Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Greatest Lover Ever-Christina Brooke

The Greatest Lover Ever Christina Brooke St. Martin’s, Dec 31 2013, $7.99 ISBN 9781250029355 At the Duke of Montford’s ball, an irate Earl of Beckenham shows his fiancée Lady Georgiana Black her hair given to him by taunting libertine Lord Pearce who claimed this as his token of affection prize. He believes her claims that she has no idea how this miscreant got her hair, but Montford and Georgiana’s father agree that with her reputation for eccentric behavior she needs to rusticate in Gloucestshire while the Earl has business with Pearce. Georgie begs him not to duel or she will end their engagement. Montford reacts by saying her father is now responsible for her well-being. Six years later, twenty-four years old Georgiana is on the shelf rejecting any interest in her while soon to come into a large inheritance. She also ferociously protects her younger sister Violet hoping her sibling will avoid her missteps. When she learns that Violet attends a scandalous masquerade gala, Georgiana follows her. There she meets Beckenham who recognizes her in spite of her mask though this is their first encounter since they ended their betrothal. Though both remain attracted to each other, she refuses his advances while Pearce has plans to destroy Beckenham through his adversary’s love for Georgie. The second Westruther Regency romance (see London’s Last True Scoundrel) is an engaging historical starring two stubborn protagonists whose relationship collapsed due to a lack of communication and an adversary who plays their obstinacy like a puppeteer. Fans will enjoy the rematch as Christina Brooke provides a wonderful second chance at love if the heroes can learn to first trust one another. Harriet Klausner

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