LOVERS' VOWS

Author: Joan Smith ISBN: 9780709079309 8/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD.
Time Period: Regency

Lord Dewar visits St. Alton's Abbey, his ancestral estates, infrequently, preferring the cultural atmosphere of London, for the handsome young landowner is a great devotee of the arts—music, painting and especially the theatre. It has been more than two years, then, since Holly McCormack has laid eyes on his lordship. Not that she minds, for Holly is eminently practical, as a poor relation making a home with better-off relatives must necessarily be. If she gives any thought to Dewar at all, it is only to condemn him in her mind for neglecting the duties incumbent on the lord of the Abbey. Things change however, when Dewar comes home on a rare visit...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

LOVERS' VOWS by Joan Smith is a light-hearted story set in a time when the upper crust had much more free time on their hands than necessary. With little to do to occupy their days, they found ways to amuse themselves that, although somewhat silly, ensured that life in their small world was carefree and engaging.

What better way for a group of English gentry to entertain each other than to bring a bit of culture to the country? With more bravado than talent, a cast is formed to put on Romeo and Juliet. Roles are allotted and, as Holly finds out the hard way, everyone is pressed into service—whether they wish to be or not. Seeing her precarious position, Holly agrees to play Juliet's mother in the production. What she doesn't foresee—or agree to—is the romance that bubbles between the lines everyone is learning.

Fun, fast and well-written, LOVERS' VOWS is a pleasant diversion. The characters are warm and witty; watching them fall over themselves trying to live up the Shakespeare's standards is just pure fun.

Kay James