 "LOVE MIXED WITH HIDDEN TREASURE!!!" | 2008-05-20 |
| - Reviewed By heatherthomson911 |
| As I first began reading this book I thought, "Not another stupid smuggler story". Thank goodness that it was way more than that. Love was thrown into a kettle of intrigue, travel, and treasure hunting. A fantastic historical romance that spun my mind into an adventure as I turned each page. I highly recommend this one! |
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| "Secrets on a voyage to Egypt" | 2008-05-08 |
| - Reviewed By kentish_bookworm |
"The Perfect Wife" is a reissue of a book first published in 1996 but fortunately not feeling outdated as some books written in the nineties can. Sabrina Winfield is a widow, a Marchioness and a calm and well-bred woman whose daughter has just become engaged to the son of the Earl of Wyldewood. However Sabrina is very worried as her money has all but gone and she doesn't have enough for a decent dowry for her daughter, Belinda. When she finds a treasure map to some gold that Napoleon hid in Egypt she decides to find the treasure to turn round her own fortune.
Belinda is worried about her mother, asks her fiancé Erick to do something about it and he asks his father Nicholas, the Earl of Wyldewood, to speak to Sabrina. Nicholas found Sabrina a fascinating woman when he met her at a ball previously and so goes to talk to her. Rather unexpectedly he finds himself accompanying Sabrina to Egypt, not knowing the real reason she is making the journey, but having decided he wants her as his wife.
Their journey to and within Egypt doesn't go quite as planned with various people in hot pursuit, a wedding, jealousy, kidnapping and more and with Sabrina realising that Nicholas is the man who worked for the government in trying to stop a gang of smugglers led by a woman ten years before - and she was that woman. Sabrina and Nicholas both have to come to terms with each other, their histories and their different needs.
This was a very enjoyable read, particularly as most of the events took place on a boat travelling to Egypt rather than balls and soirées in London. Sabrina and Nicholas were both good characters although Sabrina's daughter Belinda was rather annoying. There was a minor plot of three men from London following Sabrina and I felt that this was rather spurious and all wrapped up a bit quickly but the overall story, of Sabrina finally flowering into the person and personality she would have been were it not for events in her youth, was well written.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008 |
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 "I really liked it...romantic, passionate, and exciting." | 2008-05-05 |
| - Reviewed By ajj7669 |
| I really liked this book. I thought the characters had great chemistry and I loved the mystery surrounding the whole thing. Yes, it was somewhat a whirlwind adventure at times and at times, unbelievable - but isn't that part of fiction? I do find it hard to believe that she would just leave her daughter at the end but, keep in mind that her daughter was grown and her future was secure. Having your mother run off is certainly preferable to having her rot in jail! I would also love to read more about Matt and Wynne. I actually was online trying to see if Ms. Alexander had another book that included them. All-in-all, it was an enjoyable read. |
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| "Reminded me of Indiana Jones" | 2008-04-14 |
| - Reviewed By slieber5 |
| If you bought this book because of the blurb on the back cover, as I did, you are in for a surprise! THe book is somewhat less than the cover leads the reader to expect, and whole lot more! It was a much more interesting and adventurous story than I thought it would be. The characters are well executed, although, I did feel that Sabrina was a bit too quick to forgive the Earl's insults, their romance escalates at a believable pace. The cast of supporting characters, especially Matt MAdison and Wynne Harrington, were interesting and enriched the story. It was fun to read and in the end, a bit of Indiana Jones meets Regency Romance. Definitely, it is not a "typical" romance. |
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| "WONDERFUL and TIMELESS ROMANTIC ADVENTURE!" | 2008-03-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A5DH87CU5GM5O |
THE PERFECT WIFE by Victoria Alexander's is a reprint of the author's second novel, first published in 1996. Since that time, Ms. Alexander has gone on to become a highly regarded and much-loved New York Times bestselling author with 27 novels and novellas to her credit. She's a gifted writer and a consummate storyteller whose books have brought great delight to this reader--and thousands of others over the years.
I loved this story the first time I read it back in 2002; and with each re-reading, I fall in love with--Nicholas and Sabrina's passionate love story--all over again. In my opinion it's one of those wonderful stories with timeless appeal.
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Lady Sabrina Winfield, the lovely 36 year old Dowager Marchioness of Stanford, has been living quietly though comfortably off of her investments for the last 10 years, but now most of her fortune has been lost due to mishandling by her man of business. Fortunately, her daughter Belinda has fallen in love and become engaged to Erick Harrington, the son and heir of the wealthy and powerful Earl of Wyldewood, Nicholas Harrington. Unfortunately, Sabrina needs to provide a dowry for Belinda equal to their station in life, but has no idea how she can get such a large amount of money when there are very few acceptable ways for a noblewoman--or any woman--to make money.
The last time she faced a financial crisis of this degree was right after her husband Jack died leaving her and their little daughter virtually penniless and in debt. But desperate times had called for desperate measures, and in order to make the money they needed to live on Sabrina became the disreputable Lady B--leader of her own band of smugglers. Until, they were almost caught by an agent of the Crown and were forced to disband.
