Passion and Pleasure in London

Winter Ashburn grew up in luxury. However, after her father's death, her uncle by marriage took everything. Forced to live frugally and in genteel poverty, this former toast of London has lost her love for the nobles with whom she used to socialize. When the only people who would help her were the tenants and the villagers, Winter decided then and there that she would not forget about their loyalty. Becoming a sort of female `Robin Hood', Winter Ashburn steals from the rich in order to give to the poor. And she is highly successful in this endeavor until the night a man is attacked and wounded. Bringing him to safety, Winter does her best to ensure his recovery. This is the night her life changes. Rory Jameson is a secret liaison for the British government. His missions over the years have brought many thieves to justice for the Crown yet he has taken a leave of absence. His grandfather, Lord Granberry, is on his deathbed and while Rory has never met his grandfather, Lord Granberry has written several letters from his bedside requesting Rory's presence. It seems no one knows of Rory's existence and if his injuries are any indication, someone does not want him to live long enough for the truth of his existence to come out. A highly entertaining historical romance, PASSION AND PLEASURE IN LONDON by Melody Thomas is also a romantic suspense. Someone wants Rory to die and they are willing to do anything to achieve that goal. Winter's care of Rory and protection of him was a perfect tie in to her role as a female Robin Hood. Highly captivating, I found myself reading PASSION AND PLEASURE IN LONDON cover to cover. The suspense and intrigue kept me on edge and more than once I found myself wanting to skip ahead to see what happened in the story. Rory and Winter were unlikely lovers but I think that is what made them so well matched. Each had moments in their lives where they were invisible; Rory's existence was unknown and Winter's family was impoverished - so they knew just how important love and family was. It was this loyalty to family and each other that made PASSION AND PLEASURE IN LONDON such a tremendous story. PASSION AND PLEASURE IN LONDON has moments of anticipation, moments where I was anxious with uncertainty, and moments of hilarity. Most of all, it had romance between the two main characters and I could not have asked for a better story. With a plethora of characters just waiting in the wings to entertain the reader, PASSION AND PLEASURE IN LONDON tops my list as a favorite historical. Melody Thomas ups the bar on magnificence and I wish her all the books marks I have to give! ***Natalie S. for Wild on Books***

Another good book - sit back and enjoy from first page to the last, it kept my interest, well written and, well, other reviewers gave the story line, I will only repeat it was worth the purchase, worth the read

This was an enjoyable read for me but I thought it could have been great with a little more polish. I felt as though there were some parts that were disjointed and other parts not fully explained - e.g. why bring up the countess if there's no storyline associated with her? - seemed pointless - or the connection of Robert to whichever criminal - or the ending. The ending was just not tied in well to the happenings of the story. I don't want to give away a spoiler to explain but I just didn't understand all of the motives of all those involved in the crime and tying them into the storyline and how it had progressed - the murder just seemed thrown in there too. It was just a bit jumbled for me. The h/h were likable and the romance good, but I just can't put my finger on it exactly except to say it needed more polish. Maybe less focus on descriptive details and more on explanations...just simply tell the story, clearly and concisely. Mayber a better editor would have hepled with the polish. Note to editor - p. 2! - "...he had just became aware."

This read deserved much more than 5 stars. Rory Jameson is about as sexy a hero in a historical romance novel as I've ever read and Winter Ashburn is extremely likeable. From the moment of their very first encounter on the first few pages of the book, I was completely wrapped up in this story. I enjoyed the dialogue and the wit between these two. I enjoyed the conflicts they each faced throughout the story and within themselves. But most of all, I loved the way he loved her. I think I fell a little bit in love with him myself. He is dark, he is dangerous, he is incredibly sexy and he is passionate about Winter. I also enjoy the way Melody Thomas writes a story. She weaves it so well that you can't help but feel as if you're there too. She does not bore with descriptive details but what little she does offer, and the way she does it, makes everything come alive. I have yet to read one of her books that I didn't love but this is my favorite. A very well written story. Don't start it unless you have lots of time.

In 1877, now thirty-two, which is old age in his profession compounded by his enjoyment of all types of vices, Rory Jameson has spent years bringing thieves to justice. However, outside of London he stops his work temporarily at the request of his sister to visit his estranged dying grandfather to make a final peace. On the trek to his family home someone attacks and wounds Rory. Former toast of the Ton Winter Ashburn takes the wounded aristocrat to a cottage so he can heal. Winter remembers Rory as the rake who thought she was a fallen woman. Still she is attracted to her patient and him to her. As they fall in love, Winter worries her actions could cost her mother and brother plenty as the family patriarch her odious Uncle wants the half gypsy dead. This is an engaging Victorian romantic suspense, which readers will enjoy from the first stolen kiss until the final kiss with a bit of a mystery and a lot of romance in between. The story line is character driven with a strong lead couple and a deep support cast. Fans will enjoy PASSION AND PLEASURE IN LONDON (and outside too) as neither Winter or Rory are ready for love yet both welcome it even as they hide it from their beloved. Harriet Klausner