THE PERFECT DESIRE

Author: Leslie Lafoy ISBN: 031298765X 1/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: ST. MARTIN'S PRESS
Time Period: Post Civil War

Barrett Stanbridge has a lovely home in one of London's best neighborhoods, great friends, a thriving private investigation business, and feminine companionship whenever it's convenient. The shadows of his past have been accepted and neatly put away. In short, he's a man really quite content with the structure and direction of his deliberately solitary life. Being accused of the murder of a beautiful woman changes everything. The daring Isabella Dandaneau, a widow, has left America and the memories of a less-than-happy marriage behind in order to find her fortune in England. With half of a pirate's treasure map in hand, she's arrived in London, determined to find her cousin--and the other half of the map--and better her financial lot in life. Only she has been murdered and the devilishly handsome, Barrett Stanbridge stands accused of her murder. But it takes only one look at the rogue for Isabella to know, not only is this a man who could have never killed her cousin, but that he also sets her blood on fire the way no man ever has. And it's not long before she realizes that falling in love changes everything.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

What better way to close a perfect series than with a strong, capable heroine, a complicated and sexy hero, and a story involving treasure maps, intrigue and murder, sprinkled here and there with dashes of humor. That's exactly what Leslie LaFoy has done with THE PERFECT DESIRE, much to the enjoyment of this reader.

I love strong female leads. Women who can take care of themselves, take charge of their own lives when need be, and yet still be considered feminine and sexy without being overbearing. That's exactly who LaFoy created in the character of Isabella Dandeneau, a Civil War widow with smarts, determination, and plenty of self-reliance. I loved the way she's amused by Barrett's roguish ways and bad boy plays.

One of the more memorable moments in the story is in their search for a missing map, planted by Belle's murdered cousin, Mignon, inside Barrett's home. Belle definitely puts Barrett through his paces as she draws out a few "minor" details on just what ensued between Mignon and Barrett on their last night together, much to her amusement and Barrett's embarrassment. In the dining room...in the parlor....The poor man really didn't stand a chance.

Barrett, too, has met his match in the beautiful Belle. He at first suspects she was once a spy for the South, but as he becomes more familiar with the quiet and intelligent Belle, he sees her as the opposite of Mignon, who was selfish, self-centered, and impulsive. The sexual tension between the two is evident from the start, and it doesn't take Barrett long to accept that together, he and Belle are a perfect fit and quite a formidable force.

No, I can't think of a more perfect romantic couple or better characters for Ms. LaFoy to have created to finish her "Perfect" trilogy, but I'm also sorry to see it end. On the other hand, I believe there's a chance that the three nieces, Amanda, Beatrice and Camille, may end up in a trilogy of their own. I surely do hope so, because after the way they "tortured" their Uncle Barrett towards the end of THE PERFECT DESIRE, I can't help but wonder just what type of mischief those girls would end up in!

In the meantime, simply sit back and savor THE PERFECT DESIRE. It's another LaFoy that is simply perfect.

Nancy Davis