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Arboretti Family #2
The Water Nymph
Disguising herself as a man, beautiful Sophie Champion ventures into Renaissance London's most exclusive gambling club to investigate the murder of her godfather and comes face to face with Crispin Foscar, the notorious Earl of Scandal, who has come to the club with his own agenda in mind. By the author of The Stargazer. Reprint.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
13 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Michele Jaffe
26 books407 followersMichele Jaffe (b. March 20 in Los Angeles, California), is an American writer. She has authored novels in several genres, including historical romance, suspense thrillers, and novels for Young Adults.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 4, 2008
Her name is Jaffe. Like Jaffa Cake!
Holy crap. Nothing like a Jaffa Cake. Not nearly as delicious. This author has a PhD... it made me kind of expect something smart, even if it was historical romance. But it was the same I love him, I hate him, I need him, I never want to see him again! I'm going to marry him and have his baby and be happy forever!
OMG. YAY.
Holy crap. Nothing like a Jaffa Cake. Not nearly as delicious. This author has a PhD... it made me kind of expect something smart, even if it was historical romance. But it was the same I love him, I hate him, I need him, I never want to see him again! I'm going to marry him and have his baby and be happy forever!
OMG. YAY.
May 23, 2018
Made it halfway through and just couldn't get into it. Characters, setting, plot just all felt very haphazard. Also the sex scenes were... oof. Do you want a yeast infection? Because that is how you get a yeast infection.
January 16, 2008
The Water Nymph - VG
Jaffe, Michele - 2nd in series
Like the Scarlet Pimpernel, outrageously handsome and brilliant Crispin Foscari, the earl of Sandal, who first appeared in Jaffe's The Stargazer, has carefully built a wastrel's reputation while making quite another as Phoenix, invaluable spy for her majesty, Queen Elizabeth I. Now, however, he is in a spot: he has been given only a little more than a fortnight to find the person who's accusing him of treason. Meanwhile, he is investigating a beautiful and brilliant woman, Sophie Champion, who is suspect in Elizabethan England because she has seemingly endless resources, is a heroine to the street people and may have had something to do with her godfather's death. Crispin is smitten, however, and Sophie assures him she is neither a murderer nor any kind of malefactor, but she cannot be sure that he is above suspicion.
I found this a delightful follow-up to Jaffe's first book "Stargazer," as long as you are willing to suspend belief. High sensuality.
Jaffe, Michele - 2nd in series
Like the Scarlet Pimpernel, outrageously handsome and brilliant Crispin Foscari, the earl of Sandal, who first appeared in Jaffe's The Stargazer, has carefully built a wastrel's reputation while making quite another as Phoenix, invaluable spy for her majesty, Queen Elizabeth I. Now, however, he is in a spot: he has been given only a little more than a fortnight to find the person who's accusing him of treason. Meanwhile, he is investigating a beautiful and brilliant woman, Sophie Champion, who is suspect in Elizabethan England because she has seemingly endless resources, is a heroine to the street people and may have had something to do with her godfather's death. Crispin is smitten, however, and Sophie assures him she is neither a murderer nor any kind of malefactor, but she cannot be sure that he is above suspicion.
I found this a delightful follow-up to Jaffe's first book "Stargazer," as long as you are willing to suspend belief. High sensuality.
August 9, 2019
Sophie Champion is trying to find out who killed her "godfather". Crispin Foscari, the Earl of Sandal has been a secret agent for Queen Elizabeth I. He has two weeks to discover a plot against him. When the bodies start piling up and Sophie and Crispin both appear shortly after each murder, each are suspicious, but agree to start working together. There are lots of twists and turns along the way to them solving ALL of the mysteries and to their marriage.
The many twists are sometimes confusing and there are MANY graphic sex scenes, but the story line is interesting.
The many twists are sometimes confusing and there are MANY graphic sex scenes, but the story line is interesting.
June 10, 2024
DNF. I just can't. I thought about maybe trying another 25 pages but after a hundred pages I feel lost at best and annoyed. There is some major insta lust in here, the characters are just sort of thrown together, and I really can't tell you much about either of them just that the MFC is not MMC usual type. Shame because I actually like to read things from this era.
August 12, 2018
If you want A LOT of sex, this book is for you. I prefer a little more story, which was quite good BTW.
I liked the main characters and enjoyed their banter. However, there were lose ends that were not tied up, which I hate, so the ending for me was not as good as it could have been.
