A Lady's Secret (A Mallorean Novel)

Jo Beverley's writing is usually a cut above the crowd and this book is no different. Set in the Georgian period (fifty years earlier than the Regency) and revisiting some characters from previous novels, this works really well as a standalone novel and an introduction to Beverley's style. When Robin Fitzvitry, the Earl of Huntersdown, is travelling back to England from some time spent in Versailles, he is rather surprised to come across a cursing nun at an inn. He soon rescues Sister Immaculata from her drudgery as companion to a shrieking woman and her two children and they travel together onward towards England. Things aren't quite as they seem, however. Sister Immaculata isn't quite a nun; Robin isn't quite who he introduced himself to her as - a gentleman, Mr Bonchurch - and both have other things to hide. They travel into danger at an isolated farmhouse as Sister Immaculata, Petra d'Averio, is pursued by a man from her home in Milan. Petra is travelling to London to meet her father for the first time, an English aristocrat, but she won't tell Robin who he is. Robin, for his part, wants Petra for his mistress but knows she can be no more to him because of her illegitimacy. As they travel together through France, across the Channel and as Petra strikes off on her own across Kent and Sussex the story keeps the reader's interest and the characters are great. The little papillon dog Coquette is amusing and both Petra and Robin are well drawn with enjoyable conversations between them. The basic premise, that Petra would indeed go off with a strange man she meets at an inn, I found a bit difficult to believe but the rest of the story was a great read with interesting locations, historical details and a few plot twists. This is a book to enjoy. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Robin Fitzvitry, the Earl of Huntersdown, is en route home from Versailles. When he spies a nun muttering curses, Robin cannot help but smell a mystery; and Robin loves a good mystery. The lady going by the outrageous name of Sister Immaculata needs to escape her traveling companion, Lady Sodworth, and the Lady's two spoiled brats. Seeing some amusement as he travels, Robin offers to help the Sister reach England as quickly as possible. During the ride, Robin intends to learn all the secrets the good Sister is hiding. Petronilla "Petra" Maria d'Averio has spent years with her widowed mother in an Italian convent. Recently her mother has died, leaving Petra in danger. Her only hope is to reach England and locate her father, who has no idea she even exists. Her father is an English lord, so there is a chance he will not want anything to do with her. First, though, Petra must reach England. She is being pursued by a possessive and dangerous man. Therefore, she jumps at the offer from Robin. He clears does not believe Petra is a nun and has made it clear that during their travels he fully intends to coax all her secrets from her. The travel time should not be more than a few days, but Petra finds herself becoming attracted to the young aristocrat - whoever he really is. But Robin is her only hope. ***** Author Jo Beverley has a one of the best imaginations I have encountered in years! Those few days of journey for the main characters are filled with not only Petra's pursuers, but also unexpected dangers. Petra's secrets are neither blurted out from the start, nor kept hidden until the end of the story. Instead, they begin to slowly emerge during her travels with Robin. Once in England their adventures get even more complicated, involving a prayer book. Absolutely terrific! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

A Lady's Secret combined everything I like best about the romance genre, along with refreshingly new settings and plot twists. The typical features I expect - handsome hero, beautiful adventurous heroine, boy-meets-girl-loses-girl-finds-girl plot, a bit of mystery - were all there and comfortingly familiar. Jo Beverley, however, added enough new elements to make this book stand apart. Her time period (Georgian) is a bit early than than the usual Regency period, allowing us to enjoy a new, but not drastically new, historical context. Part of the book takes place in the French countryside, rather than strictly in London and England, and her heroine hails from Italy. Again, this allows the author to introduce us to new perspectives and broader horizons, while still staying close to the genre I enjoy. Her hero and heroine are both a delight. I liked them and sympathized with them. Both characters make mistakes and are quite human. The "secret" referred to in the title is a realistic one, and something that certainly occurred yet is rarely addressed so openly. This is an intelligent book that an intelligent reader will take pleasure in reading. I was especially delighted to reunite with the Malloren clan in this book. Rothgar is one of the most outstandingly unique characters in romance, and I was delighted at the plot twist that brought him into the story. In fact, I wish there could have been more Malloren involvement in this book. I recommend all of the books in the Malloren family saga.

The world of Rothgar has always fascinated, and this is a new view of the same era. The characters are believable and charming. The hero and heroine spend an adventurous few days falling in love and although the identity of the mysterious father is clear from the start, the story is fun and entertaining. I couldn't put it down; read the whole thing in one sitting. I did wish for more information about Rothgar and the siblings, would have liked to see a bit from Rothgar's perspective. Can we hope for books about the intriguing pirate duke the the dashing major lord?

In 1764 the ennui that engulfed Earl Robin Fitzvitry ends when he observes a sight he never would have imagined ever seeing. While dining at the Tete de Boeuf Inn in Abbeville, France, he observes Sister Immaculata in the courtyard mumbling curses like a sailor in apparently several languages. Unable to resist her paradoxical profanity, he learns she needs an escort to take her to England; intrigued, Robin agrees to take her. Sister Immaculata is actually Petra d'Averio hiding in a nun's outfit. She feels guilty because she is attracted to her escort while wearing a sister's garb. He also proves to be hiding something from her as he risks his life to keep her safe. Petra may love Robin, but leaves him so that her enemies will leave him alone. Robin refuses to accept that his beloved just left as he needs her safe and at his side. With wit and humor, Jo Beverley proves a wonderful eighteenth century romance starring two amiable lead characters whose first encounter is one of the best in recent memory. The tale is filled with non-stop action as the rake and the nun fall in love, but out of her fear for his safety she leaves to keep safe while due to his feelings he needs to keep her protected. Jo Beverley provides a tremendous historical due to the antics of this lead couple. Harriet Klausner