Now, after spending years trying to live down the slightly scandalous reputations she and her first husband had, and trying to keep her illicit past hidden; Sabrina has become so serene, proper and respectable that people think she's downright boring. But she must not let anyone discover the daring and bold "real woman" that's carefully concealed behind the façade of helpless femininity...her daughter's future happiness depends on her keeping up the ruse.
Sabrina might have considered returning to her old trade, but regrettably, there just wasn't any money in smuggling anymore. However, things are looking up for Sabrina again because she fortuitously learns that just before his death her husband had won a letter in a card game--a treasure map of sorts--that was believed to have detailed directions leading to a fortune in gold (though buried in Egypt). Well, Sabrina had thought her days of adventure were far, far behind her, but now the need for money to secure her daughter's future, AND the irresistible lure of excitement and adventure calls to her... So, what's a truly bold and adventuresome woman to do???... She resolves to find the map, and let nothing--and no one--stand in the way of her traveling to Egypt and claiming the treasure.
Ladies man, Nicholas Harrington was married before, but he's never been in love. And though, he has no real desire to marry again, he realizes that if he decides to continue on in political circles a wife might prove useful. All Nicholas thinks he'll need is a biddable woman who's also a polished hostess and has a reputation that's above reproach. And, though he's enthralled by her beauty, he believes Sabrina Winfield is just the "dull and boring paragon of virtue" that would make him the perfect wife. (Boy--is he in for a rude awakening!)
Therefore, when his son, at the request of Belinda, asks him to talk some sense into Lady Sabrina and stop her from going on this reckless journey--Nicholas tries, but fails... So, what's an assertive and arrogant used-to-having-his-own-way-alpha-male to do???... Though only an in-law-to-be, Nicholas blithely informs Sabrina that, as head of the family, he will accompany her on her mysterious and ill-advised business trip--offering her his protection; and the "male guidance" he thinks she so desperately needs.
Will Sabrina's virtue be safe in Nicholas hands??? Does either of them want it to be??? Or will Sabrina have Nicholas thrown overboard to feed the fishies???...Ms. Alexander takes her readers on a wild ride as...emotions rage, tempers blaze and passion flares when these two forceful personalities come together on the high seas.
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I, unashamedly, admit to being a sucker for historical romantic comedies...I just love a well told, feel-good story with a cheerful, upbeat and satisfying Happily-Ever-After ending. And I absolutely loved this story! I think THE PERFECT WIFE contains all the elements that make a captivating and remarkably romantic adventure story: a pair of charismatic and fully developed main characters along with an outstanding supporting cast, broad and vibrant settings, thrilling escapades, dangerous exploits, delightfully wry humor and SIZZLING romance...all carefully incorporated into an entertaining and exceptionally well-crafted plot.
I also loved the chemistry between Nicholas and Sabrina and I liked how their characters slowly grew together. In the end both had to put aside their pride and petty jealousies, and learn to trust, accept and love each other for who they really were--becoming lovers, partners, and perhaps most importantly, equals.
I also highly recommend reading ANY book from Ms. Alexander's "Effington" series, and the three books in her latest "Last Man Standing" series, which includes... A Little Bit Wicked (Last Man Standing, Book 1), What a Lady Wants (Last Man Standing, Book 2) and Secrets of a Proper Lady (Last Man Standing, Book 3).
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 "Lady Smuggler beomes Egyptian Gold Hunter" | 2006-01-17 |
| - Reviewed By powlessfamily4 |
| This book seemed to start off with a lot of promise but fell way short of the mark. The first chapters show promise with the discovery of a treasure map left by her deceased husband. They then reveal the fact that 10 years previous she Sabrina, was the infamous Lady B the smuggler. Lady B had captured a government agent and shared a lusty kiss while he was blindfolded. Through the years she had often thought of that kiss and the way he had heated her blood. Fast forward 10 years ahead. Her daughter is engaged to a political figures son, Erik. By request of his son, Nicolas investigates the sudden change in Sabrina and the reason behind the trip to Egyp. He eventually ends up also leaving for the trip to Egypt. Sabrina ends up marrying Nicholas and becomes her own daughter, Belinda whom is engaged to Nicholas's son Erik, future mother in law. Erik is very nondescript and boring. Sabrina's daughter Belinda, who is engaged to Erik and is very shallow, self centered and whines a lot. The bright spot in the book is Nicolas's sister Wynn and the Captain Matt Madison. Matt was Sabrinas smuggling buddy and in the first half of the book is in love with Sabrina. Upon meeting Wynn he drops all feelings for Sabrina and goes for Wynn. I would personally like to see about book about these two characters. They much more interesting then the hero and heroine. At any rate all 6 end up trekking across the desert to look for gold. A lot of the dialouge seems to go round and round until you are bored to tears. I will probably not read any other books by this author. |
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