I liked the main characters and enjoyed their banter. However, there were lose ends that were not tied up, which I hate, so the ending for me was not as good as it could have been.
February 21, 2025
Plenty and wit and humor, sudden and unexpected sexual encounters, and unfortunately contrary description of main female throughout story to her actions. I’m a fan of slow burn romance, so this just went way too fast for me.
August 25, 2020
It's a light fun read, that's not out to save the world but just entertain readers who enjoy mysteries with their historical romance.
June 7, 2016
The Skinny
Crispin Foscari has never had to work harder than he does when an anonymous informant to the Queen makes mention of treason and leads him to fighting for his top position as a top spy and to avoid execution. His investigation leads him smack into Sophie Champion. She is in search of her godfather’s murderer and the person with whom he was to meet. Unfortunately for Sophie, she is caught at the scene of another crime, and Crispin is convinced she is the murderer, or at least the key to solving his own investigation. Sophie’s true identity and relationship to her godfather is questioned and things don’t look very good for Sophie or Crispin.
The Players
Cripsin – top agent in the Queen’s employ; known as the Earl of Scandal
Sophie – a bright woman with a secret past; she uses her influence for good
Lawerence – Crispin’s longtime friend; very wealthy and powerful
Elwood – Crispin’s butler; responsible for gathering information
The Aunts – a bunch of busybodies who insist on Crispin’s marriage
My Thoughts
Sophie Champion is adorable. She has one of the most interesting backgrounds, and her wits are what has gotten her so far in life. She has amassed a great deal of her own wealth and has a bit of influence with how she makes her dealings. She is a very independent woman, but also vulnerable inside.
Crispin Foscari is known as the “Earl of Scandal.” He dedicated much of his life to the Queen and has operated as one of her top agents for years. Even his own friend and partner-in-crime Lawrence Pickering is unbeknownst to Crispin’s role in the British government.
After one very serious meeting with the Queen, Crispin has been branded a traitor with no means of recourse but his own, perhaps at the cost of his life. His good-standing in the Queen’s eyes are very important to Crispin and lead him directly to the same person Sophia is hunting down.
After their run-in in the red room, Sophia is no longer the independent woman she once was. She is under the strain of her godfather’s death and wanting answers. She makes a bet with Crispin about the murder, and the plot takes off as the two of them travel in their own directions to solve the murder.
I thought Lawrence was quite an interesting character, and it seems he makes another appearance in the Arboretti series. Being friends for so long, he knows just how to get to Crispin, as does the rest of the Arboretti family.
Crispin avoids the aunts like the plague. Although he humors them quite a bit, there are certain times where he simply draws the line and cuts them off. Like when he is presented with over 100 potentials to choose one bride from.
Despite Crispin’s far-reaching clutches and resources, Sophia is not a woman to back down. Even when things seem daunting and get very personal, Sophia stands strong and firm in her convictions to find her godfather’s murderer.
I enjoyed the second installment in the Arboretti Family series, but I will say it seemed more…erotic than the first, The Stargazer. If I didn’t eat peaches before, I couldn’t now.
Crispin Foscari has never had to work harder than he does when an anonymous informant to the Queen makes mention of treason and leads him to fighting for his top position as a top spy and to avoid execution. His investigation leads him smack into Sophie Champion. She is in search of her godfather’s murderer and the person with whom he was to meet. Unfortunately for Sophie, she is caught at the scene of another crime, and Crispin is convinced she is the murderer, or at least the key to solving his own investigation. Sophie’s true identity and relationship to her godfather is questioned and things don’t look very good for Sophie or Crispin.
The Players
Cripsin – top agent in the Queen’s employ; known as the Earl of Scandal
Sophie – a bright woman with a secret past; she uses her influence for good
Lawerence – Crispin’s longtime friend; very wealthy and powerful
Elwood – Crispin’s butler; responsible for gathering information
The Aunts – a bunch of busybodies who insist on Crispin’s marriage
My Thoughts
Sophie Champion is adorable. She has one of the most interesting backgrounds, and her wits are what has gotten her so far in life. She has amassed a great deal of her own wealth and has a bit of influence with how she makes her dealings. She is a very independent woman, but also vulnerable inside.
Crispin Foscari is known as the “Earl of Scandal.” He dedicated much of his life to the Queen and has operated as one of her top agents for years. Even his own friend and partner-in-crime Lawrence Pickering is unbeknownst to Crispin’s role in the British government.
