How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries is the third book in Hellions of Halstead Hall series published by Pocket Star books. Lady Minerva Sharpe, the oldest sister, is the reluctant lady. There was a time she was more than willing to fall in love, but that time has passed. She is now content to write gothic romances. Her grandmother insists she must marry for anyone in the family to receive their inheritance.

Minerva used to be in love with her brother’s friend Giles Masters. That was until he kissed her, and humiliated her. That was enough to stomp on her heart, and give her a disgust of all things male. Minerva advertises for a husband not because she wants one to call her grandmother’s bluff. Her brothers turn away the eager suitors, but allow their friend Giles to get through.

Giles needs to stop Minerva from writing him into all of her novel as a rather dastardly spy. It wouldn’t be such a bad thing if it wasn’t actually a spy. He volunteers to be her pretend fiancé if she’ll quit writing about him.

There are a few problems including the bizarre death of her parents, an uncle who keeps sneaking onto their property to dig stuff up, and a younger brother who seems to have a suicide wish. The most peculiar thing is that Giles Masters really wants to Minerva. The only problem is she can’t trust him because he won’t tell her where he disappears too.

The relationship between Minerva and Giles is fraught with history and lies, which makes it that more tenuous. Minerva’s large interfering family keep stirring up the trouble along the way. This is multi-layer story that leads into the younger brother Gabe’s story.

Woo a Reluctant Lady is Regency romance at its best. It is the type of book you stay up all night reading, even when you have to go to work the next day. Two thumbs up for Miss Jeffries.

Recompromising Amanda by Barbara Burke is a short regency with a decidedly different twist. All regency lovers are well aware how hard the heroine has to work to keep from being compromised or even the suggestion of being compromised. Dancing with a gentleman one too many times or sharing a kiss with a man you were not engaged to would start rumors. That’s what initially happened to Amanda, the heroine.

At the tender age of eighteen, Amanda shared a kiss with Viscount Jason Greyshott. Since Jason spent more time at her estate than his own, it was’t too surprising that they might drift into an attraction. The fallout she didn’t expect with her father insisting Jason marry her. The only problem was Amanda didn’t want a man who was forced to ask for her hand in marriage, so she turned him down.

Amanda knew all of the debutantes would welcome an offer from Viscount Greyshott, but she wanted love, without love the offer held no appeal for her. Jason continued to ask her year after year to marry him and she continued to refuse. Not because she didn’t want to marry because she wanted the man who asked for her hand to love her.

Jason is frustrated about Amanda’s continual refusals. A man can only take so much and maybe it’s time to leave the continent to end his torment. Then something happens, something amazing. An overheard conversation sparks a plan in Amanda’s mind, a plan that will change everything.

Jason and Amanda are effective as star crossed lovers, but they’re the ones doing the star crossing. Her brother Charles as the hale and hearty sort, manages to speak the truth when the lovers refuse to see it. Because of the shortness of the tale, there aren’t many secondary characters, but Meg the outspoken maid is a delight.

Recompromising Amanda follows the classic regency style with a little something extra near the end. To say much more would give it away. I consumed the tale in one setting, which I am sure you will too. Two thumbs up for Recompromising Amanda.

Women of this century, at least American women, have freedoms visited on us that women from other countries, other centuries, do not share, and could hardly imagine, just as we can hardly imagine lives less free. Why do we wish to read about hardship when we (contemporary women, that is, and men for that matter too) can virtually choose our future, at least we can, technically, if we have the brains, money, sense and other resources to get the education to sustain us? Yet we long to borrow the sense of another time—how it feels to live by a different social order, even to be a different self. The allure of the bygone day may have to do with the fact that we do not have to experience firsthand the grisly details of eighteenth century medicine, pre-industrial age toilet paper, unheated bathwater, and outdoor plumbing, and are able to enjoy such stories through a hazy and forgiving veil of romance.

So it is this improbable veil that I am hoping to lift when I open the pages of Lady Runaway; and in the beginning it proves to be a wojep (woman in jeopardy) story with a common scenario: The orphaned daughter with no remaining close family is forced by straitened circumstances to find employment as a teacher or governess. In our heroine’s case, Riana—Lady Travistock— is also escaping the unwanted courtship of the appropriately named and thoroughly despicable Sir Hector Stalkings, whom she has left with a knot on his head, while she flees to Canada and the Wentworth Academy for Young Ladies. Instead of continuing successfully to her destination, she is waylaid by a deceptively helpful procurer by the name of Cynthia Sydebottom, collected for a client Sidebottom referred to as the "gov." By this point, our heroine is introducing herself as Annie Davidson, appropriating her cousin's last name. You can guess who the guv is.

