There are 2 things that make Mary Balogh such a great writer (to me). First is her ability to create stories with original plots and conflicts. Never once have I started a Balogh book knowing, just from pure experience as an avid Regency reader, what her story is going to be about or how the conflict is going to be resolved. With so many Regency romance novels out there, that alone is a very huge feat. A Promise of Spring is a story about the marriage between a woman matured through the years by very painful experiences and a man 10 years her junior. Given that in the period she writes, marriages between women and men much much older than them were the norm, the backward approach Balogh takes in this novel is a pure original.

The second thing that makes Balogh such a wonderful writer is her ability to delve into the characters' beings, to portray them to the reader in a way that makes them real and believable. Her characters are never EVER flat. She deftly takes us into the minds and the hearts of her players each and every time, so that we the readers can understand and sympathize with them and their dilemma. That's why her stories are always so moving (I couldn't name a single Balogh title that didn't form tears in my eyes), because we feel what the characters feel. Or perhaps it's the other way around--Balogh creates her characters so fully, so convincingly, giving them all the emotions and vulnerability of a normal human being like you or me, that the characters are no longer just players in a fiction--they are the representatives of real people, they feel what WE feel. In that, we get the sense that the author understands us, which in turn makes it that much easier for us to empathize with the characters in her book.

This is vintage Balogh at her finest. The reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that I reserve that for the extra EXTRA good books that not only have depth of character and originality but also wit and humour, something Balogh's books tend to lack. Which isn't to say that this book isn't worth the read--it is!

This is my favorite short Regency by Balogh. When his friend dies, leaving his sister destitute and alone, Lord Perry marries her, despite being ten years her junior. To their surprise, in a marriage began in kindness on his part and gratitude on hers, Grace and Perry begin to find real love, a love that is put to the test when secrets from Grace's past are revealed. This is a sweet, touching story about two good people who discover love despite the odds.

Thirty-five-year-old Grace Howard has kept house in the village of Abbotsford for her younger brother, Paul, the vicar, for nine years. The Howards seem to have no other family. Unbeknownst to the villagers, Paul and Grace left home after an acrimonious family quarrel, occasioned by the accidental death of Grace's out-of-wedlock child. Now Paul is dead, also the result of an accident involving great heroism: he saved a farm laborer's child and lost his own life. Grace has no one to turn to, think Paul's friends and his parishioners, so one of them, Sir Peregrine Lampman, offers to marry her. Grace agrees, but only after she tells him her tragic story. It will be a marriage of convenience, but Perry is fond of her, and she of him, though he is ten years her junior. He is also an outwardly jolly, gently flirtatious man who adores women...of all ages...and they, him. By contrast, Grace is quiet, of a serious bent, almost severe. And so begins this romance of a seemingly mis-matched pair who overcome family estrangement and the sudden appearance of Grace's old lover from the past and begin, slowly, to forge their own happiness. They have been right for each other all along, despite the age and personality differences. Sweet and gentle, and one of Mary Balogh's most heart-rending, poignant love stories, this is also one of her most unforgettable Regency novels. It was a daring move to make the heroine so much older than the hero, but Balogh---in her inimitable fashion--- makes it work!

I'm not going to go into details about the plot of this book; just read bookjunkie's excellent review below for that. She's said all I would have said, and more.

The virgin hero - Ralph, here - doesn't bother me in the slightest; it's not the first Balogh I've read where that was the case. Gerald in A Precious Jewel was also a virgin, though there Prissy was the one with the experience. I did find both Georgiana and Ralph rather immature at the start of the book, but then that's to be expected: he was barely 21 and she was 18. They did mature very nicely, and Ralph in particular turned out to be a hero I liked very much.

Georgiana's solution to the problem of their marriage was ingenious, and not one I was expecting at all. Nicely done!

The second secondary romance, between Roger and Vera, was lovely - so much so that I wanted *more*. Really, this should have been a book on its own; I wanted to know what had happened to make Vera so cynical about men and so unwilling to believe that Roger might be interested in her. And why did Roger, considered a rake by his contemporaries, have such moral standards when it came to affairs? They were fascinating characters, and their story should have been a sequel to this one.

Very enjoyable; not quite a 5-star, but definitely a keeper!

While others prefer Red Rose, or The Wood Nymph, or The Trysting Place (among Mary Balogh's books published in or before 1990). I consider this book to be the best of her early traditional (or short) Regencies. It stands up pretty well in comparison even to her middle-period Regencies (including such masterpieces as The Notorious Rake) and her late Regencies (including Snow Angel and The Temporary Wife).

