Just Impossible

Judith Lansdowne is the best Regency writer today. Her plots, characterizations, period accuracy are all top-notch and "Just Impossible" is no exception. Other reviews will give readers the plot outline; this review is to state appreciation for a literate author who nevers descends to melodrama or steamy sex scenes to gain (or keep) a reader. I read the first half of this book in a heart surgeon's office under trying circumstances. I'd saved it for that occasion knowing it would make the hours fly and it did just that. Lansdowne's ability to draw the reader into a book is unsurpassed and she has a knack for creating intriguing, likable characters. "Just Impossible" is a fine example of her skill. If you want a Regency to re-read and enjoy every time, buy one of Judith Lansdowne's books.

Setting - London, England 1814 --- William Thorne, Duke of Berinwick, was missing an eye due to a childhood accident. Growing up he survived the cruel taunts of his fellow playmates adopting such a belligerent and fearsome attitude that people walked in fear of him never realizing that under the prickly veneer beat a heart of pure gold. Those not privy to the real duke, believed the tales of his surliness - which were embellished way beyond the truth in the re-telling - so much so that he was known to be the `Beast of Barren Wycche.'In the previous two books of this delightful trilogy we have seen his mother and sister settled in loving marriages, and Elf, his ward off to Oxford. Life is lonely but that changes suddenly when a proud and prickly beauty, Julia Delacroix, enters his life hoping to sell a treasured heirloom to him. Her agenda included not only gaining the necessary funds to launch her beloved niece into society but more importantly to destroy the man who she held responsible for the ruination and death of her eldest sister. So being, and uncovering her true motives this absolutely wonderful hero of ours, will take up her cause stating......."I am the Beast from Barren Wycche. I am impertinent, audacious and feared. I possess enormous power and cunning and a rapier more deadly than any pistol. And though I cannot explain why, I find that I am at your service, body and soul. By gawd, woman, make use of me!"... Again, I found myself immersed in this wonderful book that I could not put down. Although the romance builds slowly - as it should - while Julia discovers little by little the secrets contained in the heart of this audacious duke, the story is fast-paced. Filled with intrigue, wonderful characterizations and outstanding dialogs, the reader will come to love and root for this impossible but wonderful hero. There are memorable dialogs, and statements galore that will simply warm your heart and make you sigh with pleasure. This is fun, poignant, and an absolutely splendid read that I highly recommend. --- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

I just love the characters and the humor in Judith Lansdowne books as well as the lighthearted nature of the stories. This is another good story and a satisfying conclusion to the series. Berinwick's mother and sister are both married and have moved away and Elf is grown and at Oxford. Berinwick is becoming lonely when a woman needing his help lands on his doorstep. Needless to say, she can look beyond his scars to see a truer picture of the man.