A Loving Scoundrel: A Malory Novel (7) (Malory-Anderson Family)

I truly hope this book marks a new beginning for all of JL's fans. I was starting to get worried that we had lost her. Both Jeremy and Danny were fabulous. I believe that one of the reasons that I love the Malory series so much is because JL has a way of bringing in all her characters without drowning out the two main characters. (Ahhhh, but I do love James. I can read Gentle Rogue every day.)

Jeremy finally falls in love.... I read "A Loving Scoundrel" in about 5 hours; couldn't put in down, really. Yes, it was predictable. Yes, the girl is always beautiful and ends up being really obnoxiously rich. Yes, the danger never really seems threatening. But it still was a bloody good read. I think I like Danny the best of all the Malory novel heroines (even better than Georgina, who is such a feisty girl). First, Danny is a street urchin, a thief who talks like gutter trash and keeps a mouse as a pet. This is no pampered princess here. Danny actually works hard to survive; plus, she has goals that very few romance novel heroines ever have. Where most heroines just go about the book wanting to marry and live happily ever after, Danny wants to marry AND help other orphans by running an orphanage. I found this to be sweet and commendable, as well as most happily un-heroine like. Danny is also blunt, which is nice, since she becomes quite the challenge for young scamp Jeremy, who has gads of girls falling all over themselves trying to get his notice. Having read about Jeremy for at least the last 15 years, I feel like I've grown up with him, and so it was fun to see him, near my own age, in his own story and struggling with romance. I loved how Danny denied him ... that boy was never denied anything before! Speaking of denying, there are a few reviews distastefully likening Danny and Jeremy's first night together as date rape. If you read more carefully, you would have noticed how much Danny was dying to have him since the moment they first met; on the night in question, yes, she was tipsy, but she had also made up her mind (was "tired of fighting it") to be with Jeremy ("Was he afraid she'd stop him? Not a chance, when she had such an amazing urge to feel his naked body against hers"). That is quite MORE than willing, thank you very much. Anyway, as Malory novels go, this one was fun, especially since it revolved around servants rather than aristocrats. Thankfully, this one also had the least amount of back-story and Malory family reunions (sacrilegious, I know) than the past few novels in the series, which was refreshing, really, since it allowed us to concentrate on the lovers and not family shenanigans. Some people may also harp on how unrealistic maid-turned-lady may be (dare we suggest they read "Pygmalion"?), but it worked for me. All in all, I enjoyed "A Loving Scoundrel," but would suggest reading it after you read the 6 other Malory novels that proceed it (starting with "Love Only Once"), just to find out why we Malory fans LOVE Jeremy and to know all the history of the unforgettable Malory family.

The first Johanna Lindsey novel I ever read, probably when I was about 13, was Love Only Once, the first in the Malory family series, and it remains my one true favorite of Johanna Lindsey. I can't even count how many times I have read it since that first time. In A Loving Scoundrel: A Malory Novel, the author brings us back to that wonderfully fun, romantic and exciting family that produces more brave,flawed and sexy rakes and intelligent, independent and beautiful ladies than any family has a right to. What I love about Lindsey is she doesn't just write novels from the womans perspective as the main character, but also from the mans, such as she did in A Loving Scoundrel, where she gives Jeremy his chance to shine on his own. While there is always intrigue,romance,antagonists and some delicious love scenes, she also fleshes out characters you feel you know, novel to novel and can genuinely care about. I haven't loved every novel. Some of her more recent works have felt like she rushed through them, but I truly enjoyed this one, as I felt she got back to her Malory roots. I read this book in a day, and as is typical when I read, little else got done. When I read, I look to be entertained, its my favorite form of escapism, and Lindsey delivers in this novel. If you are a Lindsey fan, pick this up soon! If you haven't read her before, I highly recommend beginning with Love Only Once and then reading all the novels in the Malory family. Once you start with Johanna Lindsey, you are compelled to read them all. Not all her novels are based on the Malory family, but I admit, these are my favorites. Set aside some time, as Jeremy and Danny will demand your undivided attention!

Jeremy Malory's book is finally here! As an avid fan of Ms. Lindsey's work, I've been disappointed in her more recent work, but this book lives up to every expectation. Jeremy Malory has all the charm of Anthony and James but has an added depth and compassion which work to make him a very appealing character. Johanna Lindsey does an excellent job of creating Jeremy's perfect mate. Danny, as a pickpocket who grew up in the London slums, fits Jeremy and his own childhood to perfection. It's such a treat to read a book about two people with such a capacity to love! It is my favorite book of Ms. Lindsey's since Tender Rebel and Gentle Rogue!

I have over the years enjoyed the Lindsey series about the Malory clan. In this book we again meet the Malory's with young Jeremey Malory taking top billing. He is a 25 year old bachelor who is not looking for love. In comes Danny a young pickpocket who has been a "boy" for the past fifteen years so she will not be forced into the worlds oldest profession. Through twists and turns Lindsey tells their tale, with a lot of fun and laughter along the way. Danny is a fun character and of course so is Jeremy. The supporting cast of Malory's makes the story a trip down memory lane because it reminded me of the other books I read in the Malory saga. I would recomend this book to any one who enjoys Lindsey and her style of writing. I read the whole book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. Fun, fear, and laughter all in one book. Great read. The only negative thing I can think of is there is always the hook of the woman being of the nobility which I find contrived. If I am realistic though isn't the whole thing contrived and I am reading these books to enjoy not analys.