Once More, Miranda

by Jennifer Wilde

There has never been a heroine as feisty and bright as Miranda James... Never a hero as sexy and masculine as Cameron Gordon. Meet Miranda James. As a ragged pickpocket, she stole the Londoners' money. As a celebrated novelist, she stole their hearts. But only one man could capture Miranda's love...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, British Literature

547 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Jennifer Wilde is a pseudonym of T. E. Huff (Thomas Elmer Huff). He also wrote under the names Edwina Marlow and Beatrice Parker.

Reviews

[Treece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3 1/2

Warning : Beware. This is old skool bodice-ripper country. There are triggers in this novel.

Otherwise-

The reason this book got such a high rating is that main character, Miranda/Randy James aka "Duchess Randy" is amazing. "Duchess Randy" is her street-cred name in St Giles, a hell-hole of poverty, slovenliness, and crime. She's tough, intelligent, resilient and compassionate. Her narrative will make you laugh and cheer her on. Then there's her bad taste in men--or rather a man.

Cameron/Cam Gordon.

This guy is an alpha male but he's also a vicious, bitter, oversexed maniac. In our time, he would be put away for murder, conspiracy, treason, rape, assault, and battery charges then sent to anger management. Once all of his time was completed, he would be put on a restraining order and then some meds to level out his issues. He's also an ingrate, slob, cheater and at times a bully.

Miranda was surrounded by other really decent adoring men, and yet she was so into this bastard Gordon. I wanted her to move on. Truly. And she had her choice of hot good men including Richard Bancroft, Cam's best friend, though I could understand not crossing that line. Still, I would not have blamed her if she had ventured there.

There are tons of female friends who go above and beyond for Miranda. Yet she shows more devotion to the men in her life than the women, except for one. I would have liked to hear that even though she had to leave the gals in St. Giles behind, she could have done something to make their lives better or dropped a missive now and again.

Cam's a displaced and disavowed Scotsman who wisely refused to support Bonne Prince Charlie. He lost everything but is loyal and kind to those family members who turned their backs on him. He also proves to be more than what Miranda could believe when things go from bad to worse in her life. Yet he is no James Fraser. Hell, no. Then again, Miranda ain't Claire Randall either.

Speaking of shades of Outlander there's a villain in this book that will make you wonder about where Diana Gabaldon got her inspiration. I don't want to bring any spoilers here but there are similarities that tweaked my "shades of remembrances" book space.

Overall, this book is at times a bit melodramatic --the history of her parents, calling the H by his full name at times!--and overly descriptive(lots of details on people, clothing, food, and surroundings) but fun because the heroine is strong-willed, tough and smart. Miranda literally pulls herself out of the gutter and chooses her life's path in a time when it was unheard of. If she fails the reader, then perhaps it's because the author (who is actually a man) was more romantic at heart than his female audience. Who knows? I'll let whoever wants to read this one decide.

This was a .99 cent buddy-read with Nenia Campbell (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...). I have her to thank for taking this one on. Definitely a page-turner!

[Mermarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of my abject fascination with Jennifer Wilde, revolves around the fact that Jennifer Wilde was merely a pseudonym for Thomas Huff, a male romance novel writer! and the other reasoning came when I discovered he somewhat resembled Cam Gordon, when he was younger. I’m always eager to hear romance spoken from a male perspective, well—if it’s genuine enough. Beer-chugging robot sex-slaves could make it less than worth my while, you see.

The two love stories wrapped into one, was a delightful addition, I believe—and did not take from the main story’s deliverance. Both stories snagged me, and pulled me along for one eventful ride. What was so deliciously satisfying --is that there was no big misunderstanding to act as a filler, or crutch—where imagination lacked. The ‘jealous lover’ trope barely reared its creative-harnessing head to deem the hero’s interests solely based on territorial tripe, either.

