Publisher's Weekly Review
In bestseller Alexander's (The Perfect Wife) smashing stand-alone Regency, widowed Lady Julia Winterset decides to publish the manuscript of her great-grandmother's tell-all, The Perfect Mistress: The Memoirs of Lady Hermione Middlebury. Harrison Landingham, earl of Mountdale, appalled to learn that his father is named among Lady Hermione's conquests, tries fair means and foul to stop the book's publication, but Julia's determination is founded on both her need for money and the urgings of Lady Hermione's ghost. Pursued by an unscrupulous publisher and an idea-stealing author, Julia must figure out how to get the work published and appease her ancestor's spirit. Deftly written and full of fun, the quick-moving story includes clever excerpts from the memoir ("There is nothing as attractive in a man as effort, no matter how misguided"). A strong heroine, unexpected plot twists, and lively dialogue make this very close to a perfect read. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
Caught between poverty and selling the rights to her great-grandmother's scandalous memoirs, Lady Julia Winterset suddenly finds herself at odds with Harrison Landingham, the Earl of Mountdale, the proper son of one of her great-grandmother's ex-lovers. There is no way that Harrison will allow the book, The Perfect Mistress, to be published (even though his elderly father is totally flattered and thinks it's just fine). Julia has little choice, so Harrison decides on a seductive plan of his own. VERDICT A hero caught between scandal and desire, a heroine desperate to stay solvent, and a flamboyant, freethinking ghost set the waters roiling in this lively, sensual Victorian romance. Another link in Alexander's growing chain of winners. Alexander (Desires of a Perfect Lady) lives in Omaha. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.