Lord of Seduction (Warner Forever) by Paula Quinn is up first. Lady Tanon Risande has no choice in her future husband, but she isn't very happy when she learns that the king intends to honor her original betrothal to a Welsh prince, sending her far from home. Of course, that the prince is Gareth ap Owain isn't as bad as it could have been--she was originally betrothed as a child to his far more unpleasant brother. And Gareth is determined that his new wife won't find her marriage duties too onerous. This one is sweeter than the title implies, which was a bit of a disappointment to me, but it's an engaging tale, bound to hold a reader's interest for the duration. It's earned three of Cupid's five arrows.
Reluctant Witness (Harlequin Intrigue #959) by Kathleen Long is next. Kerri Nelson is determined to protect her young son after he witnesses what turns out to be a murder. But Wade Sorenson needs Kerri's son to help catch the bad guys. There's just one problem: Kerri thinks he betrayed her husband, causing his death. Not to mention the long-ago attraction between Kerri and Wade. You won't spend much time trying to figure out whodunit; that part of the story isn't too taxing. But the relationship between Kerri and Wade is complicated, perhaps too complicated for a book this short. Still, it held my attention; it's also earned three arrows.
Gilded Web (Dell) by Mary Balogh is one of her older books, finally back in print for those readers who've never been able to find a copy. Alexandra Purnell only wanted to escape the crowded ballroom for a breath of fresh air. She never counted on being kidnapped and compromised. Her first (and only) Season isn't turning out as she might have expected. Edmund, Earl of Amberley, comes to the rescue when her snooty betrothed snubs her, forcing her to accept the proposal that will make her respectable once again in Society's eyes. This is a fine example of how Ms. Balogh weaves a tale complicated by the characters and their various motivations. She doesn't disappoint with her storytelling, even in a story nearly twenty years old. I'm giving this one four arrows.
Until next time, happy reading!