All of the characters were likeable, HELL—loveable, and several male suitors-- or possible suitors, could have well suited the heroine and with those vying for her hand, it keeps you guessing. The entire cast of characters were well-worn and lived in. The heroine never took anything for granted, and her humble beginnings persona stretched adequately through the book. Wilde kept her grounded and focused; her street smarts were put to use effectively, and despite the fact I loathe a cockney accent, a neighbor corrected that unfitting garble pretty early on, but it was highly comical when the heroine’s states of distress slipped up the accent. It may seem hypocritical, that I dislike a cockney accent, albeit I can completely comprehend the difficulty involved to master dialect, considering I was raised in the hills of Eastern Kentucky.

One of my main curiosities involved the hero and the heroine’s uncle somewhat villainous kinsmanship. They could have been tailor fit brothers, no? The uncle’s twisted obsession with her father also raised a few brows throughout the story. I did not expect Wilde to merely allow the obsessive bit fall flat. Leave it to me, to await some sort of deep-seated incestial longings lurking somewhere ‘neath the barely controlled, loved nobody else, façade. Regardless, even the uncle was human. Wilde didn’t carve out the typical bad guy, one-mission-to-kill you flashcard villain; he was believable. My favorite villains are those that are capable of both extremes. A villain who is not confined solely to the MWAHAHA’s.

Only one portion of the book, ever professed Wilde’s gender to me.

Heroine: I happen to love you.
Hero: Well, that’s your misfortune.

Only a man would truly know what particularly should be said to break a woman’s heart, utterly and without so much effort. It’s an instinctual trait, me thinks. A young girl whose every fanciful illusion encompassed the hero –we knew it was coming. Everyone warned her, too. The reason I didn’t chide her obvious stupidity where the hero was concerned, is due to her past living conditions. Needless to say, the only other human contact she had, had been with a semi-motherly madame. She had practically been homeless and on the streets since she her 9th year--a street urchin whose mere survival relied on her wits. For once in her life, she was fed, clothed, and housed—and even wore a pair of shoes! For the very first time, she had someone, she had someone to bethere for her. A constant, a routine--not living from one day to the next--it would encourage affection. Naturally, in those weakened states, a woman would allow the provider of those base needs into her heart. I can almost surmise a ‘matrimonial’ state; where her life could barely attest to parental affection, considering the mothers passing early on. By gawd, if she wanted to pretend for once in her life that she was a human being, loved and cherished-- let her—even if it breaks her heart, she deserved some downtime! When Cam Gordon remarked upon her misfortune for loving him, I could have carved out his heart for the crows to feed on. That son of a bitch needs to die, or be mentioned in Dante’s Inferno—and I say that with love and humility like I always do concerning a controversial hero. I know there are a few reviewers harping about the violent state of their relationship on this review, but alas—both hero and heroine delivered as good as the other. They always settled the score and on several occasions, the heroine slapped the hero so hard (without provocation), she nearly broke her wrist. It was specified. If you’re looking for a perfect relationship, without little hiccups reality can deal you, I suggest you take up puppeteering or break out the Barbie Dreamhouse.

The beginning started off a wee bit slow paced, but definitely kept you tuned in. It was merely the opening style, which I was unaccustomed to(The narrative letter to the heroine, and later the heroine's narrative). The reunion was heartfelt and so endearing! I longed to know what became of her brother! Without a sequel, I consider myself forever haunted by what could have happened after Cam Gordon left for America. If you’re looking for a HEA, this isn’t it, but somehow, you’re left satisfied nevertheless. I didn’t feel slighted, not one bit. I liked it just fine. It was necessary that Miranda embrace who she really was—who she became—and give Cam the proverbial flying bird, he so ruthlessly provided her, upon departing her life. I worded this just so, to throw readers off the trail, in case they haven’t indulged themselves already. >:E

I gave Wilde's Once More, Miranda a 5 star rating, because the HEA mystery, and the building up at the beginning sluggishness couldn't overshadow the adoration I felt for this novel. The big misunderstanding was on vacation and never made its sordid appearance once! Loved. Loved it. LOVE IT!

[Misfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm. How to recap this without giving too much away? Plus it's been days since I finished it.

