioni e magari una tresca amorosa con la ragazza a cui offre protezione e mezzi di trasporto.
Il loro non è proprio un rientro tranquillo, tra agguati, tentativi di rapina e sequestro, duelli a fil di spada, briganti, contrabbandieri, sicari e altri viaggiatori piuttosto invadenti. Però entrambi riescono a mettere in mostra le proprie doti d'astuzia e a salvarsi a vicenda più volte, riuscendo a raggiungere i loro obiettivi nonostante l'attrazione.
Nel complesso un libro vivace, con due protagonisti simpatici, ciascuno a suo modo caparbio nel non guardarsi indietro e nel non arrendersi di fronte alle delusioni. C'è un sottile gioco di seduzione, anche perché il conte è piuttosto malandrino, ma Petra riesce a tenergli testa, grazie anche a un carattere forte e determinato.
Se poi alla trama aggiungete il ritorno di Rothgar, con una comparsa breve, ma fondamentale, capirete perché ho apprezzato la lettura.
April 23, 2020
I think this is the best Jo Beverley book I’ve read. It almost comes close to Loretta Chase, even though I feel this writer, as so many others, is very much inspired by Georgette Heyer characters, and has borrowed many elements from several of her books.
July 19, 2016
Continuing on with my read-through of the Mallorens series. I enjoyed this one quite well. It was interesting, and funny at times, cute at others. Both the heroine, Petra, and the hero, Robin, were likable and well-written characters. The beginning chapter hooked me right away, and I was eager to find out what was the deal with the nun/not-nun, and if Robin would ever be serious. Kidding, with that last bit, but really, that was part of his charm. Where some of the heroes in this series are cool, calm and collected, and even downright grim and grumpy at times (ahem, Fort...), Robin was a charming change. I liked him a lot. He could be serious, when needed, but even when serious, he never lost his sense of humor, and adventure. Petra was also quite adventurous, and an interesting character. Her background had me intrigued, what was she running from, where was she going to go. I find that I usually always enjoy the sort of 'on the road' kind of story, where the characters travel, and there are different things going on, so that was another point in this book's favor. Even when Petra took off on her own, it was sort of exciting. Then, the big reveal of who Petra's father is, well, yea. I knew all along he would behave admirably when confronted with her, and their relationship, I mean, he is Rothgar. Best romance hero ever. In the world. My opinion only, but I stand firmly by it. So of course I knew she had nothing to worry about, but it was still fun, and can I say, cute, to read how he handled it. Such a doting papa he turned out to be ;) I, of course, also liked seeing other Malloren family members again, if only briefly. Oh, and edited to add, how could I forget the dog!? She was cute :)
So, another great installment in the series, and onward I will head to the next one.
So, another great installment in the series, and onward I will head to the next one.
August 5, 2025
Really good! Robin is wonderful. Petra is spunky and unpredictable. Coquette steals every scene (maybe my next puppy should be a Papillon?) The adventure is non stop, sword fights, pistols, etc. I love the Georgian era, it’s so rough and tumble. The connection to the Mallorens is very surprising. The audiobook is just the digital version of the CDs so it has that annoying “end of disc two” thing going on, but you get used to it. Audiobooks sure have improved over the years but this is not terrible.
February 17, 2019
If I have to read the words Cock Robin one more time...
October 9, 2012
It takes awhile to figure out how this all ties into the Malloren series. Even when it seems obvious, what you think you know about the protags of previous books will keep you from totally buying it until the very end.
At a little inn in France, Robin Fitzvitry comes upon a young nun who is cursing a blue streak. Instantly intrigued, he discovers that she's been pressed into service as a nanny/companion to a shrill, neglectful mama and her ill-behaved brats. He also suspects she's not really a nun. And he's bored to tears, and needing distraction on his journey home to England—or at least a better distraction than his poofy white butterfly dog (there's a story there).
So he talks her into dumping the annoying family and going on to England with his escort.
