Scandalous Life of A True Lady (Signet Eclipse) [Paperback]

I'm giving this book 2 stars because after reading some glowing reports, I hoped this book will be better than some of Barbara Metzger's recent books.

I used to love Barbara Metzber's early books but I've been very disappointed in her latest ones. They are tedious. Where are the humor, the warmth and the fast pace of books like The Loyal Companion, The Luck of the Devil, Lady Whilton's Wedding and An Early Engagement, to name a few?

I wanted so much to like The Scandalous Life etc, but it was BORING! The beginning was promising, but later on... Moreover, just as "iiireader (USA)" wrote, you get the feeling that the author was asked/told to fill a certain amount of pages, never mind how. Consequently, Metzger wrote ad nauseam about the competition while some other things were not explained or only partially explained.

Ms Metzger, please, let us have some more of your really funny books. You used to be one of a kind, and now you are just a run of the mill historical romances writer.

I have enjoyed Barbara Metzger's books for years. Lately, unfortunately, I've seen a decline. I would point to the timeframe in which she stopped writing Regencies and instead starting writing Historical Romances. From my point of view, she seems better equipped to deal with the shorter genre and with less sex involved.

In this book, her writing is, as usual, far above average. She has an interesting idea and, at first, it looked as if this might be a four star book. What brought it down was 1) the ridiculous notion that truth could have a "taste"; 2) the time spent at the Cyprian's Ball; 3)the almost but not quite sexual encounters between Harry and Simone; and 4) the lack of finesse with which the book ended.

I have stepped into a series which has "truth" has it's hook - but really, this has no place in an historical romance - it is more of a paranormal element. On top of it being out of place, the author spends a ridiculous amount of the book reiterating how awful lies taste (or for the hero's cousin - how itchy they are!) I could have borne with a slight aside about his "powers" but this was simply too much.

Way, way too much time was spent detailing every element of the contest of the Cyprians. Did we have to know what each of them did for each of the contests - or even what they planned to do for contests that were not even held? I didn't buy the contest to begin with - and saw that the "contest" was the filler to build the book into the longer format historical. It was tedious.

While I actually don't generally appreciate the sexual scenes in historicals, I recognize that the "cleaner" regency genre is, if not dead, at least on hiatus. It was interesting that the hero and heroine
don't actually have intercourse in this book, but I got a little bored by the bedroom scenes where Harry showed Simone her "woman's pleasure" and then spent pages with both of them thinking about doing it again and then thinking that they shouldn't, then doing it again, then thinking about it.... you get the drift. Too much, too out of character for where the heroine seemed going.

Finally, the abrupt ending - well, too bad for the assistant impersonating Harry - he's dead. Why? Why did this happen? Why were the individuals involved in the plot against the government? Why did the woman run off to Scotland? Was the girl the daughter of the lord? It felt like the book was as long as it needed to be and the author/editor just yanked the end out of their hats. The whole Gypsy tells the future seemed to be a mechanism to give closure to each of the individuals without explanation or consideration to the reader.

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a Metzger novel and though I appreciate her writing style, I have to feel that it is probably time to stop buying them. The historical just does not seem to be her best writing venue.

Harry Harmon goes by many names as spymaster extraordinaire and master of disguises. At the moment Harry needs a smart and beautiful courtesan to gain entrée to a country house party in order to spy on enemies threatening England, and, above all...she mustn't lie.

As a beautiful, young, genteel lady Simone Ryland is desperate for funds to keep her brother in school. With no references and nothing left of material value to sell, Simone decided to approach Mrs. Burton's bawdy house in search of work. Harry's friend Mrs. Burton recognized Simone to be everything Harry was looking for to assist him, Simone also turned out to be more of a temptation than Harry bargained for as well.

*** One thing I've learned is that one should never begin a book by Barbara Metzger in the evening, especially if one must get up early the next morning. First of all I couldn't stop myself from picking the book up to study the beautiful cover. Yes, I know you don't judge a book by it's cover but the artwork on the last few of Ms. Metzger's books, i.e. THE HOURGLASS; TRULY YOURS; and THE SCANDALOUS LIEFE OF A TRUE LADY are simply outstanding! However, fantastic covers are just bait, because once you start reading, you are firmly caught up in the original, sensual and humorous romantic Regency world that is a trademark for this master wordsmith.

Metzger has continued this second novel (the first being TRULY YOURS) with the theme of a blessed/cursed family trait handed down to male issue of knowing the `truth' when they hear it. Not all have the same reaction to lies, and in Harry's case, he tastes it! Unlike his poor cousin Daniel, who itches in some very embarrassing places. With the war over, Harry wants only to complete his service to thwart a ruinous plot to overthrow the government and to finally bury his main alter ego of Major Harrison. The author first introduced Harry in TRULY YOURS as the illegitimate issue of the Earl of Royce setting the plot, giving him motivation and finally this story. Simone was also a gem. Smart and savvy and I loved the way the author reasoned out why her last valuable asset, her virginity, was hers to bestow knowing as an unprotected female living in genteel poverty, it would only be a matter of time before it might be taken by force. This story boasts a plethora of memorable characters especially the assorted mistresses who were oftentimes scandalously funny. I really loved cousin Daniel and hope Ms. Metzger is planning his story next, as with his reaction to lies it is bound to be hilarious!

Bottom line - This is one of the most amusing and original stories you'll find in this genre by an author who continues to satisfy and charm her fans!

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.Ck2skwipsandkritiques.com