Annotations
Boyle, Elizabeth One Night of Passion
In London of 1799, Georgiana Escott learns her cruel uncle has betrothed her to an elderly wastrel who insists on a virgin bride. Knowing there is only one way to escape the marriage, she rushes to a ball where she hopes to find a man to help her out of her predicament, and it is there that she meet the disgraced Lord Danvers. After their one night together, the pair become separated for some time, and it isn't until much later when they are thrown together in the midst of a war that they are able to begin testing the strength of one another's love. This historical romance novel, set against the backdrop of the sea and war, moves at an engrossing pace. The reader wants to move quickly through the pages to find out what will happen next to the independent and headstrong heroine, and to see how the honorable, yet mysteriously disgraced Lord Danvers will convince Georgie that they need each other. Moving between London to Italy and back to London, this exciting story combines naval adventure with a romantic love story. (2002)
Brown, Sandra Words of Silk
Originally published in 1984 under a pseudonym, this reissued contemporary novel is about Deke Sargent and Laney McLeod, who meet while trapped in an elevator in New York City. As Deke helps Laney overcome her claustrophobia, the emotionally starved Laney finds love and caring. However, Laney runs away without ever planning to see Deke again. He tracks her down and finds she is pregnant, and they must learn to overcome the obstacles in their relationship before they can be truly happy together. This book has a very emotional tone, as Laney struggles against past hurts to find the freedom to love and trust Deke. It's a pretty short book with a fast pace that spans about a year, and the storyline does not involve much besides the relationship between the hero and heroine. Since the book is originally about twenty years old, some details seem pretty dated, such as when Laney must convince the principal of the school where she teaches to keep her on even though she is unwed and pregnant, which would normally be a firing offense! Plot is more important than characterization - the hero and heroine have feelings for each other and everything, but sometimes it's hard to believe what exactly they love about each other. Deke is authoritative and overbearing at times, and Laney refuses to share anything about her past and her family with him. It's best to read this steamy romance with an eye on its original date of publication. (2004)
Chesney, Marion The Miser of Mayfair
This Regency comedy includes a heroine who is much smarter than anyone gives her credit for, and she likes it that way; her newly appointed, impoverished guardian; the Earl of Harrington, who thinks Fiona, the heroine, is just another spoiled society miss; and Rainbird, the butler who helps Fiona in her quest to win the earl's heart. Unique because of its descriptions of life above- and below-stairs, and because of the proactive nature of the heroine, this book set in Regency England provides a humorous look at the customs of the time. The reader feels for the heroine and her circumstances while being amused at the various tricks she keeps up her sleeve. Quirky secondary characters provide parallel storylines, and pacing is generally fast in this 167 page book. (1986)
Farmer, Virginia Sixpence Bride
This 1999 Golden Heart Award winner is a time travel romance set in late 18th century England. American Jocelyn Tanner is on vacation in England when she finds herself thrust into the year 1797 and being auctioned off at a wife sale. Luckily for her, the Earl of Spenceworth happened along in time to save her from the poor, unkempt townspeople of the place where she found herself, although he offered only the humiliating price of sixpence for her. Jocelyn must figure out what has happened to her and how she can get back to her own time, all the while fighting her growing love and attraction to her new husband. An unusual storyline combining mysterious time travel and historical details serve to make this novel a fast-paced read. Character development is important as the hero and heroine discover what really matters to them in life and to what lengths they will go stay together. (2000)
Garwood, Julie Prince Charming
This historical romance by a best-selling writer combines a romantic storyline with a suspenseful subplot. Taylor Stapleton flees Victorian England thanks to a marriage of convenience when her grandmother, her only caring relative, dies. Determined to escape her greedy, lecherous uncle, Taylor sails to America with her new husband, rancher Lucas Ross. She plans to part ways with him as soon as they set foot in Boston, but circumstances throw them together repeatedly, and by the time they reach Montana, they both begin to realize their marriage might be the real thing. At over 500 pages, this paperback is quite long, but the action and suspense make for a quicker read than one might expect. Although the hero and heroine mistakenly think the other doesn't want the marriage, they both grow during the novel and realize they are right for each other and that marriage and family life isn't necessarily the trap they expected it to be. A side romance between Taylor's pregnant friend and Lucas' half-Indian friend provides a secondary storyline. (1994)
