Rendezvous

by Amanda Quick

This is Amanda Quick at her best. A fast paced love story with a witty heroine and her restrained paramour. Augusta Ballinger and Earl of Graystone are enticing and their world of exclusive clubs and country estates is the perfect backdrop for these unlikely lovers.

Earl of Graystone has a wicked reputation. One that is haughty and aloof and on the prowl for the perfect bride with all of the necessary propriety expected of a woman. Augusta Ballinger is anything but. She is tenacious, has a sense of humor, and doesn’t conform to the rules of propriety in anyway. Which of course any respectable lady would do. But she is of the Northumberland Ballinger’s. She has a habit of not thinking rationally and getting herself into heaps of trouble and sticky situations. Luckily, for Augusta, Graystone is always one step ahead of her and there for the rescue.

Graystone surprisingly falls for Augusta, after all opposites do attract. Augusta and Graystone have hot chemistry from the moment they meet, with her on her knees and him making fun. Not looking for love but rather a companion and mother to his daughter it is charming to witness the relationship of these two develop amidst bumbles and ridiculously perilous situations. She is just the one to show the Earl how fun it can be to love without regard for rules and regulations. However, I was a bit stunned at the way he finally had her. Not the most romantic evening but it definitely steamed up the carriage.

The secondary characters of Sally, Scruggs, Peter and Claudia are equally as charming. I enjoyed reading about them all. The backdrop of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo and the web of spies that existed during that time make Rendezvous a pleasure to read. It’s fun, witty with a bit of mystery thrown in. If you find this don’t let it pass you by.

Late for the Wedding

by Amanda Quick
Tobias march and Lavinia Lake are back again as London’s 19th century PI’s. If you’ve ever wanted to know about the connection between crime and wig making in 19th century England then this book is for you. Also, if you’re an Amanda Quick fan this won’t disappoint.


I liked the pairing of Tobias and Lavinia in Slightly Shady. Two complete opposites who don’t quite get along but they are the only ones for each other. Her antics and his stoicism were great to read.

In Late for the Wedding, Tobias’s and Lavinia’s romantic weekend is disturbed by the murder of a guest where they are staying. Naturally, they are obliged to find the killer without killing each other.

The story doesn’t advance the story of these two except to anticipate when they will get married. It’s rather formulaic with an interesting recounting of wig-making and wig fashion in England with a bit of mystery thrown in. There aren’t two many hot love scenes between the two. They should be having a lot more sex.

If you love Amanda Quick or love Tobias and Lavinia and their private inquiry business then this is a must read. If not I’d say skip it unless you don’t have anything else to read.

Slightly Shady

by Amanda Quick

I’ve come to look at Amanda Quick novels as comfort food. Something that’s easily found, you’re never disappointed and it makes you feel good. Slightly Shady is just like that.


Lavinia Lake and Tobias March are an unlikely couple. I didn’t get the impression that they particularly liked each other but wham bam they kiss have sex and are in love. From their first meeting in Rome Lavinia and Tobias distrust each other, annoy each other, can’t stand each other yet each finds the other attractive. From experience this mix does not lend itself to a great romance. It’s doomed. Yet Amanda Quick must think it’s charming.

Tobias is continually running after Lavinia who is always interfering with his plans. He spends a lot of time angry and frustrated at Lavinia as evidenced by his repetition of “Damnation” after one of her exploits. I found Tobias charming and sexy but definitely in a relationship with the wrong woman.

The missing diary of an important spy network is missing and Tobias and Lavinia must pool their resources to prevent its secrets from getting into the wrong hands. Involving life like wax works of murder and death threats. If you like you’re romances a bit quirky with a happy ending then Slightly Shady won’t disappoint.

The Paid Companion

by Amanda Quick

The Paid Companion is an historical romance between Arthur, Earl of St. Merryn and Elenora with a good mystery thrown in. St. Merryn is an intelligent, stuffy hero with a rough exterior and a heart ready to be melted by the right woman. Elenora is a self-confident and resourceful woman who intrigues St. Merryn with her unconventional attitude. She is quite unlike any woman he has ever met in that she is considered over the hill at 26, unmarried and works for an employment agency that supplies paid companions.

The story is a touch like Pretty Woman in which a handsome, older man consumed with work is taken with the down and out woman who makes him realize that there are more important things is life, like sensual touches of the knee and delicate brushes of the arm.

The mystery unfolds with Arthur diligently trying to find the murderer of his great-uncle, a great alchemist. The investigation occurs during the Season, in which older stuffy men are looking for young, naïve women to marry. During the investigation throughout the city of London, Arthur decides he doesn’t need the hassle of young women and their mothers trying to impress upon him for a marriage contract thus he visits an employment agency to hire a paid companion. Arthur notices Elenora’s fiery temper and decides she will be perfect as his live-in “fiancée” for the Season. The witty banter between Arthur and Elenora makes this romance a great read. With phrases like “I vow” and “Damnation, woman” how could you not be entertained?

A fast-paced story and a quick read with two steamy love scenes and a lot of sensuality that reminds me of the times when you are flirting with a cute man but afraid to say anything too forward. This tale is filled with carriage rides, parasols and elegant gowns worn at the fashionable parties of the well to do. I love it. Arthur is sexy in that Richard Gere older gentleman I give this book 3 stars and look forward to the next Amanda Quick read.