The Edge of Impropriety (Signet Eclipse)

leondumoulin.nl Author: Pam Rosenthal; Publisher: NAL Signet Eclipse; Year: ; Setting: Regency England.
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One night she meets Signet Eclipse Mass Market Paperback: Berkley; Reprint edition May 3, Language: Related Video Shorts 0 Upload your video. Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features: Share your thoughts with other customers.

Write a customer review. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. There are two different romances in this book but they complement each other and don't get in each other's way. I liked both of them, both smart, not afraid to say what they want, and eager to enjoy each other in a variety of ways.


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I found this a very refreshing difference from the normal shy but spunky young heroine who needs to be slowly coaxed by our hot hero with a lot of sexual tension until that happens. Again, this is pretty straitforward without a lot of the dramatics that often accompany a romance novel.

I also like both those characters.

There are some other characters, as well as some tension fatal accident, blackmail , but those are integrated nicely in the story and are not just filler but serve the overall plot. There are a few bits of humor. I'd definitely recommend this for someone looking for something different than the normal romance novel tropes. Marina, an author, spends an afternoon in the antiquities division of the venerable British Museum observing people as an inspiration for her craft.

It is there she first notices Jasper, a middle-aged scholarly gentleman who she imagines to be father of the young girl in his company. She speculates he might be a clergyman or something of that nature, as he is unfashionably dressed and slightly shabby. She then notices the girl's hair ribbon has come undone and has the unaccountable urge to fix it. Before her eyes, the man notices and ties the bow. Marina felt herself go short of breath.

Whether this is showing or telling, I'm not sure and it certainly doesn't involve anything so mundane as dialogue, but to me this is incredibly talented writing. When an author can so describe a scene that you can visualize it vividly and feel the emotions, I am impressed and captivated. With that sentence, I saw the man and understood that, whoever he was, he adored and nurtured this girl - and I liked him for it. It piqued my curiosity to discover more of their story, and I loved the way this author proceeded to unfold the plot and characterizations.

In point of fact, I totally enjoyed this entire book and simply luxuriated in the beautifully graphic word pictures Pam Rosenthal conjured. I am not a friend of the author and have received no advance copies, nor am I a professional reviewer - just an ordinary customer and I thought this book was lovely. It was unique, fresh, and delightfully original in every respect. It contained a dreamy romance and an intricate, well articulated plot that contained the right amount of mystery, adventure and emotional poignancy.

What a treat to find an intelligent, thoughtful, imaginative romance. Oh, I do so recommend reading this. Incidentally, later in the book we learn that Marina fell in love with Jasper the moment she watched him tie that bow. Read the book and I think you'll understand. One person found this helpful 2 people found this helpful. Having read far too many stale historicals, Pam Rosenthal's grown-up romance is such a breath of fresh air. I hope this author writes more! One person found this helpful. Throughout the book, most scenes were told and not shown.

The writing style is "telling not showing. I was not drawn into the story. I felt like something was missing. The plot and events in "outline form" were interesting. The characters were interesting. But I didn't get to experience anything because of the writing style. It was not emotionally engaging. But as for the boy — oddly, he's her son, Eros — Cupid, if you will, though not a chubby, simpering Italian version.

The nubs on his shoulders are the remnants of wings — he's not running; he's flying. Yes, I know he appears the same age she does. But then, the gods don't age as we do. It'll be a great pleasure to send them home to Athens, much as I've loved having them with me — they're the achievement, I suppose, of all my wanderings. Jasper willed himself not to let his voice tremble. A pity you have only that single old miniature with you, of him still in petticoats.

Her smile had a hint of mockery in it. When we had a family painting done last year at Wheldon Priory, the artist had to restrain himself from making Anthony the center of the composition. I felt sadly neglected — quite the unnatural mother in my vanity. I expect you'd recognize something of that in him, I wonder how you'd take it. Anthony has your family's height, though. Anthony John Leigh-Carrington Hedges, as John's overjoyed letter to his brother had had it in emphatic underlinings.

The mail had taken some months to find him. Jasper had celebrated the birth of the son — his son, though no one but he and Celia would ever know it — with a four-day debauch in the best brothel in Smyrna. There'd been hashish; he couldn't remember much of what happened, but since then he'd always gotten extraordinary service when he patronized that establishment. Pronouncing it aloud for the first time in memory.

The little girl sitting on the floor raised serious blue eyes. How clever she is to remember — it was only a few days, we had to pack him off to spend the remainder of his holiday with a school friend if we were to catch the good weather for embarking. She lowered her voice. I mean, she's well enough Perhaps it's for the better, that one must look to discover the ways she'll be beautiful. Indifferent scholar, excellent horseman. John likes to take him hunting. They get on very well together. What had he expected? Stoically, he waited for the spasm of guilty, helpless longing to loose its hold on him.

You know I'm going to be accompanying these back to Greece. Jasper hadn't heard him approaching. He stepped further away from Celia, and then wondered if it had been necessary to do so. Or even wise, to act as though anything were amiss. He glanced at her. She remained serene, unruffled, mildly diverted by the spectacle of the brothers' predictable sparring.

Mavrotis will pay my expenses," he said. The sculptures will belong to the Greek nation — when they seize their independence from the Turks. He'd make no further argument. He and John had had it out more than once through the week preceding. Yes, Jasper had repeated, he'd happily show the sculptures to anyone who wanted to see them.

For there were collectors here at the lake: And no, he repeated to himself now — firmly, to convince himself of it. Nothing was going to happen between himself and Celia. He wasn't sorry to have made this visit, but he wouldn't be doing it again. Leave his past sins to themselves. Oldest story in the world or near to it, a son not knowing his true father — the stuff of tragedy if ever it were to be revealed, but in this case, at least, it never would.

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Jasper had sworn it numerous times these past years, even as he'd begun to conceive how he'd spend the rest of his life. For while there'd be no redeeming his sins, he'd come to consider that other wrongs might be more liable to rectification. One could , he'd begun to think, try to help a dispossessed people find their own destiny. Return a fledgling nation's patrimony to them, in the small but not insignificant way of two beautiful statues.

Evidently too impatient to care for an answer, the baronet had turned to his wife. His voice had taken on a querulous edge; Jasper listened warily. I did ask you to be ready. And is Berridge's party for Lord Gorham really tonight? Celia's reply was bland as milk. And I am ready — or shall be once I get a maid to bring Sydney to the nursery. Do come with us, Jasper," she added.

The edge of impropriety

I've got correspondence to do, my monograph to attend to. The perfect, perennial excuse: An English gentleman like John wouldn't know quite what a monograph was, but it sounded scholarly, important, and demanding of attention. And anyway, he did owe Dr. Mavrotis a letter, and one as well to the friends organizing a Greek Emancipation committee in London. As though needing to prove his intentions, he patted his pocket for the spectacles he'd recently taken to wearing at his writing desk.

But what was that tugging at his coat? He looked downward to see that Sydney had finally tired of the sculptures.

The Edge of Impropriety

He picked her up and they exchanged companionable if rather solemn smiles. Oh, and the cover art does not contain a half naked man, nips out, with no chest hair. View all 4 comments. Jul 10, Jamie rated it it was amazing Shelves: I thought Provocation was good; this one is better. It hits my buttons: The supporting cast of Helen, Sydney, Anthony only adds to the story. Jasper unfolds like a flower. The blackmailing Rackham is the one shaky note, but I like how his role resolves abruptly and ties a few threads together, so that earns a pass.

Oct 22, Ruth rated it it was amazing. I can see why. Very different sort of romance--the kind you'd like to write, but couldn't get an editor to accept. Yet, Rosenthal did find a publisher of this tender story between a middle-aged novelist at the very end of the regency period and a bachelor antiquarian who has been raising his brother's two children.

Oct 11, Jackie rated it really liked it. The trade paperback size indicates that this falls on the intellectual end of the historical romance spectrum, not a place where too many authors are writing these days, alas. Also love the intelligence of the characters and the writing.

Will be tempted to go back and read Rosenthal's entire oeuvre now Feb 18, Emily rated it it was ok Shelves: I think I would have enjoyed this more if the author had spent more time on the sex and less time congratulating herself on her own cleverness. The writing is both self-conscious and smug; toward the end a minor character thinks thinks!

There are frequent mentions of historical details so insignificant to the story that readers can't miss the look-what-I-found-out-ness behind them. And perhaps most annoying of all, periodically a character will think or say something along the lines of "if this were a novel, something very obvious would happen here", or worse, "this is just what would happen in a novel". Which does not excuse the obviousness of this novel. I did like most of the characters but PLEASE spare me meddling children in romance novels , though none ever seemed fully developed.

Marina was especially unfocused. What exactly was Rackham's dirt on her? Where did that impoverished sister so suddenly come from? What about the lesbian stepdaughter? On the other hand, who really cares? I didn't, and I never felt fully convinced that I should have. In the end, none of it seemed to matter anyway. Whenever even the tiniest hint of a plot appeared to be developing, it would resolve itself off-screen in the least interesting way possible.

Aug 11, Leila Hays rated it really liked it Shelves: A bright brief affair between two seemingly incompatible people. A romance in the old-fashioned sense of the genre. I found The Edge of Impropriety on a display of books that had never been checked out at my favorite library. I can't say why it languished on the shelf for five years, but I can say that it's a damn shame. Perhaps the style of the prose is a bit much for your average reader.

While the jacket blurb is written in the usual simple, catchy way of such things, the novel itself is written A bright brief affair between two seemingly incompatible people. While the jacket blurb is written in the usual simple, catchy way of such things, the novel itself is written in a style reminiscent of the Regency period that serves as its setting.

For someone like me, who grew up almost exclusively reading novels written prior to except for the surreptitious devourings of such forbidden fruit as Outlander , the style is comfortable. For the average reader looking for an erotic romance, it may be a bit much. The sex is there, oh yes, but it's done very tastefully and eloquently, leaving room for the imagination to fill in the gaps. There are a few different narratives interwoven through the pages of The Edge of Impropriety, some more successful than others. But I suppose the only one that really matters was done very well.