One misstep leads to another, and an escape from Sydebottom into an alley leads to an altercation with a couple of thieves and the timely acquaintance with physician/military hero/captain/baron's son (yes, he is all of these things) Dev Carrington, with a sore-headed Hector Stalkings not far behind.

Our hero Carrington has his own demons: his status in the ton as a baron's third son, nightmares from his military service, and the conditional encumbrance of inheriting the Bridgemore estate, and the pending the noose of matrimony with a woman whose family once rejected him for being not high enough on the social scale. Complicate this further with "Annie" becoming his patient—a toothsome patient carrying around a stash of possibly stolen jewels and weaving a web of lies to obfuscate her identity—and Carrington is destined to have difficulty figuring out that identity, much less finding the opportunity to live up to his potential as hero.

All of the elements of a romance are on the page. I don't know if it is because I am too read in romance, or because all I do is write and edit, but I could predict from one page to the next exactly what was going to happen. I know that is not uncommon in genre; predictability is what defines genre as a whole. Within the boundaries of cliché and convention and the predictable steps of story, in a romance I need to feel an emotional connection with the characters, and for me this factor just did not quite bloom to its full potential in Lady Runaway. As every reader is not reading to find the next Heathcliff, Mr. Rochester or even the warped alpha Allegreto, I feel compelled to preface my conclusions with an emphasis of my own bias. I most prefer historicals with ponderous realism and emotional intensity, and this has neither. I did not feel much sense of time or place. Admittedly there is an appeal of a lighter sort. I noted here and there a glimmer of the author's humor, such as when Riana herself "didn't think it could be good for one's heart to race madly this often." Maybe not, but if my heart had raced a little more (and I'm not referring to erotica but an emotional connection with the characters), I would have enjoyed this book a lot more. But a decent light Regency, for all that.

When a boy wants a girl just for her money, it’s bad enough, but it’s even worse when he tells her so. This is just how author Maggi Andersen’s historical romance novella, Love and War, begins. Having read other books by Maggi Andersen, I have to say, Love and War is one of her more delightful and lighter pieces. It is a sensual bedroom romp and a bedroom farce combined. Love and War alternately had me laughing and then wondering how it was all going to end.

For beautiful Selena Wakefield, this is just what she wonders, too. She is wealthy, very wealthy. Living during the latter portion of England’s Regency, everyone places great stress on her getting married. Even though reluctant to do so, she knows she will have to, and soon.

However, there is a problem. Well, several actually. First, Selena rightly suspects the reason she is so often courted by young men is not so much because of her good looks, or winning personality, as it is for her money. Her wealth draws men like flies. Secondly, Selena wants to marry only for love and this is not an easy thing to do when one is very rich.

The good news is she has found someone to love. That someone is Gyles Devereux, a stunningly handsome ex-soldier. The bad news is that Gyles is not in love with her. What’s worse, he makes it very plain to Selena that he would rather not marry at all. Gyles seems to have a low opinion of women, so if he has to marry, then it will be only for the money such a wife would bring him. After all this is made very clear to Selena, he then proposes to her, yet again. When Selena gives in and accepts his marriage proposal as the least of all available evils, matters only proceed to get more complicated.

Author Maggi Andersen has outdone herself with Love and War. She paints in the background of the later Regency period with exquisite detail, including locations, costumes, and even common slang of the times. One feels as if one were there, standing amidst a crowd in the pump room at Bath.

Combine such settings with a great and fun plot, and the result is Love and War. Maggi Andersen has created a delightful piece of entertainment. If you enjoy a sensual romance, one with good plot, lighthearted and at times heartbreaking touches, then you will love, Love and War. Ms. Andersen is a consummate author and appears to be a dawning new star of Regency and Historical Romances. Jane Austen – you’d better watch out!

Reviewed By Rob Shelsky
© June 2009

When a famous Duke, a man so powerful and wealthy he dares argue with the Prince Regent himself, stumbles upon a beauty lying as if dead on a country highway, his troubles have only just begun. She has amnesia and can't explain who she is, or what happened to her, and he, despite a growing attraction for this enigmatic young woman, is already betrothed to someone else! What will be the outcome of all this? The answer to that question lies in Maggie Andersen's exciting new Regency Romance, Rules of Conduct.

