The review below says much of what I would have said about the plot of The Fortune Hunter. This book is better than some others in this early series of Beverley's, though still not as good as Emily and the Dark Angel. Indeed, what I enjoyed most about this book were the opportunities to see Ver and Emily again, happily married and enjoying being together and with their friends. It was fascinating to see a much less cynical, but still non-conformist, Ver.

Amy is in some ways her own worst enemy. She's decided that she needs single-handedly to rescue her family from penury - so she controls their limited finances with an iron hand and when she decides to marry for money, she refuses to settle for Harry Crisp, despite the fact that he's comfortably off. Harry assumes that Amy is suffering under the unkind restrictions of her older sister Beryl - I don't think we ever see that misconception cleared up.

When Amy rejects Harry so cruelly, I was surprised that he was so willing to forgive her and continued to pursue her. But then, he obviously loved her.

Some interesting minor characters in this book: I was particularly taken by Clyta and the Duke, and would have liked to see a more definite resolution there.

Firstly, this novel is part of a series (book #5 I believe. Fortunately, this novel does stand alone although characters from other books pop up here - Sophie and Randal Ashby, Chart and Clytemnestra Ashby, Piers and Emily Verderan (hero and heroine of EMILY AND THE DARK ANGEL, said to be Beverley's best), and even Kevin Renfrew, the Daffodil Dandy (a minor character in DEIRDRE AND DON JUAN).

The story - Amy de Lacy, the beauty and the middle sister, decides that marrying a rich man (who will settle dowries on her sisters, and who will also pay off the debts on her brother's estate) is the only way out of the hard times that have engulfed her family since her spendthrift father's death. Amy - actually Amethyst, but she hates the name - has one older sister Beryl (who is really plain), and a younger sister Jacynth and a brother Jasper. And there are two elder servants who should have been pensioned off, who play a small part in her calculations.

At the beginning of the story, Jasper has just won a small fortune - five thousand pounds - in a lottery. Should the family try and pay off the debts on the estate? Should the family acquire some comforts? Should the family invest the money for an income that will allow them a decent standard of living (they are so poor that they cannot afford real tea)? Or should the money be settled on very small dowries for the three girls and a pension for the servants?

Well, the problem with the last is - who will the girls marry in this isolated part of England? The author's excellent note or preface makes it clear that part of the attractions of a London season was the wider choice of marriage partners. Furthermore, small dowries will not really lure wealthy husbands.

Amy decides to risk nearly all the money on a trip to London, where she is sure that her beauty (and she *is* a beauty) will attract at the very least a wealthy Cit (a London merchant or businessman) who can afford to pay out handsomeley for a beautiful wife who is the daughter of a baronet. True that she has virtually no connections [her mother was a Cit], but she has looks and she is a lady.

In the meantime (before going to London), Amy decides to try and attach the new owner of a nearby estate, although he is a Cit and rather reclusive at that. During a storm, she must seek shelter and thus ends up meeting Harry Crisp, who is the heir to a barony. Harry is smitten by her looks, and intends to propose marriage.

Will Amy marry Harry Crisp, and settle for future riches, and what aid he and his father can give at present? No. The quarrel between them is dramatic when she states her real intentions rather bluntly and destroys all his illusions. Harry returns to his friends (the Verderans), determined to forget this heartless fortune-hunter. I will stop here to avoid spoiling the rest of the book, but seasoned readers will understand that Harry and Amy are destined to meet in the not-too-distant future.

This is a solid, well-crafted and charming book that I would happily recommend to any Regency romance lover who wants a good plot and strong multi-dimensional characters. I liked it rather more than The Stanforth Secrets (Bk 2) and Deirdre and Don Juan (Bk 6).

I love this book. No one else seems to give it the credit it deserves. You can cut the tension with a knife and I was laughing SO hard at the characters' thoughts and imaginations. This was the first regency I ever read and I've read a million after it, but it is still the best.

This was a really seasonal book that helped me get into the holiday spirit. It was an emotional roller coaster that had me anxious to see what would happen next. Each story had a happy ending that made it worth reading. I would buy it again and I hope to see more like it soon.

This book was painful to read. I got hooked on Jo Beverley's books back in the early 1990s when she was writing the small regencies. There, she focused on bringing light romance to a good story. Then, she moved into the heavier material.

This book is the perfect example why Jo Beverley's "Sensual" romances are only the genteel ladies' substitute for a porn movie. It was quite obvious that Beverley was not focusing on the plot of this book and putting romance into it. It seems that she simply wrote a few skanky sex scenes and put them in a book with a sketchy plot (with every contrived plot twist imaginable to let the characters have pre-marital sex, and lots of it). The characters here are harsh, bitter, and unlikable, especially the heroine. They deliberately hurt each, when they are not making vulgar and over-the-top suggestive remarks to each other. This is supposed to be romance?!?

