The Virgin's Secret

This author has written some delightful, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable books. Sadly this is not one of them. The storyline is slow, and the characters rather dull. Donation box!

At a glance, Gabriella Montini seems to have everything: she's well educated, well traveled, multi-lingual, financially independent and beautiful. So, why follow her from page one to "the end"? Because master storyteller Victoria Alexander writes about a not so perfect extraordinary character like Gabriella, gives her ordinary emotional issues and delivers a spellbinding story. From Gabriella's suspicious nature and independent streak, (that get her into serious trouble from the very beginning) her inability to trust others, especially her very handsome partner Nate Harrington, to her compassionate and caring heart she had me cheering her on. I wanted to see her win. Despite all the wonderful things in her life like her education, her wealth and her beauty something is missing. While her external goal is to salvage her dead brother's reputation, this is truly a story about Gabriella's quest for happiness. For meaning in her life. Acceptance. Her actions both external and internal are well motivated- I understood why Gabriella made her decisions, even when these complicated matters for her and others. I followed her journey because I wanted to see what she'd do next and she did not disappoint. She's exquisitely well matched with Nate Harrington her partner in the search for an ancient seal that will restore her brother's name. Nate's an amazing hero, honorable, funny, intelligent and not intimidated by Gabriella's professional accomplishments, in fact, he's openly proud of her. Even before he realizes he's in love with her, he desperately wants her to be happy even if it means making sacrifices. The dialogue exchanges are phenomenal, at times I felt like I was eavesdropping on real people-- real conversations. The story is complete with laugh-out-loud moments, tender scenes that peel away the layers of each of the characters and exhilarating suspense. Ms. Alexander invites the reader into the dangerous and dynamic world of the Harrington brothers. With The Virgin Secret, this series is off to a remarkable start.

I took this book everywhere I went for 24 hours - so if I had a spare moment I could escape back in time. Nathanial Harrington comes from a large boisterous family. His brother is an Earl and his family has been treasure hunters for generations. Gabriella Montini wants to find her deceased brother's stolen artifact and she finds herself breaking into Harrington family home ... only to be caught. The treasure hunt, multitude of evil character, the romance and the knowledge that this is only the being of a great series made for his a delicious book. Looking forward to her next book Believe( due out - Nov 24, 2009) If you enjoy this genre I would also suggest; Vexing the Viscount (Leisure Historical Romance), Sins of a Wicked Duke (Historical Romance) and Confessions of a Little Black Gown.

There are some authors who are guaranteed to make me shed a tear while reading their emotionally written story and there are some authors who never fail to make me smile and even laugh while reading the witty banter in their delightfully, sexy romp. Victoria Alexander always delivers on the latter. With The Virgin's Secret, Ms. Alexander does just that and begins a new series about an aristocratic family of treasure hunters. Nathanial Harrington and his brothers, Sterling and Quinton, have longed for adventure from the time they found their great-grandmother's journal in an old trunk when they were children and discovered that their distant relative had been a smuggler (The Perfect Wife). Since then, Sterling had become the Earl of Wyldewood while Nate and Quint went on to complete their studies and travel abroad searching for antiques and antiquities in foreign lands. The discovery of those artifacts and what they represent is Nate's motivation, while the money they would bring in from museums or collectors is Quint's drive. Despite their differences, they make a great team. Their sister's coming out brings them both back to London and, unbeknownst to them, another adventure. After her half brother's humiliation and untimely death, Gabriella Montini makes it her mission to restore his reputation. A year before, Enrico Montini claimed to have found an ancient Akkadian seal that made reference to the location of the Virgin's Secret, the lost city of Ambropia. When he presented what he thought was the seal to the Validation and Allocation Committee of the London Antiquities Society, he was discredited when it turned out to be fake and he lost his temper in the process. He suspected that someone switched the seal and wrote letters to Gabriella stating that and naming four possible suspects--two of which were Quinton and Nathanial Harrington. After breaking into the Harringtons' London home to search for evidence, Gabriella is caught and uses her wits and intelligence to procure an invitation to stay after explaining to the family about her brother and the seal. Both Nate and Quint are familiar with Gabriella's story and Nate, who is instantly attracted to the beautiful young woman, offers to help her in any way he can. As they work together to restore Montini's name, more surprises emerge and Nate wonders which would be the greater adventure, the quest or the woman. And which would be the greater find? I absolutely adore Gabriella and the fact that she is a remarkably brilliant young woman. She has earned a certificate at Queen's College, earned one university degree and still studies ancient civilizations, history, archeology, myths, legends and anything else that would prove useful to her brother's work. She is fluent in nine languages and remembers everything she's ever read. Does this intimidate Nathanial? Absolutely not. In fact, it makes him appreciate and respect her all the more. And this not only makes him an excepti

