THE LOVE AFFAIR OF AN ENGLISH LORD

Author: Jillian Hunter ISBN: 0345461223 5/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: BALLANTINE/Ivy
Time Period: Regency - 1814

When Chloe Boscastle is caught indiscreetly kissing a man in a park, her brother Grayson-the protective patriarch of the Boscastle family-sends her off to a country manor to stay until the scandal in town subsides. Soon after Chloe's banishment begins, she is shocked to learn that her neighbor Dominic Breckland, the devilish Viscount Stratfield, has been killed in his bed. But she is even more stunned to discover the dangerously handsome "victim" taking refuge in her lingerie closet one night. By some miracle Dominic has survived his attack-and wishes the world to believe him dead. Can the alluring Lady Chloe keep his secret? Dominic uses all his masculine charm to persuade her as they work together to unmask his enemy. Of course, being caught sheltering a seductive scoundrel could further mar Chloe's already tarnished reputation. But, really, what's a little scandal to a lady in love?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I can't remember the last time I've read a book where I've had to lay it aside—not because it wasn't good, but because I was laughing too hard to continue. That's what happened when I read THE LOVE AFFAIR OF AN ENGLISH LORD—and I had to do that more than once, I might add.

The second book in Hunter's Boscastle trilogy, LOVE AFFAIR pairs up Chloe Boscastle with Dominic Breckland, a supposedly murdered viscount and family acquaintance from a nearby estate. His wandering ghost is said to haunt the village, seducing young women in their beds as they sleep. But surprise! The viscount's not dead—as Chloe soon discovers when the said apparition appears in her trunk of lingerie. The sparks are instantaneous, the sexual tension sizzling, and from there on out it's mayhem, romance, a bit of mystery, and just shear fun in typical Jillian Hunter style, as Dominic plots revenge on his murderer with Chloe in tow behind him.

Dominic and Chloe are perfectly matched, both straining at convention, free-spirited and each a bit naughty. But the real hoot to me—and I'm still laughing here—is the adorable couple portrayed in Chloe's Aunt Gwendolyn and Uncle Humphrey. A more lovable, well-meaning bubble head has never been created as in the effervescent Aunt Gwendolyn, a woman quietly adored and stoically tolerated by her sometimes perplexed, but ever-patient level headed husband, Humphrey. When Gwendolyn determines to lay the poor viscount's ghost to rest, her antics and Humphrey's reactions had me literally laughing to tears.

The book read quickly and the plot flowed nicely, even though there's no secret who the villain is or what his comeuppance will be. But with a multitude of sparkling and lively characters, excellent dialogue sprinkled with quick wit and humor, you just can't beat THE LOVE AFFAIR OF AN ENGLISH LORD as an all around, thoroughly enjoyable, romance reader pleaser. Here's hoping the final leg of this Bocastle journey, which ends with THE WEDDING NIGHT OF AN ENGLISH ROGUE, makes my reading enjoyment of this series three for three. Somehow, I think Jillian Hunter is more than up to that task.

Nancy Davis