However, this is Beverley and not as bad as many other similar books in the genre, thus saving the book from only one star. However, this is a very skippable book, even if one wants to read the Rogues and George series. Just check the book out at the library, read the back, read the first and last chapters, and move on to the next books of the series (that at least have some plot wrapped around the sex scenes).

At the age of 15, Susan Kerslake mistakenly thought her new friend and first love, Con Somerford, was heir to a title. Learning the truth destroyed her dreams of the future with Con, and in her pain she cruelly hurt him. Now, a returning soldier after Waterloo, Con is a reluctant earl, and Susan his housekeeper. An unusual role for a gentlewoman, but she took the job to aid the Dragon's Horde, smugglers with ties to her family. Still attracted to each other, Con and Susan question each other's motives for acting on their desire. Once Con dreamed of being St. George. Now at Crag Wyvern, he is surrounded by dragons and believes himself more dragon than hero. Jo Beverley brings the story to life with complex, well motivated characters and a forbidding house. The intricate story has exactly the right touch of wit. For those who enjoy a Regency setting and an intelligent, sensual plot, The Dragon's Bride is a must read

Jo Beverley has always been an author who can make what seems to be a hackneyed plot seem fresh and new, and THE DRAGON'S BRIDE is no exception. In this tale, we meet Susan Kerslake and Con Somerford, reunited 11 years after an adolescent affair that ended very badly.

Con has come to Crag Wyvern to claim the inheritance he never wanted and never expected to get, but for the death of his older brother. The first person on his mind -- and the last person he wants to meet -- is Susan. Fate, naturally, is against our hero. He arrives to find a smuggling operation in place on the coast, and Susan in the thick of it. Not only that, but she is his housekeeper! Worse yet, he discovers that underneath all the anger, pain, and rejection of 11 years ago, he still wants her.

For her part, Susan expected to be gone by the time Con came to inspect his new holdings. But with her younger brother involved in the ages-old smuggling operation, and said operation being threatened by the government representatives and rival smuggling gangs, she can't leave. She is terrified when Con shows up so unexpectedly, for now she has to worry about his silence with regard to the smuggling. In addition, she is horrified to discover that she never stopped loving Con, that she had just boxed her feelings up inside, and all the love and regret from when they were 15 comes rushing back.

What makes this plot so unique is that there is no "big misunderstanding" to frustrate the reader: Susan and Con are very human and there is genuine blame in their brief affair, not the usual lack of trust that leads to ridiculous assumptions and partings. Nor is there is a huge mystery and terrifying villain to threaten our erstwhile protagonists, although the intrigue is still very present. Instead, this story provides stripped-down emotions, a visceral relationship between two very realistic and fallible people that is almost as wrenching to read as it would be to live. Another element that makes this story so beautiful is that without the "big misunderstanding" there is no "I hate you; no, I love you" nonsense going on. Con and Susan acknowledge their past and try to deal with it, but they work with each other, rather than against each other, in both their own relationship and in digging for secrets in the deeper past.

Some authors get sloppier or less appealing in their writing as they get more popular and publish more, but I have been delighted to discover that Ms. Beverley is certainly not among them. If anything, the writing in THE DRAGON'S BRIDE is better than in some of her previous works: a wonderful backdrop, witty and amusing secondary characters (including visitors from past works), and finally, fantastically strong and appealing protagonists. THE DRAGON'S BRIDE is on my keeper shelf, and highly recommended.

This is the first book I read from Jo Beverly and certainly will not be the last. It is very well written, the plot is good and not very unrealistic and combines the mystery well with the romance. Eleanor is a nice heroine with much more brains than the usual romance heroine. I like the fact that they both accept from the beggining that what's done is done and married willingly or not, they should try to make the best out of it. Also there is deep respect and caring for each other, which doesn't take long to turn into love. The fact that Nicholas was actually sleeping with another woman during their marriage though, wasn't very much to my liking and I would prefer Jo Beverly had found a way to avoid it.
All in all it was a nice book, not one with great passion and heartbreaking scenes, but a good read with sensible heroes, and interesting plot. I recommend this to fans of historical romance but not to someone new on the field: there are much better books to start from (try Judith McNaught for example). I will certainly read more books of the same author myself.

This is a great book! It's sensitive and well-written and has vivid characters. The plot is a nice combination of romance and political intrigue. It's also a fairly realistic snapshot of what life must have been like for women in the regency era, and I think that's why some people haven't liked the book.