Enrico Montini found an ancient Akkadian seal with reference to the Virgin's Secret of the lost city of Ambropia. It is one of three seals that (together) would reveal the location of the city itself. When Enrico went to present the seal to the Antiquities Society he discovered it had been stolen and a false seal left in its place. Enrico was discredited and died shortly thereafter. Gabriella, Enrico's sister, believes the seal was stolen by one of the Harrington brothers. While searching the Harrington's library, she is caught. The Harrington brothers are sons of the Earl of Wyldewood. After hearing Gabriella's tale, Countess Wyldewood insists they help Gabriella in her quest. Believing Gabriella alone in the world and in financial trouble, the countess offers her a room in their home. Nathanial "Nate", the youngest, agrees to help Gabriella. Nate and Gabriella had danced at a ball recently and their attraction to each other is demanding. So while residing in the same home they can not only keep an eye on each other, but also team up to learn the identity of the real thief and recover the seal to clear the Montini name. And perhaps, if Fate smiles upon them, Gabriella and Nate may take a leap of faith. ***** This is the first of a series about three brothers. Though they are sons of an earl, these brothers love to explore the world and discover artifacts, much like Indiana Jones. I can only hope the two other brothers' stories will be as exciting as this one is. The author created the heroine, Gabriella, to be loyal, brave, and incredibly intelligent. No wimpy lady for this exhilarating adventure. I could not help but admire the earl's entire family. Each member is totally unique in their own way. The author even goes so far as to give each their own set of quirks and personality. Victoria Alexander has outdone herself yet again! Brava! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

In the first book of her new and captivating adventure-styled series ~ THE VIRGIN'S SECRET ~ Victoria Alexander once again delights her readers with an engaging and humorous romance between a deliciously charismatic hero and an equally fascinating heroine whose secrets are divulged in a tale that comes complete with a light murder mystery, a hint of blackmail, a dash of larceny and an intriguing assemblage of possible bad guys thrown in for thrills. Sometimes the only option we have is a leap of faith... When Gabriella Montini decided to break into the London home of the nefarious Harrington brothers to search for evidence to prove the fortune-hunters were involved in the theft of an artifact that could confirm the existence of a long lost civilization... She didn't expect to get caught--or invited to remain in the house as a guest of their mother, the Dowager Countess of Wyldewood. For two of the Harrington brothers were included on the list of men accused by her brother, archeologist Enrico Montini, of stealing his discovery--a priceless seal of Ambropia--and replacing it with a fake; thereby causing the loss of his good reputation with the illustrious Antiquities Society. Furthermore, the men on that list could quite possibly have been involved in Enrico's suspicious and untimely death. But when the brothers deny being involved the Countess believes her sons are innocent, yet that kindhearted and compassionate lady still wants to help Gabriella, who, aside from her trustworthy servants, is all alone in the world. So in order to protect everyone's reputations from being harmed by the scandal that would ensue--from even false accusations of thievery--she suggests Gabriella form an alliance with the family, and that they work together to solve the riddle of the theft and recover the seal. And of course Gabriella didn't expect to be drawn in to an awkward and dubious partnership with the Harrington brothers... However, she agrees because what choice does she really have--as the Earl could easily have had her thrown in jail. Can she trust them??? That remains to be seen, but what better way was there to gather information while keeping her eyes on two of the suspects, than to have them right there under her nose. Besides, if the Harringtons were innocent then searching for the true culprit could prove to be a very dangerous undertaking, so she'd be wise to accept their offer of assistance. And Gabriella certainly didn't expect to be constantly thrown together with the handsome youngest son of the house... The very charming, scholarly, and hopefully dependable and trustworthy--archeologist cum adventurer--Nathanial Harrington. Though it's pure madness, she now finds herself intensely attracted to that wickedly sexy scoundrel--and worse--it's becoming impossible to resist the teasing smile, laughing eyes and tempting seduction of the man who promises to delight her with passionate kisses in the moonlight; and soooo much more.