The Passion of the Purple Plumeria

by Lauren Willig
4/5 stars
New American Library, 2013
457 pages
Adult Historical Romance Mystery

Source: Library

Just a quick review today as I check in with Eloise and her historical research for the tenth book in the Pink Carnation series. Though I have not reviewed every book in the series for my blog (see the Lauren Willig tag for those I have reviewed), I have read every book and found myself especially enjoying the most recent ones. Sixth book The Betrayal of the Blood Lily was an especial favorite and I knew this book featured characters related to ones in that book though as they took place roughly concurrently, there was not an overlap in appearance.

Our main characters are Miss Gwen Meadows who has served as a second in command to the Pink Carnation but who I don't really remember. As an older unmarried woman, she serves as a chaperone and has cultivated a brash domineering persona that helps her to organize everything while covering up some of the softer parts of herself that have been heart. Her unlikely hero is Colonel William Reid, father to the hero of Blood Lily, whose unconventional past has led him on a crazy road to Miss Meadows.

The adventure in this book keeps them in England while they track down Gwen's charge's younger sister and Reid's daughter, both of whom have disappeared possibly under nefarious (French-related) circumstances as the English still war with Napoleon and the French. They go on a merry and slightly danger-filled journey to track the pair down. I enjoyed the banter between the couple but was never fully engaged with the plot.

Meanwhile in the present day Eloise and Colin are rapidly facing her return to America and must decide how their relationship will progress. They are also still in conflict with Colin's cousin/stepfather Jeremy and his greed. I am very invested in the Eloise/Colin relationship by now and like how this appears to be going. This was actually an instance where I wanted to focus on their story even more than the historical bits.

An added delight in my edition were interviews at the end between Miss Gwen and the author-a meta treat!

Overall: If you've read the previous books, of course you're going to want to continue! If you haven't started yet, I'd advise you to go back to the beginning so you can dive in with fresh knowledge about the Pink Carnation.

ARC Review: The Ashford Affair

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig
3.5/5 stars
St. Martin's Press, 2013
355 pages
Adult Historical Romance
Scheduled to release April 9

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of Willig's Pink Carnation series so I was thrilled to check out a new novel from her even if it meant not getting to continue with the exciting spies of that series. What I did not realize was that this book would also be a blending of past and present, with scenes taking place in the 1920s, 1999/2000, and a few other years as well to trace a family's history.

Beyond familiarity with the author, I also was grabbed by the reference to "Downton Abbey" and the mention of a Kenyan setting. However I did not notice the contemporary setting, which came as a surprise to me. There is one chapter in the 1920s and then it jumps to 1999 and I was so thrown. It took me a couple of chapters (and reading over the goodreads summary) before I was eased into the story.

It's a big family story with Clementine Evans on the path to partnership, looking into her grandmother's past, spanning England to Kenya and the many family secrets. As the story unravels, I found it fairly predictable but I was still sucked into completing the story. None of the characters really popped out at me. Clemmie is a workaholic lawyer who has just ended an engagement and has neglected family relationships in pursuit of a partnership. But the illness of her grandmother Addie leads to her questioning the family past. Meanwhile Addie's story in the past is of a poor relation, pushed to the side by her lady aunt but protected by her cousin Bea; their relationship becomes increasingly tangled as they age and the world goes mad (they live through World War I and the destruction of the aristocracy).

For me, the most interesting part was reading about the lives of the aristocracy, pre and post war. Before the war, they are flying high but after, Bea and the other young people drown in ennui and pursue any distraction to keep themselves from their thoughts. This also leads to some horrible decisions on the part of Bea and someone else.

Overall: I vastly prefer Willig's Pink Carnation series-I find them generally witty, fizzy confections while this book's more serious tone was less welcome although the time period is fascinating.

The Garden Intrigue

The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig
4/5 stars
Dutton, 2012
388 pages
Historical Romance

Source: Library

I have enjoyed the Pink Carnation series since the start, especially the last few titles, particularly The Orchid Affair. Like that book, this one is set in Napoleonic France and of courses continues to involves spies. But the Pink Carnation and her crew are not at the center of this book although she does play an important role. Instead our focus is British secret agent Augustus Whittlesby, who writes the most execrable verse to use as code conveying important secrets and Emma Delagardie, an American widow with close connections to Napoleon's family. 

Whittlesby has spent years in France undercover and is starting to tire of the role. He would like to make a change and perhaps form a real attachment to his muse Jane Wooliston, also one of his contacts. But he first has the opportunity to find out some important information about Napoleon's future plans by partnering with Emma to write a masque. Emma meanwhile is also struggling with her role. Her American mother wants her to return to the States and settle into the warm embrace of her family. But she still has commitments to her husband's estate in France even as she is uneasy with the new power shifts (Napoleon is claiming the emperorship for himself).


But as the pair writes their masque, they draw much closer but their relationship is not without complications. Augustus began their friendship under false pretenses, taking advantage of Emma's history with Napoleon's stepdaughter to gain useful information. And both are hiding behind frivolous masks that cover a genuine warm personality. They need to break through and come together to secure a happy ending for themselves. And it was delightful while reading. However I ended up preferring the present-day sections, which is not always the case.

This time I really loved the "present-day" (it's actually 2004 in the book) sections featuring Eloise and Colin residing at his ancestral home Selwick Hall. They are putting up with the inconvenience of hosting a film crew due to his jerky stepfather/cousin and spineless sister. Eloise also experiences a conflict that mirrors that of the book: return to her native land America, explore new frontiers on the continent, or stay with the swoonworthy Brit (I may be rooting for the latter option for Eloise as I did for Emma :)

Overall: Another strong entry into the Pink Carnation series with a lovely romance. If you've read the previous books, you'll definitely want to pick this one up.

