MY COUSIN JANE

Author: Barbara Bell ISBN: 9780709083719 6/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd.
Time Period: Regency

Miss Jane Burch thought she was merely pursuing a harmless deception when she agreed to pose as the respectably aged and unattractive companion of her cousin, the beautiful and reckless Winnifred Timburton. But now Winnifred's new guardian, the dauntingly domineering and heartstoppingly handsome Lord Simon Talent had unmasked Jane for what she was—a lovely and lively young lady, as reckless in her way as Winnifred and no suitable chaperone. Lord Simon was determined to find a proper husband for Winnifred. But for Jane he clearly had other plans—plans that did not include marriage but did include love. Now Jane found herself in an even more demanding game of deception.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

MY COUSIN JANE is a wonderfully entertaining, romantic comedy of errors that kept me riveted to the pages! There isn't any point in this book when I wasn't fully engaged in the characters or their goings on. The story closely parallels the Shakespeare play the heroine is putting on. Barbara Bell has written a tale the Bard himself might have enjoyed! It is that much fun!

A guardian motivated by a promise made to a dying friend, a beautiful cousin masquerading as a frumpy companion and a heroine so lovely, albeit headstrong, her guardian should have no trouble finding a suitable match for her. The catch is that the beautiful Winnifred must marry in a matter of a few short weeks. Lord Simon, her guardian, is determined to see her wed—even if he's got to marry her himself! Unfortunately—or maybe not, depending on which side of the coin you're on—Simon has fallen for Cousin Jane. Beneath her dowdy rig, Jane is a smart, sassy woman determined not to take a husband. There are secondary characters, each with their own determinations, quirks and goals, who further twist this plot into a hilarious, feel-good story whose only sin is that it had to end.

Any fan of good writing, strong characters and Shakespeare is sure to love MY COUSIN JANE. I fell in love with her, and all of Ms. Bell's unforgettable characters. Truly a job well done!

Kay James