Affair

I have just finished this book and I found it very different from anything I have read so far. Firstly, the hero is (surprisingly) a scientist and this is already a difference. I was surprised actually and quite expected to find him not quite up to the Adonis kind of hero but he proved to be just as capable as if he had a title to his name and was rich. His dry wit was amusing and his fustrations very understandable. The herione, as independent and reckless as ever, was just as funny. I love the way that Amanda Quick can turn males and females who might not be perfect in looks into memorable characters that you'll never forget. I think that it's always refreshing to read about characters who are not always so perfect in every way to understand that not only true love can happen when you are attracted to looks but everyone has their own inner beauty and you just need to discover it. Another effective mystery in the book though it was a bit easy to solve but the process which they hero and heroine took to solve it themselves was just as great. A must read!

... is just the begining of a world of wonderful stories by the talented Ms. Quick. If you have yet to read a book by Amanda Quick, I seriously envy you... you have many discoveries yet to make. _Affair_ is one of my top Amanda Quick books. Yes, it is similare to all of her other books, but that's what makes this author a comfort read. You can read one of her books and be assured to have enjoyment.The Hero: This time around, our hero is Baxter St. Ives. He is the illegitament son of the Earl of Esherton. Because of all the gossip that inevitably surrounds him, Baxter learned early on to retreat to his labratory. In doing this, he became a man of science, thoroughly engrossed with his experiments. During the time of Napeleon, he was with another of his scientist friends. Together, they had created an acid that burned flesh. Baxter's partner, Morgan Judd, wanted to betray England and sell the potion to Napoleon to help him win the war. Baxter wouldn't allow it, and he spilled all of the acid and took the recipe with him as he set the labratory on fire and fled. Assuming Judd was dead, Baxter went on his way to live peacfully within his labratory once more. Until his aunt came to him for help. Her best friend had been murdered, and she suspects a woman of being a murderess and a blackmailer. Reluctnatly, Baxter agrees to help his aunt. In doing so lead him to...The Heroine: Who happens to be Charlotte Arkendale, the woman whom Baxter's aunt suspects of killing her best friend. Five years ago, Charlotte and her sister, Ariel, were sleeping in their house. Charlotte was awakened when their stepfather came home drunk. She heard some confussion outside her sister's door. Grabbing her father's unloaded pistol, she went out to investigate. It turned out that her father owed the man that was with him a lot of money, and to pay off his debts, he was selling Ariel's virginity to the man. Charlotte forces them out of the house with the pistol. The next morning, their stepfather is found dead. Charlotte is forced to make a job for herself, and makes an unsual carrier. She investigates the pasts of gentlemen who are thinking to marry women. Her last client was Baxter's aunt's best friend, and she feels it is her duty to find out what happened to her last client. When she and Baxter meet, sparks fly, and it leads to...The Affair: Charlotte and Baxter decide to join forces to find out who the murderer was. As they get closer and closer to the murderer, a love forms between the two. But, can they stay alive long enough to be truly happy?I truly enjoyed _Affair_. Because it is a romance novel, the end is never in doubt, but that is one reason I enjoy romance so much. Baxter and Charlotte were wonderful to read about, and I do believe Quick was at her wittiest in this book. Baxter often unkowingly said some amazingly romantic things. My favorite quote is as follows*Charlotte* Baxter, are you

Amanda Quick has once again managed to enthrall readers with her own unique style for historical romances. The characters in Affair are perfect and the plot is breathtaking. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a story this much.Charlotte Arkendale is a young woman who is making her own way in the world. She supports her younger sister, Ariel, and provides a service for women. Charlotte investigages possible suitors for women to ensure they are not rakes and wastrels. Baxter St. Ives is a man that lives through his work, science. Baxter is a true scientist who conducts experiments with objects and people. Baxter applies for a job as Charlotte's man of affairs in search of a blackmailer. Charlotte also insists upon looking for evidence in the murder of Drusilla Heskett. Through a series of events Baxter and Charlotte team up to investigate the death of Drusilla and try to stay one step ahead of the murderer.The story is funny and innovatively written. The supporting characters are also delightful. The ailing butler Lambert and Baxter's extended family are a source of comic relief in the story.

Now I've read all the "One-word-Title" Quick books and they're all great. Of course the hero and the heroine are really the same in all the books but that just makes them more fun to keep reading. The women are sounky and quirky and the men are patient and witty. I wish she'd written more of these. "With This Ring" and "I Thee Wed" are also fun, but they are different than the One-Words. I wish she'd write more of them.

Many fans of Amanda Quick believe that the talented author can not come up with anything new to get her audience chuckling. However, leave it to the quick-witted writer to introduce two unique characters living in Reg ency England where one size fails to fit all, especially when it comes to this pair. This places the misfits in the middle of a serio-comic who-done-it that leaves the readers laughing while enjoying a romantic mystery. Readers will find this novel is very refreshing and delightful romp that demonstrates the Quick magical touch. ..... Charlotte Arkendale needs to hire a new man of affairs. The individual must be discreet and able to blend into the woodwork since the job requires inquiries into the background of males to see if they are trustworthy in order for her clients to marry them. Applying for the position is Baxter St. Ives, who Charlotte believes is a tiger hiding in a domestic cat's persona. Still, she hires the apparent bland individual at the insistenc e of her sister and her housekeeper. However, Charlotte's gut reaction to Ives turns out right because he has a hidden agenda of his own that forces him out into society when he would rather work in chemistry lab. Baxter's aunt, who truly cares for the lad and he for her, believes that Charlotte murdered her best friend. Baxter accepts the job with Charlotte to check into his aunt's belief. Very shortly after that, both invest igators conclude that they are dealing with the same ruthless and deadly enemy, who will stop at nothing to silent the pair. The woman who distrusts men, and the man who distrusts emotion find themselves in a combustible chemical mix that is ready to explode. ...... Amanda Quick is delightful in this fun to read Regency romp.Affair has all the qualities that ensure it a spot on the bestseller lists:quirky and endearing characters, a fun to solve mystery,and characters that seem like old but dear friends.A definite keeper ......Harriet Klausner