The Viscount's Wicked Ways

I Liked this book alot better than the other 4 books I have read by Ms. Mallory. This one made sense and connected all of the characters in the story line. In her other books she dropped the story line and was quite repetative in what she wrote thur out the books, But she got it right with the Viscounts Wicket Ways! Interesting story of inventions being made labortories and spys trying to steal new inventions being developed put that with romance and you get a very good story to read. Finally for me she has redeemed herself!

I love Anne Mallory novels and this one had the mix of romance and mystery. It was a little less steamy but I loved the social lessons. The main female character goes to the Viscounts castle to collect items for the museum with team of specialist. She hears rumors about a 'monster' so she starts investigating and the Viscount thinks she is a spy! Sparks fly - Enjoy.

I wanted this book to be a 5 star one, but little things kept it from being that for me. I loved the story and, as always, the writer got the hero right. Thomas was everything a romance novel hero should be. Patience, the heroine, fared a little worse. I lost some patience with her. At times, she bordered dangerously close to TSTL territory for me. I found her social blunders a little monotonous. She surely should have known what to say and how to behave. Just a minor quibble, but it did bother me. Also, things seemed a bit rushed. Just when Thomas and Patience seemed to be getting somewhere, poof!, the scene was over. I felt the transitions were a bit rough. All in all, I liked this book, but felt the characters were not developed as much as they should have been, and the pacing seemed a little off. It was sort of like--Gothic Light.

Patience Harrington has never been able to behave to the standard of the Ton. So when she fumbles her Season, Patience is left with one option offered by her father. She is to visit ominous Blackfield Castle to appraise and catalogue the antiques. Viscount Blackfield, Thomas Ashe, does not want any visitors especially one as distracting as the lovely Patience even for a few nights. He wants her to leave, but she refuses insisting she will first finish her task of assessing the antiques he inherited even though he does not seem to care about anything except brooding and glaring at her. In reality, Thomas struggles to stay focused on uncovering who endangers so many lives. Still for the first time since he became a spy, Thomas is unable to keep alert and concentrate on his inquiries as he desires Patience who he believes has been sent by his enemy to spy on him. Perhaps he can kiss the truth out of her lips. This is a fun gothic historical romance that uses amusing scenarios to refresh and lighten the usual serious tone of the sub-genre. Thomas is out of patience with his desire that he fears hides his unwanted guest's nefarious activities while Patience ponders whether her host is the Frankenstein monster. Fans will enjoy this gender war starring two terrific combatants who misconceive everything about the other except love. Harriet Klausner