The details of the birth and early childhood of Miranda James are pretty complicated, plus you don't want me spoiling it. So let's just say she was the legitimate daughter of the younger brother of some lordling in Cornwall who wed the governess. Tragic events happened that resulted in mom and daughter being sent away with enough money to live comfortably on, but more tragic events happened and they became impoverished, mom died and Miranda became one more gutter urchin in the dark streets of London. Until she picks the wrong pocket and Scotsman Cameron (Cam) Gordon saves her from the gallows and she's now his indentured servant.

This was a fun ride with plenty of historical detail and Jacobite plotting, plus an Eliza Doolittle-like transformation. Miranda was quite a little spitfire and she was never down and out for long. I adored Cam, but cautionary warning to PC minded readers - he might have a heart of gold buried deep down, but his mindset and attitudes towards Miranda at first (she did cut his purse and she was his indentured servant to treat as he wished) may be a bit off-putting to the more PC minded readers of today's romances. The sexual content is fairly understated, with only one of two major sex scenes, but then again the first one might be misconstrued by the PC set as forced seduction, but I didn't see it that way. YMMV.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda James is simply one of the most memorable heroines in historical romance, definitely worthy of taking her place alongside other feisty characters such as Amber St. Clare and Scarlett O'Hara!

From the very first page, I just became absorbed in the story and got completely lost in another world. Great storytelling, rich settings and colorful characters entertain from start to finish. A lonely governess, a sinister master, pirates, prostitutes, actors, authors, pickpockets, dukes, and scoundrels.....this book has someone from almost every walk of life in England in the 1700's. Miranda's story is bawdy, angsty, witty, and endearing as she rises from a ragged pickpocket to a woman of wealth and talent -- part Amber, part Eliza Doolittle! I just loved this book to pieces! Trust me, you don't want to miss this one!

[Regan Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb storytelling with great historical detail and a Scot in 18th Century London

Set in England in the mid 18th century, just after Culloden when the Scots were brutally hunted down and killed by the Duke of Cumberland (“the most hated man in England, a bloodthirsty villain”), this is the story of Cameron (“Cam”) Gordon, a Scot who did not support the cause because he believed it doomed to failure. But once the battle was over, he gave the proceeds of his successful career as a writer of fiction to his surviving relatives and to those Scots seeking vengeance on Cumberland.

While Cam is watching one of his cousins about to be hung at Tyburn, a street urchin—a young woman in rags—picks his friend’s pocket and Cam is determined to see the miscreant brought to justice. But his friend urges restraint, reminding Cam he needs a maid. And that is how Miranda James became Cam’s bondservant—for seven years.

Miranda was born the daughter of a nobleman but a dire set of circumstances left her an orphan and living on the streets of St. Giles. Miranda speaks like the poor thief she is. But before her educated mother died, she taught Miranda to read and write and love Shakespeare. Cam, who has become a writer of thriller stories, treats Miranda harshly, demanding she work hard and keep his house. He never questions why it is she speaks like a guttersnipe but is intelligent and well read.

Wilde paints a vivid picture of 18th century London, the politics, the condition of the poor and the life of the theater and the rich. Miranda will rise through it all and thrive. You can see his research woven through every page in this well-told story. I loved it. Of course, despite the face Cam and Miranda become lovers, there is no mention of love or marriage by him and (because this sis a Wilde story), no pregnancy when they become lovers.

A great adventure with incredible depth and attention to detail. A very worthy classic. If you miss the depth (and length) of the older romances, this one's for you. Highly recommended.

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, for me 4.5 stars. I couldn’t quite go the full five mainly because I would have liked to have seen more in the ending! All I will say since I don’t want to give anything away. One other comment, one scene in particular between H & h, for me, gave me pause and I didn’t care for it, not love to me. I am not a reader who worries about PC as this book is a work of fiction (plus I know what I’m getting when I read some historical romances). The h knows who the H is, and I think given the time period and our heroine’s history, this scene was not a deal breaker for her as violence was an every day part of her life in St. Giles. None the less, other than those two comments a great story with depth that had me turning pages! This book has good history, which I love, and you can see there was a lot of research put in to it. There is adventure as our heroine’s life is quite a journey, some very good secondary characters, and I found some elements within the story unique. I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it!