After one very serious meeting with the Queen, Crispin has been branded a traitor with no means of recourse but his own, perhaps at the cost of his life. His good-standing in the Queen’s eyes are very important to Crispin and lead him directly to the same person Sophia is hunting down.
After their run-in in the red room, Sophia is no longer the independent woman she once was. She is under the strain of her godfather’s death and wanting answers. She makes a bet with Crispin about the murder, and the plot takes off as the two of them travel in their own directions to solve the murder.
I thought Lawrence was quite an interesting character, and it seems he makes another appearance in the Arboretti series. Being friends for so long, he knows just how to get to Crispin, as does the rest of the Arboretti family.
Crispin avoids the aunts like the plague. Although he humors them quite a bit, there are certain times where he simply draws the line and cuts them off. Like when he is presented with over 100 potentials to choose one bride from.
Despite Crispin’s far-reaching clutches and resources, Sophia is not a woman to back down. Even when things seem daunting and get very personal, Sophia stands strong and firm in her convictions to find her godfather’s murderer.
I enjoyed the second installment in the Arboretti Family series, but I will say it seemed more…erotic than the first, The Stargazer. If I didn’t eat peaches before, I couldn’t now.
May 8, 2012
Crispin is a secret agent for the Queen, but now he is threatened with treason. He has fourteen days to prove his innocence. Sophie Champion is a woman who completely complicate things. There are lots of places where you do not know who is speaking and that only complicates matters...because I had convinced myself that it was someone only to find out not them.
Fake mustaches, peaches, ruby necklaces....parent is perfect, constantly being compared/not living up to parents image (but parent is not so perfect!!!)
I like the way that things play out and I thought they were real. Only to find out that they were played out to reveal something completely different.
Fake mustaches, peaches, ruby necklaces....parent is perfect, constantly being compared/not living up to parents image (but parent is not so perfect!!!)
I like the way that things play out and I thought they were real. Only to find out that they were played out to reveal something completely different.
August 26, 2012
Sophie Champion is aptly named. Persistent and a fighter to the end to unearth truth. Crispin Foscari is a clever, interesting character and a noble to boot. Together, the two protagonists create a couple worth rooting for--in romance as well as solving the mystery of who wants each of them killed. Laced throughout the story are graphic descriptions of their sexual seductions. A little more detail than I care for in my reading but one can easily skip a paragraph or page where desired and keep up with the plot. A worthwhile, pleasurable read.
October 21, 2021
Like the other Arboretti books, there is a delicious mix of romance, suspense and a non-typical historical setting that just knocked my socks off. While I liked her contemporary suspense, too, I really wish she would have continued in both genres, instead of switching to YA.
And I was really irritated when the publisher chintzed and shifted from hardcovers to the dual paperback of her books.
And I was really irritated when the publisher chintzed and shifted from hardcovers to the dual paperback of her books.
October 25, 2011
After page 250 I had to just skim through and get the rest of the story about Sophie. I loved the character of Sophie, especially her love of food. Too funny.
But...the story just had to many pages, too many times of TMIF.
For me, it took away from what could have been a really great story.
But...the story just had to many pages, too many times of TMIF.
For me, it took away from what could have been a really great story.
October 26, 2012
When I read the first few pages, I thought I was reading something with the exact kind of plot The Stargazer had.
It kind of was.
I hated this book and I hated the two main characters.
I didn't find the end funny at all (okay, I get it, she loves food).
It kind of was.
I hated this book and I hated the two main characters.
I didn't find the end funny at all (okay, I get it, she loves food).
May 28, 2014
Not nearly as good as her previous work, "The Stargazer" -- Crispin seems a completely different character as created in that one, albeit he played a supporting role there. Amy warned me about the peaches scene. The whole eroticism of the book is very oral in nature anyway.
September 14, 2015
Predictable but charming
The first half of this book drove me crazy with the banter back and forth between the main characters. It mellowed out part way through the book and the rest of it seemed so much easier to read. Predictable but charming.
The first half of this book drove me crazy with the banter back and forth between the main characters. It mellowed out part way through the book and the rest of it seemed so much easier to read. Predictable but charming.
August 28, 2007
Great romance novel. It's well written and super steamy - a hard combination in the realm of romance.
September 10, 2007
Another quick purchase for vacation. It's an easy read. Another period romance, leading man doesn't abide by the rules. Leading lady likes this but is already involved, etc etc.
March 19, 2009
Another Regency England tale. Kinda wild with the sex though...Wow!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews