I'm loving my Project A-Team project! So far only one dud.It's been a long time since I've read any Amanda Quick books. I started to lose interest with her Arcane Society series and finally she just dropped off of my auto-buy list. However, Ihave a number of her older books and there are a couple of them that I have rated with an A. The one I chose to reread has one of those scenes in it that for some reason I always remember...the carriage ride. I'm not sure why the memory of that scene stayed with me all of this time, it's been used often enough in the passing years, however at the time I think it was fresh. And, when I finally read the scene again it was as I remember it...sometimes one’s mind doesn't remember things exactly as they happen. But fear not, my memory didn't desert me in this case. Although, this time I did wonder if their unclothed gyrations in a carriage would have been possible or even comfortable, but that's old age creeping up I fear.Now to the rest of the book, Rendezvous was written in 1991 and as far as I know there wasn't a sequel, although there is a secondary romance going on. This secondary romance would have been better if it had been a sequel because we really don't know what's happening behind the scenes and I'm thinking that would have been quite fun.If I remember correctly I could always depend on Quick's heroes to make up their mind pretty much in the first chapter that the heroine was for them. And, this is the case with our hero, Harry. Even though he a pretty uptight, stuffy olive and even though he's made a list and the heroine, Augusta, doesn't match any of the qualities on that list he makes up his mind almost right away that she's the one. The rest of the story is trying to convince her of that.This is a fun read with just an occasional serious undertone wandering through. Mainly, it's a fantastic read as Augusta and Harry try to outmaneuver each other. In the beginning these two appear to be totally different than each other, he's judgmental, uptight, scholarly who doesn't want anyone flighty, volatile, impulsive - which is what Augusta is. She's also such a vivid, alive person it would be hard for anyone, let alone Mr. Stuffy, to resist her. One of the reasons I liked this couple so much, especially Harry, was that he doesn't try very hard to change her. It's like watching someone riding a wave - the wave is so powerful the surfer can't do anything but go with it. It was pure pleasure watching Harry get swept away. It was also a pleasure reading a book which was a little longer than ones that are currently released. It's sad that books seem so short now, and that authors aren't allowed to play with their story. Something else besides the length of this story is a winner, the written word. I could tell that I was reading a book that was written in the 90s, there was a lovely cadence to their flow - and they were fun! The banter between Augusta and Harry was a delight.If there was any disappointment with the story it would be with Augusta's "I'm a Northumberland Ballinger" routine. I don't blame Harry being irritated with her, she announces it every time he turns around, I found it a tad wearing myself. The other thing that bothered me was her blind acceptance that her brother wasn't a traitor without even questioning whether he may have been. In the end both Augusta and Harry make some concession - however, Augusta makes the least amount and for some reason that made me happy.I do recommend this book! It was a fun read and I smiled almost all the way through it. Augusta and Harry are a wonderful couple and it would be great to visit them again when they are older. If you've never read this book by Amanda Quick, you really should and hey it's in electronic format!KaysBlog
Get use to hearing those words if you are thinking of getting this book. It is repeated as many times as the character names themselves. I have read a couple of AQ books and they both seem to lack romance as it is the mystery and suspense that are prominent instead. I also got this book on Audio from my library and that was a new experience for me but so much fun. It allowed me to lay back and just allow the images to appear in my mind. The narrator was very good and changed her voice for each character she portrayed. The intimate scenes were hilarious. I highly recommend if you haven't tried audio before to give it a try at least once.Augusta Ballinger is on a mission to help a friend by retrieving a discriminating journal from Lord Endfield's desk one evening at a house party she is attending when she is discovered by Harry Graystone. Graystone's mannerism put me in the mind Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre. There was just something about the way he talked to Augusta that was so reminiscing of their conversations. How did he know she'd be there? How did he know what her intentions were? That is what Augusta kept asking herself but he did know in fact he even assists her with picking the lock using the wire he just happens to be carrying in his robe. Did I mention it was after midnight?The banter between the two, as I mentioned above, is very entertaining. I love sarcasm and believe me Harry is full of it and because he has such a serious disposition it is all the more enjoyable. Graystone is a widower with a 9 year old daughter, Meredith, and is in need of a wife. It is rumored all around town that he has a list and very high expectations. She must be virtuous and have the utmost respect for propriety.Now Augusta is the last of the Northumberland Ballingers (I told you be prepared to hear it) and they are said to be the wild branch of the Ballinger line. Augusta is anything but controlled she help bring to reality a lady's club that mimics the gentleman clubs and has no intention of settling down.Sally who shares a friendship with both Augusta and Harry has brought Harry to the conclusion that Augusta would make him a wonderful wife. As outlandish as the idea is Harry can not stop thinking of her and so he sets out to make this fantasy a reality. Augusta learns that Harry has approached her uncle and she can't believe it but after another midnight rendezvous, in Harry's Library this time, she is left without a doubt that Harry is entirely serious about his desires for her.The side story in the book deals with Augusta'a late brother who was rumored to be a traitor to his country. This brings about the spy and espionage angle that Quick is known for. It's all wrapped around this blossoming romance and stubborn lord's who want to tame their wife but turns into comedy because it continues to backfire time and time again. Once a hoyden always a hoyden I say. Meredith also plays a part as she has trouble fully excepting Augusta as her new mother and is herself learning what it's like to be a child.There are many things I have not brought up but you will enjoy to discover yourself as you read. All people are not who they appear some even disguise themselves in order to gain information. LOL! They also may not expect to be present at a certain event takes place in a carriage one evening. This is one of my favorites by Quick.
Do You like book Rendezvous (1991)?
On the whole I enjoyed this very much, although I did check back to see when this was written. The autocratic and rather overbearing hero tends to shut the heroine down too often for my taste. She does prove him wrong, of course, but the defense of women's intellect is a bit too subtle. Of course I suppose otherwise the whole thing would be completely anachronistic, but it still rankles to hear the good guy basically telling the heroine not to worry her pretty little head - not once, but repeatedly. A very entertaining read nonetheless, perfect for the journey I took it along on.
—penelopewanders
I think this book was all over the place as if it couldn't make up whether it wanted to be a spy novel or a romance. I wasn't bowled over the romance. There was just a disconnect. I wasn't charmed by the characters. In fact, I felt the romance was too forced. She protested over his serious nature always saying he would not marry someone like her. As far as I knew, they don't have too many interactions. It was just kind of weird for her to imagine his plans or lack of plans of marrying her. Also,
—Zel Polev
Not quite what I was expecting. Augusta Ballinger, descended from the Northumberland Ballingers, is just as high-spirited, headstrong, and independent as the rest of her ancestors. So it came as a shock when her uncle accepts an offer of marriage on her behalf from the entirely too sensible, proper Earl of Graystone. Harry isn't sure what it is about Augusta that has him crazy with the desire to possess her. But Augusta has a mind of her own and is set to prove to Graystone wrong about their matching and show him that he needs love. Good points: Vastly entertaining, with a sensible and easy to follow plot. Augusta and Harry were quite an interesting couple, mismatched though they were in personality. It's easy to see why opposites attract in this case. The novel was well paced, not too fast nor too slow. Just right in the middle. Bad point: I'd have thought there was more to the plot and Spider than what the reader discovers. I was hoping for a much more spy angle, with chases down alleyways, fighting a couple bad guys, and more of a suspense. It was obvious who the villain was from the start and easy to guess his motives. Another wonderful Amanda Quick novel!
—Rema
