Reviewed by PJ Ausdenmore
4.5 Stars
1814 – The Scottish Highlands
Pamela Darby can’t remember a time when she wasn’t the practical, responsible person that her family always turned to in times of crisis. As the moderately attractive firstborn child of the beautiful and adored London actress, Marianne Darby, clever and intelligent Pamela has always looked after both her pampered mother and her gorgeous younger sister, Sophie. When Marianne dies in a theater fire, leaving them penniless and young Sophie at the mercy of a married nobleman who wants to make her his mistress, Pamela does what she has always done best. She takes charge and forms a plan that will not only secure enough money to keep Sophie safe but will also allow Pamela to unravel the mystery surrounding the fire that killed their mother, a fire that Pamela is certain was intentionally set with their mother as the targeted victim. All she needs to set the plan in motion is a man, specifically a Scotsman, around 30 years of age, good looking, with enough larceny in his soul to agree to impersonate the long-lost heir to the ailing Duke of Warrick but sufficient honor to not double-cross them by absconding with the reward. When their carriage is waylaid by a brash, handsome highwayman on a dark, lonely Scotland road, Pamela is certain that their prayers have been answered…until the scoundrel steals a kiss…and Pamela finds herself liking it entirely too much.
Connor Kincaid hates the English and with good reason. As a young man he watched the Redcoats kill his parents, burn his clan’s homes and steal their land. For the past five years he has stolen back from the English as a notorious highwayman with a price on his head. When he receives word that two English ladies draped in jewels and furs are traveling unescorted through the area, he anticipates an easy, and lucrative, night’s work. What he gets instead is feisty, stubborn and outspoken Pamela Darby – a woman draped in paste gems, a squirrel stole and much too appealing for his peace of mind – with a crazy scheme that would drop him right into the center of his enemy’s territory and, if discovered, into a cell at Newgate…or worse… yet, amazingly, he finds himself actually contemplating going along with her plan.
Medeiros is a gifted wordsmith who has crafted an engaging story that is, by turns, humorous, suspenseful, sensual, poignant and wickedly wild. One of the things I most enjoy about her writing is her use of descriptive imagery, as shown in the following passage that takes us into Pamela’s thoughts upon hearing Connor’s voice for the first time. “His mocking burr was as rough as burlap, yet soft as velvet. It was like having both the rose and the thorn dragged across her quivering flesh at the same time.” I don’t know about you, but that passage certainly had my flesh quivering!
In this sequel to last summer’s Some Like it Wicked, Medeiros has paired a confident, practical woman used to being in charge with a passionate, nothing-to-lose highlander who is not accustomed to having his leadership questioned. Sparks are sure to fly and fly they do, especially when the pair arrives at the Duke of Warrick’s London home and Connor takes charge, quickly turning the tables on Pamela and sending her well-planned future into chaos with one surprise after another. Throw in the mysteries of the possible murder of Pamela’s mother, the long-ago disappearance of the duke’s duchess and son, the various people, both in England and Scotland, who would be happy to hasten Connor to his eternal rest and the ever deepening relationship between Connor and Pamela, all sewn together by Ms. Medeiros’s talented writing skill, and you have another fast-paced, supremely satisfying historical romance that is not to be missed.
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Angie
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 7:58 am:
What a great review! I really enjoyed Some Like it Wicked and I’ve been looking forward to Some Like it Wild. Now, after reading this, it’s even harder to wait! I’m glad that April is just around the corner.
Janga
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 8:16 am:
Another great review, PJ! My copy is preordered. I’ve been looking forward to Connor’s story since I read Some Like It Wicked. TM has long been an autobuy for me.
Gannon
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 10:56 am:
I’ve been anticipating Connor’s story since I finished Some Like It Wicked. I know I’m going to love it. Another fantastic review, PJ!
Okie Bloodworth
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 11:27 am:
Great review PJ. I’ve been looking forward to this one since Some Like It Wicked!!
Andrea
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 11:36 am:
I’m looking forward to this one! Thanks, PJ!
Teresa Medeiros
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 12:43 pm:
Thank you so much for the lovely review, PJ! I’m expecting our mutual friend J Perry Stone to fall in love with the crochety old duke (since she loved Wilbury so much in THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME .)
Teresa Medeiros
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 12:44 pm:
Oh, and if anybody wants to read an excerpt from the Connor and Pamela’s first meeting, you can find it here:
http://www.teresamedeiros.com/website_2b_058.htm
PJ
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 12:49 pm:
Thanks for stopping by, Teresa. Yes, I can certainly see J falling for the duke!
orannia
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 2:30 pm:
Thank you Maria! I haven’t read Some Like it Wicked yet (how did I miss it?) but my library have it so I can whet my appetite while I wait for Some Like it Wild, which sounds like a fun read!
Helen
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 2:52 pm:
I too have been looking forward to Connor’s story since reading Some Like It Wicked and now I am looking forward to it even more if that can be possible. Thanks PJ for another fantastic review.
Have Fun
Helen
Marisa
on Mar 22nd, 2009
@ 5:12 pm:
PJ, this just gives me all the more reason to want to read Connor’s story. I’ve been waiting and now the wait is almost over. And I’m very intrigued by the paring of these two. Passion and Practicality always make for good sparing and verbal sparing is something I really enjoy reading.
Anna Campbell
on Mar 23rd, 2009
@ 12:43 am:
Great review, PJ!
Buffie
on Mar 23rd, 2009
@ 7:47 am:
Wonderful review PJ! You know that I am so looking forward to reading this one!
J Perry Stone
on Mar 23rd, 2009
@ 10:35 am:
I’m expecting J Perry Stone to fall in love with the crotchety old duke too!!! (You don’t have to know me so well, Teresa, but crotchety works on me like chocolate does to others)
Of course, no one will ever replace Wilbury in my heart!
Terrific reviewing, PJ. You really know how to pick them (and write them!!).
Planning on coming to Nationals? M & M??
PJ
on Mar 23rd, 2009
@ 11:36 am:
I’ll be at both Nationals and M&M. Looking forward to seeing you there, J!
StillWaters
on Mar 23rd, 2009
@ 10:20 pm:
Yeah! I have been looking foward to Connor’s story. Many thanks Teresa for posting the link!
Another Wonderful review, PJ!