BOOK REVIEW: Never Less Than a Lady

Zebra Historical Romance 352 pages

Published May 1 2010 by Mary Jo Putney


Blurb on back of book:

New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney continues her stunning Lost Lords series with this stirring, sensual story of a rebellious nobleman drawn to a lovely widow with a shocking past.

As the sole remaining heir to the Earl of Daventry, Alexander Randall knows his duty: find a wife and sire a son of his own. The perfect bride for a man in his position would be a biddable young girl of good breeding. But the woman who haunts his imagination is Julia Bancroft--a village midwife with a dark secret that thrusts her into Randall's protection.

Within the space of a day, Julia has been abducted by her first husband's cronies, rescued, and proposed to by a man she scarcely knows. Stranger still is her urge to say yes. A union with Alexander Randall could benefit them both, but Julia doubts she can ever trust her heart again, or the fervent desire Randall ignites. Yet perhaps only a Lost Lord can show a woman like Julia everything a true marriage can be. . .

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This will not be a long review, As Gannon over at the Romance Dish posted a wonderful review of the book, click HERE to read it.


Visit Mary Jo's Website HERE


Alexander Randall is one of the best heroes I have read in some time. He appealed to me right out of the gate. Any hero that is in full-on rescue mode within the first couple of chapters, is definitely sigh-worthy. And he is stunningly handsome, always a plus.

What I found refreshing is the heroine was upfront and forthright about her dodgy past and her well kept secrets, baring all to Alex immediately, where of course, he gallantly offers marriage to protect her. Yes I know, this has been done many times in a Regency setting, but here, it works.

Both are scarred, inwardly and outwardly, and their tentative, slow reaching out to each other is heart warming to the extreme. Alex is gentle, tender, patient but also sensuous and sexy and able to snap into full-bore Alpha Hero when the occasion calls for it. How can Julia resist? Even though her first marriage was horrible in oh so many ways, thanks to Alex, they both learn to let love into their hearts.

The sub-plot is interesting, and I liked that Julia wanted to try and find her first husband's bastard son, because she cannot bear to think he may be being raised in less than ideal circumstances. Julia is a very compassionate and warm heroine, and brave, what she had to endure with her violent and disgusting first husband, it is a wonder she has any compassion left.

Some complain this book is full of cliques. Well, most Regencies are, but it is the characters and the writing that lift a particular book from the standard plot devices that are used in historical romances that make for a satisfying read. And both main characters are wonderfully realized, I thoroughly enjoyed following their romance and adventures.


3 and 3/4 stars out of 4

Kover Kudos: You know me, I would have preferred a male model in this shot, but, for the lush colours alone I give it...

2 and 3/4 out of 4