LOVE IS BLIND

Author: Lynsay Sands ISBN: 0843955007 8/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: DORCHESTER
Time Period: Regency 1818

He'd been warned that Lady Clarissa Crambray was dangerous. Stomping on toes and burning piffles, the chestnut-haired beauty was clearly a force with which to be reckoned. But for Adrian Montfort, Earl of Mowbray, this was just the challenge he needed. He could handle one woman and her “unfortunate past.” Could any woman handle him? Lady Clarissa Crambray wanted a husband, but maybe not as much as her stepmother wanted one for her. Really! Doffing her spectacles might make a girl prettier, but how would she see? She'd already caused enough mayhem to earn a rather horrible nickname. Yet, as all other suitors seemed to shy away in terror, there came a man to lead her to the dance floor. A dark, handsome blur of a man. Clumsy Clarissa was about to stumble into true love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I am very happy to report that whether Lyndsay Sands is writing sassy vampire novels or witty historicals, they are all a blast and great fun to read! Her newest offering, LOVE IS BLIND, is a great combination of charm and a good old-fashioned love that would make any romance lover sigh wistfully.

Lady Clarissa Crambray is a disaster waiting to happen. The only thing she has going for her is that she is beautiful. Otherwise, she is blind as a bat and has caused bodily harm to any men who have tried to come near her. Her near blindness, coupled with the fact that her stepmother refuses to allow her to wear her spectacles, makes her a laughingstock among the ton. None of the men will go anywhere near her and all the woman talk about her behind their backs. She is downright miserable and can think of nothing that will make her happy—with the exception of getting out of London. That is, until one gentlemen in particular decides that Clarissa is worth taking a chance on, regardless of her clumsy nature.

Adrian Montfort is my new favorite of all heroes. He is a strong, beautiful man with a heart of gold who takes one look at Clarissa and decides that she will be his—at all costs. He knows how it feels to be shunned by the ton, as they treated him like a pariah ten years ago when he came home from war with a scar on his face. He takes Clarissa by the hand and makes her smile and laugh, and ultimately feel like a woman instead of like a clumsy ox. When she can't see to walk, he keeps her from stumbling by leading her; when she can't see to dance, he teaches her to dance with her eyes closed and let the music take her; when she can't see to eat, he feeds her. He is truly a worthy hero for our brave Clarissa.

I absolutely love every aspect of Clarissa and Adrian's romance. They are two wounded birds who find each other at a crucial point in their lives. They are good for one another and they help each other to see past their own flaws and look inside of the heart of the person that they love. Lynsay Sands has written a wonderful story of love and acceptance that brought tears to my eyes.

Kristal Gorman