[AlexandraB95 · Rating 3 out of 5]

disappointed with the end. (no HEA)

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this years ago, and I really enjoyed it. The historical backdrop was on point, and the H/h were great...nothing like a feisty brainy homeless chick and a hot brooding dude who is a total slob around the house.

[Nastassja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real rating 3.7 stars

Very refreshing historical romance novel we've got here. It was a joy to read. I picked this book, because I was very intrigued to read a historical romance novel written by a man. Honestly, I did not expect this book to be interesting, never thought that a man can actually write such a book and especially from female point of view.

Well, I confess I was a little prejudiced at the beginning, but eventually all my worries were unnecessary. Once More, Miranda is a wonderful book. My only complain is that this book is too long, over 500 pages and it felt too stretched, in my opinion some things were unnecessary in this book. Ok, I understand that we have two stories in one, but it's not the problem. Some descriptions in this book were too long and sometimes I felt bored reading all of it and wanted to skip some parts.

Like I mentioned before, in the end I appreciated that this book was written by a man. It was a more serious read than any other ordinary romance, the historical events were cleverly woven into the plot, we were watching everything through our heroes eyes, and in this book it felt really interesting to read historical events of Jacobite rebellion. In some books the historical part is made dreadfully boring and you want just to skip the events. In this case I felt like I was part of the history, everything felt organic.

The characters were really amazing. They were REAL. It felt like the author himself experienced some of the main characters' feelings, so believable they were. I connected with the main characters immediately. Miranda has grown before our eyes from the little street urchin into an amazing, beautiful young woman. She was a very nice character, I was never annoyed with her, she was so funny at the beginning and her dreadful cockney accent was hilarious.

“She’s lying,” the Scot said coldly.
“I ain’t!” I protested. “It’s true, every bleedin’ word!”
“You were hungry?” Bancroft inquired.
“It wudn’t so much for me, it was—it was for my wee baby brother and my mum. My mum’s sick, sick somethin’ awful, and I don’t ’ave no pa, an’ my poor baby brother just—just wails. ’E ’as th’ fever. I was desperate. I ’oped to take ’em some food and get some medicine for my poor wee brother.”

“Stop that hideous caterwauling,” the Scot ordered.
“Go play with yourself, you scurvy son of a bitch!”
Bancroft looked appalled, and then he chuckled, delighted. Damn both of ’em! All that beautiful sobbing, all that brilliant acting, all that energy wasted. Insensitive clods!

I actually learnt a few words, and if I happen to read another book with cockney accent I will understand it much better after reading this one. The only thing in Miranda's character that felt off sometimes is that her feelings and thoughts at times weren't deep, or if I may say feminine enough. We, women, tend to be more emotional, especially considering our love lives. And some love scenes, most of them actually, felt like written by a man, which is true, and I don't know how to explain, but they lacked pure feminine emotions. But the lack in female feelings department was generously replaced by our hero Cameron Gordon. Vow, one of the best if not the best male character in romance genre. I was waiting for so long to finally meet such a character. And he was the best not because of his greatness as a man and protector for Miranda, no, he was the opposite, but he was sooooooo real and believable. Not some girl's ideal and masculine and godlike dream. Cam was masculine al right and handsome as god, but he had a lot of flaws and most of all he was not ideal. He was moody, he used Miranda, sometimes she was like furniture for him, only good for cooking and cleaning and pleasuring him

Amanuensis, I discovered, was just a fancy word for secretary. I was that, all right. I was also maid, housekeeper, body servant, errand girl and bed partner as well, but you wouldn’t catch me complaining, no indeed, particularly about that final role.

“No, Cam, I don’t want to fight. I want—I want to be treated like a responsible human being, not a piece of furniture, not a piece of tail for you to grab whenever you happen to grow horny.”

Often he was so deep in his own world he didn't even notice Miranda. She wasn't the centre of his life. He loved her, even so he never said it out loud, but for Miranda it was obvious

I smiled, thinking of his voracious appetite, loving him so much I feared my heart might burst. I suspected that he was fond of me, too, although, being Cam, he naturally never said so. Any expression of sentiment was anathema to him, and Cam Gordon would face a firing squad before admitting affection for another human being, but there were deep feelings there nevertheless.

