The Deception of the Emerald Ring (Pink Carnation)

Once again, I was very pleased with Lauren Willig's writing. Her books are so funny! I have people asking what I'm reading because I'm continually laughing out loud. This book was the third in the series. The first book, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, was by far the best of the three. This one was delightful, though. I love the fact that the characters from previous books frequently pop up in this one. They are all characters I've grown to love - so I don't mind hearing about what they're up to. The Deception of the Emerald Ring does introduce relatively new main characters. Letty, the heroine of the story, is not as endearing as Henrietta of book 2 was, but she's lovable just the same. I was also very pleased that Willig gave us something to look forward to concerning Eloise and Colin. I absolutly can't wait till the third book comes out!! Great read. Willig is an excellent writer.

Eloise Kelly is in England researching 19th century spies for her Ph.D thesis and trying her best not to obsess over Colin Selwick, a decendant of one of her Napoleonic spies, the Purple Gentian (Richard), and one good looking Brit. She comes across Letty Alsworthy, also known as Mrs. Alsdale, who has found herself in a rather unpleasant situation with a friend of the Purple Gentian, Geoffrey Pinchingdale. They wind up in Ireland with the British spy the Pink Carnation, trying to stop an Irish uprising with possible French aid and the even more confusing and deadly French spy the Black Tulip. Letty is an unlikely heroine who you can't help but root for. She says what she thinks and every emotion plays out on her freckled face. She has good intentions but things don't always turn out the way she plans. Geoff isn't your typical knight in shining armor. He's someone who prefers to think about things and to strategize. But he is charming and romantic (he writes poems) and you're glad he comes to his senses and realizes the beauty that is the second Alsworthy daughter. This book was just as good as the first two. I suggest reading the books in order, but Willig explains enough so that you don't have to. I love how easily she switches point of view between her couples (Letty/Geoff, Amy/Richard, and Hen/Miles) in her books. Eloise's story doesn't interupt the other story and the other story doesn't interupt Eloise's story. Maybe a tiny bit predictable, but still very fun, very enjoyable, and worth whatever you pay for them. If you like historical fiction and a bit of romance and to laugh, you'll love the Deception of the Emerald Ring, along with the first two Pink Carnation books. Book four better hurry up and come out soon. :-)

The books in this series (this is the third) just keep getting better. To summarize briefly, the story alternates from the present, in which Eloise is researching English spies in the Napoleonic era for her Ph.D. thesis, to Regency England and the story of Letty, who becomes involved with one of these spies. Both are having trouble with the male species (and it's not surprising that despite the century, the contretemps in which men and women find themselves have not changed all that much). The author switches between stories with an amazing dexterity that keeps the reader turning the pages as rapidly as possible. The book is full of dry wit, the characters are delightful, and the plot engaging. My advice to the author: Do quit the day job and focus on writing entirely -- and give us more of these books, SOON!

I must first say that I loved Lauren Willig's first two Pink Carnation novels, so when I picked this one up I was already predisposed to enjoy myself. However, I was even more impressed with this one! I felt that Willig really pulled off keeping both the Modern and Historical portions of the tale fresh and interesting. This one really kept me turning the pages. I must say my only disappointment is that I've finnished reading the last page. Great Job! I am looking forward to the next one!