I should have known by the title that this was "A Big Secret" book. I hate these plots. ( )

How can you not enjoy a book that begins with a cursing nun? OK, so she's not really a nun, but HE doesn't know that for sure until quite a bit further in the book. "A Lady's Secret" is a wonderful reunion with Jo Beverley's Malloren family, one of my cherished keeper series. It was my own stupidity that had this book sitting in my TBR pile (which should more correctly be called 'the Alps' vice 'pile') as even after reading the back cover blurb, I didn't connect it with the Malloren family. But then again, it was kind of like putting on your favorite jeans and finding a $20 bill in the back pocket! An unexpected, but serendipitous event.

Robin, Earl of Huntersdown, is on his way back to England from a mission in France. He's still the fun-loving and adventurous man from earlier books, but with his father's death he knows it's only a matter of time before he's forced to face the responsibilities and accompanying boredom of life as The Earl. So when he catches sight of what appears to be a nun and hears her utter Italian curses, he's intrigued. And when he sees her face, he's captivated. She's a mystery and an enigma...and Robin is rather bored at the moment.

Petra is on a flight for her freedom. Disguised as a nun, she's trying to reach the father she's never met, and who knows nothing of her, in England. It's either that, or become the mistress to a spoiled and dangerous nobleman back in Italy. All that protects her is her ingenuity, her bravery, and her nun's habit. Then she's surprised by a teacup of a dog...and her life will never be the same.

Coquette the papillon dog is unarguably one of the funniest, and most endearing, secondary characters in this book. There are many scenes where she stole the show and I loved it. Petra is an astonishing woman for her time and it was hard not to admire her bravery, even during the times I thought she was foolhardy and rash. But overall, she's one of the more interesting heroines I've read so far this year. And once her father was revealed...well, enough about that. You'll have to read the book to find out. And Robin? Oh the confusion and consternation Petra brings to his life. I can't think of anyone more deserving and I am awed by the way Beverley uses his situation with Petra to silently spur his emotional and mental growth. Two characters, well three if you count Coquette, who will stay in my memory for a long time.

Beverly's Malloren series is set in the Georgian era and her depictions are fabulous and fascinating. The action never really slows over the 409 pages of the entire story. Fans of the Malloren series MUST buy this book and I would guess those who read this without having read other books about the family will find themselves searching out the previous reads. Sexual tension, mystery, and suspense all liberally interspersed with heaping doses of humor and witty dialogue are all, for me, trademarks of a Jo Beverley story. "A Lady's Secret" didn't disappoint and if those tags sound interesting to you, I can't recommend this one enough. ( )

After 4 "duds" in a row, A Lady's Secret by Jo Beverley was a wonderful treat!!! Short summary: Robin Fitzvitry, Earl of Huntersdowne is intrigued when he looks into the Inn's courtyard and observes a nun swearing! In Italian!!! He finds Sister Immaculata in need of rescuing so he does just that. The nun is actually Contessina Petra d'Averio, escaping from a murderous, jealous lover and trying to locate her British father in England. So starts a hilarious, high spirited, witty journey that was thoroughly amusing. I really liked both of the main characters and enjoyed the ending. I'll have to search through my many notes to see if I've read other books from this series - I honestly can't remember! Anyway - try this one - I highly recommend it!
PS - what were the duds? Morning Light by Catherine Anderson, Death Angel by Linda Howard, Nameless by Debra Webb and Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas. ( )

When jovial Robin, Earl of Huntersdown, comes upon a cursing Italian nun in France his sense of adventure is awakened. He vows to help the nun escape her shrewish travelling companion and finds himself attracted to her. Thankfully the nun is really Petre d'Avernio, a gently-bred Italian woman searching for her noble English father. As the two escape her past and the men who wish to track her down, their love emerges. A somewhat predictable plot, but great chemistry between the characters and a lot of fun. Recommended. ( )

I had high hopes for this but happily ditched it a few chapters in... The premise annoyed me (serves me right for buying based on squeeing without checking out the blurb!) and the writing felt clunky. I'm in a particularly picky mood right now so I daresay at another time I'd have settled in for some romantic fun, but for right now it didn't work for me. Guilt free ditching. ( )