The young woman, who starts off as Sister Immaculata, then says her name's Maria, is really Petra d'Averio. She was raised as the daughter of an Italian count, but learned late in the game that she is actually the product of a peccadillo between her mother and a titled Englishman touring the continent as young men did in those days.
Petra seems to be in a great hurry to move on, so Robin makes his poor servants ride horseback so he can join her in his carriage. And of course it rains. So they stop at the first place with a roof—which turns out to be a very bad idea…
Well, sort of along those lines, anyway…
Anyway, natch, they do survive, since there's still about 300 more pages to the book.
It turns out that Petra is being pursued by the minions of a dastardly Italian count (no, not her stepdaddy), who seduced her but has no intention of marrying her as she expected. Instead he married monied gentry, but he plans to keep her on the side. With her mom and stepdad dead, her half-brother is not particularly interested in protecting her. So she's racing to England to seek the protection of her real daddy. Or an opera singer/courtesan her mother once patronized (the opera part, silly). Whoever seems safest.
Anyway, this is a pretty good on-the-run story with omniscient villain-minions who appear at lots of awkward times and a grand finale that has its moments. Oh, and the opera singer/courtesan? Turns out to be a real person—she used to hostess grand parties until a rival came along and outdid her. The story actually ties in with a standard setting for Regency Romance… A solid four stars, just for that.
At a little inn in France, Robin Fitzvitry comes upon a young nun who is cursing a blue streak. Instantly intrigued, he discovers that she's been pressed into service as a nanny/companion to a shrill, neglectful mama and her ill-behaved brats. He also suspects she's not really a nun. And he's bored to tears, and needing distraction on his journey home to England—or at least a better distraction than his poofy white butterfly dog (there's a story there).
So he talks her into dumping the annoying family and going on to England with his escort.
The young woman, who starts off as Sister Immaculata, then says her name's Maria, is really Petra d'Averio. She was raised as the daughter of an Italian count, but learned late in the game that she is actually the product of a peccadillo between her mother and a titled Englishman touring the continent as young men did in those days.
Petra seems to be in a great hurry to move on, so Robin makes his poor servants ride horseback so he can join her in his carriage. And of course it rains. So they stop at the first place with a roof—which turns out to be a very bad idea…
Well, sort of along those lines, anyway…
Anyway, natch, they do survive, since there's still about 300 more pages to the book.
It turns out that Petra is being pursued by the minions of a dastardly Italian count (no, not her stepdaddy), who seduced her but has no intention of marrying her as she expected. Instead he married monied gentry, but he plans to keep her on the side. With her mom and stepdad dead, her half-brother is not particularly interested in protecting her. So she's racing to England to seek the protection of her real daddy. Or an opera singer/courtesan her mother once patronized (the opera part, silly). Whoever seems safest.
Anyway, this is a pretty good on-the-run story with omniscient villain-minions who appear at lots of awkward times and a grand finale that has its moments. Oh, and the opera singer/courtesan? Turns out to be a real person—she used to hostess grand parties until a rival came along and outdid her. The story actually ties in with a standard setting for Regency Romance… A solid four stars, just for that.
July 7, 2008
I really liked the beginning of the book and the interaction between the hero and heroine. The problem came when the two separated. Then, it just lost its spark.
January 7, 2021
This was really good. I enjoyed the connection to the Malloren world even though it's been a long time since I have read that series. I much prefer Beverley's work where there is some intrigue and outside conflict (which the Malloren world brings), and this book gave me what I wanted.
There was only one thing that annoyed me to no end...I have never seen the word 'cock' used before so many times in a non-sexual manner. "Cock Robin" this and "Cock Robin" that- I literally cringed every single time! Thankfully, the rest of the book made up for that.
Robin was so roguishly charming, and Petra was a different sort of historical heroine - they were a match, and the chemistry was really good even though this book was light on the smexy times.
I think that I will have to pick up the next two books about Robin's friends - they seem like they will be good fun to read about!
