Nowhere Near Respectable [Mass Market Paperback]

Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney
Historical Romance -April 26th 2011
4  stars

Nowhere Near Respectable is the third in the Lost Lords series. This was a fun, well-written read with deep characterization. Both main characters have a shady heritage - the heroine due to her mixed blood and the hero due to his illegitimacy. I liked how the author does not dwell on their backgrounds so much that it makes the story depressing but rather shows how they used these 'disadvantage' to become better people.

Lady Kiri Lawford is of mixed Indian blood. Although her father was a Duke and she is a great heiress, polite society sees her and her Indian mother with disdain. When she impulsively flees from hurtful words about her heritage to return home, she is captured by smugglers. But fortunately she receives the aid of the rakish Damian Mackenzie. Damian is a rich businessman but is also 'tainted' because he is a bastard. Together they use their resourcefulness to escape the smugglers only to find an instant and mutual attraction.

Kiri is drawn to Damian because he is so unlike the dandified men she has met in London. She cannot help thinking of him even in the safety of her home. Determined to thank him for his help in her rescue, she disguises herself and enter his gaming house, but quickly finds herself caught up in a royal kidnapping! As the main witness, she is pulled into secret service to help identify the conspirators against the crown along with Damian. They are forced to work together and although Damian wants Kiri, he believes their differences in station prevent any real relationship. Can Kiri persuade him otherwise?

I really enjoy reading Regency romance but sometimes the heroines are very bland in comparison to the hero. I am overjoyed to say this is not the case in this story. Kiri is high spirited, smart with good, common sense. She seemed almost the perfect heroine. I liked that she had Indian heritage which made her more sympathetic and interesting, especially since she is able to defend herself and is at home at different levels of English and Indian society. Kiri is kindhearted and is aware that her Indian blood 'taints' her but is proud of her heritage despite English society. I liked her confidence in herself and her mischievousness which made her fun to read. The hero also had depth as he is a bastard of a lord who never cared for him. If it weren't for the love his legitimate brother, he would have been out on the streets. He is aware of his lowly status in society, but his hard life has shaped him. I enjoyed how the author brought together two 'misfits' who deserved each other. I enjoyed this book so much I am going to read the prior books in the series.

The best part of the book was the indomitable heroine. I liked how she was essential to the investigation and how the author created some very memorable characters that I would love to revisit. This is a Regency to remember and re-read!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

In 1812 Kent, mixes race Hindu-English Lady Kiri Lawford expects a proposal from Godfrey Hitchcock that she plans to accept. However, just before the question is popped, she learns his family detests her for being racially impure although they want her wealth. Stunned she flees for Dover only to be caught by smugglers.

Rakish gambling den owner Damian Mackenzie rescues Lady Kiri. They are attracted to one another, but besides her brother being his friend, he knows his heritage is nowhere near hers. Whereas his father ignores him as being from the wrong side of the sheets as his mother is an actress; her father is a duke and her mom an Indian royal. When she rescues Princess Charlotte from kidnappers, he assists her while they fall in love.

The third Lost Lords Regency romance (see Loving a Lost Lord and Never Less than a Lady) is a terrific historical due to the fully developed protagonists and a solid support cast. The story line is fast-paced from the moment an irate Kiri flees Kent and never slows down as Mac the Knife learns the true meaning of the "sun never sets on the British Empire."

Harriet Klausner

Born in India to a Duke and Indian mother, Lady Kiri Lawford has just arrived in England to find a suitable match for her rank. However, being raised among an English regiment has instilled Kiri with a sense of independence and confidence that is not found in most demure English ladies. This with her stunningly unique beauty makes for a very hard to resist combination for men who do not wish to be put under her spell.

After running away from an almost marriage proposal, Kiri is abducted by smugglers on her way home. She is rescued by the disreputable Damian Mackenzie. He is in the unfavorable business of trade, owner of a night club, and the bastard son of a Lord and to top it all off Kiri finds herself stunningly and quite suddenly attracted to him. After parting ways Kiri is determined to see Damian again, but when their second encounter coincidentally coincides with an attempt to kidnap Princess Charlotte, heir to England's throne, Kiri and Damian must work together to find the escaped kidnappers before they attempt another abduction.

Damian knows that he is no good for Kiri considering the gaps in their social ranking and his dubious reputation, but as the two increasingly spend more time together, he finds that he is slowly being seduced by what he believes to be an innocent woman. But Kiri, not so innocent and not so confined by what society thinks, is determined to make the most of every moment that they have together, regardless of their future.

What I liked about this novel was that Kiri was half Indian. It made for a different spin on a story that has been told a number of times. Her being raised in a different environment was a great set up for her daring personality and why she would be the one seducing the man of her choice. That being said I would have to say that the major downfall of this novel was that is was SEVERELY lacking romantic scenes. It was mostly adventure-type action throughout the whole thing. The end was badly drawn out by minor sub plots that weren't really necessary to the story. This is not to say that the writing was bad, but it just wasn't needed.

Once again: the cover. Never is Kiri barefoot in the novel. And though Putney indicates that she looks almost English or almost Indian depending on what she is wearing the woman on the cover does not look very mixed to me. Wouldn't it have been lovely to have had a beautiful, more Indian looking woman with stunning green eyes in a sari on the cover? I think so!

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