The Duel (Signet Eclipse)

Rating:
Summary: A good follow-up to A Perfect Gentleman
Review: As with the previous book, the "danger" was too easily resolved. Aside from a few slow scenes and a bit of repetetiveness, that's all the bad that can be said about this novel.

Ian is otherwise a compelling hero (his guilt is only a problem in its being drawn out), and Attie, who understandably mothers her little brother and nearly hero-worships Ian at first, is fresh and winsome. The secondary characters are well differentiated and fully developed. Although there's a lot of exposition, it rarely drags and usually adds much to the understanding of the characters and action. The topical quotes at the beginning of each chapter are interesting and humorous.

All in all, a good book that leaves me wondering when her next will be out.

Rating:
Summary: thrilling Regency romance
Review: Ian knows he is an idiot for dueling with Lord Paige over cuckolding the man's wife as killing or being killed is not worth what could happen to his mother and sister if they lack his protection. Paige fires early but misses. Ian fires at a tree, but the bullet ricochets and hits a fifteen year old bystander. Feeling guilt, he takes Troy Reshow into his home and brings the lad's sister Attie to his house explaining an accident happened during target practice.

Attie thinks Ian is a hero with his treatment of her ailing sibling. However, Ian is stunned when he realizes the pint sized Attie is nineteen and needs a chaperone to stay with him. Ian's mom says he must wed her. Carswell says Ian must wed her. Butler and valet make it clear that Ian must wed her. Her stepbrother Spartacus arrives and says Ian must wed her. Finally his sister Dorothy arrives and says she does not need to wed him as she can stay with her. Ian knows what he must do as he wants to wed Attie, but fears her reaction when she learns the truth about the duel. He also worries that someone wants to hurt Attie and Troy.

This Regency romance contains a powerful cast starting with the strong lead couple and ably supported by a fabulous ensemble. The suspense comes late as much of the tale is focused on Ian feeling guilty while Attie worships her champion. Though the culprit is too easily stopped, fans will appreciate this fine historical tale.

Harriet Klausner



Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming , Romantic AND Original
Review: Things could not get worse, or so Ian, Earl of Marden thought when trying to do the honorable thing after his opponent, fired his gun before he should have during their duel of honor that morning. How could he have known that when he shot his pistol off to the side, sparing his opponents life, the ball would ricochet and hit an innocent bystander. Not only an innocent, but a young and sickly lad no less, whose main concern when he regained consciousness was that someone care for his sister. Feeling totally guilty, Ian, rushed the young lad to his own home, then promised the young lad that he would bring his sister there to him, never realizing that the `little' sister was only little in size but not in age.

Athena, whose main concern was for her darling brother, whom she'd practically raised on his own since his birth, could not help but notice how handsome and kind the Earl of Marden was after rescuing her brother. In her eyes, Ian became a hero and never did she realize that this `hero' was the rogue who practically killed him!

Soon, after discovering that the `little' sister Attie was a young woman of nineteen living un-chaperoned in his bachelor household - Ian was resolved to save her reputation. After a series of misadventures in trying to locate a suitable chaperone to stay at the house, Ian felt the best solution would be marrying her. Unfortunately, Athena would not let Ian sacrifice himself just to save her - even though all the family members involved thought it to be a capital plan!

***What can one say of another of Ms. Metzger's remarkable, totally charming, and delightful regencies that has not been said already? The dialogs are witty, and consistently fresh with protagonists that are simply made for one another. Secondary characters are always original and endearing, be they in human or animal form, and Roma, the deaf dog with a penchant for men's boots is no exception. If looking for an original, laugh out loud and charmingly romantic read, look no further than this heart warming and agreeable tale.

*** Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ***