Beauty in Black

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I have loved the other Nicole Byrd books I have read and have been waiting for this one to come out since I read a preview of it in Widow in Scarlet (which by the way I totally recomend) However I was disappointed with this one. I enjoyed the main characters, but several of the secondary characters drove me nuts and I felt held to much of the story time. I was also bored. I kept waiting for the story to start.

I understand now why so many period romances have fake or forced betrothals and marriages because otherwise authors seem to have to choose between being totally unrealistic or allowing the proprieties and proticals of the time to keep their characters to a very limited interaction. I was thursty for these two great characters to spend more intimate (and I don't mean just phsyically) moments together.

I recomend this book if you are reading the series (Dear Imposter, Lady in Waiting) or you might feel like you missed something about the characters of this series. Otherwise I am sad to say I don't recomend this one. I wish I could. I was very excited about a new book by this author team and I was looking forward to the interesting concept of the book. I think I feel cheated because I expected so much.

I just didn't feel like this book lived up to it's potential.

Rating:
Summary: Beauty and the Beast Theme
Review: In 1817, Lord John Sinclair knows he needs a wife so he can begat an heir, but knows his scarred face caused by smallpox as a child frightens children. Though he would prefer not to, the reclusive John needs the help of his estrange brother and surprisingly his new sister-in-law supports not only reconciliation but assisting John.

With her mom pregnant, Louisa Crookshanks coaxes her widowed Aunt Marianne Hughes to chaperone her during her London season. Louisa believes that John would make the perfect spouse for her. However, though John feels pretty good that the beautiful debutant seems unafraid of him and even flirts with him, he feels an attraction to her aunt. Marianne returns the desire and growing love, but though her marriage to Harry was good, she has doubts about a second time.

This enjoyable Regency romance consists of several delightful protagonists who are nice intelligent people (except for the hero's deceased father) with issues that bring out the period in a witty manner. The story line grips the reader as the cast hooks the audience who want everything to work out for the best, which is not that easy to make happen. Fans will look forward to a sequel starring a precious niece from an author who is soaring to the top.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Beauty and the Beast Theme
Review: John Sinclair, the Marquess of Gillingham, has decided he must marry in order to provide an heir. He has been a recluse for years, following a bout with small pox in his youth which left him badly scarred. His father has recently died and John does not want his younger brother to inherit the title as they have been bitter enemies most of their lives. John reluctantly goes to London to seek a wife.

Young Louisa Crookshank is anxious to go to London for the purpose of finding a suitable spouse, preferably one with an impressive title. Her beautiful widowed aunt Marianne Hughes has been persuaded to accompany her. Louisa is beautiful and spoiled and has been told by her former suitor that she is shallow. She decides she wants to marry the "Beast of Gillingham," not only because of his title, but to prove that she is not shallow - that she can look beyond the man's scars.

Louisa may be spoiled and shallow, but she's a delightful character. Her aunt is nearly perfect, but in a subtle, believable way. And you want the Marquess to have the love of a good woman; certainly Marianne is that woman. John is gruff and wary of people because of his scars and treatment he has received from his family as well as outsiders. Yet, we quickly see that he is a kind-hearted, lonely man. He has a dog named Runt he rescued, and who seems to be his only trusted friend.
Because John inadvertently proposed to Louisa, he could not show his true feelings for Marianne nor she for him. It was rewarding to see the "Beauty in Black" bring happiness to "the beast" through her accepting love for this vulnerable, good man.

The characters were believable and sympathetic, particularly John, and the mystery was a nice addition. It was easy to read and the writing was both lyrical and graceful. I also enjoyed the occasional bits of humor which kept it from ever being morose or despairing. In addition, it has a classy cover. This is a keeper!

Rating:
Summary: Very Impressive Sequel - Great Characterizations
Review: Setting, London 1817 --- Marianne Hughes has been a widow for some time now and after marriage to a very young and immature man, her notion of marriage life left much to be desired. Fortunately, she was left somewhat comfortable which afforded her to live a genteel if not wealthy life and not to resort to becoming someone's governess. However, as a respectable widow, she was approached by her in-laws to chaperone the comely Miss Crookshanks' come-out in London.

