A VIRTUOUS LADY

Author: Elizabeth Thornton ISBN: 0821776010 4/2004 (Reprint) HISTORICAL Publisher: Zebra

Briony Langland had no use for the superficial games of the ton. She did, however, have choice words for London’s most notorious rake when she caught him dallying with his Diamond of the moment in her uncle’s library. She never thought that her bold set-down would only inspire his lordship to employ his considerable charms to awaken her own deepest passions. Now, even as Briony steadfastly resists, she can’t deny her attraction to this devilish gentleman, and she begins wonder if perhaps she could reform him... Hugh Montgomery, Marques of Ravensworth, has never met a woman he couldn’t seduce...and, just as easily, forget. But Briony, so self possessed, so scrupulous, so determined to thwart him at every turn, has awakened something deep inside his cold, self-serving heart—a desire to experience love. However, his generous offer of carte blanche is exactly the wrong way to approach the lady. His lordship has a few lessons to learn in the art of sweet persuasion. And Briony may be just the woman to teach him...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Hmmm. Still pondering this one. Elizabeth Thornton's A VIRTUOUS LADY, has all the makings of a great read but somehow falls short. As usual, the writing style of Thornton cannot be beat. Her descriptions and flowing style are enough to make you like her books no matter the content. Perhaps that is why this book makes me yearn for something more from her. But, with too many unresolved loose ends, and an odd relationship between the lovers, I wonder if I like this one or if I just don't get it.

She pulls on your heartstrings with her two lovers, Hugh Montgomery, Marquess of Ravensworth and Briony Langland. Though Hugh is almost too alpha male for me, I find I can understand him a bit more than I can Briony. She does a complete turn around from the first few chapters in the book, and it's almost too much. It's as though she starts out as one character and emerges in the end as someone entirely different. To me, there just was not enough time in the book for such a makeover! Don't get me wrong, she was spunky from the start, but she turns downright impossible toward the end.

There is much to recommend this one. Humor and impossible men and funny scandals are just a few things that come to mind. There is more than enough enjoyment in it for it to be a 4 Rose Read. Unfortunately (or fortunately, I guess!) for me, I have read too many other Elizabeth Thornton books that are much better than this one to say it's a Top Pick. If you are a fan, though, you will like it anyway.

Shannon Johnson