There was only one thing that annoyed me to no end...I have never seen the word 'cock' used before so many times in a non-sexual manner. "Cock Robin" this and "Cock Robin" that- I literally cringed every single time! Thankfully, the rest of the book made up for that.
Robin was so roguishly charming, and Petra was a different sort of historical heroine - they were a match, and the chemistry was really good even though this book was light on the smexy times.
I think that I will have to pick up the next two books about Robin's friends - they seem like they will be good fun to read about!
February 5, 2020
2.5*
There are times when I really love a good adventure when I read a romance story. I want there to be action and conflict (as long as they’re written well), and yes, by the end of the novel, I want my hero and heroine to be madly in love.
From the start, this book tried to give me that. A fake nun, a misleading earl, and a lot of bad guys trying to kidnap our heroine. Yep, sounds like things could get interesting.
And yet, at the end of the day, this novel was just…meh. It was a quick read and I had no trouble getting through it, but it’s not something I want to keep and read over and over again.
Petra wasn’t a terrible heroine. She was determined to find her father and not even our handsome hero was going to get in her way or dissuade her from her course. That’s not something you always see, and it was refreshing. Additionally, although Petra was worried and afraid of the men coming after her, she didn’t sink into self-pity or bemoan her fate. This made her more likeable as a character.
Robin played more of a light-hearted jester throughout the novel, which wasn’t always a bad thing. He provided some comic relief to our heroine and made their adventurous journey seem fun.
Nevertheless, I had a few issues with this novel. One of the things that bugged me the most was the lack of issue or transition Petra had when she met her family. Maybe the author didn’t want to add any more conflict to the heroine’s life, but even though we get an explanation about why Petra’s father is thrilled to meet her and take her under his roof, it seemed just a bit too perfect. He’s a Lord, he’s rich, he’s willing to love/accept her, and his family is willing to love/accept her from the start. That’s one understanding and open-minded family for a foreign bastard girl.
However, I will admit that I read this as a read-alone novel vs following the series. I believe that the series has a lot to do with the family Petra was accepted into, so there may be parts I’m missing and I had no love for them going into the book, like I might have had if I’d read the series in order, I don’t know.
I also began to hate all of the Cock Robin references (which were a play on the nursery rhyme “Who Killed Cock Robin”). But it was used excessively and by the end of the book, I was annoyed and exasperated.
Again, not a terrible book, but not something I’d really recommend.
There are times when I really love a good adventure when I read a romance story. I want there to be action and conflict (as long as they’re written well), and yes, by the end of the novel, I want my hero and heroine to be madly in love.
From the start, this book tried to give me that. A fake nun, a misleading earl, and a lot of bad guys trying to kidnap our heroine. Yep, sounds like things could get interesting.
And yet, at the end of the day, this novel was just…meh. It was a quick read and I had no trouble getting through it, but it’s not something I want to keep and read over and over again.
Petra wasn’t a terrible heroine. She was determined to find her father and not even our handsome hero was going to get in her way or dissuade her from her course. That’s not something you always see, and it was refreshing. Additionally, although Petra was worried and afraid of the men coming after her, she didn’t sink into self-pity or bemoan her fate. This made her more likeable as a character.
Robin played more of a light-hearted jester throughout the novel, which wasn’t always a bad thing. He provided some comic relief to our heroine and made their adventurous journey seem fun.
Nevertheless, I had a few issues with this novel. One of the things that bugged me the most was the lack of issue or transition Petra had when she met her family. Maybe the author didn’t want to add any more conflict to the heroine’s life, but even though we get an explanation about why Petra’s father is thrilled to meet her and take her under his roof, it seemed just a bit too perfect. He’s a Lord, he’s rich, he’s willing to love/accept her, and his family is willing to love/accept her from the start. That’s one understanding and open-minded family for a foreign bastard girl.
