THE LADY IS MINE

Author: Judith Laik ISBN: 0821778277 5/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: KENSINGTON/Zebra
Time Period: Regency - 1811

The belle of the ball is hiding behind the potted palms again-but what else can Harriet Vernon do when two suitors are vying for her hand? She cannot help it if her charms drive men to distraction-she would much rather be traveling to Paris. Or Venice. Or Bombay and beyond-anywhere but London! But the devilishly handsome Lord Beldon is most insistent. He has refused Harriet's demure younger sister, who would make him a much more suitable bride. But if Lord Beldon will not take no for an answer, he will have to be happy with a maybe. Because for the moment, Harriet would rather have fun...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE LADY IS MINE is a very refreshing, fast paced book that took me from start to finish with a smile on my face.

Harriet Vernon is pretty, but extremely plain compared to the rest of her beautiful family. Imagine her surprise when she accidentally bumps into Lord Beldon at a ball and spills her punch all over him! She is a bit clumsy and stutters when she is nervous, so at first Lord Beldon just kind of brushes her off and walks away. When he almost runs her down with his carriage the next day, he sees a totally different side to Harriet—one that he likes immensely.

Watching Harriet and Rolleston fall in love was truly a delight. Their respective families are both a bit off kilter and their chemistry is phenomenal. I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry at some of the predicaments that Harriet found herself in. It is wonderful watching Beldon fall for Harriet, as he doesn't see her as anything that he is looking for in a wife; and yet he finds that she is totally perfect for him.

Judith Laik gives us a wonderful story in THE LADY IS MINE, one that kept me enthralled from start to finish and made me want to go back and re-read it as soon as I turned the last page.

Kristal Gorman