He also had other interests in life rather than going around like a love sick puppy. He was a writer and a rebel, quite an explosive combination. Things he's done don't make him a great person, but we see the real him through Miranda's eyes and we understand his motives. So he was a fool nevertheless, but I guess when you are young and passionate it's okay to be a fool, more important to come to your senses before it's too late. And the great thing was, that finally he understood his mistakes and came back to Miranda. I actually did not believe till the end that there would be a happy ending. But I was so glad that there was. In the end love conquers everything and I'd like it to be real in our world.

Overall Once more, Miranda was a wonderful book. The language was great and the story compelling. I liked almost everything about this book and would like to read in the future something similar to this one.

[Patricia Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. Where to begin?

Trigger warning: romanticizes physical abuse. And I don't mean in the BDSM way, though the way it's written it's clear that Miranda, the heroine, holds her own and then some. You could also say it's a story of empowerment, ultimately, and that would be true. But if domestic abuse and a hero and heroine who have knock-down fights is going to trigger bad things for you, avoid this one.


This was my favorite Jennifer Wilde from "back in the day," though all I remembered about it was that the hero was a dark, tortured writer, and Scottish, and did I mention tortured? Let's just say that Culloden figures large in this tale. And the heroine was remarkable and amazing, and I remembered that the book was passionate and overblown and fabulous.

Reading it again I am taken aback, but still... well, I can't remove it from the first context in which I read it. See trigger warnings above.

But I couldn't stop reading, and I couldn't help but love Cam Gordon, even though loving Cam Gordon is a guilty pleasure.

And Miranda... oh Miranda. Born to be a lady but raised on the streets of St Giles as an urchin, a thief, a pickpocet--she is full of fire and passion and strength.

So yes, I still give this book five stars. I know I'll read it again, and am oh so very happy that it is out in digital again. It's not for everybody. It might not even be for me, if I were reading it for the first time.

Written by Tom Huff, a gay man who wrote under several pseudonyms but found his greatest financial and critical success as Jennifer Wilde. I'm now looking forward to reading more of his books, the ones I'm sure I read but don't remember at all.

[Suzy Vero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once More, Miranda by Jennifer Wilde, a pseudonym for Tom E. Huff (1983), is a glorious story of one determined woman, from her destitute childhood as an orphan pick pocket in St. Giles, the worst slums of London, thru her rise to fame and fortune. A few comments and thoughts without any spoilers:

* Book is written entirely in the first person point of view.., first by Honoria, her mother and then Miranda. Unusual for a HR.

* 547 pages of tiny font so a really long story … it’s also available as an ebook.

* The hero, Cameron Gordon who’s an strong supporter of the Jacobite Rebellion, is not in the entire book, plus he’s mostly harsh, cold, and cruel towards Miranda… until the end.

* Vivid lengthy descriptions permeate the story making it feel very Charles Dickens.

* Definitely a bodice ripper.

* Splendid covers by the artist H. Tom Hall depicting characters from the story .. Miranda’s parents featured on the back cover.

Superb writing, riveting story kept me up past midnight a few times. It actually straddles the fence between historical fiction and romance, and when viewed that way it gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[Vivisection · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must have read this book at least 3 or 4 times when I was fifteen. Thirty odd years later and I had forgotten nearly every single plot event in this book. Seriously.

I just remember loving the heroine and the feisty nature of Duchess Randy and the colorful antics of the post Restoration literati--Samuel Johnson, David Garrick etc.

As a grown woman, though, I can totally tell it was written by a man. Cam lays one or two quick kisses on Miranda followed by a boob grab before he jumps Miranda's bones and, OF COURSE, it sets her blood aflame for his loving and no one else's.

Quelle seduction.

[jen8998 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting narrative of Miranda, a girl from the streets of London in the 1800s who works her way up to become a celebrated author. However, the book is marred for me since it comes from the era of bodice rippers and there's a short passage in which the hero becomes violent with the heroine.

