Gigi's Company discussion

Please post comments and discussion here for the July '09 Book of the Month:


Where the Heart Leads (The Casebook of Barnaby Adair, Book 1) by Stephanie Laurens

I picked this book up today.

I was able to order this book from paperbackswap. I should have it in a week to 10 days

I now have it in my TBR pile, but I want to finish Every Dead Thing by John Connolly first.

I was impressed with this book. I had previously read a Stephanie Laurens book called The Promise in the Kiss, which was okay but didn’t make me want to go out and read any more of her series. When I saw that Where the Heart Leads was this months Group selection I picked it up with trepidation that I was going to have to battle through reading the book. I’m glad I read it. It was excellent and I look forward to reading more of this particular series. It’s reminds me of the Anne Perry series Charlotte and Thomas Pitt/ William Monk novels but with a good measure sex thrown in. LOL.

Penelope and Barnaby were both smart, witty and the sexual chemistry between them was very good. I liked that there was no “I hate you, but want you” type of story with this, it was 2 people exploring their relationship and where it was going to go. I was also quite intrigued with the mystery and how it was solved. There was a “B storyline” between the police detective and the millinar (the names escape me and I don’t have the book in front of me) which I would have liked to seen go more in depth. I look forward to reading more of this series.

The millinar's name is: Griselda, not an easy name to remember if you don't have the book in front of you.

I am half-way through this book.

Like you Sam when I first saw the cover I thought Ugh! not a sappy love story, however I am really enjoying this book and can't wait to find out what happens next.

I have finished this book and enjoyed it. I kinda of figured out who the bad guy was when he was introduced, but I really liked how it ended. I would like to know of Penelope and Barnaby will work on more cases now that they are married.

Colleen, According to Laurens web site this is the first book in a new series. So, I assume Barnaby and Penelope will return for more adventures.

As a fan of Anne Perry, I am anxious to read Where the Heart Leads. Anne Perry could use a little more detail romantically sometimes. As my 92 year old grandmother in law used to tell me, "My life is rather dull, please bring me some books with spice in them!"
Is is any wonder I loved her on first sight?

SPOILERS . . . . . . SPOILERS . . . . . . SPOILERS . . . . . . SPOILERS

Finished Where the Heart Leads today. Another fine novel from Stephanie Laurens. I love the strength of the Laurens' heroines who are respected by their heroes because they are strong, intelligent women. And Laurens' heroes are no sloughes either, but definitely alpha males in charge of their destinies. Barnaby Adair and Penelope Ashford are perfect for each other. Both are unconventional by ton standards. Penelope is the administrator of Foundling House, an orphanage for the children of London's lower classes. Barnaby would rather investigate crimes than engage in traditional gentlemanly pursuits. Both have decided against marriage. Barnably wants nothing to do with ton events and Penelope believes that marriage would be restrictive and a lost of freedom. Both come to see that they complete each other and are happily wed by the book's end.

Their relationship grows in the midst of a first class mystery about five kidnapped boys being groomed in a burglary school to steal items at their master's behest. Laurens created strong secondary characters in Basil Stokes, an inspector from Scotland Yard, and Griselda Martin, a millinery shop owner whose roots in London's East End provide the expertise that Barnaby, Penelope, and Stokes need to seek information on their missing boys. Lots of references to Cynsters and their connections to keep even the most avid Laurens' fan happy. Yet, none of the references were crucial for a new fan's understanding of the plot.

I looking forward to reading the next book in the Casebook of Barnaby Adair series. It will be interesting to see Penelope and Barnaby settling into married life and how they handle Barnaby's investigations as a couple. I am giving this book five stars and a strong recommendation to other readers.

Colleen wrote: "The millinar's name is: Griselda, not an easy name to remember if you don't have the book in front of you.

I am half-way through this book.

Like you Sam when I first saw the cover I though..."

This is the third Stephanie Laurens book I've read. I read the first two in her Cynster series. Laurens is an excellent historical romantic suspense writer, and I recommend her to anyone who asks. Be right back with my review...

Penelope Ashford, administrator of an orphanage named Foundling House, has been deemed by the ton as 'unmarriageable'. Penelope wouldn't have it any other way. Determined never to marry, she refuses even the thought of any male treating her as a simple woman, taking away her independence, of letting her life her life the way she wants.

Barnaby Adair has been named a confirmed bachelor, much to his mother's dismay, who constantly pushes him even when he refuses to budge. He sees his friends falling in love, and while he's happy for them, he doesn't understand it, and doesn't believe it will happen to him. He doesn't believe he will find someone as sharp in mind, as strong-willed and determined as him, who will understand his need for investigating. That is, until Penelope walks into his life one night, demanding his time and help.

Children, boys, who are supposed to be brought to the Foundling House after the deaths of their guardians, are being snatched by someone else. This is unacceptable with Penelope, and she's determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. She begs help from Barnaby, who finds her intriguing, and unlike any female he's ever met.

As the mystery, the investigation, goes deeper, so does their relationship. Confirmed bachelor no more, Barnaby is determined to have Penelope, as his wife, his lover, his equal. But will he be able to convince Penelope to see it his way? Little does he know, Penelope is running her own conclusions in her mind. Changing his heart against bachelorhood will be a challenge, one that she'll take on, no matter how logical her mind will make it seem.

**Terrific. Perfect. Stephanie Laurens has a way with her characters and her story.

Penelope and Barnaby were the perfect match right from the beginning. They complimented each other so well, and it was fun watching their relationship grow, reading their thoughts - unbeknown to them - heading in the same direction.

The mystery evolved well, with twists, suspense and a happy ending. Who could ask for better?

5 stars - all the way.

I finished Where the Heart Leads by Stephanie Laurens. I listen to this as an Audio Book. If you like to read historical romance then this book is for you. I gave this book a 5/5.

Anyone know where "the ton" verbage comes for society? I had never heard of it before Laurens book and I was reading The Smoke Thiefby Shana Abe and it's refererd to there.

I have to admit I kept my online dictionary open during this book as I kept coming across words I didn't know. :-)

From Regency Lexicon:

The ton was the high society of the Regency period. It is pronounced like "tone," and it comes from the French word ton meaning "tone, style." A person or action described as good ton was accepted by Society. A person or action described as bad ton violated the unwritten rules of Society and was deemed unacceptable.

See http://www.thenonesuch.com/lexicon.html

The ton is the term used to refer to high society, the wealthiest people, in all Regency (early 1800's after the conclusion of the Napoleonic wars) novels.

Thanks for the history lesson, Kathleen. I was wondering that myself. ;)

thanks Kathleen.

Stephanie Laurens has a new series debuting October 27, 2009. The Untamed Bride will be Volume 1 in the Black Cobra Quartet. In the back of The Untamed Bride will be a booklet called The Worlds of Stephanie Laurens which will bring together information on the books that make up the Cynster and Bastion Club novels. The booklet also contains a page devoted to each book, updated family trees, a letter from Laurens, a Q&A, and much more. The booklet will also contain information on Laurens upcoming books.

cool. thanks for the update Kathleen. I also was on Borders and there is an interview there for anyone that is interested in her.

http://www.bordersmedia.com/trueroman...

Thank-you, Sam, for providing this link. For everyone else, there are also intervews on this link with Sherrilyn Kenyon, Suzanne Brockman, Debbie Macomber, Lisa Kleypas, and Lisa Jackson. I am sure that most of members read as least one or two of these authors (if not more). Check it out!!