I enjoyed the mixture of perspectives, and the infrequent use of italics to indicate thoughts too much of that is annoying.

The Edge of Impropriety (Signet Eclipse): Pam Rosenthal: leondumoulin.nl: Books

And while there were the usual misunderstandings and misadventures required to make a romance work, they were entirely reasonable. I suppose there was only so little drama that could be had, as the heroine was in her late thirties, and the hero somewhere in his late forties although the precise age was unclear. As I grow older, I find I appreciate more mature characters. Gone are my days of the bodice rippers with sixteen year old brides and good riddance.

After having recently read such things as Lord Savage and Rush by Maya Banks both of which I enjoyed , the more subtle stylings of The Edge of Impropriety were refreshing, and I'll be rescuing Pam's other books from my library's shelves. Jasper seorg bangsawan penyuka seni, terutama patung tiba2 mendapatkan dirinya hrs menjadi ayah perwalian dari kedua ponakannya, Anthony yg ternyata adalah anak gelapnya dan Sidney, gadis cilik yang ditinggal mati oleh orangtua mereka karena kapal lautnya karam.

Dan kemudian cerita berlanjut 11 tahun kemudian, Jasper pulang kampung utk menengok ponakan laki-lakinya itu yg sudah berubah menjadi adonis yg difavoritkan di seluruh London. Dan tanpa sengaja ia bertemu dgn alias Lady Gorham, sang no Jasper seorg bangsawan penyuka seni, terutama patung tiba2 mendapatkan dirinya hrs menjadi ayah perwalian dari kedua ponakannya, Anthony yg ternyata adalah anak gelapnya dan Sidney, gadis cilik yang ditinggal mati oleh orangtua mereka karena kapal lautnya karam.

Dan tanpa sengaja ia bertemu dgn alias Lady Gorham, sang novelis terkenal, di suatu pesta dan langsung terjadi ONS. Ternyata hubungan mereka dari satu malam ke malam berikutnya membuat mereka sama-sama jatuh cinta tapi mereka saling enggan menyatakan. Di lain pihak, Anthony mulai sibuk memperhatikan pengasuh adiknya, Miss Helen Hobart, dan pada akhirnya memiliki kesempatan dan menikahi sang pengasuh ini pd saat mereka berdua merawat Sidney, adik Anthony. Alur cerita novel ini sangat datar. Terlalu banyak narasi daripada dialognya.

Dan kekurangan paling fatal adalah tidak adanya konflik yg menggugah saya selaku pembaca untuk ter-eksploitasi rasa ingin tahunya. Baik pasangan Jasper - Marina maupun Anthony - Helen, hubungan mereka terlalu digampangkan untuk menjadi pasangan. View all 20 comments. Nov 18, Jen rated it it was ok Shelves: Don't see what the fuss is about with this book. It's occasionally witty and the protagonists are unconventional to be sure, but there's little else to recommend this, other than a well executed painting on the front cover. I could just barely complete it. It's not that steamy either, compared to other historical romances that are out there today.

Dec 30, Felicity marked it as begun-but-not-finished Shelves: I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't love the main character enough to finish it. The writing was great, and the approach to a romance novel refreshing. But after a bit I got irritated. Maybe it was just my post-holiday blahs. Oct 05, June rated it did not like it Shelves: I'm too much of a prude for this one.

I did finish it but too kinky for me. Took me out of the story. But the story was not really interesting. Dec 16, Jane Stewart rated it it was ok Shelves: Throughout the book, most scenes were told and not shown. I was not drawn into the story. I felt like something was missing. The characters were interesting. It was not emotionally engaging. I assume she said it out loud but maybe she just thought it. A woman has been secretly in love with a man for ages a secondary couple in the story.


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    5. She is preparing to go to bed as she recalls the evening she just had. She thinks about how wonderful it was to dance, how wonderful their first two kisses were, and how sad she was when she heard something causing her to leave the ball. That was so disappointing. A girl is crying and telling someone how earlier that night when she was sleeping in the library, two thieves entered, one with a gun.

    The thieves ran off when someone else entered the room. A secondary couple realizes they are attracted to each other. They spend time together and plan to marry. All of this was told by other people thinking or talking about it. I never heard any dialogue between the couple - how they realized they loved each other, what they said, what they did.

    The book is filled with this, including much of the relationship between the main couple. I did have one favorite scene - the first time Marina and Jasper kissed and then had sex. There was not much dialogue because he was too nervous. Of course there was not much dialogue in the rest of the book either, but in this scene it worked.

    I had to make my own assumption as to why Jasper stopped seeing her. His feelings were not explained. Also, not enough details were provided in two important areas. And, what happened to the blackmailer was an unsatisfying mystery. It was never answered and simply seemed convenient to the plot.

    Marina is a widow and a novelist. She attends all the parties. There is much gossip about her novels because her characters are based on actual people. Jasper was a second son.