Secrets of a Perfect Night

European Historical Romance (1820s England)
Sensuality: Hot

Scandalous Lord Dere by Stephanie Laurens takes place in 1823. As Adrian Hawsley, Viscount Dere journeys home to his country estate, he and his servant are caught in a blizzard. They just barely make it to a cottage in one of the outlying villages, and when the nearly frozen Adrian stumbles in the door, he comes face to face with Abigail Wooley, the companion of his childhood, and his one-time lover. Abby's attempt to thaw him out gets pretty - er, warm, if you know what I mean. But though the two share a deep bond from the past and Adrian decides almost immediately that they should marry, Abby will require some convincing before she turns her heart over to Adrian again.

This is a nice story with some great love scenes (one of Laurens' trademarks). I liked both characters. But although it is the longest story in the book, it could have used a little more character development, and perhaps more insight into Adrian and Abby in their earlier years.

European Historical Romance (Regency England)
Sensuality: Hot

The Last Love Letter by Victoria Alexander takes place during the Regency period, shifting back and forth in time between 1805, 1812, and 1815. Rachael Gresham and Jason Norcross are young lovers who are cruelly torn apart by a misunderstanding. There is a villain here, which makes the misunderstanding believable and poignant. Years later they get a second chance at love - but can they overcome the bitterness of the past?

This story seemed like a bit of a departure to me; if I'd read it blind I would have guessed that the author was someone like Susan Sizemore, perhaps because it reminded me a bit of her On a Long Ago Night. The other book I read by Victoria Alexander, The Wedding Bargain, was much lighter in tone. But while the story of lovers separated by another's cruelty is not exactly new, in this case it is very enjoyable and moving. I thought at first that the time shifts would be confusing in a short story, but everything flowed smoothly.

Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Hot

Now and Forever by Rachel Gibson is set in the present, at a reunion for the Class of 1990. Brina (pronounced Brinn-a) McConnell returns to her small town for a New Year's Eve reunion. Once called munchkin by her classmates, she's now grown a couple of inches and a cup size. When she first sees her old friend and boyfriend Thomas Mack, she doesn't recognize him; he's acquired alot of polish and more than a little wealth in the intervening ten years. Though sparks quickly fly, these two have issues to resolve from their past before they can really ring in the New year together.

I have to confess that I skipped ahead to this story, something I rarely do (I guess I'm afraid the book police will stop by). I could identify with both these character, and I enjoyed them very much. Though none of the secondary characters is onstage long, they all seemed familiar to me - I think they went to my high school, too. Rachel Gibson has done an excellent job capturing those awkward moments and stupid decisions we all make during high school. If you haven't had your ten year reunion yet, you'll probably wish it was just like this one. My one quibble is that it ended somewhat abruptly, but then I hardly wanted it to end at all.

The grades average out to a B, and if you are a fan of any of these authors you will probably find this book worth your time. It's a nice, fun way to escape from bad weather and the holiday bustle.

-- Blythe Barnhill

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