[KD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure and romance

[LIBERTY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ero alla ricerca di un bel romanzo, di quelli che, oltre alla storia d'amore, mi offrissero anche ambientazione, personaggi interessanti, analisi, una buona ricostruzione storica. Tra i vari libri presenti tra gli innumerevoli scaffali della mia libreria, che non avevo ancora letto, mi sono imbattuta in I PETALI DEL TEMPO di Jennifer Wilde, pseudonimo di una penna maschile, Thomas Elmer Huff, a cui si devono circa 23 romanzi gotici e sentimentali.

Incuriosita da quello che poteva essere un punto di vista interessante e diverso sull'amore, alla fine mi sono cimentata in questa lettura, che si annunciava decisamente insolita, con una protagonista, Miranda, che dai vicoli malfamati di St Giles, si annunciava che avrebbe risalito tutta la scala sociale, fino a diventare una vera e propria Lady.

Il romanzo, a ben vedere, presenta un'ottima struttura, elementi d'intrattenimento, una penna sapiente, di chi conosce il proprio mestiere, e una trama che, attraverso il tempo, ci offre la storia di Miranda James, figlia di un amore clandestino, quello di sua madre Honora, un'istitutrice, e del fratello di un Conte che, sarà tragicamente strappato a lei.

Ignorando le proprie origini aristocratiche, Miranda cresce di stenti, tra i vicoli malfamati di St. Giles. Prima bambina intelligente e sveglia, poi ladruncola che tutti chiamano Randy, la Duchessa, per la sua decisione di non accettare il più antico lavoro del mondo, che a suo parare la porterebbe solo ad affidare il suo destino nelle mani di qualcun altro.

Miranda è uno spirito indipendente, determinato e intraprendente, e questi sono i tratti distintivi di questo personaggio, fino a quando nella sua vita non s'imbatte in Cam Gordon, uno scozzese sopravvissuto alle barbarie di Cumberland che sogna solo di vendicarsi del Macellario, così soprannominato dalla storia.

Siamo negli anni immediatamente successivi a Culloden, e Cam è un personaggio pieno di contraddizioni, duro e chiuso, a cui Miranda, che aveva provato a derubare un suo amico aristocratico, è affidata per lavorare come schiava per 7 anni.

L'interazione tra di loro porterà la ragazza a migliorare e a evolvere, e questo sarebbe stato perfetto se Miranda non fosse poi caduta nella trappola dell'amore, trasformandosi nella solita eroina stupida che spesso incontriamo in molti di questi romanzi. Cam è uno scrittore di racconti d'avventura e la scoperta di questo nuovo mondo la stimolerà cambiando per sempre il suo destino, ma l'amore che svilupperà per quest'uomo impossibile in qualche modo determinerà le sue scelte, fino a quando gli eventi non faranno precipitare la situazione.

La storia è ben costruita. La prosa di Wilde (Huff) piuttosto scorrevole, riproducendo la parlata di Miranda, immediata e diretta, e gli episodi sono strutturati in un modo che si passi facilmente da un episodio all'altro, seguendo l'evoluzione e la crescita della nostra eroina.

Quello di cui fa carenza la storia è la parte sentimentale, nel senso che l'autore, pur cercando di convincerci della passione improvvisa che Miranda sente divampare per l'uomo che le ha dato un tetto e una possibilità, diventa l'elemento per il quale un personaggio come Miranda perde tutta la sua autonomia e la sua indipendenza, persa dietro un uomo che, a ben vedere, la tratta come una cosa, un oggetto di suo uso e consumo, per poi gettarla via quando reputerà che il tentativo della ragazza di salvargli la vita abbia compromesso il suo folle piano suicida di uccidere il duca di Cumberland.

Tutta la parte in cui Cam sparisce dalla vita di Miranda, è quella più interessante, con la riscoperta delle sue origini, l'incontro con Douglas, il fratello ritrovato, la nuova vita in Cornovaglia, con i progetti per riaprire la fabbrica di famiglia. Peccato che Cam ritorni sul finale, nel tentativo forzato da parte dell'autore di volerle dare un lieto fine romantico con l'unico uomo che Miranda abbia avuto, sempre con la visione della devota Penelope che aspetta il suo Ulisse, che nel frattempo si è divertito con tutte le Circe che ha incontrato sul suo cammino.