However, I will admit that I read this as a read-alone novel vs following the series. I believe that the series has a lot to do with the family Petra was accepted into, so there may be parts I’m missing and I had no love for them going into the book, like I might have had if I’d read the series in order, I don’t know.
I also began to hate all of the Cock Robin references (which were a play on the nursery rhyme “Who Killed Cock Robin”). But it was used excessively and by the end of the book, I was annoyed and exasperated.
Again, not a terrible book, but not something I’d really recommend.
May 16, 2021
I was hoping for another wonderful Jo Beverley Regency, unfortunately this is not a Regency at all. Still a fair read, although the ending felt a little rushed
July 23, 2021
I've just finished this book, and it's the first in a long time that I'd consider 'couldn't put downable'.
It's full of action and the poor heroine gets herself into far too many scrapes, but the plot moves quickly and keeps you interested.
The main heroine, Petra is masquerading as a nun to escape a previous lover. She places her trust in an eccentric Englishman and lets him help her get to England to find her long-lost father.
The hero is a bored Englishman and picks up a lot of trouble with Petra, but one thing I liked about Robin is that instead of automatically being wonderful at everything, this young man isn't a wonderful swordsman, or diplomat, or even have that sith sense so many heroes have to spot trouble before it happens. He's a regular guy, who just wants to protect a damsel in distress.
There are a few plot holes, and the whole first incident where they stay the night at a dodgy place (no spoilers) is a bit of a thin point - though interesting it doesn't fit in later with anything revealed and feels a little like the story lagged and an incident was needed.
I love the way Petra finds her father and would have liked it, even more, had the developing relationship between them been given a little more time.
But I was hooked from the start, I really cared about the characters, and as the start to a new trilogy under the world of the Mallorens, this is a great start to a series (we get a little look at the other two men from the net two books as well).
Well worth a read! *****
It's full of action and the poor heroine gets herself into far too many scrapes, but the plot moves quickly and keeps you interested.
The main heroine, Petra is masquerading as a nun to escape a previous lover. She places her trust in an eccentric Englishman and lets him help her get to England to find her long-lost father.
The hero is a bored Englishman and picks up a lot of trouble with Petra, but one thing I liked about Robin is that instead of automatically being wonderful at everything, this young man isn't a wonderful swordsman, or diplomat, or even have that sith sense so many heroes have to spot trouble before it happens. He's a regular guy, who just wants to protect a damsel in distress.
There are a few plot holes, and the whole first incident where they stay the night at a dodgy place (no spoilers) is a bit of a thin point - though interesting it doesn't fit in later with anything revealed and feels a little like the story lagged and an incident was needed.
I love the way Petra finds her father and would have liked it, even more, had the developing relationship between them been given a little more time.
But I was hooked from the start, I really cared about the characters, and as the start to a new trilogy under the world of the Mallorens, this is a great start to a series (we get a little look at the other two men from the net two books as well).
Well worth a read! *****
April 22, 2009
After reading a few of Beverley’s Company of Rogue’s books last month I decided to start this latest installment in the Malloreen series.
It is a light and nice read about a nun on the run and the nobleman who helps her. Of course, Petra is not really a nun but she is on the run from an Italian duke who wants her to be his mistress. When we meet her, she is decided to travel to England in search of the father she never knew, having been raised by her mother and acknowledged by her mother’s husband.
I did like that it started in a French setting and with a Italian heroine, then it goes on as an entertaining road romance, it has a bit of adventure and mystery and it has the main characters falling in love. I thought it was entertaining but ultimately there’s nothing very original and since I’m writing the review more than two weeks after I read it I must admit that I’ve forgotten some of the details.
I did like it better once the heroine reaches her father because he is a well known Beverley character but then the end feels a bit like too neatly wrapped up. I just wish the Malloreens could have had a more active part in the book. Still, it was a good read.
Grade: 4/5
It is a light and nice read about a nun on the run and the nobleman who helps her. Of course, Petra is not really a nun but she is on the run from an Italian duke who wants her to be his mistress. When we meet her, she is decided to travel to England in search of the father she never knew, having been raised by her mother and acknowledged by her mother’s husband.
I did like that it started in a French setting and with a Italian heroine, then it goes on as an entertaining road romance, it has a bit of adventure and mystery and it has the main characters falling in love. I thought it was entertaining but ultimately there’s nothing very original and since I’m writing the review more than two weeks after I read it I must admit that I’ve forgotten some of the details.
I did like it better once the heroine reaches her father because he is a well known Beverley character but then the end feels a bit like too neatly wrapped up. I just wish the Malloreens could have had a more active part in the book. Still, it was a good read.
Grade: 4/5
June 3, 2008
I've been waiting for a Jo Bev book to come out for awhile, and I was thrilled to snag this at the bookstore. The introduction was terrific, but as others have noticed, the road trip was a little bogging. And I hate to admit, but the plot twist didn't seem to be executed as well as it should have. Rothgar having a child had such potential, but he was barely in it. And when he was, it was felt off. Not nearly the same Dark Marquis from Devilish or any of the previous ones. And there wasn't the connection, the build up of his acceptance of it. It was a quick "Yay!" type deal and it felt weak. The ball scene (like father, like daughter) was very well-done, but it lacked something. Q on One Tree Hill had more oomph.
I wanted to write a better review, because there were parts I loved. Things like the adventure once on English shores, and Petra's intelligence (which is a family trait) along the way. The people Petra meets. Even the ads through the paper were funny and different. For once, there seemed to be a lack of character development. Which is a sad thing to find from a normally excellent writer.
I wanted to write a better review, because there were parts I loved. Things like the adventure once on English shores, and Petra's intelligence (which is a family trait) along the way. The people Petra meets. Even the ads through the paper were funny and different. For once, there seemed to be a lack of character development. Which is a sad thing to find from a normally excellent writer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2009
I wanted to read this since the 2nd book of the Malloren series, but I held out so that I would be done with at least Rothgar's story. I'm glad I did. This book was worth the wait. It was fantastic and difficult to put down.
Robin is my type of hero, generally careless and seemingly self-serving, yet very protective and lovable. Petra is a wonderful heroine. It has been a long time to come across a heroine who was not virginal or previously married. I think, her foreign background also made her character more appealing, worldly even. Her parentage is really no surprise, if you remembered minor details from the earlier books.
Definitely worth a read and even a reread.
Robin is my type of hero, generally careless and seemingly self-serving, yet very protective and lovable. Petra is a wonderful heroine. It has been a long time to come across a heroine who was not virginal or previously married. I think, her foreign background also made her character more appealing, worldly even. Her parentage is really no surprise, if you remembered minor details from the earlier books.
Definitely worth a read and even a reread.
November 5, 2010
Oh god, I LOVE THE MALLORENS! And I loved this story. I have a massive crush on Rothgar so I think my favorite part of this book was seeing him interact with his newly-discovered daughter, but the plot, romance, all of it was just spectacular as a whole. A+++ and straight to my keeper shelf. If you read the earlier Malloren books you just have to read this one too.
August 19, 2018
This was a solid...meh. The characters were likable but a bit bland. The beginning was entertaining enough, but for such a big build on how competently evil the bad guys were for half the book, the end was pretty rushed and anticlimactic. Good beach read type book that you can leave behind for the next renter to read on a rainy afternoon.
April 7, 2014
I like this author for nice stories and easy reading in between the "heavy" books.
Lots of twists and turns.
Lots of twists and turns.
September 13, 2016
#8 in the series, and the verbal swordplay just keeps getting better! Of course some (many?) of the situations strain credibility but hey... it's fiction!