John Sinclair, Marquess of Gillingham, due to a scarred countenance from the ravages of a childhood case of smallpox, has lived life as something of a hermit, avoiding crowds, hardly ever venturing out to the city or out of the dark, but rather than leave his younger hated brother as his heir, he would make the supreme sacrifice and a quick trip to London with the hope to entice a young miss to become his wife and produce an heir. He never expect love, but thought his title and wealth might prove to be enough incentive to convince a woman to bear his child.

The comely and spoiled Miss Louisa Crookshank, had heard of the beastly looking Marquis through the gossips and knew he was in the city to find a bride. She had been sorely disappointed in love by a childhood neighbor and friend who she'd expected would ask for her hand and rather than admit defeat, would do her best to snare a title -more for spite than for love. The Marquis was her target and Louisa very forwardly made his acquaintance, but it was Marianne that John was attracted to. Thinking Marianne was married he dutifully paid his attentions to Louisa before he was made aware of Marianne's single status. Somehow, Louisa contrived to have him awkwardly state his intentions which she misconstrued into a marriage proposal which she promptly accepted.

In this delightful story and sequel to DEAR IMPOSTER, there are villains and intrigue as well as a dysfunctional family background, making BEAUTY IN BLACK a wonderful read. There is some very nice sensuality felt in this book, however when Marianne and John both finally admit to their mutual attraction, the passion is extremely palatable and well worth the wait - wow! The intrigue of who was trying to cause harm to Louisa - or so everyone thought - was a light little mystery, but I was more impressed with the secondary storyline of the relationship between two brothers who were pitted against one another from childhood by a vicious father that I found to extremely poignant. Nevertheless, I found that the plot, the romance, the intrigue all blended together into a book that captured my imagination from start to finish. I highly recommend this book. --- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

Rating:
Summary: Very Impressive Sequel - Great Characterizations
Review: Setting, London 1817 --- Marianne Hughes has been a widow for some time now and after marriage to a very young and immature man, her notion of marriage life left much to be desired. Fortunately, she was left somewhat comfortable which afforded her to live a genteel if not wealthy life and not to resort to becoming someone's governess. However, as a respectable widow, she was approached by her in-laws to chaperone the comely Miss Crookshanks' come-out in London.

John Sinclair, Marquess of Gillingham, due to a scarred countenance from the ravages of a childhood case of smallpox, has lived life as something of a hermit, avoiding crowds, hardly ever venturing out to the city or out of the dark, but rather than leave his younger hated brother as his heir, he would make the supreme sacrifice and a quick trip to London with the hope to entice a young miss to become his wife and produce an heir. He never expect love, but thought his title and wealth might prove to be enough incentive to convince a woman to bear his child.

The comely and spoiled Miss Louisa Crookshank, had heard of the beastly looking Marquis through the gossips and knew he was in the city to find a bride. She had been sorely disappointed in love by a childhood neighbor and friend who she'd expected would ask for her hand and rather than admit defeat, would do her best to snare a title -more for spite than for love. The Marquis was her target and Louisa very forwardly made his acquaintance, but it was Marianne that John was attracted to. Thinking Marianne was married he dutifully paid his attentions to Louisa before he was made aware of Marianne's single status. Somehow, Louisa contrived to have him awkwardly state his intentions which she misconstrued into a marriage proposal which she promptly accepted.

In this delightful story and sequel to DEAR IMPOSTER, there are villains and intrigue as well as a dysfunctional family background, making BEAUTY IN BLACK a wonderful read. There is some very nice sensuality felt in this book, however when Marianne and John both finally admit to their mutual attraction, the passion is extremely palatable and well worth the wait - wow! The intrigue of who was trying to cause harm to Louisa - or so everyone thought - was a light little mystery, but I was more impressed with the secondary storyline of the relationship between two brothers who were pitted against one another from childhood by a vicious father that I found to extremely poignant. Nevertheless, I found that the plot, the romance, the intrigue all blended together into a book that captured my imagination from start to finish. I highly recommend this book. --- Submitted by Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---