No True Gentleman

by Liz Carlyle

Book Overview

In this powerful and passionate novel from Liz Carlyle, one of romance fiction's brightest new stars, a high-society murder brings scandal to the lords and ladies of the "ton" -- and unexpected desire... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739426591
• ISBN13: 9780739426593
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Pocket Star Books
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Another Winner for Carlyle!

I just did not expect to love this book so much. Having read about Max in other Carlyle books, I expected him to be too much into his work and he did not seem to have that much appeal - at least to the ladies. Well, was I ever wrong. The dark, smoldering,deep and mysterious policeman - magistrate who is now working in the home office - fighting crime on all levels. Max is so protective of his heart, after being played false many years before by some lady of the ton. So, Max thinks wrongly that all ton ladies have potential to be dangerous and he wants nothing from any of them. Of course when he meets Lady Catherine he is immediately struck right in the heart. He fights all of these feelings and at first insulsts her so badly one would think that would be the end before these two even begin. However, fortunately they seem to have mutual friends, and of course the powers of Nonna and her tarot cards helping things along. Catherine pursues Max just enough to keep the posibility of something real. And of course there is the dangerous case Max is working on to have both Max and Catherine in peril just enough to make the other realize how life would be without the other! The passion between this couple is intense and absolutely one of the best parts of the book. Carlyle seems to be able to write scenes that sizzle and she gets high marks for this book. I am also pleased that this series of Carlyle seems to have so many varying people of so many different types that none of the love stories have any resemblance to the others. I loved Max and Catherine - if you like Carlyle you will not be disappointed in No True Gentleman!!

My favorite Carlyle!

I have read many of this author's works, and this is my favorite by far. Max is such a wonderful man, and such a unique character for romance novels set in this time period. Imagine, a hero who has a job! But while society may look down on him, Catherine *admires* that he works to help others. Not that all is smooth sailing - Max stubbornly fights his attraction to a woman he thinks could never truly love him. But theirs is an irresistable connection, and I love that Cat fights for her man. And, surprisingly for me, I liked the murder mystery aspect of the storyline. Normally, I find such to be a distraction in a romance, but this one helps Max and Catherine (and the reader) get to know one anothers' characters better, so it actually helps the love story along. As in all of Carlyle's books the love scenes are deliciously steamy, and in this case very tender. They definitely make *love*, right from the start, even when they haven't even admitted it to themselves yet. It almost made me sad to finish this book, so I know I will be re-reading it often.

Finally, a historical romance about real adults!!!

This was my first novel by Ms. Carlyle, and I will definitely read more of her works. I had grown oh so tired with historical romances, because they inevitably involve immature, hand-wringing (yet supposedly admirable) heroines, and chest-thumping, ridiculously macho heros. Therefore, reading No True Gentleman was such a breath of fresh air. I loved the fact that both Catherine and Max had some life experience, and therefore approached each other from a more mature perspective. Even though the main characters were grappling with the expected insecurities that come with new-found physical attraction, the author didn't resort to the typical stupid misunderstandings, or incomprehensibly meanspirited behavior that is too-often used to keep the plot moving. I also loved that Catherine was mature and so very honest with Max and herself about her growing attraction to him. Now that's a real woman!! Although I suppose some may have thought that too much time was given to the mystery, and not enough to the romance, I actually liked the fact that the mystery was interesting, and progressed in a believable, logical fashion. Too often in romance/mysteries, the mystery seems thrown in as an afterthought. Perhaps a little more time could have been devoted to Catherine's and Max's romantic relationship, but I thought it progressed in a believable fashion. This one was definitely worth the money.

Mystery, romance, and discovery

This delightful historical romance looks at the clash between social expectation, family expectation, and individual goals. It plays with the separation between a recognized lady and a gentleman who is fighting for his ideals in the disreputable realm of the policeman. And it also takes a look at the life of a second-generation foreigner, working for a spot among people and traditions that are not his own.It is 1826 in London. Maximilian de Rohan is the expatriate, working to stop corruption for the Home Office, both feared and respected by the police and a man who avoids society like the plague. He is plagued by a society lady who rides and walks too early and alone in the park he is staking out; and he is drawn unwillingly into society affairs in his efforts to solve the murder of a friend's wife. Lady Catherine Wodeway is the widow who keeps passing Max in the park and a friend of the family who have suffered the murder. Catherine has come to town to decide what to do with her life; her husband has been dead for long enough that she is not sure she remembers what he looked like. She does not want to be alone for the rest of her life, but on the other hand she fears that she is barren.Catherine and Max continue their turbulent courtship through encounters with Max's imperious Tarot-reading Italian grandmother, with criminals, various riff and raff, members of society, Catherine's dissolute brother, and the actual murderer. You will come to love many of the characters, especially Max and Catherine, as they struggle with tangible and intangible problems between them. No True Gentleman makes its way to its conclusion at a quick and even pace (and in more than four hundred pages, it's good to read a book that doesn't lag), and it maintains a realistic historical feel throughout. Add in the wonderful characters, the reasonable murder plot, and the timeless emotional problem of self-discovery, and this is a gem.

Outstanding - Nothing Less than 5* Will Do

This book can definitely stand alone, but if you have read some of her previous novels - and shame on you if you haven't - you are reintroduced to Maximillian de Rohan, bow street runner, who has now been promoted to the home office, along with some of the other very colorful characters from previous stories.While shadowing some nefarious people in the act of questionable activities, Max keeps running into this very beautiful early morning rider, whose habit of riding seems always to be intefering with his job. He would rather not run into her every morning but is intrigued.The widow Lady Catherine Wodeway, has decided that her mourning period is over and has been consdering a lover but definitely, she is not going to fall in love.Both of these arrogant, independent people just keep running into one another, (literally) and the sparks they do fly! Again, in this Carlyle novel - you have the very humourous and witty dialog, between Catherine and Max and some very HOT sexual encounters! - Oh, and did I neglect to add that sandwiched in between - you are going to meet an interfering - not to be trifled with Italian grandmama looking for some grandbabies? Funny as well as an exciting mystery! Great reading - a real keeper!