Gentle Conquest features a virgin hero. Let us get that out of the way. If you don't like the idea, you should probably avoid this book. This is not a spoiler, because it is obvious from the start.

The hero Ralph, Lord Chartley, is urged by his mother and aunt to marry so that he may "grow" into his position, inherited from his father. Young Ralph is shy, gentle, diffident and completely unlikely his father or his younger brother. Marriage, his mother, thinks will mature him - and also secure the succession. [She however exhibits a decided preference for Ralph's younger brother Stanley].

Miss Georgiana Burton is told by her angry father, after yet another scrape, that she must accept Lord Chartley's marriage proposal and behave with decorum until the marriage. If she does not - well, she can spend the rest of her life buried in the country. No balls, no parties, no new dresses. So Georgiana, a definite hoyden used to getting her way, agrees to play the demure maiden. And Ralph falls in love with her.

No, Ralph does not tumble to the truth. He does think that his new bride has surprising depths of character, and if only she shared his interests, everything will be perfect. Georgiana, originally miffed at the thought of being in the country, takes to life as a Countess both in the country and in town. There are just a couple of problems. One is Ralph's mother, now the Dowager Countess, who is used to getting her way and who makes her family dance attendance on her. The more mature and married Georgiana is not sure how to deal with her. The other problem? Well, Ralph, you see, is a virgin hero. And you can imagine the potential for disaster there, especially given Georgiana's character.

The situation is resolved with some unlikely help from Ralph's cousin Roger, Lord Beauchamp who is wooing Georgiana's prickly older sister Vera.

A couple of things stop me from giving this book a perfect A, even though I have decided that this book is a keeper.

Firstly, it is almost inconceivable that Ralph (or his relatives) would not have heard about Georgiana's reputation before their marriage. No, she was not promiscuous, but she had a reputation for being somewhat wild (fast, in Regency speak). Is it possible that no one on Ralph's side (barring his cousin Roger) would have learned of this before or even after the marriage?

Secondly, the author employs the same trick used in her first book A Masked Deception, to bring the resolution of the conflict between Georgiana and Ralph about. That resolution is more successful here, than in A Masked Deception for several reasons. However, I have to admit that I found that I had to swallow my sense of the real to accept that.

Also, since I liked the tone of the first half of the book (where we see both Ralph and Georgiana mature after their marriage), I found the second half a bit jarring. The first half reminded me strongly of Carla Kelly's books and heroes, the second half put a Kellyesque hero in a Balogh setting which felt odd. Although I liked the secondary romance between Vera and Roger, I wanted more of Ralph and Georgie.

There were small errors with titles which Balogh does not usually make in her later books, but these were negligible.

This book is out-of-print and pretty expensive, but it is worth a read if you are fond of Balogh, or if your tastes run to character-driven quieter romances. Keep in mind that GENTLE CONQUEST is not the typical Balogh; the heroine is a Balogh heroine to a large degree, but the hero is most untypical for the usual Balogh hero. The conflict that drives the story is not grand intrigue or petty jealousy and lack of trust, but rather the shyness and uncertainties between a newly married couple who do not know each other well.

Rating = A-

Note: I am writing this review, along with one other (to be posted later) because I had long promised some people to share my impressions of these books. In effect, this is an overdue review, which has not been polished up.

But this is not my favorite Mary Balogh and would not recommend it as an intro to her work. Only because her other books are SO much better. Not that it's not a good book compared to romances written by other authors. But Mary Balogh is consistent if nothing and she cosistently writes EXCELLENT novels.

Gilded web is a Super regency romance as is the other two "web" books that follows this book. I know it's not the longer than usual regency length that put me off this book because I enjoyed her other full lenth novels, Silent Melody, One Night for Love and More than a Mistress. But I felt it was a little longer than it should have been. Then she had to introduce the other two characters that would be in the last two books of the trilogy. I must be spoiled. Her stories are usually so tight and everything is tied up so well at the end that leaving a few loose ends at the end by any other author would not have bothered me but having read 20 Mary Balogh books in a row sort of had me holding her up to a certain high plateau and this book fell short of that mark just a tad. Usually, once I start her book, I can't put it down but maybe once if even. But I was able to put down TGW a few times. That's probably why I'm giving this book 4 stars instead of 5. Keep in mind, if this was the ONLY Mary Balogh book, I'd be raving about it and giving it 5 stars.

