Rating: Summary: INTERESTING TITLE Review: Madeline Deveridge, believed by townspeople to have outstanding sexual prowess, has been given the nickname, WICKED WIDOW. In truth, Madeline lives a very quiet and almost spinster life with her beloved aunt. Due to recent events, Madeline believes that the ghost of her dead husband is haunting her, trying to steal a secret book, and planning her death. Her life is becoming unbearable because she's having nightmares and encountering unexplainable situations. She hires, by blackmail, the services of Artemis Hunt, a master of the Vanza secret society and owner of an illicit sex house. Madeline needs to find out what is going on with her dreams and the ghostly apparitions. Together Artemis and Madeline investigate the happenings, but their closeness creates romantic sparks where, along with discovering the truth, Artemis also finds Madeline is anything but the WICKED WIDOW. This book is OK, but somewhat dark, and at times unbelievable. It's not one of Ms. Quick's best.
Rating: Summary: new addict? Review: I normally do not read romantic novels, but this one caught my eye at the store so I decided I sould try a new style. To my delight this book was funny and entertaining. It wasn't filled with page after page of graphic sex (like I assumed all romantic novels were). This one actually had a plot that kept me reading all night long. In fact I enjoyed reading it so much that i only got 3 hours of sleep that night because I couldn't put it down. I had to find out if the ghost was real. I am now off to find some other books by her and to see if this would be a one time journey or if I will turn into a "Quick" addict.
Rating: Summary: TEPID Review: Amanda Quick's earlier books were quite interesting. This latest one "Wicked Widow" leaves a lot to be desired. The plot is almost a repeat of one of her previous books. The romance is lukewarm, and when the book ends, you are left wishing that you never picked it up in the first place.
Rating: Summary: A great romantic read! Review: Okay, truth be known. This is not my favorite Amanda Quick book. That place is reserved for Mischief, Seduction, and Ravished. However, even on a bad day, Ms. Quick can write circles around most historical romance writers. Why? For one thing, she can PLOT, and her prose is clean and crisp, her conflicts developed and she never loses her focus. And God Bless her, she never head-hops!!!!!!!!!! That alone is worth the money and time. Moving on, the heroine, Madeline, is accused of murdering her husband. She also believes she is haunted by a ghost too. So she calls on Artemis Hunt for help. Like most of Quick's romances, the hero and heroine must combine energies to solve the mystery and save themselves. While a little more passion could have been written into the plot, Ms. Quick did not fail in her story. It's a little tired, but still a nice romantic read. There's a reason Barbara Cartland sold millions of romances, and it's the same reason Amanda Quick does too. She delivers what she promises, and she's an excellent craftswoman. The lady can write. And I will continue to buy her. Another Mischief (a classic Regency historical) may come along!
Rating: Summary: Quick Witted Review: Having forgotten a book to read on the plane I slid into the airport gift shop and snagged this lightweight novel to keep me from boredom in flight. I am no fan of heavy breathing romance novels with dimwitted virginal damsels in distress and dark haired heros with enormous endowments acting like rutting stallions in heat bent on lifting the little darling's lightskirts before page 20. (this author did wait until page 143 to be about it) This story turned out to be an engaging little romp in regency London with a surprising touch of intellect present in the heroine whose goal is to out fox her predator, but finds she must hire another even more dangerous predator to help her achieve this aim and save her hide. The plot twists are that she is a murderess and he is, gasp, in trade which apparently is a catastrophic no-no in London society. Amanda Quick is a witty wordsmith who offers a generous helping of sly humor. Even the sex scenes were amusing when the heroine Madeline chatters on non stop during the heat of the moment while her hero/lover the "Dream Merchant" Artemas does his best to maintain the action while distracted by her nattering. It is a moment that one could envision might turn an average male's proud passion into, well, you know what I mean. All in all, it is a quick read for short flights. Just the ticket to curb irritation over reminders to keep your seat backs and tray tables upright and in the locked position as you plow across the blue skies.
Rating: Summary: Funny and Sensous Review: I found the mystery interesting, the characters funny, and an overall refreshingly different romance. It plays with the concept of heroes and villains and sometimes you are not sure which one applies to the main characters. The ending, however, seemed rushed and wasn't as witty and fun the rest of the book. The end was anti-climactic. It missed opportunities to to explore Madeline's nightmare and Artemas's obsession. Madeline is haunted by her dead husband and blackmails Artemas to assist her in solving the mystery and freeing her of her nightmare(s).
Rating: Summary: Not up to her usual Review: I am a fan of Amanda Quick's work and I couldn't wait for her next book. When this one came out I even bought it in hardcover, not wanting to wait for a paperback. But, I must say, it was nowhere near as good as her others. I was disappointed. Usually her female characters are witty, interesting, more innocent and charming. Her male characters are usually more self-assured, strong, and in command of their lives. I didn't like the obsessed nature of these characters. They were both rather whiney. Usually I laugh at the antics between the two lead characters, but not in this one. And I must agree that the constant mention of Vanza was really irritating. There was not the pleasant sense of suspense about the romance development. I hope her next is better. I will buy more of Amanda Quick's work, because she does have talant and I'm the hopefull type.
Rating: Summary: Didn't like it at all Review: I had hopes for this book. I'm not usually an Amanda Quick fan, but I thought the concept for this book was interesting. Wrong. I thought it dragged on. It wasn't as suspenseful as I thought it would be, either. I know I won't be purchasing anymore by this author.
Rating: Summary: I don't recommend this one Review: This is the first Amanda Quick I have read, and I am not enticed to more. The characters seem interesting enough, but I 'd like to get to know them better - our pair Artemas and Madeline, as well as the others like Nellie, Zachary, Bernice. I did finish the book, but the phrases "but your Vanza" and "nothing's changed" got tiresome. If we could take them out, the length of the book would have been drastically cut.
Rating: Summary: Afraid I have to agree - this isn't her best Review: Normally, I love the witty, funny style of this author - but this book just fell flat. The two main characters really didn't interest me and this Vanza stuff has got to go. I'm serious. To be frank - I won't buy another Amanda Quick until it's been out long enough for me to read the reviews on Amazon. Pass on this one
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