Reviews for The Stanforth Secrets

The average rating for The Stanforth Secrets based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-08-15 00:00:00 Steven Ojeda This early series, Lovers & Ladies was a blend of historical romance and suspense which was a bonus in my book. I enjoyed making the comparison to later more mature writing, but also the fun spirit in the earlier books like this one. The romance is a tug o' war sort and not as strongly developed, but the suspense was quite impressive as it had me pointing my finger in more than one direction. Technically, the second book written in the Lovers & Ladies series, this was chronologically the first. Reading this one before or after Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed does not matter. They are all loosely connected and it is my opinion that this series is the prototype for her later Rogues series as these too all feature young, handsome dashing men who all went to school together and each book are their romantic adventures. The story opens with Justin Delamere being approached by a few higher ups in the British government. Justin has recently returned from the war and gotten out of the army to take his place as the new Viscount Stanforth after his cousin and then his uncle died leaving him to inherit. Justin is shocked to learn that the country estate is the seat of intrigue as an important document has gone missing that has both the French and British scrambling to recover it. Suspicion is on all who reside at the estate as that is as far as the document was traced. Justin is retained to spy on his own relations and discover the document. Arriving at his new home, he is struck once again by the beautiful Chloe and all the years he's waited for his chance to court her and convince her they belong together. Chloe Delamere, one of the widowed Lady Stanforths, is in a dither. She wants to be away, but knows she needs to stay to get Justin transitioned. Justin was the close associate of her late husband Stephen and helped her and Stephen elope. The scandal that resulted from her elopement she hopes to live down for good by snagging a staid, perfectly correct husband. Only, the attraction she feels for Justin and the fact that all her friends and close relations warn her that she will never be content with the sort of man she says she wants leaves her frustrated and confused. She is fooling no one including Justin that she is indifferent to him. But regardless, she resists because Justin isn't the sort she wants as he was as wild as his cousin back in the day. Even if she can see the changes maturity and the war have brought, she doesn't want to trust that things would be different. Then she is caught up in the mystery going on in the house and its residents. Murder, odd happenings, suspicion. And through it all her resistance to Justin grows weak. For the most part, I enjoyed this one. I've always loved a country house party setting for a mystery and I have a soft spot for a second chance romance. The cast of characters were colorful and much of the dialogue was witty. Everything about this book appealed save one niggle. Chloe's relentless denials that fooled no one got trying after a while as did her childish petulance when the men didn't give her her way all the time. Truthfully, her character wasn't developed in a way that impressed me as a mature woman ready for the love of a man like Justin. She is constantly trying to manipulate or sulk her way to get what she wanted. But that said, I didn't hate her and I did enjoy much of this book particularly the Duchess and Randal the way they worked their wiles to get Chloe and Justin together and helped to investigate. So all in all, I enjoyed this dip into the past and the early writings of an author I adore. Those who enjoy classic historical romantic suspense should give this one and the series a try.

Review # 2 was written on 2014-09-24 00:00:00 Mario Williams Neto Author: Jo Beverley First published: 1989 Length: 307 pages Setting: Regency Lancashire. Sex: clean Hero: Soldier, unexpected Viscount. Cousin to Chloe's late husband and helped them elope. Heroine: Eloped very young (from schoolroom) now widowed. Marriage was difficult. Includes: Author's notes and excerpt from The Stolen Bride. A soft romance with a simple and very obvious mystery enveloping the HEA of Chloe and Stephen. Easy and simple, obviously an early work, but enjoyable all the same. Sadly, Chloe and Stephen lacked chemistry leaving it a perfectly okay book. Nothing special. But readable. Very bubble gum for the brain. 2.5 stars rounded up. Loosely linked series with recurring characters: Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed (1988) - Jane Sandiford and Lord Wraybourne The Stanforth Secrets (1989) - Chloe Stanforth and Justin Delamere The Stolen Bride (1990) - Sophie Kyle and Lord Randal Ashby Emily and the Dark Angel(1991) - Miss Emily Grantwich and Piers Verderan If Fancy be the Food of Love (1991) (in A Regency Valentine) - Chart Ashby and Miss Juno Rathbourne The Fortune Hunter (1991) - Miss Amy de Lacy and Harry Crisp Deirdre and Don Juan (1993) - Mark Juan Carlos Renfrew, Earl of Everdon and Dierdre Stow References: Author's website: (ISBN 978-0-451-22912-0) -CR-