Rules of Conduct opens with the third Duke of Vale, Hugh Beauchamp, hurrying home from London. He has yet again, although unsuccessfully, tried to heal the breach between himself and the Prince Regent. Now, having failed, he only wants to go home and be alone for a while, despite the fact that this means he is leaving his bride-to-be alone in London.

When his carriage almost runs over a body lying in the country lane, Hugh, fearful this is just a ploy by evil highwaymen, warily exits his vehicle. Rather than finding robbers waiting to pounce, he discovers the body is that of a striking young woman. She is not dead, but only unconscious. With the help of trusted servants, he brings her to his estate. Judging by her clothing, Hugh assumes she is of low class, for she is dressed as a man might be, and filthy into the bargain.

When the mysterious Viola (so temporarily named by Hugh for a woman in Shakespeare's play, Twelfth Night) awakens, she finds she has no memory. Now summoned to the Duke's presence, she is fearful of the outcome. He has half a mind to send her packing to the servants' quarters, but when he hears her cultivated speech and later discovers that she knows Latin, Hugh realizes that here is a mystery, indeed. Whoever this youthful, blonde-haired person is, she is no mere servant girl!

But the question remains, who is this mysterious "Viola?" Where does she come from? Why was she lying unconscious in the lane, dressed as a man, and covered in dirt? What is the meaning of the locket, the only feminine item she wears? Moreover, what is Hugh now to do with her? He doesn't feel he can treat her as a lowly servant, but neither does he know her true origins. Worse, Hugh is now developing feelings for Viola. For a man already betrothed, this is not a good thing! Even worse, he suspects she is beginning to feel the same way about him! Only complications can result.

Maggie Andersen's Rules of Conduct is "a right saucy tale," as they say, and one done in the finest traditions of Regency Romances. Although the overall tone of the tale is light, as such romances are meant to be, this book has a good plot, shows in-depth historical research, and develops its characters amazingly well. Maggie Andersen, it seems, has a real flair for Regency Romances. Her Rules of Conduct shows a brilliant attention to detail, moves at a fast pace, and makes the reader care about what happens to the main characters.

Maggie Andersen is terrific at making the time period come alive, so much so, that for precious hours I was transported there, living in the bright, colorful life of London's Ton society at the height of the English Regency period. So, for those who wish to escape our own time, travel to another, and meet new and fun people, Rules of Conduct is a must read. I highly recommend this delightful tale of two such star-crossed lovers! Rules of Conduct justly deserves the rating of 8 out of 10. And, Maggie Andersen appears to be a new force with which to be reckoned. I look forward with real interest to more novels by her! In fact, I can hardly wait!

Reviewed By Rob Shelsky
© February2009

In Regencies, there are two professions available to upper class impoverished girls; one is governess; the other is companion. In Noblesse Oblige, our heroine Marianne Noble is the latter, born a vicar's daughter and now a lady's companion to Mrs. Middleton, a somewhat vulgar, somewhat bleached, somewhat fortyish, somewhat promiscuous wannabe social climber. Mrs. Middleton is targeting the attentions of a Mr. Rivers. To her embarrassment, Marianne finds herself in the unenviable position of being Mrs. Middleton's tool and Mr. Rivers' buffer. Marianne's main consolation is music, a talent that Mr. River's appreciates significantly.

The initial set-up involves a borderline slight, wherein Marianne approaches Mr. Rivers on Mrs. Middleton's behalf. Marianne is rebuffed and rejected; but Rivers soon realizes who is the tacky opportunist and who is the inherent lady. The plot potential increases with the introduction of Rivers' arthritic mother the invalid former pianist, the dandy Sir Piers, cousin of Mr. Rivers, who brings tales of how Rivers' wife died of a fall from a horse, and the stodgy Mr. Blunt with his honorable intentions.

The story proceeds without the flash and humor of Amanda Quick, and without the Gothic darkness of Lady Caroline Lamb, but lives quite comfortably in the midrange allocated to the genre. To be fair, there aren't many Regencies that don't concern an impoverished artistic gal down on her luck, and a tragic but rich hero ready to swoop in and play Prince Charming to her Cinderella. It IS the format, after all. It is clear that Lynne Connolly knows and understands the format and the story unfolds easily, if somewhat predictably. Noblesse Oblige is a book that will gratify fans of Connolly's Richard and Rose series as well as Regency readers everywhere.

