A KISS IN THE DARK

Author: Kimberly Logan ISBN: 0060751878 3/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: England 1819

Deirdre Wilks, the infamous Viscountess Rotherby, is shunned by the ton, who whisper behind closed doors of her shadowy past. And now every hope she harbors of repairing her reputation is at risk when a desperate, dashing gentleman comes to her for aid. He has heard the rumors ... but fearing for his sister, vanished somewhere in London's disreputable corners, Lord Tristan Knight must seek help from the mysterious beauty. Although her intentions are cloaked, Deirdre's warm heart and enchanting face are more befitting an angel than a sinner. And soon, Tristan realizes he can never relinquish this bold and remarkable woman. Yet Deirdre must guard a secret -- a shocking truth that, once revealed, could destroy the passionate love he has brought into her life.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A KISS IN THE DARK proves to be quite an impressive start for first-time author Kimberly Logan, with its Oliver Twist-like flavoring and two romances running parallel to each other at the same time. It might sound like it could be a bit distracting or confusing, but believe me, it's not.

The main romance deals with the developing love story between the two main characters, Deirdre (Viscountess Rotherby) and Lord Tristan Knight. Each has heard about the other's rather sordid reputation, and both base their impressions of one another on a much-less-than-perfect first time meeting. Their relationship and impressions of each other change over time as the two join forces to find Tristan's runaway teenage sister, Emily.

Both Deirdre and Tristan are the scarred and emotionally ravaged hero/heroine types so often found in romance novels, but neither seemed to come across as a repetitive or boorish character. I attribute this more to Logan's fluid writing style and flair for dialogue, than to anything else.

However, what really kept this book from being just another "been there, read that already" story, is the underlying teenage romance between Tristan's sister, Emily, and her self-appointed savior, Peter Quick, leader of an orphaned group of young boys called the Rag-Tag Bunch. A poignant and sweet love story set against a harsh and brutal background, their devotion to each other as their relationship deepens is very touching; at times I found myself more interested in their romance and innocent sense of discovery than I was in Deidre's and Tristan's plight of searching for Emily and trying to outsmart the notorious gang boss Barnaby Flynt, a Bill Sykes villain if ever there was one.

Ms. Logan's prose is both fluid and rhythmic, just the way I like it, and she has done a great job of fleshing out both the primary and secondary characters, especially where members of the Rag-Tag Bunch are concerned. The atmosphere of poverty and seedy back alleys is well-drawn for the reader, and there's no pretty overcoating of the sights, sounds, or kaleidoscope of characters that populate its streets.

With its combination of suspense, two romances, and an irresistible bunch of rag-tag orphans, A KISS IN THE DARK makes for one engaging and entertaining read.

Nancy Davis