Eleanor is raped by a nobleman (who actually thinks she's willing). He catches her trying to commit suicide and tries to make amends by begging his twin brother, Nicholas, to marry her. Nicholas does so, but he's just become embroiled in an espionage assignment which involves pretending to establish a certain (beautiful) suspected Bonapartist as his mistress. The intrigue builds, as does the romance between Eleanor and Nicholas.

Eleanor's character is consistent with Regency culture. Married men had mistresses and wives were supposed to accept that. Moreover, Eleanor doesn't fight for Nicholas immediately NOT because she's a wimp but because she doesn't want to make demands on a new husband who married her solely for her own sake and not for his. She would have been ruined or an unwed mother or dead without him, and she's cognizant of that and only gradually coming into her own as a wife and mistress of her own establishment. He's married her sight unseen for no reason other than to save her, and she knows it. She's strong and sweet in subtle ways.

Nicholas is modeled on Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond character, for those who've read that incredible series. He's torn for many reasons and in numerous ways -- between a new wife, his espionage, a mistress he hates, censure from his "Company of Rogues," his ridiculous brother and her nasty brother. I love his ideals and sympathize with him for the pressures pummeling him.

The book has wonderful, witty conversation, and even the minor characters are well-drawn (Lucien, for example). The prose is beautiful at times and well-written always. I get really tired of reading the utterly inane (there is no other word) writing prevalent in some of these regencies. This is the first of a charming series of regency novels, and I recommend them all. But this one is actually my favorite. Do try it.

I loved this book from beginning to end, and I thought Beverley did a great job of handling the complex story. Eleanor, our heroine, is raped at the start of the book by the Earl of Stainbridge - a rape organised by her own brother, who wishes to blackmail the Earl. Eleanor does not shrug it off - did that reviewer read the book, as opposed to just skimming it? - she was actually contemplating throwing herself into the lake to drown when she met Stainbridge again. Consumed by guilt, Stainbridge - who was already on his way to Eleanor's brother's house at the time - takes Eleanor under his wing, but lies and claims it was his brother who'd raped her.

Nicholas Delaney (who, as the son of an Earl, should actually be Lord Nicholas) is engaged on crucial espionage work, and under orders to conduct an affair with Therese Bellaire, suspected to be involved in a Napoleonic plot. However, he agrees to bail his brother out, hoping that he can tie up his investigation quickly and end his affair. Nicholas is like no other man Eleanor has met: he is kind, considerate, values her opinions and treats her in many ways as his equal, unlike most men of the time and unlike her own experience with men. On their wedding night, she learns the truth about her rape, and he makes love to her gently and considerately - yet another hangover from the rape is that she's, naturally, afraid of sex.

Of course, the affair in the background means that Nicholas's behaviour is erratic; some of the time he is loving to Eleanor and willingly seeks her company, but as Therese becomes more and more unco-operative and Nicholas comes to care more for Eleanor, he has to distance himself from her and act as if their marriage had never seemed likely to become more than one of convenience. Eleanor, who had guessed that Nicholas has a mistress, accepts it because it was the norm for men at the time, and because their marriage *was* arranged, and the understanding was that she and Nicholas would lead separate lives. Neither of them, after all, she thinks, had anticipated that she'd fall in love with Nicholas.

And who wouldn't fall in love with Nicholas?! He is a wonderful creation: charming, amusing, considerate, very capable, intelligent, a great lover, and - best of all - he has a vulnerable side.

He also has some fascinating friends. I wish I'd read this book before reading An Unwilling Bride (publishers, *please* make it more clear when books are part of a series, and what their place in the series is!); I would have understood Lucien a lot better if I'd read this first, much as I loved Luce's own story. Francis also appealed enormously, and I hope he gets his own story at some point.

Nicholas and Eleanor make a wonderful couple, and I hope to have many glimpses of them in future Company of Rogues books.

