Lawson’s review of A Notorious Proposition by Adele Ashworth
Historical romance released by Avon 29 Apr 08
One of the hardest to find books in romance, Winter Garden, now has a sequel. Though I do know someone who has a copy *coughSybilcough* I have yet to read it. If it is ever reprinted, it is one of the books I will buy and read. This book does stand on its own though, reading Winter Garden is not required to understand this book.
Lady Ivy Wentworth has come to Winter Garden and the request of the Marquess of Rye on a quest to rid his new home of ghosts. Ivy is a known seer but she has an ulterior motive, which is to find the Martello Diamonds. Ivy had been on a quest for them two years before when she was assigned to work with Garrett Burke. They fell in love, but the diamonds were not found and Ivy barely escaped ruin.
Garrett is in Winter Garden as well, on the trail of the Martello Diamonds, but also he’s searching for answers. Two years ago after leaving Ivy in his bed he was attacked and lost his memory. He hopes that Ivy can help him remember what happened with the diamonds, for he fears she had betrayed him, and help him to remember the passion they shared as well.
While they search for the diamonds and rediscover their passion, the residents of Winter Garden have their own intrigues and Ivy and Garrett can’t help but become involved. Ivy handles all of this with grace and calm that would have been normal for someone of her station. While it’s nice to see a historical heroine and her easy acceptance of sex, Ivy’s passion is a little careless for someone of her station and her ideas of propriety. Ivy is a strong heroine and even with her seer abilities doesn’t do anything TSTL.
Garrett is a little harder to understand. He’s a noble, honorable hero. He wants to take care of everyone and stay true to his beliefs, but he doesn’t trust his instincts where Ivy is concerned and even though he thinks she could have betrayed him two years before, he still wants to be with her and falls in love with her all over again. He makes it through his unfounded thoughts as well as the machinations of others in Winter Garden well to get Ivy in the end and get a HEA.
Ashworth has a great talent and gives another well written, caring story and though somethings in the story possibly couldn’t work with another author, Ashworth gives heart and depth and a great story.
Grade: B+
From bed partners… Two years ago, while on assignment for the Crown, darkly handsome Garrett Burke left Lady Ivy Wentworth sleeping naked in his bed as he went in search of the missing Martello diamonds. After apprehending the dastardly thief, he intended to spend the rest of his life in the arms of the auburn-haired beauty. But when the case came to a shocking and dangerous end, Garrett was certain he’d been betrayed . . .
To partners in crime… Ivy once loved Garrett with a virtuous heart, but these days she can barely stand him. Arriving at a deserted estate on a mysterious errand, she never expected to see him again, nor feel the same ecstasy she once did at his touch. Now, joined with him in the search for the legendary jewels, she is willing to risk everything. Everything, that is, except her heart . . .
Other books in this series:
Oh neat! I really enjoyed Winter Garden and had not realized that a sequel was coming out.
Yep and it is great! I was shocked. 🙂 I mean it has been a while… so you hear sequel after that long and I get scared.
But this was, I thought, really great. NOW if they would just republish Winter Garden!
I’ve been a fan of Adele for several years, but I haven’t been able to get my hands on “Winter Garden.”
I’m so glad to hear you liked it, I’m waiting to read it. Still have my copy of Winter Garden, one of my alltime favorites.