Whispers of the Night (Signet Eclipse) by Lydia Joyce is first. Alcyone Carter is about to marry a man she's corresponded with but never met in person, far across the Continent from her native England. But it turns out the man she's married isn't the man she'd planned to wed. Dumitru Constantinescu doesn't care that he's wed this woman by deception; he needs her dowry for his homeland. Still, things start off all right, even after she finds out his true identity. But when Alcy discovers his plan to steal her money, things to downhill rather quickly. I have to say, I have loved Ms. Joyce's previous books. Loved them. But I didn't love this one. Alcy's flight is precipitous and seems out of character for this previously-smart heroine after all she's already been through. I liked this one well enough, but I didn't love it, unfortunately. I'm only borrowing three of Cupid's five arrows for it.
Infamous (Signet Eclipse) by Virginia Henley is next. Marjory de Warenne gave her heart to Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick as a young woman. But her family's secret betrayal forces them apart for years. This is classic Henley, with one notable exception--not nearly as much steam as there used to be in her books! For those readers who've been fans since her books were some of the hottest in the genre, this one will be a disappointment in that regard. That said, if you can appreciate a well-told historical romance without too much hot sex, this is still a good book. Just don't be expecting something like Enslaved. This one gets three and a half arrows.
Until next time, happy reading!
