TO DISTRACTION

Author: Stephanie Laurens ISBN: 0060839104 9/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Regency London, 1816

Deverell, Viscount Paignton, is in desperate need of a wife. Unmoved by the matchmaking 'herd', he seeks help from his aunt, who directs him to a lady she vows is perfect for him. Dispatched to a country house party to look the lady over, he discovers her not swanning about among the guests but with her nose buried in a book in the library. Phoebe Malleson is tempted to distraction by Deverell, but marrying him isn't part of her plan. Moved by an incident in her past, Phoebe has a secret cause to which she's committed. Unfortunately, telling Deverell to go away doesn't work, and he quickly learns of her secret. But someone powerful has her cause targeted for destruction - and her in their sights. Phoebe must accept Deverell's help... though the cost to them both might be dear—and deadly.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

TO DISTRACTION is an apt title for this current Bastion Club novel. The hero and heroine spend a lot of time being distracted—by their own thoughts and opinions, that is. There are literally pages upon pages of their internal thoughts and musings. One after another... after another... and so on. I do believe they are amateur shrinks capable of solving each other's mysteries with only a few sentences spoken between them. As a matter of fact, they are so busy discerning the motives and plans of each other, that they really don't even need to communicate out loud. Well, except for the sexual part of their relationship.

This is undoubtedly my least favorite Laurens book. Too much internal pondering and not enough action or even dialogue. The plot is one I have encountered before, and not all that thrilling or interesting. The characters are ho-hum and unfortunately, so is this book.

Shannon Johnson