JUST ONE OF THOSE FLINGS

Author: Candice Hern ISBN: 0451219201 8/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: NAL/SIGNET ECLIPSE
Time Period: London, 1813

Beatrice, Lady Somerfield, is too busy chaperoning her headstrong niece and overseeing her own young daughters to take a lover herself—until one night at a ball when a masked stranger makes her realize the delights she's been missing. When she learns his identity, however, an affair seems impossible. He is Gabriel, the Marquess of Thayne, just returned from India, the catch of the Season—and the one man half the debutantes of London (including Beatrice's niece!) want for a husband. But Thayne is thoroughly captivated by Beatrice, and their attraction leads to several mutually satisfying encounters. As he searches for a bride among the Season's young ladies, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the beautiful, sensual more sophisticated Lady Somerfield, and suspects his mistress might make the perfect wife. But will Beatrice's deepening feelings for Thayne be enough to overcome her vow never to marry again, and the scandal once their relationship is revealed?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Candice Hern dazzles us again with the next book in her Merry Widows series titled JUST ONE OF THOSE FLINGS. I didn't think she could get any better after I read the previous book, IN THE THRILL OF THE NIGHT, but I am wrong. JUST ONE OF THOSE FLINGS is a true delight and a wonderfully sensuous and romantic story.

Beatrice, Lady Somerfield, has just done something so scandalous, so erotic, and so unlike herself. How could she resist his hungry eyes and the rapture of his voice when he asked her to dance? Not to mention just touching him set her soul on fire. She knew she never should have let him lead her astray on the garden path. But to do what she did? What they did? Thank goodness, it was a masquerade ball and it was too dark to see each other's faces. One night with this stranger was enough, wasn't it?

Gabriel Thayne, the Marquess of Thayne, is on a quest. He must become betrothed by the end of the season and that means being in attendance at all the social gatherings held by members of the ton. However, his mind is on only one thing: the identity of the woman who he made love to the night of the masquerade ball. He'll find out who she is, because he always gets what he wants.

Candice Hern writes as an artist paints—with beautiful lines and special attention to details. The final piece of work is something to treasure. JUST ONE OF THOSE FLINGS is just such a treasure.

The May/December romance between Beatrice and Gabriel only made their love affair even more special, and Ms. Hern graces this topic with elegance. The final declaration of their love is unforgettable.

JUST ONE OF THOSE FLINGS is a beautifully written romance. It absolutely gets a Top Pick from me! I can't wait for the next book in the Merry Widow series, LADY, BE BAD, due out next summer.

Julie Kornhausl