Slightly Shady

• Publisher:   Bantam
• Number Of Pages:   352
• Publication Date:   2002-03-26
• ISBN-10 / ASIN:   0553583360
• ISBN-13 / EAN:   9780553583366

Amanda Quick's trademark is a bestselling combination of suspense, passion, and sparkling wit in historical tales alight with intrigue. Now she serves up the most tantalizing novel of her career as an enterprising woman allies herself with a mysterious spy, only to be caught up in a torrid brew of treachery–and temptation.... SLIGHTLY SHADY From the moment the stranger burst into her antiquities shop in Rome, Lavinia Lake knew he was nothing but trouble. He said he was in pursuit of a killer. He swore he was only trying to save her. Yet Lavinia was convinced that Mr. Tobias March was bent instead on destroying her. When the self-described spy hustled her all the way back to England, Lavinia vowed she would find a way to repay him in full. She never dreamed that Mr. March had in fact been telling the truth, that he had been hired to track down a powerful villain. And just as his investigation was heating up, he found it complicated by the most ungovernable, exasperating–and slightly shady–woman he had ever met. Lavinia most certainly never dreamed they would meet again, forced into partnership under shocking circumstances–or that their fiery disputes would spark a sizzling desire as overwhelming as the danger they faced....

There's something Slightly Shady about Lavinia Lake. First of all, no decent woman would go into trade, even when an unscrupulous employer leaves her stranded abroad with her young niece. But the capable Lavinia has landed on her feet, peddling dubious reproductions of ancient artifacts in Rome to earn passage home. When a madman ransacks her shop, accusing her of aiding and abetting a murderous gang of thieves, Lavinia and her niece Emeline return to London, where Lavinia once more takes lemons and makes lemonade, becoming a private investigator. In the course of her first discreet inquiry for a wealthy aristocrat with secrets to hide, Lavinia runs into her madman once more, standing over the recently deceased body of a blackmailer. Not exactly your usual beginning for a relationship, but Mr. Tobias March is hardly an ordinary man. In fact, he's quite extraordinary, Lavinia very reluctantly admits to herself. When threats to Lavinia's safety force her into an unlikely partnership with the mysterious Mr. March, the fur--and a petticoat or two--flies. A heady combination of passion and the shared thrill of the hunt for a depraved murderer may lead Lavinia and Tobias to form a partnership of a more permanent kind. Lively suspense with a healthy dose of passion, Amanda Quick's Slightly Shady is truly addictive storytelling. --Alison Trinkle

Another of Amanda Quick's fun Victorian mysteries with smoldering romance of a lighter variety thrown in. Not the paranormal, Arcane Society twist, but still entertaining. Great for a rainy Sunday afternoon or a beach read, not for someone wanting to be challenged intellectually. I enjoy these lighter romances and look forward to the next in the series. BTW, Audible has the Don't Look Back & Late for the Wedding, the next 2 Lake/March installments, in unabridged audio, but not this one.

This was my first Amanda Quick book, so I did not have any expectations that the folks had who were already her fans. I really enjoyed the book. I liked the different relationship between Tobias and Lavinia. The fact they meet while he is destroying her shop sets the stage for the bickering and arguments that follow. Also, they have both been married and lost someone they loved. This influences the development of a relationship between them. I think this is as much character driven as it is plot driven. I liked this so much I bought the two follow up books right away. I wish she would continue these characters, but it does not look like she is. If you are in doubt, read the book!

You can read about the storyline from the other reviewers and if you are looking for just another bunch of love scenes in your romance this is not the book for you. It has some great steaminess about it, but this novel is much more. Quick's characters (both main and secondary) are extremely lovable in all 3 books (this is the first in this series) and you will enjoy their mannerisms and sense of humor. The mystery and historical details are also great fun. You won't be disappointed if you are looking for good writing and a little more depth to your romantic intrigues.

Amanda what happened???? I can only conclude that it must have been her evil twin that wrote this book. Its horrible! Please, please PLEASE! don't read this book if you've never read a Quick historical before because you'll never read any of her books again. The hero and heroine are both not likeable and the romance stinks big time! The 'love' scenes are horrible! To quote one of my favorite romances " there's not enough heat between these two to light a candle". I can't believe there's a sequel! Do yourself a favor and read instead Quick's:
Mystique
Desire
Mistress
Ravished These are great books and show what Quick is really capable of.

I have been an avid fan of Amanda Quick every since I picked up my first historical romance and it was her Ravished. She hooked me with that book. I had never read one before and though they were all silly books. Harriet and Gideon are such great characters. Reading Ravished made me want to go out in search of anything else she had written. After scouring used book shops, books stores, etc. I have most of them and still reread them on a regular basis. When I need a really good read I pull out an Amanda Quick. Unfortunately, all of her books since Slightly Shady cannot compare to those older books - Surrender, Desire, Seduction, etc.... I hope she can find in her writing more characters with that fire, humour, etc... that make you want to keep on reading, keep you cheering for the heroine or hero. If you want a really good book - pick up anything Amanda Quick before Slightly Shady. You won't regret it.

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