Reviewed by Allie
© March 2008

A familiar song bemoans the fact that “some guys have all the luck.” The song might have been written about Quentin Fletcher, Marquess of Devon. Like most friends of the "constantly charmed," Devon’s have had enough of his constant winning at cards and beautiful belles basically falling at his feet. Lord Alton and John Willoughby, come up with a plan to show Devon that he isn’t a demi-god in Jane Toombs’ latest novel, A Beguiling Intrigue.

Justine Riggs is the son her father always wanted. As a motherless, only child, she learns to shoot, do sums and outride any man in the county. Her riding ability, and her anonymity from living in the country, makes her the perfect candidate for the friends’ scheme. The intelligent and beautiful woman is excited about a scheme to bring down a man who thinks women are little more than arm candy. The only problem with the hoax is that to strike the final blow she must reveal herself to be female to the watching crowd. The very thought is terrifying because she longs to be a female in the truest fashion instead of the girl-boy she contrived to be to please her now dead father. The end will not only bring down Devon, but any hopes she has for entering society.

The tall, blonde haired Devon realizes his friends’ hoax when Justine stops a runaway carriage during the race. A close examination reveals the jockey to be not only female, but also an enticing, even exotic woman. He hides his attraction under gruff words and insults that only rile Justine. He figures in the end, he’ll never see her again despite his initial reaction to her. It is just as well because Justine is far from the biddable females he prefers.

Mrs. Baldwin, owner of the runaway carriage, decides to reward Justine at the urging of her plain speaking coachman. In the widow’s opinion, what Justine needs is a husband to prevent her from dressing up in boy’s clothes and riding astride. The only way to snag a husband is to take young Justine under her wing and introduce her into society where she is sure to bump into likely candidates, even the irksome Devon.

Justine is a feisty heroine who has lived a false life to appease her father. It is good to see Justine fight for her own happiness. During the fight, she manages to strip Devon of commonly held false assumptions about women and Devon mellows from a conceited coxcomb to an intelligent, observant man.

The outspoken coachman is a notable secondary character as well as the slightly scattered Mr. Odgen Stewart. The dream sequences actually added confusion to the plot as opposed to illuminating inner struggles of the heroine, Justine.

A Beguiling Intrigue is true, sweet regency with the usual inhabitants of the ton. The twist is the lively heroine Justine who is far from ordinary. I would recommend this book to all Regency fans.

Reviewed by Morgan
Copyright © November 2006

Have you ever dreamed of your perfect man? A living, breathing male who embodies all the characteristics that would make him a perfect mate? Better yet, the dream man actually exists in real time? Of course, what it all comes down to is: is your dream wishful thinking or an actual glimpse into the future? That’s what Deidre Darlington wonders in Jane Toomb’s newest novel, A Most Unsuitable Bride.

Deidre Darlington flourishes in East Sussex, raised by her grandmother after her mother’s death. Sometimes she is a bit more than her grandmother can handle with her headstrong ways and a tendency to say whatever she is thinking. Deidre is sometimes troubled by cryptic visions of future events, but she keeps them to herself, knowing talk would only upset her grandmother and her chances of marrying well. She does want to marry well. All her needs are met in her country home, except for her yearning to be loved. She’s aware her grandmother loves her in her way, but her father stays in London, seldom visits, and never invites her to the city. Until the letter comes, inviting her to the city to live with his new wife and two daughters. At first, Deirdre furiously refuses to go. Now she will have to share her father with three more females. The thought is unbearable until she finds out that her neighbor Clive Shadbourne will visit before her London trip. Not only that, her father’s letter promised that Clive has excellent news for her.

The tall, dark haired Clive is to visit. Deidre is delirious because it all fits her dream. It would happen sometime after his arrival; Clive would take her in his arms and confess his love. True, he always treated her like a younger sister because he was six years older, but things were about to change. After all, Deidre has loved Clive as far back as she could remember. Deidre’s daydream comes crashing down when Clive arrives and admits he joined the Army. Instead of them being together, he is leaving for Spain as soon as he arrives in London. Deidre is devastated. How can this be? Although she never tells her grandmother, she has great faith in her visions—the wedding was so real. Her beloved is going into danger and there does not seem to be a thing she can do to stop him. As if things couldn’t get worse, Clive announces he is going to marry Phoebe, Deidre new and beautiful stepsister.

