The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy

Mass Market Paperback, 378 pages

Published January 27th 2015 by Avon

ISBN 0062072943 (ISBN13: 9780062072948)

edition languageEnglish

seriesSmythe-Smith Quartet #4

Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. He knows he can't be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family's infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She's the type of girl you don't notice until the second—or third—look, but there's something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she's the one.

Iris Smythe–Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can't quite believe it's all true. When his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can't help thinking that he's hiding something . . . even as her heart tells her to say yes.

my thoughts

Julia Quinn's books are just fun to read.  I have many 'laugh out loud' minutes whenever I pick up a book she's written.  

This book is the 4th in the Smythe-Smith Quartet and it's a humdinger.  Sir Richard comes to London to find himself a wife.  He needs to marry quickly. Why?  Well, that's his secret.   He zero's in on Miss Iris Smythe-Smith.  Anyone who's read anything by Julia Quinn knows about the Smythe-Smith musicales.   

Iris is a witty young woman, full of charm and intelligence.  She doubts Richard's intent but through circumstances is forced into marriage.   Richard, himself, is a charming young man the reader will love.  Richard has two sisters, we meet them later in the book.   

The courtship of Iris and Richard is just plain fun.  When you learn Richard's secret, well it will be up to you, the reader, how you feel about Richard.  I still loved him, and I think he and Iris formed a great pair.  

LADY OF THE ETERNAL CITY by KATE QUINN

P

ublication Date: March 3, 2015
Berkley Trade
Formats: eBook, Paperback
528 Pages

Series: Empress of Rome Series, Book Four
Genre: Historical Fiction





National bestselling author Kate Quinn returns with the long-awaited fourth volume in the Empress of Rome series, an unforgettable new tale of the politics, power, and passion that defined ancient Rome.

Elegant, secretive Sabina may be Empress of Rome, but she still stands poised on a knifeís edge. She must keep the peace between two deadly enemies: her husband Hadrian, Romeís brilliant and sinister Emperor; and battered warrior Vix, who is her first love. But Sabina is guardian of a deadly secret: Vixís beautiful son Antinous has become the Emperorís latest obsession.

Empress and Emperor, father and son will spin in a deadly dance of passion, betrayal, conspiracy, and war. As tragedy sends Hadrian spiraling into madness, Vix and Sabina form a last desperate pact to save the Empire. But ultimately, the fate of Rome lies with an untried girl, a spirited redhead who may just be the next Lady of the Eternal City...


my thoughts:

Wow...Kate Quinn has done it again. I love Kate Quinn. I love her writing style, I love her characters and I love her willingness to create fantastic situations in a story. Lady of the Eternal City, Empress of Rome #4, is her best yet. 

This book focuses on the reign of Hadrian, and Ms Quinn reveals all of his flaws as well as his strengths.  We welcome back such wonderful characters as Vix and Sabine. We meet new characters, Vix's son Antinous and a young man named Marcus. We travel through Roman history on a roller coaster ride. First I hated Hadrian, then I felt sympathy for him, finally I appreciated the great leader he became, largely due to his wife, Vix and others. I was deeply intrigued by Hadrian's "Hades Chamber"...want to know what it is? Read the book. You will be charmed, thrilled and fascinated by these characters. 

I'm only sorry this is the end of the series. As always, this is a wonderfully written story that will leave you wanting more. Kate Quinn, more please...more fabulous stories..

Praise for Lady of the Eternal City

"Quinn specializes in bringing the splendor of Britannia and Rome to readers. The tangled lives of her three-dimensional characters represent the entanglements of the Empire. She cleverly pulls readers into the complex relationships, and even more complicated history, while bouncing back and forth between viewpoints. This is a feast for historical readers." - Romantic Times Book Reviews

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Titles in The Empress of Rome Series

Book One: Mistress of Rome
Book Two: Daughters of Rome
Book Three: Empress of the Seven Hills
Book Four: Lady of the Eternal City

Praise for The Empress of Rome Series

"Gorgeously wrought." C. W. Gortner, author of The Queen's Vow

"Deeply passionate."Kate Furnivall, author of Shadows on the Nile

"[An] epic, sexy romp."Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About the Author

Kate Quinn is a native of southern California. She attended Boston University, where she earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Classical Voice. A lifelong history buff, she has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance detailing the early years of the infamous Borgia clan. All have been translated into multiple languages.

Kate has succumbed to the blogging bug, and keeps a blog filled with trivia, pet peeves, and interesting facts about historical fiction. She and her husband now live in Maryland with a small black dog named Caesar, and her interests include opera, action movies, cooking, and the Boston Red Sox.

For more information visit Kate Quinn's website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Lady of the Eternal City Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 2
Spotlight at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, March 3
Spotlight at Historical Readings and Reviews

Wednesday, March 4
Review at Back Porchervations

Thursday, March 5
Review at The Maiden's Court

Friday, March 6
Spotlight at Caroline Wilson Writes

Monday, March 9
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Review at The Mad Reviewer

Wednesday, March 11
Review at Peeking Between the Pages

Thursday, March 12
Spotlight at The Lit Bitch

Sunday, March 15
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Monday, March 16
Review at Just One More Chapter
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews

Tuesday, March 17
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Wednesday, March 18
Review at Book Lovers Paradise

Monday, March 23
Review at A Literary Vacation

Thursday, March 26
Review at Book Nerd

Friday, March 27
Review at Unshelfish
Review at Genre Queen
Review at Let Them Read Books
Review at Historical Fiction Obsession