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Summary
Summary
Leo Drake, the "Mad Monk of Monkcrest," is notoriously eccentric and unquestionably reclusive. But he is also a noted antiquities expert, which is why Beatrice Poole has demanded his reluctant assistance.
The freethinking authoress of "horrid novels," Beatrice is searching for the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite, a mythic treasure she suspects played a role in her uncle's death. Beatrice finds Leo every bit as fascinating as one of the heroes in her novels--and she's convinced he's the only one who can help her. But after only five minutes in her company, Leo is sure he's never met a woman more infuriating . . . and more likely to rescue him from boredom.
Yet the alliance may well prove to be the biggest mistake of their lives. For a villain lurks in London, waiting for the pair to unearth the Forbidden Rings--knowing that when they do, that day will be their last. . . .
Praise for With This Ring
"If you start an Amanda Quick book in the late afternoon, you'll probably spend the night with it." -- The Denver Post
"[Amanda Quick is] an exceptional storyteller." -- Daily News of Los Angeles
Author Notes
Jayne Ann Krentz was born in Borrego Springs, California on March 28, 1948. She received a B.A. in history from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a master's degree in library science from San Jose State University. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked as a librarian.
She has written under seven different names: Jayne Bentley, Amanda Glass, Stephanie James, Jayne Taylor, Jayne Castle, Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz. Her first book, Gentle Pirate, was published in 1980 under the name Jayne Castle. She currently uses only three personas to represent her three specialties. She uses the name Jayne Ann Krentz for her contemporary pieces, Amanda Quick for her historical fiction pieces, and Jayne Castle for her futuristic pieces. She has written numerous books under the pseudonym Amanda Quick including Surrender, Scandal, Seduction, Affair, With This Ring, I Thee Wed, Garden of Lies, Burning Lamp, and Quicksilver.
She has received numerous awards for her work including the 1995 Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Trust Me, the 2004 Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award for Falling Awake, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, the Romantic Times Jane Austen Award, and the Susan Koppelman Award for Feminist Studies for Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance. She made the New York Times Best Seller List in 2017 with her title, The Girl Who Knew Too Much.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
"An author must decide early on whether to write for the readers or the critics, because there is generally no way to please both." So says the heroine of Quick's latest Regency romance, an "authoress" of "horrid" novels (gothic precursors of our pulp romances) who finds herself starring in a horrid of her own. Beatrice Poole, a young widow writing under the alias Amelia York, suspects her uncle of being murdered for his role in the search for a fabled treasure, the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite. Seeking out an antiquities expert, Beatrice finds herself allied with Leo Drake, a mysterious, sexy widower who may be her perfect match. The swiftly moving plot holds interest, and Quick (Surrender) gets her leading couple into bed with alacrity if, perhaps, with less panache than her readers expect. At one point Beatrice warns that "critics who accuse her of writing overwrought and overheated prose had not seen anything yet." The same is too true of Quick, whose camp sensibility goes only so far to excuse a tale in which "Pain and bad temper had fused into a dangerous flame in his eyes," and an aroused woman "dissolves into a warm puddle" and has eyes that "were wide, limpid pools." (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Library Journal Review
The lonely, melancholy Leo Drake is accosted in his own Abbey one dark and very stormy night by the intrepid Beatrice Poole (aka Mrs. Amelia York, writer of "horrid" novels). Soon, Leo, Earl (and "Mad Monk") of Monkcrest, finds himself searching for the legendary Rings of Aphrodite, solving a mystery, swept up in a passionate affairand definitely no longer bored. Intelligent, well-matched protagonists, Quick's lively, humorous writing style, and a plot that presents the typical romance and glitter of the Regency period unexpectedly laced with poison, murder, and a few surprising turns, result in a story that won't disappoint. Quick (Affaire, Bantam, 1997) is a popular, best-selling writer of lively, sexy historicals and readers will be waiting for this one. She lives in the Seattle area. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
Excerpts
A chill of dread stirred the hair on the back of Leo's arms. Control yourself, man. You study legends, you do not believe in them. "Mrs. Poole, if, for the sake of argument, you were to find the Rings, what would you do with them?" "Sell them, of course." She sounded surprised by the question. "It is the only way we can hope to recover at least some of my uncle's money." "I see." She turned away from the window. "My lord, is there anything else you can tell me about this matter?" He hesitated. "Only that it can be dangerous to get involved in an affair that lures treasure hunters. They are not a stable lot. The prospect of discovering a great treasure, especially an ancient, legendary one, has unpredictable effects on some people." "Yes, yes, I can well understand that." She brushed his warning aside with a graceful flick of her wrist. "But can you tell me anything more about the Rings?" "I heard an unsubstantiated rumor that a while back they turned up in a rather poor antiquities shop operated by a man named Ashwater," he said slowly. "Forgive me, my lord, but I already know that much about the business. I went to see Mr. Ashwater. His establishment is closed. His neighbors informed me that he had left on an extended tour of Italy." It occurred to him that she was losing her patience. He did not know whether to be annoyed or amused. She was the uninvited guest here. This was his house. She was the one who had descended on him without a by-your-leave and demanded answers to questions. "You have already begun to make inquiries?" he asked. "Of course. How do you think I came to learn of your expertise in legendary antiquities, my lord? Your articles, after all, are published in somewhat obscure journals. I had never even heard your name before I began my investigations." He wondered if he should be insulted. "It's quite true that I am not an author of popular novels such as Mrs. York." She gave him a smile that bordered on the condescending. "Do not feel too bad about it. We cannot all write for a living, sir." "I write," he said through his teeth, "for a different audience than does Mrs. York." "Fortunately, in your case, there is no need to convince people to actually purchase your work, is there? The Monkcrest fortune is the stuff of legend, according to my aunt. You can afford to write for journals that do not pay for your articles." "We seem to be straying from the subject, Mrs. Poole." "Indeed, we do." Her smile was very cool. There were dangerous sparks in her eyes. "My lord, I am extremely grateful for the information, limited as it is, that you have given me. I shall not impose on your hospitality any longer than necessary. My maid and I will leave first thing in the morning." Leo ignored that. "Hold one moment here, Mrs. Poole. Precisely how do you intend to pursue your inquiries into the matter of the Rings?" "My next step will be to interview the person who was with my uncle when he died." "Who is that?" "A woman who calls herself Madame Virtue." Shock held him transfixed for the space of several heartbeats. When the paralysis finally wore off, Leo sucked in a deep breath. "You intend to speak to the proprietress of the House of the Rod? Impossible. Absolutely impossible." Beatrice tipped her head slightly to the side, frowning. "Why on earth do you say that, my lord?" "For God's sake, she is a brothel keeper. You would be ruined if it got out that you had associated with her." Amusement lit Beatrice's eyes. "One of the advantages of being a widow of a certain age, as I'm sure you're aware, my lord, is that I have a great deal more freedom than I did as a younger woman." "No respectable lady possesses the degree of freedom required to consort with brothel keepers." "I shall exercise discretion," she said with an aplomb that was no doubt meant to reassure him. "Good night, my lord." "Damnation, Mrs. Poole." She was already at the door. "You have been somewhat helpful. Thank you for your hospitality." "And they call me mad," Leo whispered. Excerpted from With This Ring by Amanda Quick All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.