Book Review: The Passion of the Purple Plumeria

Author: Lauren Willig
Title: The Passion of the Purple Plumeria (Pink Carnation #10)
Genre: Historical Romance, Mystery, Adventure
Pages: 486
First Published: August 6th, 2013
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Amazon)

"Colonel William Reid has returned home from India to retire near his children, who are safely stowed in an academy in Bath. Upon his return to the Isles, however, he finds that one of his daughters has vanished, along with one of her classmates.

Having served as second-in-command to the Pink Carnation, one of England’s most intrepid spies, it would be impossible for Gwendolyn Meadows to give up the intrigue of Paris for a quiet life in the English countryside—especially when she’s just overheard news of an alliance forming between Napoleon and an Ottoman Sultan. But, when the Pink Carnation’s little sister goes missing from her English boarding school, Gwen reluctantly returns home to investigate the girl’s disappearance.

Thrown together by circumstance, Gwen and William must cooperate to track down the young ladies before others with nefarious intent get their hands on them. But Gwen’s partnership with quick-tongued, roguish William may prove to be even more of an adventure for her than finding the lost girls…"

This is the #10 book in the Pink Carnation series. I would suggest reading one of the others ones of the series before attacking this one...at least the first book I would say and you should be good. 

When I heard that Miss Gwen was going to be the star of this one I was filled with two emotions - excitement and uncertainty.  Why? Well, I love Miss Gwen too death and yes, I was excited that she was going to get her own book and her own man. However, I feared that if the romance and the book was not done right I would lose my love and fear of her. Plus, she and William are older and I petrified that people would give negative reviews just based on that fact, which is stupid because old people need love too. However, my fears were all laid to rest the moment Gwen's POV began. 

I love Gwen, but then I fear/respect her on the same coin. Hell...she struck fear into the heart of Napoleon with her parasol! For a woman like that, it takes a special man. Especially after learning about Gwen big ol' secret, which stunned me and made me now understand the psychology behind her. Did I like William? I'm not sure. I went through the entire book....but I'm still on the fence. Sometimes I did, sometimes I thought he was an idiot and I couldn't stand his face. Mmmmm. 

Now on to Colin and Eloise. I will admit that I skim through a lot of their story...not just through this book, but the others in the series as well. I can't help it! I think its because their story is just SO slow moving that it's driving me bananas. *SPOILER ALERT* It has been many books since they became official lovers and they just NOW admitted that they loved each other. Yes in their reality it has only been a few months, but I've been waiting for years. *sighs* *SPOILER END* I'm not sure what needs to done for me to re-fall in love with these two's love story...I mean I seethe brilliance behind blending in their story and the past people's stories. They go hand-in-hand, but something has to give. 

In the end, I really liked this book and I'm SO glad Miss Gwen finally got her HEA. A piece of advice for those that want an "epilogue" of sorts on Miss Gwen and William...read the "interview" section between Lauren Willig and Miss Gwen, it was entertaining and I'm glad I read it. I even made my friend (who has never read this or even seemed to care) listen to me read it to her. Bahahaha. *clears throat* Sorry. But yes, I liked it. It was fun and I'm DYING for the next book in the series. Eek! I hope the next one allows me to have my love for Collin and Eloise to be relighted. I just really want the story to speed up a smidge. Well, I shall stamp this with 4 stars and recommend this series and this book to those that love Historical Fiction, spies, intrigue, and Romance. 

Favorite Character(s): Miss Gwen (of course), Henrietta, Miles (I MISS HIM!), and Amy.
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Lizzy Reid (for some reason she annoyed me) & Jane (I know, I know...but in this one I really wanted to slug her in the face). 

*CaroleRae*