With This Ring (Vanza, #1)

by Amanda Quick

Leo Drake, the “Mad Monk of Monkcrest,” is notoriously eccentric and unquestionably reclusive.  But he is also a noted antiquities expert, which is why Beatrice Poole has demanded his reluctant assistance.

The freethinking authoress of “horrid novels,” Beatrice is searching for the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite, a mythic treasure she suspects played a role in her uncle's death.  Beatrice finds Leo every bit as fascinating as one of the heroes in her novels—and she's convinced he's the only one who can help her.  But after only five minutes in her company, Leo is sure he's never met a woman more infuriating . . . and more likely to rescue him from boredom.

Yet the alliance may well prove to be the biggest mistake of their lives.  For a villain lurks in London, waiting for the pair to unearth the Forbidden Rings—knowing that when they do, that day will be their last. . . .

Praise for With This Ring

“If you start an Amanda Quick book in the late afternoon, you'll probably spend the night with it.”—The Denver Post

“[Amanda Quick is] an exceptional storyteller.”—Daily News of Los Angeles

• ISBN10: 0553574094
• ISBN13: 9780553574098
• Publish Date: 2 February 1999 (first published 1 April 1998)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 24 November 2015
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780553574098

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

What a performance...

I absolutely LOVED listening to With This Ring. It has been yonky donks since I've read an Amanda Quick story and now I'm kicking myself that I've waited so long in between. Her characters are original, quirky and extremely lovable. The storyline is captivating and I'm drawn into the intrigue and mystery. The love story was set at a perfect pace without it being either insta or drawn out. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

Everything about this historical romance left me satisfied but my favourite part was that the hero and heroine had been around the bush a time or two. No rakes or blushing debutantes in this one. Both the hero and heroine are widows (not the ruined for all eternity kind either, thank goodness) who are not especially looking for love. There's an attraction between them but neither are inclined to rush into acting on it.

This was one of the very best narrations I've ever listened to. Barbara Rosenblat brought every character to life. Her talents as a voice actor were proven almost immediately. Each character had it's own distinct voice and personality. If the story wasn't so good, I'd recommend it for the narration alone. Together, With This Ring would definitely be hard to beat.

If you're looking for an audiobook with an interesting storyline, plenty of intrigues and fantastic narration, I highly recommend giving With This Ring a try.

[wyvernfriend]

Leo Drake is known as the "Mad Monk of Monkcrest" and is notoriously eccentric and inhospitable. When Beatrice Poole turns up on his door he is intrigued and when she reveals that she's searching for the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite. She also believes that her uncle, who last had the rings, was killed for them.

The two of them have to work together and he starts finding himself attracted to this very independent woman who writes "horrid Novels" as a means of support. She also finds herself attracted to him but is unsure if she wants to sacrifice her independence for another marriage.

It's pretty predictable but the characters are both well drawn and great fun.