Here's what I hope will be a helpful hint: while it is not absolutely necessary to have read "An Unwilling Bride" by Jo Beverly, it really does help if you're very familiar with the plot and characters of that book. I read "An Unwilling Bride" many years ago, and while some things were familiar, I had forgotten a lot of what occurred in that novel, and as a result, was sometimes completely at sea in "The Devil's Heiress" because quite a few incidents from the former were referred to in the latter, and while everything was explained (eventually) I spent much of the book feeling as if I had wondered in the middle of a rather disconcertingly familiar play, and this kept distracting me, at times, from enjoying this otherewise rather excellent novel.
The Napoleonic Wars are over, and Major George Hawkinville ("Hawk") has returned home hoping to find peace and solace. Not that he has much hope to achieving this, for home also means coming face to face with his selfish and caddish father. As usual, Hawk's fears prove well founded, for his father has borrowed heavily against Hawkinville Manor in order to prove his right to the now dead Viscount Deveril's title and wealth. Unfortunately, the dead viscount had bequeathed his wealth to his erstwhile fiancee, Clarissa Greystone. So currently, Hawk's father has a title but no money, and with the need to repay the loan of twenty-thousand pounds hanging over their heads. Hawk's father's solution is for Hawk to court Clarissa and to marry her for her money, eventhough he thinks that Clarissa had murdered Deveril. Hawk however decides to try and find the evidence that Clarissa had indeed murdered Deveril, rather than marry that murderous young lady. And so he sets out for Gloucestershire, to the seminary that Clarissa is currently residing in. Where he finds that Clarissa, far from being a deadly femme fatale, is actually a very plain looking but rather witty young woman. Dicovering that Clarissa is about to spread her wings and make for the festive town of Brighton, Hawk follows her there, where he begins his slow but determined pursuit for Clarissa's heart and hand, all the while trying to discover if she had had anything to do with Deveril's death. Clarissa Greystone is a young woman full of secrets and fears. (This is where if you're unfamiliar with "An Unwilling Bride" the plot can become increasingly frustrating.) From the first few chapters, the reader will be able to glean that there was something fishy about Deveril's death, and that Clarissa did somehow figure into this, and that the merry band of noblemen, known as 'The Rogues' also had something to do with his death, and that Clarissa is actually rather fearful of, (and angry at) the Rogues. Although Clarissa is rather plain in appearance, she's always dreamed of being courted by a handsome and dashing young gentleman. Certainly Hawk fits the bill. And although she suspects that Hawk is a fortune-hunter, she is beginning to fall in love with him. But what is she to make of his frequent references to murder, and his claims at being very good at ferreting out the truth? Can she trust Hawk with the truth of how Deveril died? And what will happen when she discovers who Hawk really is?
"The Devil's Bride" is actually a really fun read. Hawk and Clarissa seem ideally suited to each other in character, intelligence and spirit. And it made for satisfying reading to see them grow closer and closer together, eventhough you could guess what would happen once Clarissa realised the truth about Hawk's interest in her. I also enjoyed reading the bits that dealt with Clarissa spreading her wings and coming into her own, and enjoying life. Another thing I did like was that the Rogues were painted in almost sinister terms for quite a bit of the novel, which fits in with Clarissa's fearful attitude towards them, and with Hawk's feelings of suspicions where they were concerned. "The Devil's Heiress" also sees the resurrection of one of the Rogues's most dangerous of enemies, and the ending promises that there will be another Rogue novel in the offing in the near future. In spite of my nitpicking, I really enjoyed reading "The Devil's Heiress." I think that Jo Beverly truly created something special in Hawk and Clarissa, and this made the hapily-ever-after ending all the more satisfying. A truly fun read.

This book is the third and final in Beverley's 'Three Guys Named George' series; but it's also in many ways a direct sequel to An Unwilling Bride in the 'Company of Rogues' series. So if you've ever wanted to know what happened to shy Clarissa, the very unwilling fiancee of the evil Lord Deveril, after Deveril was killed by Blanche (and the murder was covered up by the Rogues) in An Unwilling Bride, here's all those loose ends brilliantly tied up.

Clarissa, now a year or so older and quite a bit wiser, is the ward of the Duke of Belcraven, a considerable heiress, and about to make her second attempt to enter society. She wants to strike out on her own; fond though she is of Beth Arden, Lucien, the Marquess, scares her. This, for critics of one element of An Unwilling Bride, is the legacy of Luce's one moment of lapse of control. It wasn't all over and forgotten with after all!

Hawk, returned at last from the war, finds unwelcome news. His father is deep in debt and has mortgaged the manor to an appalling developer - all the quest for the family title. The title? That of Viscount Deveril. So his father is about to become Lord Deveril, and he wants Deveril's fortune. Hawk's duty is to obtain it, either by proving the will a forgery, or by marrying the Devil's Heiress.

But Clarissa is obviously no murderer, nor a fraudster. Instead, she's a fairly plain and shy young woman, but as Hawk gets to know her, he sees that she's beautiful, and intelligent, and fiercely determined to combat the prejudice she encounters as Deveril's heir. Despite himself, he is intrigued.

Clarissa knows that Hawk is after her money; but she also knows that someone as plain as her is only going to attract suitors who want her money. And, since she's resigned herself to that eventuality, why not marry someone she *likes*? For she likes Hawk, very much. Too much...