Debole sul finale, piuttosto aperto e irritante. Sappiamo se Miranda riuscirà a raggiungere la nave in partenza? Sappiamo se Douglas avrà un confronto con Cam per chiarire punti che ogni fratello maggiore rivendica per la sua sorellina? Tutto viene lasciato nel mistero, come se ci fosse una fine da raggiungere a tutti i costi nel numero di pagine stabilite. Peccato, perché il romanzo presenta molti elementi interessanti, ci offre una storia che non è solo il racconto di due amanti che si piacciono e si dedicano ad acrobazie in orizzontale (o quasi!), ma una storia dove l'amore (presente, controverso e non sempre coinvolgente) è inserito in un contesto più ampio, come capita nella vita di chiunque di noi! Resta comunque un romanzo interessante e non dubito che possa leggere qualche altra cosa di Huff/Wilde.

[F.]

Where are the previous book!?!?!?!?


THIS PART IS REVIEW OF FIRST BOOK, sorry:

I think the only thing I appreciate about the book is the narration made about the atrocious conditions in which the poorest people were brutally exploited by the richest and most powerful sectors of English society at the time.
Then, in general, the story tell us what so many others did before and after: An attractive and experienced young aristocrat seduces a poor young woman who breaks in certain aspects with the archetype of beauty. I think what changes is that he is terrible as a man and horrible as father and the quite sick relationship that his older brother imposes on him.


"He never chased girls, but he knew very well what to do with one..."
Could she have believed that Jeffrey was virgin when he got married for first time?

"He almost died of grief too, poor angel. He did not want to live after she was gone. He cried for her for months and months, and he still cries for her,"
"... and I
not saying he did not allow one or two of them to comfort him a bit."

"Jeffrey has not taken much care of the child to say, he has been too busy crying and traveling to ease his pain. Right now he is traveling in Europe, I think Italy. He will be back in a few moments.
weeks."
"All those trips he has been doing ..."

"... but Jeffrey Mowrey was a man who savored the pleasures of the flesh."

"... Jeffrey Mowrey was not a cynical seducer of virgins, he was not an amoral rake... "

"(...) he already knows what the
condoms are. I found a package in his room years ago. "

It's quite ironic how women are always the ones who end up justifying or covering up the actions of men.

"(...) You can resist when he starts to get more serious, or you can become his lover and consider yourself lucky ..."

Lucky ...

"You are not the first poor girl to get pregnant by an aristocrat, darling, and you are not going to be the last, I think."

Lucky ...


"Whatever had to happen would happen, and there was nothing I could do to prevent it."

It's a too much catholic thought for a too little catholic plan.


"(...) His feeling for me was very deep ..."
"We were holding each other as the rain subsided, and we made love again ..."
"(...) Jeffrey was not going to be harmed. I was not going to let him destroy his future. I loved him too much to allow that to happen. "

That is why having MUCH experience and GREAT knowledge he protected her ... Ah, no! If she got pregnant ... I guess that she lost her virginity in the middle of nowhere is also a great proof of his deep love and respect.


"As we approached the mansion Mowrey, he let me go and sighed ..."


"I need time, Honora," he said. "I need ... to come up with some plan. I do not want to cause Robert unnecessary pain. In the end, he will have to know, of course, but ..."
If he had done something besides living off the exploitation of his brother's slaves and he had thought before acting like a teenager, he would not need to concoct anything. Unnecessary pain? I guess Honora was partying with the whole situation.


"Nobody knew anything about those secret dates at night, very late, when everyone was asleep ..."
His little "secret" ...


"She had been married three times and she was widowed all three ..."
"-It is mine, darling- she confessed-, I have used it three times already, I hope it gives you good luck. Turn your head a little."


I decided to ignore many things, but that Honora would never tell Miranda about her own father, her uncle, but above all that she never show an iota of interest in Douglas. It is clear that Jeffrey died and she left the curtain fell, I understand that she did it for her daughter even so God...!!! She doesn't even know if the parish priest is alive and to think that Lord Robert Mowrey isn't going to hate the creature when it was the obvious reason why Jeffrey married her. I can understand that Honora was naïve with the banker, however THIS IS ALL TOO MUCH.


