Rating: 
Summary: Not very satisfying
Review: This is the first Samantha James novel I've ever read and I was led to it by the favorable reviews of her other works. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be one of her better books. There's nothing horribly wrong with it but it was just an average read.Prose style: The language is overly flowery and James writes this book as if she's being paid by the adjective. The Heroine: The heroine is a bit of a ninny. She knows that not only her own life but the life of her young brother depend upon her keeping her identity a secret and yet she can't even lie about her name to a man made delerious by fever. The Hero: He posesses all the stock romance hero characteristics---good looking, tall, arrogant but tender, passionate to the point of near-madness etc. ----but he never really comes to life. The Plot: A very good premise but the action of this novel is too dependant on the main characters doing totally inexplicable things just to move the story along.
Rating: 
Summary: Two points of exploration.
Review: While reading the escapade of Lady Gillian and Gareth, the Lord of Sommerfield, I encountered two conflicting images. Samantha James fills the story's launch with tenderness, and the reader sees trust and friendship taking shape. Regrettably, the book's setting changes and we move to Castle Sommerfield. When Gillian realizes her new friend is her assigned assassin, the tenderness shatters. The author now dips into the familiar writing technique -- distrust -- and what is distrust without fighting. Now Lady Gillian moves through her days with extensive unhappiness. Still the story is entertaining, mysterious, and passionate. The writer has great fun with Gareth's son, Robbie. His charming little life captivates the reader. In the final pages, the author ties and neatly disposes all the nagging problems. Even Gillian's guardian comes back from the clutches of death; extraordinarily, Gillian's lost brother returns with him. One disappointment, when Gareth declares his love, I wished both wives could have had equality - there is no reason Gillian should dominate his heart more. Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.
Rating:
Summary: Two points of exploration.
Review: While reading the escapade of Lady Gillian and Gareth, the Lord of Sommerfield, I encountered two conflicting images. Samantha James fills the story's launch with tenderness, and the reader sees trust and friendship taking shape. Regrettably, the book's setting changes and we move to Castle Sommerfield. When Gillian realizes her new friend is her assigned assassin, the tenderness shatters. The author now dips into the familiar writing technique -- distrust -- and what is distrust without fighting. Now Lady Gillian moves through her days with extensive unhappiness. Still the story is entertaining, mysterious, and passionate. The writer has great fun with Gareth's son, Robbie. His charming little life captivates the reader. In the final pages, the author ties and neatly disposes all the nagging problems. Even Gillian's guardian comes back from the clutches of death; extraordinarily, Gillian's lost brother returns with him. One disappointment, when Gareth declares his love, I wished both wives could have had equality - there is no reason Gillian should dominate his heart more. Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.
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