Krentz, Jayne Ann Dawn in Eclipse Bay
This contemporary novel adds a touch of suspense to the romantic atmosphere of a small coastal Oregon town, where the longstanding feud between the Hartes and the Madisons is finally being breached. The second novel in a linked trilogy pairs professional matchmaker Lillian Harte with successful CEO Gabe Madison as they return to their hometown to fight their growing attraction to each other, prove that the feud between their families is pointless, and discover what is at the bottom of some mysterious activity going on at the "Institute" just out of town. The storyline's main focus is on the relationship between the characters, and while there is a suspenseful subplot, it doesn't seem to be very serious or to affect the way the protagonists feel about each other. The characters' grandfathers provide amusing dialogue as they try to throw their grandchildren together in this moderately paced novel, and Lillian's attempt at a career change is the background for character development for both her and Gabe as she convinces them both that being artistic does not equate with being irresponsible or flighty. (2001)
Lee, Miranda His Bride for One Night
This category romance in the Harlequin Presents series entitled Wedlocked! is a quick and simple read. Charlotte Gale, who has been dumped the day her parents are coming to town for her elaborate wedding, is saved from at least the humiliation of having to disappoint her family yet again by handsome stranger Daniel Bannister. Daniel, a successful lawyer in Los Angeles, has just flown into his hometown of Sydney for a short visit with his sister when he offers to stand in as Charlotte's pretend groom. In the days after the "wedding", Daniel and Charlotte fall in love and realize they are meant for each other. The book is short and very fast paced, set against the glamorous backdrop of Sydney and the country atmosphere of the Hunter Valley, and while the hero and heroine must confront some aspects of their pasts in order to wholeheartedly love each other, characterization is not as important as the passion between the two. (2005)
Robards, Karen Nobody's Angel
A departure from Karen Robards' usual style of contemporary romantic suspense novels, this historical romance moves between 18th century Colonial America and London, as preacher's daughter Susannah goes against all common sense and buys an indentured servant, takes him home and nurses him to health, and proceeds to fall in love with him. Ian has several problems from his past that he must take care of before he can devote himself totally to Susannah, and as they travel together to London, Susannah finds out that Ian is not the common criminal he is purported to be. This book is moderately paced, allowing plenty of time for characterization and emotional development between the hero and heroine. Susannah is portrayed as a self-sacrificing woman who is a mother to her younger sisters and to much of her father's congregation. Although Susannah and Ian are temporarily forced apart by the circumstances surrounding Ian's imprisonment, their separation doesn't last too long and they are able to find each other once again. (1992)
Tronstad, Janet A Hero for Dry Creek
This inspirational category romance from the Steeple Hill imprint is part of the Love Inspired series. Rancher Nicki Redfern believes God has answered her prayers for a Prince Charming of her own when she sees Garrett Hamilton on her lawn early one winter morning. It turns out Garrett has chauffeured Nicki's mother to Montana from Las Vegas, where she has come to make amends for abandoning her family several years ago. Not only must Nicki deal with facing her mother again, she must also try to figure out whether God has sent Garrett to be her knight in shining armor. This book is one of several set in Dry Creek, so many references to other incidents and other couples are made in what attempts to be a humorous tone. Although the book is short, pacing is slowed by all the outside references, and sometimes characterizations suffer because of this as well. As an inspirational romance, this book meets all the criteria of a gentle read. (2003)
Walker, Kate The Hired Husband
In this contemporary series romance novel from Harlequin Presents we meet Sienna Rushford, who desperately needs to get married in order to claim her father's inheritance, but the only man she can think of is Keir Alexander. Although he refuses her at first, she eventually convinces him by offering a sizable business loan. As the year of their marriage passes, they find themselves wishing the days wouldn't go by so quickly. Short and fast paced, this quick read is set in England, although the location never plays an important part. The only character development involving the hero and heroine is that surrounding their relationship, as this is really the novel's only focus. The romantic storyline and the emotional ups and downs of the characters make this an enjoyable book. (2002)