I will return for the second and this, wish me GOOD luck!! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Ellen Poleski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it and hated it...

I was initially ambivalent about Book 1 - Honora. There was an overwhelming sense of doom and foreboding regarding Honora & Jeffrey's relationship and Lord Robert's reaction to it. That foreboding followed throughout the book with the characters Miranda & Honora oblivious to it.

The characters (with the exception of Cam) were very likable, particularly Douglas, Davy & Bancroft and all interactions with them were enjoyable. Wilde made you care about the characters so much so that you just wanted to shake Miranda into caring for Davy, Bancroft, anyone other than Cam!

The book did what it was supposed to do - draw you into the story and make you care about the character's lives.

[Rebecca Dombrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a phenomenally written book! I don't usually like stories about the Medival times, or any history related fiction actually. But this book had me hooked! I couldn't wait to find out what Miranda would do in each deplorable situation she was put into, and how she would get out on top!
Fantastic plot, storyline kept me engaged, besides the descriptions of what everyone was wearing, but the book is so long, I skipped over most of those and still was reading for months.
Loved it and love this author!!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book holds the unique position of being fantastic yet utterly terrible. So many aspects of this story were excellent, yet it reeks of overused tropes, one-dimensional characters and the sort of convenient plot devices you'd expect to find in poorly written fanfiction.
The story covered a lot of characters over a long period of time, and honestly it was difficult to remember everything that had happened by the time I finished the book. So much of it was good, there are lines from this book that are brilliant and well crafted, but there were a couple typos, and some other details that made me wonder if it had been read by an editor before publishing. Read at your own risk.

[Sally Spoelstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written

Good historical fiction. Believable plot and characters. The two main characters, Cam and Miranda, have a violent, abusive relationship. This is difficult for me to understand or tolerate. I know it is fiction; however, it imitates life and abuse is destructive.

[Nanette Marakovitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

A wonderfully well written book that will stir up every emotion inside you. Full of adventure and twist of fate. Wow. Just. Wow.

[Fran Alsaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jennifer Wilde Miranda1 Once more, Miranda Honora 1727
2011***

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book! Only the ending is quite abrupt and there were some parts in the book that I could not help but skip.

[Agboni Oluwaseun]

Beautiful read. Very captivating

[Cheyenne Carpenter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could be a good story if it were written for a different genre. And every fireplace wasn't white marable and every dress wasn't striped....

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn't finish this book and put it aside at about chapter 4. Perhaps I should have tried harder because I never got to the part of the plot that caused me to start it in the first place - the Jacobites in England - since it seemed like the sappiest, worst kind of historical romance novel as far as I got.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked, absolutely hooked to Jennifer Wilde (Tom E. Huff, actually) from the time I had started reading "Love's Tender Fury" and although he gave me quite a few moments to rant and rave about, especially his tendency to involve more than one heroes, I fell in love with his writing and it has been absolutely incomparable!

Once More, Miranda is a delight, not only because it sticks to one hero, but also because it is a delightful read! It puts light on the unfortunate people from the downtrodden side of London, full of pick-pockets, beggars, prostitutes and criminals.
Also, the relationship between the hero and heroine was fantastic! It was humane, never reaching fantastical heights. It was strong and very normal, although you cannot say that it is normal at all!

The heroine was a wonderful character, much like Marietta Danver from "Love's Tender Fury" and the hero, or should I say, "the bloody Scot" was quite fantastic too!

He was every bit human and wonderful who dealt with all types of emotions but understood about his love for the heroine!

This has been one fabulous read and is definitely one of my favorites now!

[Maggie61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Wilde wrote great historical fiction in the 80's - she was one of my favourites authors, then just disappeared. I loved everything I read of hers.

[Toniwake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this sooooo long ago! A fairly quintessential trashy romance novel..

[J.R. Broome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good page turner

Excellent writing, this author's descriptions put you in the settings. Couldn't put it down until I finished it. Good story, lots of twists and great characters.