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theunrealerin's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
This was really quite good. Although I found Beatrice a bit annoying, she was also endearing and they had excellent communication.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
With This Ring
4 Stars
Impoverished following the death of her husband, Beatrice Pool earns her living writing “Horrid" novels. When her uncle dies under suspicious circumstances, Beatrice approaches the notoriously anti-social Leo Drake, Earl of Monkcrest “The Mad Monk” for assistance, and soon finds herself immeshed in a plot not unlike one of her books.
Amanda Quick’s writing is somewhat formulaic but her stories never fail to entertain. The eccentric and enigmatic Leo has more than met his match in the intelligent and resilient Beatrice. She shocks him out of his loneliness and complacency while he teaches her to love and trust again. Their romance is sensual and relatively angst free, and their banter is witty and charming.
The mystery is interesting with some intense and suspenseful moments. Nevertheless, the villains are quite predictable right up until the end where there is a surprising twist.
All in all, a light and fun historical romance with engaging characters and an enjoyable plot. The 2nd book in the series focuses on different characters but I’m sure I will be no less entertained.
4 Stars
Impoverished following the death of her husband, Beatrice Pool earns her living writing “Horrid" novels. When her uncle dies under suspicious circumstances, Beatrice approaches the notoriously anti-social Leo Drake, Earl of Monkcrest “The Mad Monk” for assistance, and soon finds herself immeshed in a plot not unlike one of her books.
Amanda Quick’s writing is somewhat formulaic but her stories never fail to entertain. The eccentric and enigmatic Leo has more than met his match in the intelligent and resilient Beatrice. She shocks him out of his loneliness and complacency while he teaches her to love and trust again. Their romance is sensual and relatively angst free, and their banter is witty and charming.
The mystery is interesting with some intense and suspenseful moments. Nevertheless, the villains are quite predictable right up until the end where there is a surprising twist.
All in all, a light and fun historical romance with engaging characters and an enjoyable plot. The 2nd book in the series focuses on different characters but I’m sure I will be no less entertained.
thunguyen's review against another edition
4.0
After reading so many Amanda Quick's stories, I love the fact that the hero in this book was a lot less reluctant than in other books. He actually went out to seek the thrill of it. A lot more laughter and smiles and grins from our couple as well. And the book is centred more on mystery, murders, and investigation, compared to some older books that she wrote.
elaine_howlin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
amorol's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
haewilya's review against another edition
4.0
I was a bit annoyed with Beatrice at first but I grew to like her. Amanda Quick sure likes her couples to be contrary (I read the Lake and March series and the couple there were similar to Beatrice and Leo). They're funny so I'm not complaining. Admittedly, I have a weird sense of humor.
bannisterb's review against another edition
4.0
Fun mystery romance with themes of the horrid novels of the early 1800s. This reminded me a lot of Quick's Tobias March/Lavinia Lake trilogy (which I loved), in its best facets. The hero and heroine are nicely matched, and neither are stupid or overly irrational. The mystery was somewhat predictable, but the character development and relationship are the A plot, and the mystery was better than most in the genre. I would read a sequel with these characters; this was a quality story with well-crafted characters. On to book #2!
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed for Audiogals:
http://www.audiogals.net/2013/02/with-this-ring-by-amanda-quick/#.UV9vlFf775l
Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
I picked up With This Ring (Book 1 Vanza series) on sale and recently, when I needed a good comfort read, I started listening. I realized then that I’d never listened to a book narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Within the first 15 minutes I was completed enchanted with her style. Without sounding forced, Rosenblat imbues personality into every spoken line. She voices the characters with understated humor and dry wit. I’m sure I would not have gotten nearly so much of the humor in the book if I’d read it in print. The recoding isn’t perfect. Rosenblat pauses here and there in the reading where no pause is needed, plus the chapter breaks feel a little too long. A few listeners have criticized Rosenblat’s audible intake of breath at times, but I didn’t find it distracting at all.
I like a sure thing. I can’t remember ever waking up in the morning and thinking, “Gee, I’m tired of coffee! I want something different.” Some things I always look forward to—coffee in the mornings, London broil on the grill, homemade biscuits with honey, and an author who consistently delivers a comfort read.
