The love scenes are very sensual amidst the backdrop of the wealthy splendor of sixteenth century English nobility. And the mystery of the bodies left behind by the vampire adds a unique twist to the traditional historical romance.

On the flip side of this book is another sixteenth century mystery in which Lady Tuesday Arlington is considered the prime suspect in her husband's murder. Lawrence Pickering, earl of Arden, and England's primary investigator of smuggling begins to follow Tuesday's every move, as she has painted the murder scene where her husband was found. When Tuesday continues to paint more murder scenes, Lawrence starts to become involved with her romantically, though he is bemused by her knowledge of the crime scenes. Is the real murderer stalking Tuesday, possibly using her paintings to stage the backdrop for murder?

Descriptively intimate love scenes are frequent and varied throughout this read. The romantic tension is palpable and reminiscent of Judith McNaught. Add in the mysterious murderer/secret admirer, and you have a true page-turner.


Really good, not great, but really good:   May 26, 2002
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

These are really good, but not great books. There is suspense, intrigue, both plots are wonderful, the sex was hot, the stories move well and the dialogue is good, if not Elizabethan. This, however, is probably a good thing, since Elizabethan writings are usually difficult to decipher. So, for me what stopped these books from reaching greatness is how sex was used in the storyline. Lady Clio caught on a little to fast to the intricacies of sex, or she is the world's fastest study. I also felt Lady Tuesday made the change from: what a horrible person- to the bed very fast. In fairness though: a quick change of emotions is one of my pet peeves. If this type of rapid emotional change doesn't bother you, the books will rate as great, for me they rate really good. ...


Cannot put it down!!   May 5, 2002
I bought this book to read on a long plane ride I'm taking in a few weeks but it is so good I can't wait that long to read it. I just started skimming it because of the weird format (two books in one, one upside down when the other is rightside up), but I got immediately caught up in the plot of the first novel. It is really suspenseful, a real page turner, with a great heroine. I guess I'll have to find somethng else to read on the plane because at this rate I'll be done with both books before I go on my trip!!


Two great books from Michele Jaffe!   May 5, 2002
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I feel like I've been waiting forever for a new book from Michele Jaffe to come out, and to get two at once is an incredible treat. All of the qualities that distinguished The Stargazer and The Water Nymph are back in Lady Killer and Secret Admirer -- fascinating, fun characters, great dialogue, fast-moving plots, and lots of romantic tension. I tore through this double volume in a couple of days -- can't wait for the next one to come out this summer. Two must-reads for lovers of romance and historicals!


they just don't work   May 4, 2002
 7 out of 12 found this review helpful

Are these actually Michele Jaffe's first books, published now because of the success of the WATER NYMPH, et.al.? Both books are set in Renaissance England (circa 1590), but they don't ring true. For example, one character speaks of "five broken engagements." Persons of rank were "bethrothed" not engaged; these were legal contracts that one did not simply walk away from. At another point, three guards whip out pistols, ready to aim and shoot. These guns weren't available at this time. Another character wonders about the media market for his crimes.
These read like books that were originally set in another time period and were changed to capitalize on the success of her earlier published works. But someone should have EDITED them.