-- Karen, Merrillville Branch
-- Karen, Merrillville Branch
October 3, 2022
Cute enjoyable story... 💜
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 02-03-20
I enjoyed the book. Petra is trying to get to England, after her mother died, to find her father, who has no idea she exists. She and her mother had been in a convent to keep Petra safe from her evil brother. However once her mother died, the brother decided to give her to an awful man who Petra had had relations with (thinking herself in love at the time of the relationship). On her way to England, she meets Robin who is intrigued and decides to be her champion. Their journey is fraught with one peril after another as they try to get to England while being hunted by the ruthless minions of the man who wants her, They both hold close their own identities, drawn to each other but unsure if they can trust each other entirely. Its kind of a fun bantering relationship that they have that draws them together. Yes, its a bit of a silly book, and the storyline isn't super deep, but its a great contribution to the Malloren series (which I didn't even realize was). I haven't read the Malloren series in years and it makes me want to go back and revisit it.
Jill Tanner did a great job. To me she has a unique voice and the first time I heard her, it took me a bit to acclimate, but once I did, I’ve been a fan ever since. (Still my absolute favorite narration of hers is The Tea Rose. Fantastic narration of a fantastic series.)
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 02-03-20
I enjoyed the book. Petra is trying to get to England, after her mother died, to find her father, who has no idea she exists. She and her mother had been in a convent to keep Petra safe from her evil brother. However once her mother died, the brother decided to give her to an awful man who Petra had had relations with (thinking herself in love at the time of the relationship). On her way to England, she meets Robin who is intrigued and decides to be her champion. Their journey is fraught with one peril after another as they try to get to England while being hunted by the ruthless minions of the man who wants her, They both hold close their own identities, drawn to each other but unsure if they can trust each other entirely. Its kind of a fun bantering relationship that they have that draws them together. Yes, its a bit of a silly book, and the storyline isn't super deep, but its a great contribution to the Malloren series (which I didn't even realize was). I haven't read the Malloren series in years and it makes me want to go back and revisit it.
Jill Tanner did a great job. To me she has a unique voice and the first time I heard her, it took me a bit to acclimate, but once I did, I’ve been a fan ever since. (Still my absolute favorite narration of hers is The Tea Rose. Fantastic narration of a fantastic series.)
April 11, 2020
A good story with lots of believable twists and turns. A true romance novel love story. Sister Immaculata is heard cursing in Italian in the courtyard of a French inn. Robin "Bonchurch" goes to investigate and to see if he can offer assistance. When "Sister Immaculata" turns around, Robin is completely smitten....no, he's bowled over, head over heels in love. She is trying to get from Milan to England where she is in search of her father, someone who may not even know of her existence. Her travels have taken her as far as northern France. The journey is fraught with peril because a man who will not take NO for an answer has sent his man to find her and bring her back, so that she can be his unwilling mistress. There are unsavory characters along the way, including the hag who wants to sell her as a sex slave, fighting off her "savior" as he pursues his advances towards her, tricking the bloodhound by taking a boat to cross over into England and trying to land at an unused port, fighting off a highwayman. And the lies.....all of the lies....to everyone. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
August 31, 2017
Admito que no sé hasta qué punto esta crítica es justa. La traducción al castellano me ha parecido francamente mala, tanto que me sacaba continuamente de la historia. Así que no sé si los defectos que le encuentro al libro los estoy valorando justamente o lo estoy exagerando por culpa de la traducción (si lo hubiera leído en papel habría acabado lápiz en mano y corrigiendo, de verdad).
Al principio me perdía un poco en los diálogos, pero no sé si es de la traducción o que a mí me cuesta seguir el estilo de la autora.
Respecto a la historia en sí, el principio me pareció todo muy precipitado. Con la intención de que haya un buen ritmo, para mi gusto hay muy poco desarrollo de personajes. Más adelante la cosa mejoró, quizá porque ya me había acostumbrado a la traducción y/o ya conocía mejor a los personajes. Sin embargo, el final volvió a decepcionarme porque me pareció todo demasiado fácil.
Así que, no sé, quizá algún día busque la versión original en inglés y la lea, a ver si me gusta más.