I'd recommend you read Silent Melody, One Night for Love and More than a Mistress first before you read TGW. And read the regency books, Tempting Harriet, A certain magic, and Christmas Belle before you try TGW. ALL of her regencies are superb. I just listed my top 3.

A warning to those of you who expect NO SEX in regency novels. She does put a little sex (PG-rated) in a few of her regencies but nothing too racy or even the level found in most historical romances. Hmmm...maybe that's why Mary is my favorite regency author? Who else can do passion without getting graphic? Who else can get you all heated up just by describing a lady's hand being innocently kissed?

This book has everything - a woman compromised, an arranged marriage, and an erotic encounter. It tells the story of the development of a relationship between a man and a woman who have to marry against their wishes. I have now read it 5 times, and will probably read it again soon.

Jack, Marquess of Kendall, is bored. So one night at his club when his friends are discussing his amazing success with women and his apparent record of never being turned down, he agrees to a wager that he can persuade any woman his friends name to sleep with him. She must be a lady of quality, but no debutante. A drunken friend mentions his widowed sister-in-law, Diana Ingram, as someone who would be a tough nut to crack in this regard: she's unfailingly virtuous. Jack - extremely drunk himself, and assuming that any widow must be missing lovemaking - accepts the bet.

Jack and Diana meet - and Jack almost wins the bet - under very unusual circumstances when they are both marooned at the same inn on the way to a house party. Confusion leads to Jack ending up in the wrong bedroom and, in a beautifully sensual scene, they almost make love. But when Diana comes to her senses she is mortified and wants to avoid Jack hereafter. The problem comes when they both arrive at the house party and discover that the hostess is determined to throw them together. Lady Rotherham is the incurable matchmaker of the title, and she is determined to marry them off.

Jack is vehemently opposed to marriage and doesn't believe in love. Diana believes that lovemaking goes along with commitment and love. So how do these two come together?

Well, this is my only problem with the book. The two protagonists provide readers with a lot of amusement - their conversations are certainly very entertaining. But I never actually felt that I *saw* Jack fall in love with Diana, and I certainly never saw the reasoning for him giving up his opposition to marriage. One minute he wanted an affair - although he certainly was beginning to sympathise with Diana's wish for commitment - and the next he was in love with her. There was a step missing, to my mind.

One quibble, besides. Jack's friend and Diana's brother-in-law, Ernie, is described as Lord Crensham. But he's a younger son - his oldest brother is the Viscount. So how come Ernie has a title?

This is my second Mary Balogh book, and I was absolutely enthralled. It is so funny , witty and romantic. The sparring between the hero and heroine is especially enjoyable. I have now ordered nearly all of the author's books and just can't wait to read them

Having read the other two books associated with this one ("Precious Jewel" and "The Christmas Bride"), I will tell readers this is a more light-hearted tale. But there is tension a plenty because Abigail has secrets. Miles (an Earl) is a wonderful character. He is a thoughtful man who is not obsessed with his apparent good looks. And to admit that he is hen-pecked by all the women in his life is quite a revelation for a Regency novel. Miles takes it all in stride, attempting to throw off his matchmaking mama and sisters by marrying a "plain, dull, ordinary" woman before they can leg shackle him to someone else. That woman is Abigail who comes to him as a distant relative for a recommendation since she has been let go without character. Miles proposes marriage to the stranger and Abigail accepts. She turns out to be anything but plain, dull and ordinary.

It is fun to read a book that has so many references to another. "Precious Jewel" occurs at the same time as this book and the paths and even whole conversations are repeated in each. It made for intriguing reading. As always, Mary Balogh really fleshes out all her characters and the side stories are as interesting as the main character's story. This is a fun and interesting read. Do not miss it.

Mary Balogh is a wonderful writer. Her characters, no matter how seemingly 'ordinary' are never what you expect and Abigail is no exception. The Earl vows to marry the plainest 'mouse' as long as she is not managing.. well.. Abigail is no mouse and she is definitely managing, but she is also kind, loving and deathly afraid of exposing her 'secret' to her husband.

The Earl of Severn is surprised by his wife's many talents and especially her talkativeness... she makes him laugh and he enjoys her company, more than any other woman he knows.. AND she manages his mother and sister beautifully. What else can he ask for?? Why then does he have this distinctly uneasy feeling??

Mary Balogh is her usual superb self. The main characters, as well as the supporting cast are delightful, the dialogue, especially with the ever talkative Abigail is never boring or ordinary. The book is a wonderful read and thoroughly enjoyable.

This is one of my favorites by Mary Balogh. It is "Cinderella"-ish in its fairy-tale plot and happy ending, but if you love that kind of stuff, you'll love this book. She is Abigail Gardiner, the companion to Mrs. Gill. Mrs. Gill has a cit of a husband with roving hands, especially when it comes to the young governess in his house, Abigail's friend. After telling off Mr. Gill, Mrs. Gill turns off Abigail with only a week to find another position. Desperate, she screws up her courage and goes to see the Earl of Severn, her very distantly related cousin, for a letter of recommendation so that she can find another place of employment. Determined to still her talkative tongue, blunt speech and managing ways, she succeeds so well that the Earl is convinced that she is the plain, quiet brown mouse she appears to be. The Earl is besieged by managing females--namely his mother and sisters--who are descending upon him in a week in order to encourage him to formally betroth himself to another sweet, very beautiful, equally managing girl. In a fit of pique he declares he'd rather marry a plain mouse who will NOT manage his life rather than submit to his persuasive mother. In being faced with his impulsive wish in Abigail's visit, he also impulsively decides to marry her...and two days later finds his wife is not what she seemed. He, however, has never laughed so much in all his thirty years of his life, and is amused and falling in love with his unconventional, warm and friendly and EXTREMELY talkative new wife...but Abigail is beset by doubts and terrible fears. She never seems to be able to get up the courage to tell him all about her past and scandalous family...until it comes back into her new life to rear its ugly head and destroy her new-found happiness... This is a quick read and a delightful story. Abigail is entirely endearing in her talkativeness and kind heart. The Earl is the epitomy of a perfect husband--kind, patient, amused and willing to admit when he is wrong, but still slightly confused on the ways of women. Their story is satisfying and sweet. Players in this book are also featured in other of Mary Balogh's books, namely one of the Earl of Severn's friends, who features in his own book, "A Precious Jewel."

This book was Mary Balogh's first, and the one which won her an award as Best New Regency Author, if I am not mistaken. At that time (1985), most of the Regencies were pale imitations of Heyer or were Gothic in the style of Victoria Holt (aka Jean Plaidy or Philippa Carr). Balogh used an innovative plot (not taken from Heyer or any other author that I know of) and added in a moderate dose of sex, to show the inner motivations and needs of the hero and heroine. If I had come across this romance earlier (when I first started reading Regencies other than Heyer) I would have rated it higher. As it now stands, this first work by Balogh must compete both against her later works and the very best works of other authors such as Carla Kelly and Sheila Bishop, as well as newer authors.

I won't go into the details of the plot, except to say that it turns on something slightly improbable - that a man would not recognize his wife when she is masked and disguised, even when having intercourse with her. And the premise is slightly improbable as well, although I have swallowed more improbable stories by Dodd and Quinn. Those facts, and the fact that this is not Balogh at her best (when she really twists your heartstrings in her later Regencies), is why I have awarded this book only 3 stars (3.5). Others might rate it higher.

The hero is not particularly admirable at the beginning. Like most of Balogh's later heroes, he is a rake, well-to-do, and about to marry only to set up his nursery. We learn relatively little about his life as a landlord or his political activities (in the House of Lords), or very much about his inner life, except that he fell in love with a disguised lady at first sight, but consented to marry another lady when his love could not be found. Later, as a married man, he is willing to commit double adultery with the woman he believes to be his long-lost wife, simply because he has treasured an image of her. His wife is not particularly mean, nor is this woman's husband brutal (in fact, he never does meet her husband for a very good reason). I did not find the hero particularly admirable. Nor did I find the heroine's behavior (even though she was seducing her own husband) that admirable. Those are some things that stuck in my thought; others might dismiss them arguing that Balogh has portrayed adulterous heroes beautifully in the past. Yes - but there the adultery has been sort-of-justified (as in THE SECRET PEARL) or the hero realizes his mistake half-way through the book (THE IDEAL WIFE). Until the end, I did not even get the sense that the hero worried overmuch that he was cheating on his wife.

Similarly, although the heroine Margaret clearly knew that she was *not* committing adultery, she was deceiving the hero into believing that he was committing double adultery, as a married man sleeping with a married woman. I thought that she had made little or no effort to share her secret with her, and that secret was relatively innocuous. Therefore the whole masquerade and deception seemed both pointless and petty.

