Julia Quinn: Ten things I love about You ja What happens in London

Julia Quinn on kirjoittanut kymmenittäin historiallisia viihderomaaneja, ja monet teoksista muodostavat kirjasarjoja. Romaanien Ten things I love about You ja What happens in London taustana on muissa romaaneissa esiintyneiden sivuhahmojen tarinat, kirjailija kun halusi kertoa miten heille kävi. Omaperäisyydestä ei näitä romaaneja voi kiitellä, mutta jonkinlaista myötämielistä huumoria tarinoihin on punottu.

Ten things I love about You (Piatkus, 2010; ISBN 978-0-7499-4194-9)

Sebastian Grey is in limbo. He is the heir presumptive to the Earl of Newbury, unless the current earl, a widower, can find a bride who will bear him a son. Newbury is in his sixties and somewhat portly, but as an earl he's considered quite a catch. Sebastian, on the other hand, is twenty-nine and extremely handsome, but in no hurry to find a wife.

Annabel Winslow, a country girl through and through, has received an offer to go to London for the season. The eldest of a family of eight, she knows that a good marriage might be the only thing that will save her family from ruin. After a few weeks in town, Annabel attracts the attention of the Earl of Newbury. The thought of submitting to him makes her skin crawl, but she is practical and determined to do her duty. Even when Sebastian Grey comes on the scene.

What happens in London (Piatkus, 2009; ISBN 978-0-7499-4189-5)

Olivia Bevelstroke, the only daughter of the Earl of Rudland, is beautiful and has a sizeable dowry. Yet at the age of twenty-one she is still unmarried, causing people to whisper behind her back, 'What is she waiting for? A prince?' But Olivia isn't cold or stuck up, and neither is she a hopeless romantic. She's just waiting for something - or someone.

Sir Harry Valentine, a war veteran, is now back in London working in secret for the War Office and keeping an eye on his wayward younger brother. Rumour has it that he killed his fiancee, which intrigues Olivia. She thinks her new next-door neighbour looks the part, and even if he isn't a murderer, he's certainly up to something. Then a real-live Russian prince comes to town, sparking intrigue. He has his eye on Olivia, but so does Harry, who's been ordered to spy on the prince - and thus by extension, Olivia. But will what he finds out about her bring her closer to his heart?