BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN

Author: Julia Quinn ISBN: 0380789345 8/2004 (Reprint from 1997) HISTORICAL Publisher: Avon/Harper Collins
Time Period: 1817 Regency

When Charles Wycombe, the dashing and incorrigible Earl of Billington, toppled out of a tree and landed at Ellie's feet, neither suspected that such an inauspicious meeting would lead to marriage. But Charles must find a bride before his thirtieth birthday or he'll lose his fortune. And Ellie needs a husband or her father's odious fiancée will choose one for her. And so they agree to wed, even though their match appears to have been made somewhere hotter than heaven ... Ellie never dreamed she'd marry a stranger, especially one with such a devastating combination of rakish charm and debonair wit. She tries to keep him at arm's length, at least until she discovers the man beneath the handsome surface. But Charles can be quite persuasive -- even tender -- when he puts his mind to it, and Ellie finds herself slipping under his seductive spell. And as one kiss leads to another, this unlikely pair discovers that their marriage is not so inconvenient after all ... and just might lead to love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Before the story begins, there is a 'Dear Reader' note from Julia Quinn. In it she mentions: "They say that there are no truly original plots, after all, and that all a writer can do is tell a timeworn tale in her own style and voice." I think there is some truth to that and she has done just what she implies in the statement with BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN. This book is a reprint of an earlier Quinn book and I think it shows for people who have read all of her other books. It is a bit predictable, but entertaining none-the-less.

Some books become tedious when the reader already knows who is doing what or where the plot is going. Ms. Quinn's sense of humor and ability to bring it out in her characters saves the day in this case. I found myself laughing out loud at the exchanges between Ellie and Charles and the situations they find themselves in. Her supporting characters are just as entertaining.

I consider myself a huge fan of this author and, having never read this particular book, consider the publisher's decision to re-issue this book a sound one. Other long-time fans will be glad to pick it up. New readers will enjoy a glimpse of what they can expect from the author's later novels. However, let me warn you, once you start reading it, be prepared to not be able to put down this fast-paced and engaging book.

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