I rated it at 3.5 only because it is still a very good book, well-written and well-plotted. Otherwise, this first romance did not strike me as particularly romantic.

Set during the French Revolution, Richard Adair, Seventh Earl of Bramption must marry to set up his nursery. Unknown to him, his bride-to-be in this marriage of convenience, is his lost love. The masked lady he has never forgotten during the past 6 years. Margaret Wells, suffering through an unemotional honeymoon with Richard, is determined to woo her husband back, by becoming the woman he lost so long ago. What will happen when and if he discovers her ruse? Mary Balogh is an expect on emotions, she gives us what real people would think and do. Sexual content but not overtly graphic. Definite keeper!! Marilyn, The Regency Lover's Cafe

When I picked up this book, I was simply thrilled to have found the first published book by the highly praised (and rightly so!) Mary Balogh. My high expectations were by no means disappointed. This is the story of shy Margaret Wells, an unwed 25-year-old lady who has for six long years nursed a secret passion for the Earl of Brampton. During her year as a debutante, the two met at a masquerade and fell hard for each other. She knew his identity, but her own remained hidden from the earl. When the time for unmasking arrived, Margaret had already been jerked away from the ball by her parents and never found the courage to reveal who she was to the earl. Now, he is looking for a marriage of convenience, and Margaret, thinking this is her one chance at happiness, agrees to serve as his boring, proper bride.

Alas for her expectations--the earl is still in love with his "angel," the masked girl from six years ago, and has no intentions of pursuing deeper feelings with his convenient wife. When Margaret realizes this, she decides on one last, desperate ploy...she will once again disguise herself and try to win his heart.

This novel is wonderfully written. It holds the necessary descriptions of Regency mores, dresses, carriages, etc., but it also sweeps the reader away into a tangled web of complicated feelings and relationships that transcend the time period. One caveat to the reader new to Balogh--unlike most traditional Regencies, this book does have sex in it. But Balogh always uses it as a means to further reveal her characters' growth, never as a flimsy substitute for plot.

Before detractors lament the uninspired plot of Mary Balogh's debut of the Bedwyn's trilogy, her legion of fans will know better that it is her style to translate the most ordinary into an intimate story with roiling emotions.

Col. Lord Aidan Bedwyn indebted to savior Captain Morris honors his last promise to take care of his sister on the Battlefield of Toulouse. It brings him to Ringwood Manor and the fiercely independent Eve Morris who provides employment and lodging to two abandoned children and an disabled Aunt Mari. She desires no protection from him despite her manor will be bequeathed to her vengeful cousin Cecil. Aidan discovers and marries her so that she may keep her manor.

The marriage of convenience soon gets complicated when Duke of Bewcastle, Aidan's brother, fetches Eve to London and expects her to fulfil her obligations as Aidan's wife. Spurred by dignity, she wills herself to be presented to the ton under the marchioness's tutelage and holds her own against Aidan's family. While love and admiration grows, interlopers like Eve's former lover and Aidan's hardened nature threatens the tenuous relationship.

Seldom is a Regency Romance attentive to its timing and atmosphere as Ms. Balogh moves the courtship from the rural Ringwood Manor to the glittering ton of London under Queen Charlotte's reign. The story unfolds with interesting revelations to the characters like Duke of Bewcastle's indirect gush of love and honor to his family, Aidan's vulnerable side as a soldier and Eve's passion for her children.

These are endearing creatures sculpted with emotional delicacy to spare readers from melodrama and sympathy. They instead earn our approval and instant respect in this superb tale of passion and redemption. Though no way surpassing her excellent A Summer To Remember, Ms. Balogh's rise as Queen of Regency is slightly progressing with another enriching love story.

Looks like I've been suckered into another family saga! Gaelen Foley continues to thoroughly entrench me in her Knight Family series and now I believe Mary Balogh has hooked me into the Bedwyn family chronicles (this series technically begins with the wonderful, not-to-be-missed "A Summer to Remember").

