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The Wild Marquis

by Miranda Neville

reviewed by Valarie Pelissero

March 2010, 372 pages, Publisher: Avon, ISBN: 0061808709

I will admit that I wasn't impressed my Miranda Neville's debut book so when The Wild Marquis arrived in the mail I wasn't eager to read it, but I am glad I didn't judge this book by its predecessor. Using the unusual and unique backdrop of rare book collecting in Regency England, Ms. Neville brings readers the story of a Marquis with a heart of gold who, after being falsely accused of a sinister act, decides to try and live up to the bad reputation, and the young widow of a bookseller who was born out of wedlock and is desperate to discover her identity.

At first glance, Chase and Juliana are an unlikely pair, after all, what could a dissolute rake and a book collector have in common? As it turns out, quite a bit. Juliana is illegitimate and was raised by her guardian and mentor, a bibliophile who taught Juliana everything she knows, except the one thing she wants to know most: who her parents were. As heir to a Marquis, Chase knew who his parents were, but he never once had their love. Both Chase and Juliana are lonely souls looking for that indefinable something to fill the holes in their lives.

Chase's parents were mad but hid their insanity behind piety. This made them even more unpredictable. Despite the Marquis' piety, his pride and joy is a salacious religious tome called the "Burgundy Hours." This tome had been in the family for generations, and was lost when Chase was sixteen, the same day that he himself was exiled from the house by his father. Three years after the death of his father, Chase sees a chance to redeem himself with his mother by returning the lost tome. "The Burgundy Hours" is to be auctioned off, along with the rest of Thomas Tarleton's rare book collection, but Chase isn't the only collector in the market nor does he know how the game is played.

Juliana Merton owns a bookstore that specializes in rare and collectible books. Since her husband passed away, all the bookstore's patrons have deserted her because of her gender. Now she is struggling to make ends meet. Juliana would love to attend the auction, but she has neither the money nor a wealthy client to represent when in walks the Marquis of Chase. Directed to J.C. Merton's by an acquaintance, Chase hires Juliana to teach him the rules of the auction game. Despite his wicked reputation Chase cannot resist a damsel in distress, nor can he resist the challenge that is Juliana.

I thoroughly enjoyed Chase and Juliana's love story. The connection between then was emotionally complex and layered with betrayal, longing, and desire, and it was fascinating watching it evolve. Cynic that I am, The Wild Marquis was not without its romance clichés, but Miss Neville did manage to make me mostly forget them, which is what makes or breaks the story for me. I loved watching Chase become respectable for the sake of his younger sister and for Juliana, and watching his former detractors revise their opinion of him.

As s start to Ms. Neville's "Burgundy Club" series, The Wild Marquis has it all, murder, mayhem, passion, lots of sexual tension, a to-die-for hero, and a truly deserving heroine. I can't wait to see what else this new author brings us.

Reviewed by Valarie Pelissero