Lie by Moonlight

Of the eight romance novels I’ve read over the last two years, I’ve only rated three better than 2 stars. That’s a lot of bad romance, especially considering the affection with which I used to regard the genre. I was surprised and delighted to find that Lies By Midnight bucks this sorry trend. Perhaps I’ve not become a romance curmudgeon after all.

Plot: Unconventional heroine meets unconventional hero while engaging in heroic activities. Mystery ensues. Growing attraction building to a… climax. Secrets kept, then revealed. Everyone lives happily ever after, except the bad guys who get their just desserts.

I hope I haven’t spoiled this for anyone except those unfamiliar with the standard historical romance formula. But what show more makes this story so much fun is the unconventionality of the characters and the few small ways in which the author deviates from the standard formula. There is no forced love. No rape or dub con, although the spectre of those things features in the plot – in its proper place, as a crime and moral outrage. The female characters all have agency, even over their own sexuality. There is genuine humor, especially in the ways in which the author breaks some of the usual romance tropes.

The only time I became impatient and eye-rolly with this book is toward the end, where the author inexplicably switches from treating the reader to intriguingly small plot reveals to 7 full pages of the main characters sitting around and explaining the entire (now solved) mystery to each other. The author redeems herself, then, with an adorable romantic resolution between hero and heroine and in her setup for their happily ever after. show less

Set in the Victorian era, this is a romance with a political overtone. Concordia Glade is a lady with an unconventional upbringing who no makes her living as a teacher. She has some unconventional ideas as well, particularly those relating to the role of women. Under her wing she has taken the 4 girls she has been employed to teach and who, she believes, are being prepared to be sold as high-class courtesans. At this idea, however, she rebels and we first come across the lady on a dark set of stairs with her charges, having recently set explosives to provide a distraction.
At this point she runs into (almost literally) Ambrose Wells. He is an investigator on the trail of answers, and Concordia has got in the way. He takes charge, or show more thinks he does, and they set off to safety and then to rescue the girls and find the answers.
At one level, this is all just too neat and the answers come too easily. ON the other hand, I like that Concordia and Ambrose arrive at this as equals, both into the relationship and their pasts.
It's not great art, but for relaxing with in the bath, you don't want high art. show less

While investigating a suspicious death, private inquiry agent Ambrose Wells finds himself on the grounds of Aldwick Castle - and in the midst of utter chaos. The ramshackle castle is in flames - and a beautiful woman and four young girls are taking flight on horseback. It turns out that the strong-minded Miss Concordia Glade and her four bright students are on the run from a notorious London crime lord who'll stop at nothing to destroy them. Now, their only hope is Ambrose, a confirmed loner with more than his share of secrets - and more than his share of desire for the unconventional teacher. And as Ambrose and Concordia risk everything to bring down a criminal mastermind, they will also be forced to battle something even greater: the show more steamy passion that threatens their hard-won independence... show less

This is an interesting romance set "late in the reign of Queen Victoria" and it throws you into the story from the get-go. You first meet Concordia Glade and her young students as they are running away from the burning castle they've been staying in. This is also the moment that Ambrose Wells enters the story. He's investigating the castle and is a little put out that it's burning down but he offers to help Concordia and her four charges. The whys of their residence at the castle is interesting and the two main characters are quite well suited but their attitudes to sex are quite modern.

I loved the way Ambrose received "payment" for his services. He came across as quite an interesting character with lots of depth. The four girls really show more didn't come across as deep characters, but there is an opening for them to have further adventures.

For it's type it's quite good, and I did enjoy the story and enjoyed the ride, it's only after I finished reading that I started having some reservations about some aspects of the story. I look forward to more of the Vanzarian stories. show less

Lie by Moonlight
3.5 Stars

Private inquiry agent, Ambrose Wells, is investigating a suspicious death when he crosses paths with Concordia Glade and her four students escaping from a blazing castle. Soon Concordia and Ambrose are working together to stop a notorious crime lord from carrying out his nefarious plan for the girls.

Anyone who has read Quick's Arcane Society books will immediately recognize Ambrose and Concordia as they are virtually identical to every hero and heroine in that series. While this isn't necessarily negative as Quick's characters are always endearing, it does make for a rather unoriginal romance.

Both Ambrose and Concordia have intriguing backstories, but neither really contribute to their characterization in any show more meaningful sense. Although there is a definite attraction between the two, it remains underdeveloped and the eventual sex scenes feel contrived.

The mystery is better with one or two interesting twists and an exciting climax. The Vanza elements are, thankfully, kept to a minimum here and the book is more readable without them.

All in all, a typical Amanda Quick story with likeable characters and a solid mystery. Not recommended for newbies to her books though. show less

Concordia Glade, a teacher hired to look after four teenage girls, realizes that someone has very sinister intentions for them. Her path crosses Ambrose Wells, a private inquiry agent who accepts payment only in future favors (like the Godfather). As they investigate, sparks fly—and do not go unnoticed by the young ladies in their care. Though not up to the level of Quick’s earlier work, especially in plotting, it’s entertaining enough and has some sweet moments.

Don't mess with the teacher!

Hired to provide private instruction for four orphaned girls at a rundown, isolated manor in the English countryside, Miss Concordia Glade begins to suspect the motives of her employers. One explosive escape plan later, Concordia and her charges are under the wing of one Ambrose Wells, a private investigator with a mysterious past. Disguises, danger, and a most unusual romance...