Dark and stoic second son Colonel Lord Aidan Bedwyn has pursued a military career only because he felt it was his duty to do so. Now a deathbed promise made to one of his officers leads Aidan to dutifully offer to marry Eve Morris, the officer's sister, in order to save her home and her household of misfits! A marriage of convenience is agreed to and once accomplished, Aidan returns to his family's home never revealing his marriage to anyone and never expecting to see Eve again. But his plans are upended when his elder brother, Wulfric, the Duke of Bewcastle, learns of the marriage and confronts Aidan with the knowledge. Aidan steadfastly refuses to involve Eve in his family though they have been invited to Carlton House by the Prince Regent. Bewcastle, however, is not one to take no for an answer!

Eve Morris is trying to resume her quiet country life - but no, she's no longer Eve Morris. She's now Lady Aidan Bedwyn for what that's worth since, sadly, she will never see her husband again. But when she receives an entirely unexpected visit from the Duke of Bewcastle, he convinces her (for Aidan's sake) to accompany him to London to be presented to the Queen! And so, Eve, the daughter of a Welsh coal miner, is introduced into the world of the arrogant, overbearing, haughty Bedwyn family and the haute ton. This is everything Aidan had hoped to avoid and he is extremely unhappy about Bewcastle's interference. But is it because he wanted to spare Eve or because he is ashamed of her humble origins? And can Eve stand up to his family, not to mention the pressure of being presented? Is a real marriage in the cards or just a sweet, unattainable dream? Read it and find out for yourself!

I must confess that I disliked those Bedwyns (Wulf, Freyja, Morgan and Ranulf) introduced in "Summer". They were so haughtly, arrogant and disdainful - yet also fascinating. These books will explore what lies behind those cool, haughty exteriors and I think I can safely say that the most interesting of the six stories (thus likely to be the last) will be Wulf's. He's entirely fascinating and enigmatic. I look forward to reading more about this family. A recommended read!

In this first installment of the story of the Bedwyn family, Mary Balogh takes a plot line that has been used hundreds of times before--the marriage of convenience--and somehow makes it seem fresh and new. This is the story of Colonel Lord Aidan Bedwyn, second son of the late Duke of Bewcastle and brother to the current Duke, whose devotion to duty and honor leads him to find love in a most unexpected place. On a dusty battlefield in France, he promises the dying Captain Percy Morris to do "whatever it takes" to protect the Captain's sister, Eve Morris. When Aidan takes the news of her brother's death to Eve, he discovers that she and her "lame ducks," a menagerie consisting of two orphaned children, an impoverished aunt, a lame dog, and a houseful of unusual servants that no one would else would hire, are about to be turned out onto the streets by Eve's slimy cousin, Cecil. In order to do "whatever it takes" to honor his vow to a dying man, Aidan persuades Eve to agree to a marriage of convenience to save her home and inheritance under a clause of her father's will. Eve feels that she has no choice but to accept Aidan's offer, despite the fact that she is in love with a neighbor who is in the diplomatic service and whom she has been expecting home "any day." What neither Aidan nor Eve can forsee is that, by marrying, Eve will inextricably become part of the Bedwyn clan, overseen by Aidan's brother, the imperious Duke of Bedwyn, and that Aidan will just as inextricably become part of Eve's menagerie of "lame ducks." This is a brilliant and beautifully written story of two very different people--different in temperment, station, and experience--who gradually come to know, appreciate and love each other. Like the talented artist that she is, Mary Balogh does not tell us who these characters are, she lets us discover them for outselves, through their words and their deeds. Aidan and Eve grow more beautiful to the reader with each passing page, just as they appear more and more beautiful and wonderful to each other as they reluctantly begin to fall in love. This novel is a work of great art and great heart, and I am eagerly awaiting the next two novels in the series. Bravo, Mary!

When Jane Ingleby boldly interrupts a duel one early morning in Hyde Park, she doesn't expect one of the duellers to be so angry with her that he would force her to nurse the wound immobilising him after his adversary shot him in the leg. Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham, holds her responsible for his wound, and his annoyance increases when she provokes him and refuses to be treated as a simple servant. When Jane becomes his mistress, neither of them knows that their relationship will be different from what they both expect.

But treating her like another mistress isn't possible for Jocelyn. He trusts her, confides in her, opens his heart to her, without suspecting that Jane is hiding many things from him, things that could compromise their relationship.

Mary Balogh has a way to bare her characters' inner thoughts that is poignant and makes perfect sense. Misunderstandings keep them apart without artificial dramas. She also knows how to write love scenes between two characters and make them so very different according to the state of their relationship. More Than a Mistress includes a love scene of sheer romanticism and a later one that reflects the different emotions driving both heroes. A lot of the characters' state of mind is revealed through those two scenes, as well as another greatly powerful one where, after days of coldness between Jane and Jocelyn, a wordless exchange reminds us all of the unspoken feelings binding them.

