Romance Book Reviews
All About Passion by Stephanie Laurens
Avon, September, 2001Paperback, 432 pages
ISBN: 0380812029
Subgenre: Historical
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Gyles Rawlings, the fifth Earl of Chillingworth, is an
honorary member of the notorious Cynster clan. Like the
other handsome rakes in the club, he also is determined not to
marry for love. After all, a wife is just a necessary
accoutrement to his lifestyle -- a means to an end -- who should
not curtail his extracurricular activities. Accordingly, Gyles
offers for the hand of country heiress Francesca Rawlings,
the daughter of an old friend. Gyles has never seen Francesca,
and mistakes her for Francesca's cousin, a mild-mannered
miss that he decides will suit his needs just fine. At his
wedding, Gyles finds himself married to the real Francesca,
a fiery beauty that makes his heart race. He's determined
not to fall in love with his wife, and she's determined that he will.
But unfortunately, someone is determined that Francesca
die before the couple have a chance to resolve their
differences.
Stephanie Laurens turns the heat up in this latest installment of the Cynster series, and it's one of her best works. Francesca is one of the most appealing heroines to come along in a while; she's bold, brash and intelligent. The sparks really fly between Francesca and her reluctant groom, and the mystery adds just the right tough of danger to the story. As always, Laurens keeps the heat turned way up in the sensuality department, and her plot is intriguing.
The Beautiful Stranger by Julia London
Dell, July, 2001Paperback, 388 pages
ISBN: 0440236908
Subgenre: Historical
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
In this installment of the popular Rogues of Regent Street series,
Arthur Christian is overwhelmed with guilt at not saving
his friend Phillip from death. Phillip was severely depressed,
and was killed in a senseless duel. Determined to
help put Phillip's affairs in order, he travels to Glenbaden,
Scotland, to dispose of a worthless piece of land which Phillip had
bought. The tenant on the property defaulted on the note, and the land
is ripe for foreclosure. Arthur is a true city gentleman and
finds himself stranded in Scotland in no time. He meets up
with a beautiful widow, Kerry McKinnon, who shoots him
when she thinks he's a burglar. The two end up traveling
to Glenbaden together -- Kerry is widow of the tenant who
defaulted on the note, and will be homeless if Arthur follows
through with his plan to evict her. The two fall in love,
but their stations in life prevent them from marrying.
Now Arthur must choose between the life he loves in
London, and the woman he loves in Scotland.
In the Beautiful Stranger, Julia London explores the themes of love and duty, set against the backdrop of the beautiful wilds of the Scottish highlands. Kerry McKinnon is a heroine to root for; she's had a tough life, but never lets circumstances get her down. Arthur, the rogue who has a soft heart underneath his polished exterior, is a charmer that is sure to melt any reader's heart. Julia London writes with humor, passion and heart. This is a compelling romance with enough adventure and passion to satisfy the most demanding reader. Highly recommended.
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
Putnam, October, 2001Hardcover, 368 pages
ISBN: 0399148248
Subgenre: Contemporary
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Declan Fitzgerald, wealthy Boston attorney, has always longed to
own the mysterious Manet Hall ever since he and his friend,
Remy Payne, broke into the old New Orleans antebellum mansion while on
a youthful drunken spree. When the Hall comes on the market,
Declan dumps his fiancé and his law practice, and
moves to New Orleans to purchase the old home. While spending a fortune
on the restoration of the home to its former glory, he hears the
ghostly cry of a baby and passes out when he enters a particular
room on the second floor. Declan renews his friendship with
his old friend Remy, and also meets a beautiful Cajun bar owner
named Lena Simone. Lena also seems to have
a strange connection to Manet Hall.
The book alternates between the present and 1900, when the Hall's former
occupant, Abigail Manet lived and died. As Lena and Declan
fall in love, it becomes increasingly clear that they have some
strange and dangerous connection to the dark history of the house,
which was the scene of violence, rape, and murder.
In Midnight Bayou, bestselling author Nora Roberts mixes a contemporary ghost story with a historical love story, with excellent results. Roberts excels at writing romantic suspense, and her characters are always fresh and interesting. The atmosphere crackles with suspense, and Declan and Lena's interactions are filled with erotic tension. Nora Roberts clearly has another bestseller on her hands with this one, and deservedly so.
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