2008: #15 – The Paid Companion (Amanda Quick)

Book #15 was The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick. The back of the book reads:

The Earl of St. Merryn needs a woman. His intentions are purely practical Рhe simply wants someone sensible and suitably lovely to pose as his betrothed for a few weeks among polite society. He has his own agenda to pursue, and a false fianc̩e will keep the husband-hunters at bay while he goes about his business. The easiest solution is to hire a paid companion.

However, finding the right candidate proves more of a challenge than he expected – until he encounters Miss Elenora Lodge. Her dowdy attire and pinned-up hair cannot hide her fine figure and the fire in her golden eyes. And her unfortunate circumstances, and dreams of a life of independence, make the Earl’s generous offer undeniably appealing.

But Elenora is unsure what this masquerade might entail. For St. Merryn is clearly hiding a secret or two, and things seem oddly amiss in his gloomy Rain Street home. She is soon to discover that his secrets are even darker than his decor, and that this lark will be a far more dangerous adventure than she’s been led to believe. And Arthur, Earl of St. Merryn, is making a discovery as well: that the meek and mild companion he’d initially envisioned has become, in reality, a partner in his quest to catch a killer – and an outspoken belle of the ball who stirs a wild passion in his practical heart.

Not my usual type of book (I don’t know that I’ve ever read Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick before), but I really enjoyed this. It was a romance without being really heavy-handed with the LOOOOOVE, and it was a light historical mystery to boot! You pretty much know how it’s going to end, but that doesn’t lessen the enjoyment of the journey.

Page count: 418 | Word count: 94,800

2007: Dark Side of the Moon (Sherrilyn Kenyon)
2006: Burnt Offerings (Laurell K. Hamilton)
2005: F is for Fugitive (Sue Grafton)