Shattered, Deidre decides to go with a brave front, although she would like to kick something or someone, preferably the unseen Phoebe. Obviously, no one knew of her great love for Clive, especially Clive. Grandmother believes father has sent for her so she can have a season in London. The petty Phoebe who is determined to cut the proud beauty down to size spoils her welcome to London. The older, more beautiful Phoebe browbeats her younger sister, Alcida. This cements an immediate bond between Deidre and Alcida. Deidre is determined to defend herself and Alcida against the viper tongued Phoebe. Her campaign to shelter her new sister may keep her thoughts off her most recent vision of battlefield horrors. She is equally determined to want the best for Clive, so if Phoebe is his choice—then so be it.

Deidre is a contradiction of sorts. The spirited beauty who lets every thought pop out of her mouth while in the country, becomes “too nice” in the company of Phoebe, fawning over the proud beauty. The beautiful, blonde Phoebe is shallow, vicious, and disloyal—it makes you wonder about Clive’s intelligence in picking this bride. Deidre’s father is odd, indeed, in the fact he spreads insulting talk about his own daughter to his new wife and stepdaughters before Deidre arrives. Such a thoughtless father would never have sent for his daughter in the first place. The mechanics are good and the plot workable, but the actual characters hurt the story. Everyone is just too much. Phoebe is too evil. Clive is too emotionless. Alcida is too accepting of her bad treatment. The grandmother is a bit too doom and gloom. As for Deidre, she is too conflicted. If she really loved Clive, then she would fight for him. She would have put her feelings out there before she knew about Phoebe. As a heroine, she is vanilla and not the spicy cinnamon I believe she was intended to be.
The book moves rapidly through the familiar world of London’s Upper Two Thousand. It has the potential of being a better story than it actually is. For people who like their romances to be a ride in the park—with moments of light dialogue with the standard denizens of the regency set-- A Most Unsuitable Bride is the book for you!

Reviewed by Morgan
Copyright © November 2006

I finished the first chapter of The Offer with mouth agape. Incredulous, I asked myself, as I flipped back to the front cover, "Is this a Catherine Coulter?" The print indicated that it was indeed written by Catherine Coulter and is book two in the Baron Series. I couldn't help myself, it didn't seem like the typical Coulter fare that I was accustomed to, but I forced myself onward. Despite my skepticism (and the urge to ditch the book), I worked through The Offer like a farmer trudging through flooded fields.

Sabrina Eversleigh, the story's heroine, finds herself trapped in a blizzard. She's run away from home for reasons of self-preservation, but finds that the grim reaper will take her wherever he pleases, be it at her home, Monmouth Abbey, or in the wilds of forest. She collapses, unconscious, and all seems lost.

Philip Mercerault is lost in a terrible blizzard on the way to a friend's home. He's making a holiday tour when he's surprised by the storm. Philip wanders on horseback through the forest in hopes of finding his way to the main road. After passing what seems to be his last ditch at shelter, he stumbles upon a body, nearly covered with snow. He picks up the unconscious girl and back tracks to the cottage he passed to get them both out of the storm.

Philip takes care of Sabrina, nursing her back to health from near-death. In the process, they become fast friends, isolated from society and the rules that prohibit and abhor their unplanned situation. When the storm subsides and the twosome is found by a mutual friend, Philip realizes that Sabrina has been compromised beyond repair. He does the only thing he can as a gentleman, he offers for her hand in marriage.

The rest of the story explores the relationship between Philip and Sabrina and, as in all romances, how they overcome obstacles for a neat and tidy happy ending. And yet, I had to drag my feet through this Coulter work, hoping it would redeem itself in the end. Maybe I am being dramatic, overstating a bit, but it would be best to explain my hesitation with this work.

First, while I like Philip, he seems like a nice sort, I couldn't picture myself in love with him. Granted, Coulter gave him all the leading man's attributes that are prerequisite of a romance hero, but I couldn't help but think of him like a brother--ewwww! Second, Sabrina is a whiner! Goodness, most Coulter heroines are feisty women, and aside from one scene in which Sabrina discovers Philip with his mistress, she's a downer and so self absorbed in self pity, I could barely like her.

The Offer does have some redeeming qualities. The first is Richard Clarendon. I love him. I would like to marry him and I would like it on the record that I think Sabrina was a fool (thankfully she was, because Richard returns in the final Baron book as the hero) to let him go. Second, Coulter is a talented writer, so it goes without saying that despite my petty irritations with The Offer, it was an entertaining read. So, if you are craving a regency romance and have already reread your favorites, The Offer is an entertaining choice to satiate the need for a fix.

