TEMPTATION OF A PROPER GOVERNESS

Author: Cathie Maxwell ISBN: 006009298X 9/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: HARPER COLLINS/Avon
Time Period: Regency - 1804

Society dictates that a governessshould be modest, quiet, and keep to herself. She should never contradict her employer. And, above all, she must not attract the attention of any male in the household. But Michael Severson doesn't see Isabel Halloran as a governess -- he sees her as a woman, one whose lush curves cannot be hidden behind a dowdy gown ... and whose efforts at hiding her sparkling intelligence are betrayed by her wit. Years before, Michael had left Regency England, falsely accused of a crime. Now he is back, dedicated to seeking retribution -- but not to taking a bride. But when his scandalous actions compromise Isabel's reputation, he does the unthinkable and offers her his hand -- a marriage in name only. But although his bride's passions are untried, Isabel's sensuality clearly matches his own. And with each day, and night, that passes, Michael becomes determined that every kiss, every caress, will be made with one goal: to seduce his proper wife into tender submission.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Is there such a thing as fate or destiny when it comes to love? Michael Severson must believe so when he offers marriage to Isabel Halloran, after compromising her, despite the fact that she is no more than a governess. Isabel doesn't accept as readily as one would expect. After all, Michael was accused of murder a decade before. Plus, Isabel swore to never fall in love, a mistake her mother had made that brought no happiness to her life. Once married, they both face their pasts and find the answers to questions that had hung like a dark cloud over their lives.

This was a pretty good book. Michael and Isabel are both very appealing—witty, attractive, and not bound to society's rules by not only circumstance, but their own choice. The supporting characters in the tale brought a smile to my face. They all had their own personality and meshed well. Early on, I had my ideas of who the culprit was, but that didn't detract from the story. I still wanted to know how it was all going to play out.

Cathy Maxwell's skills as a tried and true author show in her ability to keep an old story fresh.

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