The Amanda Quick books are the most consistent of all the pen-names for the writer Jayne Ann Krentz. Usually the books include an interesting suspense story, along with a woman making it on her own, an often irascible hero, witty dialog, and a satisfying romance. In With This Ring we meet Beatrice, a capable and independent widow who is looking into her uncle’s death. Beatrice has an alter ego – she is the very successful “horrid novel” author, Mrs. York, a fact she keeps very quiet. Leo Drake is known as “The Mad Monk of Monkcrest.” He is somewhat reclusive, but he’s also a noted expert on antiquities. It is for this reason Beatrice seeks him out. Rosenblat’s voice for Beatrice is wonderful and droll, while her voice for the gruff Mad Monk is just right. She does all the character accents well and her pacing is excellent, except for the occasional pauses mentioned before.
Beatrice and Leo both have secrets related to their previous marriages, and both are wary of falling in love again. They circle around each other as they attempt to solve a mystery involving some ancient artifacts called the Rings of Aphrodite. Beatrice’s Uncle Reggie reportedly bought the fabled rings just before he died, using virtually all of his money. The rings can’t be found and Uncle Reggie’s daughter, Arabella, may lose the chance to marry the man she loves since she’s now without a dowry.
In true Amanda Quick fashion, Leo and Beatrice spend a great deal of time bickering, but the banter is witty and enjoyable. The suspense story is very satisfying and takes several interesting twists. There is plenty of humor to be found in the story, such as a gentleman’s club called The House of the Rod and a drink called The Elixir of Manly Vigor.
Anyone familiar with Amanda Quick will see where the story is going early on, but that doesn’t lessen the enjoyment of getting there. Like comfort food, sitting down with an author you know can deliver an uncomplicated and satisfying story is good for the soul. When you add an outstanding narrator like Barbara Rosenblat to the mix there is every reason to go back for “second helpings.” I’m going to look for more Quick/Rosenblat books for future listening pleasure.
http://www.audiogals.net/2013/02/with-this-ring-by-amanda-quick/#.UV9vlFf775l
Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
I picked up With This Ring (Book 1 Vanza series) on sale and recently, when I needed a good comfort read, I started listening. I realized then that I’d never listened to a book narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Within the first 15 minutes I was completed enchanted with her style. Without sounding forced, Rosenblat imbues personality into every spoken line. She voices the characters with understated humor and dry wit. I’m sure I would not have gotten nearly so much of the humor in the book if I’d read it in print. The recoding isn’t perfect. Rosenblat pauses here and there in the reading where no pause is needed, plus the chapter breaks feel a little too long. A few listeners have criticized Rosenblat’s audible intake of breath at times, but I didn’t find it distracting at all.
I like a sure thing. I can’t remember ever waking up in the morning and thinking, “Gee, I’m tired of coffee! I want something different.” Some things I always look forward to—coffee in the mornings, London broil on the grill, homemade biscuits with honey, and an author who consistently delivers a comfort read.
The Amanda Quick books are the most consistent of all the pen-names for the writer Jayne Ann Krentz. Usually the books include an interesting suspense story, along with a woman making it on her own, an often irascible hero, witty dialog, and a satisfying romance. In With This Ring we meet Beatrice, a capable and independent widow who is looking into her uncle’s death. Beatrice has an alter ego – she is the very successful “horrid novel” author, Mrs. York, a fact she keeps very quiet. Leo Drake is known as “The Mad Monk of Monkcrest.” He is somewhat reclusive, but he’s also a noted expert on antiquities. It is for this reason Beatrice seeks him out. Rosenblat’s voice for Beatrice is wonderful and droll, while her voice for the gruff Mad Monk is just right. She does all the character accents well and her pacing is excellent, except for the occasional pauses mentioned before.
Beatrice and Leo both have secrets related to their previous marriages, and both are wary of falling in love again. They circle around each other as they attempt to solve a mystery involving some ancient artifacts called the Rings of Aphrodite. Beatrice’s Uncle Reggie reportedly bought the fabled rings just before he died, using virtually all of his money. The rings can’t be found and Uncle Reggie’s daughter, Arabella, may lose the chance to marry the man she loves since she’s now without a dowry.
In true Amanda Quick fashion, Leo and Beatrice spend a great deal of time bickering, but the banter is witty and enjoyable. The suspense story is very satisfying and takes several interesting twists. There is plenty of humor to be found in the story, such as a gentleman’s club called The House of the Rod and a drink called The Elixir of Manly Vigor.
Anyone familiar with Amanda Quick will see where the story is going early on, but that doesn’t lessen the enjoyment of getting there. Like comfort food, sitting down with an author you know can deliver an uncomplicated and satisfying story is good for the soul. When you add an outstanding narrator like Barbara Rosenblat to the mix there is every reason to go back for “second helpings.” I’m going to look for more Quick/Rosenblat books for future listening pleasure.