Romance Book Reviews
Page Two of TwoRachel's Passage by Paula Reid
HarperCollins, Dec., 1998.Paperback, 377 pages.
ISBN: 0061013625.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
In 1806 Philadelphia, a beautiful young woman, Rachel,
walks into a lawyer's office asking him to represent
her in an adultery suit. He asks her to write out the
story leading up to the lawsuit, and she does. The result
is a fascinating tale of Rachel, a young woman who marries
a wealthy, older man only because her parents want her to
and because her young love has left town and hasn't returned
as he promised. Rachel finds love with her brilliant and kind
new husband, but tragedy strikes when her old beau shows
up and her husband believes she still loves him. Torn apart by
lies, Rachel is forced to marry her old beau who promptly leaves
her -- again. Now a mother, Rachel must find an inner strength
she is not sure she has in order to keep custody of her son and
to find the true love she lost.
Rachel's Passage is an unusual love story; we hear the story first from Rachel's point of view. Then we hear the same story told through the eyes of her first husband. With humor, passion, tragedy, and true love, Rachel's Passage is a unique and moving story which is enhanced by the intriguing historical details, including the concept of self-divorce, which was utilized during this time period, especially in the Western states. An engrossing tale which historical romance fans will love.
Saint's Temptation by Debra Dier
Leisure Books, Dec., 1998.Paperback, 393 pages.
ISBN: 0843944595.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
When Devil's Honor came out, fans longed to know
the story of the other brother in the tale: Clayton Trevelyan,
the Earl of Huntingdon. This long-awaited sequel (which
can be read as a stand-alone) tells the story of the
more angelic brother of the two Trevelyan boys, Clayton.
Handsome, quiet and more scholarly than his
boisterous brother, Clayton was crushed when his
young love Marisa Granthan ended their engagement. Vowing
never to be hurt like that again, he sets off for war and becomes
a hardened soldier. When he returns to England to find a wife,
the last person he wants to see is Marisa. But there she is, on
his doorstep, telling him that she has overheard a plot to murder
him. Marisa is terrified for his life, and heartbroken over her
rash decision to end their engagement years ago.
This time, she is determined not to let him get away. But
Clayton stubbornly refuses to get involved, preferring to
marry for convenience, not for love. What he doesn't count on
is the fiery attraction between them, which hasn't dimmed
over the passing years. It will be up to Marisa to save the
life of the man she loves, and show him that they are
meant to be together.
Saint's Temptation was well-worth the wait. Marisa is a charming, funny and determined heroine, and Clayton is an intriguing hero whose quiet charm is sure to sweep readers off their feet. The passion is steamy and the repartée is witty. Another charmer from Debra Dier which historical romance fans will cherish.
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