SECRETS OF A SUMMER NIGHT

Author: Lisa Kleypas ISBN: 0060091290 11/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: London 1843

Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born. Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing -- and persistent -- admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition ... but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction. Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon -- and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses ... and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

As Lisa Klepas is one of the authors that introduced me to historical romance, I feel I owe it to her to be honest. Her new one, SECRETS OF A SUMMER NIGHT, is good, but certainly not her best. I would read it again and will keep it with my Kleypas collection, but it doesn't compare to some of her other works.

Lisa's reads usually manage to make my stomach clench with sorrow when the lovers are ripped apart, and my heart speed up when they finally get together. This book does that, but not with the timing or strength as some of her others do. There is a long beginning to the main couples courtship that I could have done without. The tension truly doesn't hit me until the heroine is bitten by a snake and the hero takes care of her.

There are lots of touching scenes after that. Some humorous ones, and plenty of steamy ones, too. You are introduced to the players that will be given their own books soon and see the connection that keeps the friends together. And of course, Kleypas does what she is famous for, and draws you in and makes you hunger for the final conclusion that will make you cry or at least sigh with relief that all is right in the world of her characters.

Shannon Johnson