Just in Time (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

The Reverend Richard Dempsey has arrived at his new parish only to discover that the Duke of Berinwick who had offered him the living is now dead, and the new Duke of Berinwick has no idea as to why his dead father had chosen Dempsey in particular for the position. (There's a bit of a mystery there and a reason why Dempsey, more a scholar than a priest, was chosen for this particular living.) Adding to the awkwardness of the situation is the fact that the parish seems to be haunted by the ghost of Owain Glyndwr (the Welsh royal prince who fought for freedom from the English in the late 1500s), and the fact that there may be some question as to how the late duke may have met with his death. And then Dempsey discovers that the widowed Duchess of Berinwick just happens to be the very person he fell in love with many years ago, and with whom he still is in love! Now Dempsey has his hands full with trying to figure out what is going on at St. Milburga at the Wood, as well as try to keep his ardent feelings for the obviously grieving widow in check!

Once I got past the slightly confusing (at least to me) opening chapter, "Just In Time" proved to be quite the read. I thought that it was truly refreshing that Judith Lansdowne had written a romance novel that featured a much older couple -- given that the norm is to feature either teenagers or else twenty-somethings. The entire subplot that dealt with how the duchess, once a pampered and somewhat spoilt beauty, but who now strove to become something more with the help of the new vicar, was really nicely done. Also nicely done was how the authour fleshed out the character of the somewhat dour and cantankerous young Duke of Berinwick (some readers may remember him from a previous Lansdowne novel, "Shall We Dance") -- it looks as if there may actually be a book in the offing featuring the duke, and I'm really looking forward to it!

All in all "Just In Time" proved to be a rather satisfying read, although I must admit that the mystery subplot in this case was almost window dressing at times. However, I did think that this was not too important a niggle since the novel was primarily about the romance that develops between the Duchess and the vicar, and about the Duchess's strained relationship with her son. And that's what made "Just In Time" a truly memorable read -- the fantastic manner in which Ms Lansdowne developed those two storylines, as well as certain characters, such as the duke and his younger sister, Hannah. A book well worth the purchase price.

It is not long before Richard discovers that Williams mother, the dowager Duchess Veronica, was the young girl that he'd fallen in love with at the age of seven. In his eyes every bit as beautiful as long ago, but with her eyes revealing the pain of harboring a mother's secret. Soon Richard and the family's faithful and devoted retainers would be swept into keeping Veronica, along with William and his younger sister Hannah, safe from the madman that had engineered the previous duke's murder. A murder that up until then had been thought to be an accident.

For those readers who look for `classic' regency tales that provide pure entertainment with humor, adventure, and elegant prose, you need look no further. I have found this author to fit the bill in all aspects when looking for just that. Out of the ordinary, are the two main protagonists as they are in the `autumn' of their lives with a second chance at love. You will also find undeniably sweet, the words that every 40 plus woman would love to hear.... "You must be the most beautiful woman ever created by God, and every year of your life, God has added to your beauty inside and out until now, at the very sight of you, my heart cries aloud in wonder..." Poetic, humorous - you'll just love the old hound Thoephilus - and a truly wonderful `love' story. This was a really lovely read! --- Submitted by Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

The hero in Just in Time is her best type - an outstanding man who sees his own faults and doesn't expect everything to go his way. He is humble but secure in his own worth. He knows what is right, and stands up for it. He loves the heroine more than he loves himself! The heroine wasn't conceited and self-centered, but was aware of her own flaws. She did not take the hero for granted, but was honored by his love. Also, the characters didn't have silly names, as some characters in other Lansdowne books do. The conflict in the book centers around murder and attempted murder, but the secondary conflict (between mother and son) is very touching.

The secondary characters are just waiting for their own stories. I can hardly wait to read them!