There was only one regret I had about this book: I wish the main element of the outcome (which I won't reveal to avoid spoilers) had been showed "live" and not just told about. It seemed out of the blue and out of sync with the way the characters behaved a few minutes before what they knew (and what the reader didn't know) was revealed. I would also have wished for an epilogue; an unpublished one is thankfully available on Mary Balogh's site, and it made up for that small complaint of mine. :)

As a whole, a delightful story, full of humour and poignancy, and certainly one I'll enjoy reading several times.

When I heard that Mary Balogh was coming out with a hardcover, I groaned out loud. I thought I'd be faced with yet another of the seemingly endless number of disappointing hardbacks by romance authors. It's almost as if romance is not prestigious enough for hardback, and the authors end up writing mediocre suspense novels instead. Because of hardbacks, the romance genre has been abandoned by almost all of its finest authors. I am happy to say that this is not the case with Mary Balogh. I wish I could thank her personally for not abandoning her romance audience and the romance genre. "More Than a Mistress" is a satisfying romance in every way: the characters are extremely attractive, appealing, and sexy; their relationship is passionate and full of surprises; they overcome obstacles; their dialogue is witty and extremely well written; and, most of all, there is a great deal of intensity in their love for each other. If you read this book, you enter their world and feel their emotion. As always, Mary Balogh's use of language is impecable (there are no anachronisms or American slang), drawing the reader into the world of Regency England. I am very happy to travel to Regency England with Mary Balogh, and I wait impatiently for her next book. I think "More Than a Mistress" is one of her best books ever, and I would love to have more stories about its characters. Readers seem to be asking for Ferdinand's story. But I would really like a book about the sexy Viscount Kimble.

5000 Gold Stars! It has everything I love about a Regency romance. He's the likeable wealthy arrogant good-looking English lord who's a domineering rake that can drive to an inch. She's the witty country miss who's beautiful inside & out. The dialog between the two main characters, Jocelyn and Jane is funny, witty & truly brilliant. I've read nearly every book and short story by Mary Balogh. Many sit on my keeper shelf, but this is her best effort to date. The copy I read was from library so I'll be buying it when it comes out in paperback because I know I'll want to read it again someday.

I liked the book, the cover art and enjoyed the story. The story I liked, because it was different from other typical regency novels. The ending was surprising and unexpected. But I did not think the characters were that great. The love between the Earl of Kilbourne, Neville, and Lily Doyle did not really convince me. I can believe that the two of them fell in love at first sight, that was realistic. But after the separation, and Lilly reappears just before Neville exchanges his vows with his childhood sweetheart, the two 'lovers' just seemed too 'different'. As a reader, you soon realize that the two characters are very unsuited for each other. Whether that was Ms.Balogh's purpose or not, you soon lose interest in the characters. Neville's character seemed too weak. He battles with his feelings for Lilly, not because he was confused, but because he couldn't lead his own life. He kept on following his mother's and sister's opinions on Lilly, and that was what the 3/4 of the novel on. Near the end of the story, he finally snaps awake, and follows his heart. The story just drags on a little too long.

During wartime Lily Blake and Neville Wyatt marry. The morning after their one night together Lily is shot in the heart and Neville in the head. Neville survives and returns home to take his rightful place as Earl of Kilbourne. Believing Lily dead he resumes his relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Lauren.

Lily does in fact not die, but becomes a prisoner of war where she is forced to become mistress to a Spanish military officer. After a year and a half of seperation, Lily is freed to return to Neville. But upon her return she finds that Neville is about to marry Lauren. Interupting the wedding to let Neville know she is back, Lily is thrust into a life of the ton. Thrilled to find his true love is still alive, Neville is willing to give Lily time to adjust to being a countess.

Unable to adjust to her new life, Lily leaves Neville for London where she becomes Neville's aunt's paid companion. Neville reluctantly lets Lily go so she can determine her true love for him.

One Night for Love was a wonderful regency and I highly recommend it. Neville's love for Lily never falters even after she tells him of her terrible treatment as a prisioner. To me, that is a true romantic hero.