The Orchid Affair

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig
Dutton, 2011
403 pages
Historical Espionage Romance
4.5/5 stars

Source: Library

I've been reading the Willig books from the beginning, meaning pre-blog, so of course I wanted to read this one.  It seems so weird to me that the books started in 2004 and because the modern section moves so slowly it is still 2004.  I'm not sure how much has changed since that time but I know a lot has.  What hasn't changed is Willig's ability to craft a satisfying historical espionage with delightful writing and characters.  In fact, I would say she has improved as this was one of my favorite outings so far.

This time we have Laura Grey or Griscogne as she will be known when she becomes governess to an important official in Napoleon's government in 1804.  Over her sixteen years of governess service, she has become as bland and plain as her name suggests, able to hide in plain sight.  But this is her opportunity for something different, to serve with the forces arrayed against Napoleon in a spy mission in collaboration with the Pink Carnation and forces.

Her employer is Andre Jaouen, who has his own secrets and two children in need of education and attention.  Although outwardly secure with a powerful patron, Andre is in a precarious position with the sinister Gaston Delaroche dogging his steps.  Soon he and Laura will have to use all of their wits to escape certain torture and death and protect the ones they love.  Their romance was one of my favorites within this series and I felt it was really built on solid foundation that bodes well for their future.  The spy part wasn't quite as thrilling because I had no doubts that they would extricate themselves from their troubles.  Don't get me wrong, it was fun to read but not as suspenseful as some others.

Meanwhile back in 2004, Colin and Eloise are going strong but Colin faces challenges from his family and his douchey cousin/stepfather Jeremy.  They are also in Paris and I wish there could have been a bit more of them because I really want to see how they deal with the new challenge but I guess I will have to wait for the next book.

Cover: I really like this cover although perhaps the dress should have been more grey?

The Mischief of the Mistletoe

The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
Dutton, 2010
325 pages
Historical; Romance; Jane
4/5 stars

Source: Won from Lizzy J at Historically Obsessed; also a cute ornament.

Summary: Arabella Dempsey is in financial straits so she applies for a position at a girls' school where she meets 'Turnip' Fitzhugh, older (wealthy) brother of one of the students.  They stumble on a mysterious note and begin investigating espionage but they also start thinking about romance.

Thoughts: Apparently many people have been asking for a Turnip Fitzhugh story; I was not one of them but I have nothing against a Turnip romance.  I was surprised at how much of a hero Turnip turned out to be-he followed the trope of wealthy man overlooks poor spinster and then is amazed at how he did that because she is in fact so wonderful.  I'm a big fan of that trope and Arabella was a witty, lovely heroine who very much deserved her happy ever after.

I thought the spy denouement was a bit shoehorned in; I had almost forgot about it because I was so wrapped up in the romance.  Of course, all of the novels need to connect to the anti-Napoleon espionage but this one was pretty lame.  It could have worked as a straight romance in the vein of Georgette Heyer without the spying.  I also thought the language was odd and too British. I don't know if that makes sense but it seemed different from the other Pink Carnation novels and not what I expected.  I didn't mind it but I found it a bit overwhelming.

I did miss checking in with Eloise and Colin but there was the brief appearance of Jane Austen so that makes up for it.  Plus at the end there is a list of the other characters and their books, which I found very helpful.

Overall: Charming!

Cover: I don't know about the girl on the cover but I like the ivy surrounding the whole thing.

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily

The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig

Dutton, 2010

401 pages

Historical; Romance

Sixth in Series

Why I Read: I had read the previous books in the series and while I was disappointed in the last one (Night Jasmine), I wanted to continue.

Summary: Lady Frederick Staines, nee Penelope Deveraux, is in India trying to move past the gossip about her marriage and following her husband to his new appointment. Captain Alex Reid is frustrated that he has to babysit the Staines' on their journey to their new home. But Penelope intrigues him beyond all imaginings. Throw in French agitators, local warlords, and the spy Marigold for a new installment in Willig's popular Pink Carnation series!

Spoilers if you have never read a romantic novel.

Review: I was intrigued with the setting of India as the previous books were set in England and I've become more interested in Asia in general after my study in Singapore. It was not as detailed as I could have desired because the focus is more on character and the machinations of the spy, who is lamer than the first spies. But I loved the characters. Apparently Penelope was in previous books although I don't really remember her (She's friends with Henrietta.) She's talented, quite able in multiple languages, athletic, and determined, which is one of my favorite characteristics in a a character (I guess it's something I wish I had more of).

I spent a great deal of time wondering when her husband would die. He obviously had to die as he is barely mentioned in the book flap while Alex gets his own paragraph and divorce would not be an option. And he is a JERK! Believe me, you will want him to die as well! Alex is pretty great. I loved his family connections although we don't get to meet most of them, just heard about them. I really liked that he was devoted to his family and of course that he valued Penelope as a person rather than a sexual partner like pretty much every other guy in the book (that's why he's the hero!)

I did not solve the mystery of the Marigold nor of the smaller mysteries that can be traced back to him/her. But again character is the focus so I didn't feel too bad...

There is also the framing story of graduate student Eloise and Pink Carnation descendant Colin who are established as a couple now (yay for them!) and are dealing with some of his family issues. It looks like that will continue in the next book. One quibble, Eloise goes to see the new James Bond film starring...Pierce Brosnan, despite the fact that Daniel Craig has been Bond for quite a while now. I think the books are set in the year when the first one came out but I still found that jarring.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5. If you were disappointed with the previous book, like I was, give this one a shot. It's filled with lots of sparks between the romantic couple.