Al principio me perdía un poco en los diálogos, pero no sé si es de la traducción o que a mí me cuesta seguir el estilo de la autora.
Respecto a la historia en sí, el principio me pareció todo muy precipitado. Con la intención de que haya un buen ritmo, para mi gusto hay muy poco desarrollo de personajes. Más adelante la cosa mejoró, quizá porque ya me había acostumbrado a la traducción y/o ya conocía mejor a los personajes. Sin embargo, el final volvió a decepcionarme porque me pareció todo demasiado fácil.
Así que, no sé, quizá algún día busque la versión original en inglés y la lea, a ver si me gusta más.
May 27, 2025
This was really fun. The blurb made me think of the Clint Eastwood movie Two Mules for Sister Sara, which caught my eye.
A nun in disguise? A road-trip with a baddie in pursuit? Yes please! Petra is an Italian noblewoman sent by her late mother on a mission to find her birth father in England. When her parentage is revealed, Petra and her mother were sheltered in a convent, hence her nun's habit. She is in France, en-route to England when she meets Robin, an English gentleman returning from a trip to Versailles. They team up but are both keeping secrets.
When danger from Petra's past threatens her safety, they team up to escape. Upon arrival in England Petra disappears, thinking to keep Robin safe, but he is so worried about her that he tries to track her down anyway. Secrets are revealed and love is declared...HEA perfection.
Now I want to read the backstory for Petra's father ( Malloren series - Devilish).
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
A nun in disguise? A road-trip with a baddie in pursuit? Yes please! Petra is an Italian noblewoman sent by her late mother on a mission to find her birth father in England. When her parentage is revealed, Petra and her mother were sheltered in a convent, hence her nun's habit. She is in France, en-route to England when she meets Robin, an English gentleman returning from a trip to Versailles. They team up but are both keeping secrets.
When danger from Petra's past threatens her safety, they team up to escape. Upon arrival in England Petra disappears, thinking to keep Robin safe, but he is so worried about her that he tries to track her down anyway. Secrets are revealed and love is declared...HEA perfection.
Now I want to read the backstory for Petra's father ( Malloren series - Devilish).
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
February 7, 2020
I did not like the plot... I did not want the daughter of the Marquess of Rothgar's youthful indiscretion with a married Italian lady to have had the life she had... She was the willing mistress of an Italian noble but when he became irrational and possessive, she escaped and planned to make her way to England disguised as a nun, for her obssesive lover sent a relentless tracker to hunt her down and bring her back. And that was when she met Robin.
P.S. ~ I would have that Teresa Cornelys who took money from both search parties to have been ostracized by the haut ton for endangering Petra or at least adversely affect Teresa's business as the foremost sought after hostess for ton parties thus curtailing her source of income if only to teach her a lesson which Rothgar could easily do or even turn her... she would be perfect as an agent for the Crown.
P.S. ~ I would have that Teresa Cornelys who took money from both search parties to have been ostracized by the haut ton for endangering Petra or at least adversely affect Teresa's business as the foremost sought after hostess for ton parties thus curtailing her source of income if only to teach her a lesson which Rothgar could easily do or even turn her... she would be perfect as an agent for the Crown.
July 8, 2020
Robin Fitzvitry, Earl of Huntersdown, is traveling home from Paris when he encounters a rather blasphemous Italian nun looking for a way to escape her position as traveling companion to an obnoxious family. Robin has his doubts as to her true identity, but is captivated by her beauty and his curiosity. He agrees to help her get to London. It soon becomes apparent that she is in danger and the whole scope of the trip changes. As Petra d'Vernio begins to tell her story Robin gets more involved in the 'game'. Lots of action, dastardly characters, hidden identities, scandal and of course, romance. Good fun.
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December 19, 2025I did like this but I think I'm just biased because I wanted more time with the Mallorens, and it's so wonderful how Rothgar's story continues to evolve in the three books after his
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