Reviewed by Maci Walker
© August 2005

Perhaps it really had been the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, Marie LaVeau who had visited Justin Thibodeaux in the swamps as he'd been looking for the legendary jar holding gold and the secrets of his legacy. If it hadn't been she, then where did he get the gris gris he did not dare to take from his neck? He doubted the memories of his swim in the swamp that night because they could not be real. She had promised to bring back Jean Marie, and she had told him to guard the treasure, and when he turned into an alligator at night, he knew he had to do as she had asked. He loved his childhood sweetheart Jean-Marie even though she'd been gone for five years and he still carried the bullet where she had shot him. He wished she'd come back so he'd have a chance to prove to her how much he loved her--and Marie LaVeau was giving him that chance. But at what cost?

Jean-Marie LeFleur was having troubles of her own, trying to get away from her Hispanic Mafia boyfriend from Vegas, Gino. She had intentions of staying a stripper but planned to find a job where she could keep her clothes on. Hiding out in New Orleans had seemed a good idea until Gino's thugs had caught up with her. If the police hadn't been tipped off and nabbed them in the cemetery where they'd nearly shot her, she'd have been dead for sure. Or maybe it had been that prayer to Marie LaVeau that was responsible for her timely rescue. So the New Orleans police had called Justin, who was the law in LaTreche, and handed his former lover to him for protective custody until she could testify against the thugs who were after her. Where would she stay in LaTreche but in Justin's own house, where he could keep her safe?

So there were a couple of problems Jean Marie and Justin have to deal with: he had to find the jar, his secret heritage and pay back Marie LaVeau for helping him in the nick of time; she had to stay alive long enough to testify against Gino; and they both had to find each other and make up for past mistakes. Alicia Sparks has written story as hot and steamy as a Louisiana Bayou. Read this book set on the delta and expect to be enchanted by the sultry promise of voodoo magic and Ms. Sparks sultry prose. Bayou Gold delivers what it promises, though the treasure might not be exactly what you expect.

Reviewed By: Maîtresse
© August 2004

Stephen Chaplin, a barrister and younger son of a baronet, arrived at the Horse and Cart Inn to return a wayward daughter to her grateful mother. He had nothing to do with the girl's misbehavior; to the contrary he was always a perfect gentleman to every woman he met. There had been a tragedy in his life-the death of the woman he loved at the hands of her abusive husband-which made him vow never again to fail a female in distress.

It was only natural for him to assist the veiled woman who had just learned that there was no transportation from the inn to London. His interest increased when the breeze lifted the lady's veil, revealing an ugly bruise. Despite his kindness, the lady would tell him only that she was Mrs. Brown, a seamstress on her way to London to work for a dressmaker. Stephen felt a real attraction to this mysterious seamstress, who had the manners and speech of a well-born lady.

Mrs. Brown was really Lady Elinor, the unmarried daughter of the Earl of Ashworth. Her father was with the Army in Portugal. He had placed Elinor with his sister, who, because of tragedy in her own life, soon began a descent into madness. She became violent, abusing Elinor and even threatening her with a pistol. Elinor knew she must flee, but was terrified that her aunt would find her.

Even when she was safely delivered to Mimi LaTour's shop, Elinor continued to keep her identity a deep secret. Though she wanted to see Stephen Chaplin again, she refused to let him call on her. Using his sister's new wardrobe as an excuse, Stephen found reasons to call on the dress shop. Over time, he and Ellie Brown developed a close friendship.

One night, in a desperate attempt to get a letter delivered to her father, Elinor went to a masquerade ball where she knew that she would find an important official from the Foreign Office. Stephen was also there; Elinor recognized him in spite of his costume. She took advantage of her own disguise as Cinderella, boldly flirted with him and even let him kiss her passionately. Then, like the real Cinderella, she left quickly, and accidentally dropped her ivory fan.

Stephen was dismayed that he could be so attracted to Cinderella when he was beginning to give his heart to Ellie. But since he had found the lady's fan, he was determined to find her. ...

LADY ELINOR'S ESCAPE is a short book, perfect for a brief escape to Regency London. It has all the charm and delicacy that is traditionally associated with Regency romances, and a sufficiently intricate plot to keep the reader's interest from start to finish.

