A Perfect Gem

by Melynda Beth Skinner, Melynda Beth Andrews

In trying to protect her pickpocket uncle, Leah Gray agrees to help Posthumous Jones steal a legendary gem from the Earl of Instep, which Jones claims rightfully belongs to him. However, Leah manages to steal his heart as well. Original.

221 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kwoomac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perfectly fine romance novel which did what I needed- distracted me at the dentist today. I would've enjoyed the story more if it had been told in a straightforward manner. Instead the author chose to go back and forth from the present day and the past. She also changed narrators frequently as the current day characters read from the journals of a variety of characters from 1811. I found it to be unnecessarily jarring and felt it didn't add anything to the story.
Formulaic regency romance where girl meets boy, doesn't like him, is forced to pretend to be his wife, and finally realizes she loves him. Lots of miscommunication and doubt between the would-be lovers before we get to the happy ending. Fun but nothing outstanding.

[Anita Bombard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an unusually written book, but in the end I liked it that way. Wonderful characters that are perfect and flawed and weave a good story.