During the fight against Napoleon, Neville Wyatt, Earl of Kilbourne, met and fell in love with Lily Doyle, daughter of a dead soldier. However, the misfortunes of war hit home as Neville returns to England as a widower. A sad but wiser Neville returns to the Ton where he rejoins the festive activities. Ultimately, Neville becomes engaged to his childhood sweetheart only to have Lily reappear.

Lily finds herself overwhelmed by the majestic home of her spouse. Even more difficult is for the commoner to adapt to his aristocratic family. While riding each morning, she realizes that she must leave her beloved because she is not good enough for him. He tries to persuade her otherwise, but she still leaves him and goes to London. However, someone wants Lily dead for no apparent reason and only Neville can keep his beloved safe, but she has left him to become a paid companion.

Award winning Mary Balogh is deservedly renowned for her best selling Regency romances that make the early nineteenth century seems as if the readers lived during the era. Her newest tale, ONE NIGHT FOR LOVE, lives up to the author's reputation and its own title as sub-genre fans will love this one night of reading. The characters are intriguing and the historical romantic suspense story line is entertaining. Ms. Balogh has another best seller to add to her excellent list.

Harriet Klausner

As a die-hard Mary Balogh fan I will probably read all the books in the series anyway but, I have to confess, I am finding it difficult to get involved. The only brother I have the slightest curiosity about is the eldest, and I imagine we won't get his story until the very end. The eldest sister (whose story is next) might be mildly interesting but, so far, not terribly likable. The rest of the family seems to exist in order to complete a six-part series and are little more than paint-by-numbers characters who just happen to have the same last name, weird first names, and hooked noses. When I read (and loved) A Summer to Remember I got the uneasy feeling that we were going to be knee-deep in Bedwyns for a while. Sure enough. While reading Slightly Wicked, I cringed when I read that Judith also has siblings. Please, no!

This second in the Bedwyn series finds third son Rannulf on his way to his grandmother's estate which he stands to inherit. Looks like yet another plot to marry him off, but he'll indulge his grandmama's wishes only so far. As third-born, he was meant for the church, but Rannulf refused that living and would be his own man - no matter what family head Bewcastle has to say about it! But on his way to Grandmaison, he encounters an overturned stagecoach and one lovely passenger that he just cannot resist.

Judith Law is on her way to a fate worse than death - that of an unwanted, impoverished female relative. Her family is in dire financial straits and Judith is to go to her aunt's to serve as companion to her grandmother. But on the stagecoach, she fantasizes about a cheery, mocking highwayman that will take her away from the mundane and depressing life that surely awaits her. When the stagecoach overturns in muddy roads, it is not a highwayman, but a roguish gentleman who comes to her rescue riding off with her to the next town and a secluded inn. Knowing what emptiness lies before her, she adopts the persona of "actress Claire Campbell" and enters into a scandalous affair with "Ralph Bedard", thinking this interlude will be something she can look back on with pleasure when she's a lonely, lowly companion. They spend two lovely days together before she decides she must move on. She arrives at Harewood Grange to assume her duties just as her pretty, vivacious cousin Julianne is set to begin a house party to welcome Lord Rannulf Bedwyn to the neighborhood (his grandmother is supporting a match between her grandson Rannulf and Julianne).

Rannulf arrives at Grandmaison to find his grandmama a bit more frail than usual. He is willing to indulge her to the extent that he will consider marrying Julianne to please her. But when he discovers "Claire", or rather Judith, in the same household, he does the expected and offers marriage, which she refuses. As the days pass, he realizes that he cannot marry the pretty but vacuous Julianne - that he wants the lovely but lowly Judith. It was nice to see Rannulf mature, not only in his feelings for Judith, but for his grandmama and in his new-found interest in managing the estate that will one day be his. But when someone has it in for Judith and accuses her of stealing, Rannulf has a good idea who and sets out to prove her innocence. Along the way, his elder brother Wulf, Duke of Bewcastle becomes involved - is there no end to Wulf's patience, indulgence and devotion to assuring his siblings' happiness? And when will he worry about his own happiness the reader will wonder - right around book six, I bet!

Another enjoyable, recommended read, though surely not the best of the series. I expect Wulf's story to be the stand-out of the series (I wonder what type of woman will win his seemingly cold heart!), though sister Freyja's story is next and should be quite a page-turner!

Slightly Married and Slightly Wicked are the first two books I have read from this author - ande I must say that I will have to go back and read her others. I could not put this book down. I ended up reading Slightly Wicked in 1 day - staying up until the wee hours of the morning reading instead of getting sleep. It was well worth it.