Reviewed by Margaret Grantham
Copyright July 2004

As Regency Romances go, Cathy Maxwell's TEMPTATION OF A PROPER GOVERNESS is different. Her hero and heroine aren't meeting at the height of the season amongst the ton, nor are they traipsing across the county from estate to estate looking for the next meaningless to do. Instead, Ms. Maxwell has written a story that is set in Regency England, adheres to the conventions of the time period, and explores the setting as a part of the love story, but it isn't the reason for the love story. Ms. Maxwell has written a timeless love story infused with a good mystery.

Isabel didn't trust anyone. She had been protecting her heart for a long time. She watched her mother die of unrequited love to her real father, an earl, and her stepfather moon over her mother though she never truly loved him. Isabel's strong spirit refused to mark her life the same way and so she made her own way in the world as a governess. She was working for a family of disreputable ethics whose daughter was a spoiled, fast girl. Isabel, whose sense of morality and righteousness was all she had, made sure to keep the daughter in check, but on the night in which the story opened, Isabel had to save not only the daughter's reputation from irreparable damage, but also the man whom the girl had set her sights to marry.

Michael was controlled. After being charged with the murder of his lover ten years prior and having the case dismissed due to lack of evidence, Michael left the whispers in England behind. He returned to England after ten years spent in Canada fighting a war that was not his to fight with the goal to discover who committed the crime he was charged with and clearing his name. His goal led him into the path of the family for whom Isabel worked. When he discovered Isabel in his room, sparks flew and passion ignited something that ever-controlled Michael hadn't experienced in a long time. Then he discovered that Isabel might be the key to finding out who framed him for murder, so he asked her to marry him.

The story followed the love story of Isabel and Michael and their discovery of each other and a love that neither knew they could feel. While Isabel had held her defenses for so long, Michael could demolish those defenses with a look. Michael had denied love for so long that his deep attachment to Isabel took him by surprise. As they fell into love with one another, their commitment was tested time and again as the murder mystery unfolded. Did Michael truly commit the act? Or was he framed?

Ms. Maxwell wrote a story that is just right. The love story is satisfying and told beautifully. The mystery is weaved perfectly through the narrative so that the reader continues to long for tied loose ends and is satisfied by the outcome by the end of the story. TEMPTATION OF A PROPER GOVERNESS is a great story that allows the reader to enjoy the setting of Regency England but still enjoy a love story that could take place in any time period.

Maci Walker
2004

Demon earned his name for his formidable manner in business and with women. The blonde Cynster enjoyed being in charge and was sure that he would never be brought to his knees by a feeble emotion like love or be at any woman's beck and call like so many of his Cynster cousins. Of course that was all before he saw a suspicious rounded backside bobbing in the saddle on his most promising race horse.

The shapely posterior belonged to none other than Felicity Parteger, who was also masquerading as an exercise boy. Demon's trainer, with his near vision, had managed to miss the intense blue eyes above the concealing muffler, and the tendril of corn silk hair escaping from the exercise "boy's" cap. Demon didn't miss a thing, including the way his heart sped up and his body heated whenever his mysterious rider was near. He apprehended Felicity and found, instead of a tomboy, a Botticelli angel determined to take on a race fixing syndicate to save her brother.

Felicity only wanted to save her brother Dillon from dishonor and possibly death while keeping the whole matter hidden from Dillon's father and her ward, The General. Never did she imagine that her impersonation would put her under the exacting eyes of Demon Cynster. He had long been her girlhood image of an ideal man with his good looks, ready wit, and way with horses. Felicity knew he was a matrimonial prize, besides being a well known rake, and wasn't for a simple country girl like herself who could saddle a horse better than she could use a fan. There was also the small matter that she made free to use one of Demon's horses, not to mention that her brother was hiding on his property too.

Tempers flared, as well as passions, when Demon decided that he should assist Felicity in her hunt to track down Dillon's villainous cohorts before they could find Dillon. Declaring his intention to marry Felicity when they were found in a compromising position, Demon was shocked when Felicity refused his proposal. For Felicity it was her girlhood dream come true, except she wanted to be more than an appropriate wife, then there was Celeste, and that annoying criminal business.

Felicity is a well rounded heroine who rides like a man, but wants to be desired as a woman. Her new-found female Cynster friends are more than happy to show her the way. Demon, on the other hand, is probably one of the most stubborn and hard headed of the Cynsters yet. His secretive nature almost makes the relationship a no-go for the last 100 pages.

A Rogue's Proposal is the fourth novel of the Cynster series. It can be a bit of a nail biter in spots because it is hard to see how two fiercely independent people, not to mention stubborn, can compromise enough to make a go of it. To know if love triumphs in the end, read the book.

Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
© September 2004

Vane Cynster was trying to outrun a storm when he decided to drop in on godmother Minnie for shelter. Minnie's generous nature included collecting indigent relatives and eccentric strays. While expecting an old sergeant wanting to be addressed as general, Vane was instead pleasantly surprised by a nicely rounded rear poking out the shrubbery. Quite a change from his last visit, before he could consider the possibilities, the woman straightened and stumbled back into his arms. Vane earned his name by knowing which way the wind would blow. He clamped his arms around the blonde beauty and realized fate had finally found him.

Patience hurriedly pulled herself away from the muscular chest and strong arms, only to face the most dreaded of creatures: the elegant gentleman. It was easy to spot a darling of the ton with his well tailored clothes and carefully tied cravat. The little jump her heart made she decided she would just put down to fear. A lesson well learned at her mother's knee was that a gentleman like himself would only use her up and throw her away. She would have no more purpose than a brood mare. This was not the life she imagined for herself. In fact, she planned never to marry to avoid such a fate. It was the reason she was still single at seven and twenty, despite her gentle beauty. Patience looked away the smiling lips and tried to remember why an elegant gentleman was such a bad thing.

Vane's godmother was delighted to see him because she had a problem that needed Vane's touch. A ghost who was suddenly haunting the ruins was upsetting the guests, not to mention a petty thief. If that wasn't enough to stir his protective Cynster instincts, the thought of Patience sealed the deal. Unfortunately for Patience not only was Vane going to be in residence, he rapidly became the role model for her impressionable teenage brother.

Despite her reluctance to befriend Vane, Patience felt she must, if only to clear her brother's name who some of the guests were calling the culprit. Mayhem reigned when guests pointed fingers at each other, Minnie's priceless pearls disappeared, Vane tried to get Patience to say I do, and Gerard, Patience's brother, was knocked out cold from a fairly physical ghost--just another day for a Cynster.

RAKE'S VOW is the second novel of the Cynster series. Vane, unlike his Cynster brethren knows he has met his match as soon as he meets her. Unfortunately for him, Patience doesn't and leads him on a merry chase that is delicious fun to read about.

Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
© October 2004

Alathea was desperate for help, and there was only one person she could turn to: Gabriel Cynster. They had grown up together, and she was well aware that Gabriel would do whatever was needed. Only problem was she couldn't let anyone in the town know that her father had been scammed by an unscrupulous con artist. The family was one small step from total ruin just when her two sisters were ready to come out. Eleven years ago, Alathea was able to twist a bad investment into good at the cost of her own season and any possibility of happiness.

Alathea donned a veil, a pair of high heels, and a new identity as the mysterious countess. The ever chivalrous Gabriel arrived at the designated meeting place only to be told a tale that closely resembled Alathea's own. Gabriel, strangely intrigued by the countess, agreed to help with his reward being a kiss for each action performed.
Alathea soon found herself involved in a double life while her real self argued and teased Gabriel at the various balls and the countess enjoyed lush passion in his arms later.

Both Gabriel and Alathea were hot on the trail of their con artist despite warnings that he had the attitude of a cornered rabid rat. Every step closer deepened the relationship between the countess and Gabriel until he was intent on marriage. Alathea, on the other hand, was convinced Gabriel would hate her for her deception and planned for the duchess to quietly disappear. It was better to have loved and lost she reasoned to herself as she prepared to give away once again any hope of happily-ever-after. A slip-up in their plans alerted the deadly Crowley, the scam artist, that they were on his trail--with disastrous results. Would Gabriel and Alathea ever discover each other's true identity or even live to experience the possibility?

This is the fifth book in the Bar Cynster series which introduces us to Rupert who now goes by the nickname of Gabriel. True to the Cynster traits of honor, loyalty, and geniality, Gabriel is a sympathetic character with a dash of recklessness and hidden vulnerability. Alathea is a strong woman who is willing to put family first at the cost of her own happiness. The story explores Gabriel's and Alathea's childhood friendship and how it broke up, which allows the reader to have an epiphany concerning their real feelings about the same time the two main characters do.

A SECRET LOVE keeps suspense tight with a dastardly villain and the tease of hidden facets of each character. The Cynsters are a fun family to spend time with, especially considering that the males are always so resistant to love and marriage. Alathea is a woman to love with her "can do" attitude and blind plunge into love. This book is a stay up all night to finish book, pure unadulterated pleasure.

Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
© August 2004