Lavender Morning

Caution: I have never read any Jude Deveraux books before. I picked this one up in the airport, desperate to have SOMETHING to read during a long series of layovers. This was much better than I would have thought! I thought the characters were funny and the dialogue was clever. I didn't think it was realistic -- but that is not what I expected. I did figure out most of the ending halfway through, but that did not keep me from enjoying the story! I expected to be entertained, and I was more than entertained -- I was eager for more, laughing out loud, and immediately searching for the next one. LAVENDER MORNING was a great escape, and I do plan to read DAYS OF GOLD. I won't be buying the hardback, but when it comes out in mass market paperback, I'm on it!

I found Lavender Morning to be a wonderful book with a little something for the mystery lover, and the romance lover alike. If you're looking for a steamy romance read, then I would suggest another book, as this is not it. I've read many other Deveraux books and though this is not like her others, I found it equally appealing. She has a way of making you feel like you're actually in the story watching it happen. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Jocelyn, and could understand why she made the choice that she did. I would definitely read this book again and again. I could not put it down and found myself thinking about it even when I wasn't reading.

I do not generally read romance novels. But I read this author's novels because Miss Devereaux usually provides a good deal of entertainment. I enjoy the dialogue and the easy banter between the characters, not to mention the wonderful humor that is provided. I gave the novel a five star rating for those reasons alone. However, I must say that I was disappointed in the number of characters that were immediately introduced into the storyline. And it was generally difficult to keep up with who was who as the story progressed. But once I settled into that information, I found the story to be well plotted and entertaining. I did notice, however, that Miss Devereaux used the modern term P.O. (for pissed-off) within the flash-back narrative circa 1944, I do not think that phrase was used or heard of during that time period. I also enjoy the fact that this author can spin a good tale without violence or sex. It is also refreshing to read a story that provides within its a pages a message that reminds us that love should be patient and allowed to grow and flourish well before a physical relationship begins.

As a young girl, Jocelyn Minton lives between two worlds. Her mother had attended private schools but yet she married the handyman. After her mother died, Joce lived with her father, step-mother and two beautiful step-sisters. Sounds a bit like Cinderella but that is where the stories become different. The neighbor, Miss Eli, became Joce's best friend and showed her many of the good things in life. A strong bond was formed between them and Joce felt she knew everything about Miss Eli. When she died, Joce learned that this was not so. Miss Eli left Joce her 18th century house in Edilean and a letter that creates a mystery. Ramsey was the estate lawyer and in Miss Eli's letter, she told Joce that Ramsey was the man for her. Miss Eli was never wrong about affairs of the heart. The house came with a gardener, Luke, and two tenants, Tess, Ramsey's administrative assistant and Sara, the local seamstress. Edilean is a small town and as with all small towns, everyone knows everything about everyone. Ramsey informed Joce that there was no money so she took out a loan and used her only skill - baking cupcakes - to make ends meet and settle into small town life. Ramsey and Luke are cousins and both are smitten with Joce but for very different reasons. Joce's heart leans towards Luke but she remembers Miss Eli's prediction that Ramsey is the one for her. With a few more twists and turns, Ms. Deveraux keeps us on the edge of our seats to find out where all will end up. This is the first book in a series and is written well enough to stand on its own but will make the listener want to keep going with the rest of the series. Gabra Zackman reads the story well and provides appropriate voice inflections so the listener is easily able to follow who is speaking. If you are a fan of series novels, grab this book. You will not be disappointed.