And so the game begins, with guilt and lies on both sides, but with a stirring, sensual attraction between Clarissa and Hawk which simmers off the pages. Familiar characters from other books return: Francis Middlethorpe's Aunt Arabella, who is sent by Nicholas to chaperon Clarissa; Nicholas himself, along with Eleanor and Amabel; Therese Bellaire, Con and Susan; Van and Maria; Hal and Blanche (now, there has to be at least one more Rogues book, simply to complete their story!), and, of course, Lucien and Beth. And the Duke and Duchess of Belcraven!

And there is also a welcome appearance from one very unexpected character indeed!

This is an unmissable, unputdownable book. Don't miss it!

I really, liked this 3rd novel in the George series of Hawk and Clarissa. I found it quite satisfying in terms of the fast movement, bringing in characters from former novels, and tying up loose ends. I loved the "Hawk" even though he was portrayed as pretty much unfeeling and out to prove Clarissa a cheat, murdereress and forger. It goes to prove that even plain girls can find true love.

Clarissa is not portrayed as a beautiful femme fatale as most heroines are. She will inhereit a fortune when she turns 21, and has resigned herself that her money, and not her looks will bring her a husband, so she goes into a relationship with eyes - wide open to that fact. Knowing it is her money that attracts she is willing to play the game for all its worth.

Hawk, on the other hand, has no intention of marriage, only to try to gain back what he felt was robbed from the truly rightful heir of Lord Deveril. Clarissa finds him, handsome, sexy, and well, even if he is attracted by her money, she plans to play his game. She is a spunky, forthright, outstanding heroine - I really liked her!

This was an excellent tale. I had read all the previous novels that introduced all the players so, I could relate to the tying up of loose ends. Now, I wonder if Ms. Beverley would like to finish up Dare's story! Dare should be a good one, yes!?!

This was a technically sound book but just not that interesting.
After being jilted twice Lady Anne Peckworth is ready to do whatever it takes to find the right man for her. In her case doing whatever it takes mainly involves just getting out of the house to meet men and not being deliberatly off putting. There is only man who sets Anne's heart a flutter, but he is below her station as a Duke's Daughter -- and aware of that.

It is a decent story, but the two main charectars don't generate much genuine heat or passion. It lacks in genuine feeling.

Lady Anne Peckworth, the sheltered daughter of a Duke, finally gets her tale told. Having been left behind (can't say jilted) by the heroes in both "Forbidden" and "The Dragon's Bride," it was nice to see her get her own story. She is lovely, even with a club foot which is why she has stays away as much as possible from the society to which she belongs.

Enter Race de Vere, also introduced in "The Dragon's Bride" who is basically on a mission from the rogues and himself, to see how Lady Anne is taking the news of her latest beau's marriage and suffers no permanent damage. Race actually feels somewhat responsible, as he was the one that held back Com's letter of intent to Lady Anne knowing that his friend's heart was not taken with Anne. So, Race, being an honorable person, manages to attach himself to her brother in order to check in on the Lady.

Race is entranced by Lady Anne and even though he is attracted to her and she as well to him, they both know that the class differences would never be allowed for him to be considered as a suitable suitor. As is the way with all Beverley novels, where there is a will - there will be a way!

This is a wonderfully fleshed out portrait of two beautiful souls who come together, where the rules of society were absolutely aghast at this pairing. But better than that we are introduced to the Duke of St. Raven who's story I cannot wait to read! A great story told by this fabulous author. Definitely a keeper.

I've been a fan of Jo Beverly's books for years, but I'd been a little disappointed with the last few I'd read. However, "Hazard" was a stay-up-until-I-finish-it book, a definite keeper. This is much more a character study than an intricately plotted thriller, but the relationship between Anne and Race was touching and believable, and that's really all I ask here.

And after seeing Anne jilted by the hero in both "Forbidden" and "The Dragon's Bride," it was nice to see her as our heroine, significantly more fleshed out than in either of the other books. Hooray!

Dark Champion, coming from an accomplished romance novelist like Jo Beverley lacks distinction and character. Set in 12th century England, the plot revolves around the orphaned Imogen of Carrisford whose sheltered haven is besieged by Warbrick and Belleme, brutal warlords eyeing the Treasure of Carrisfordand defending Robert of Normandy against the ascension of Henry I. Imogen decides to enlist the help of FitzRoger of Cleeve as a paladin to reassert her claim over her castle and avenge for her father. FitzRoger wants her hand in marriage in exchange.

It is a straitlaced romance where the knight rescues the damsel-in distress but without the spunk and fire of Beverley's romance. Imogen is characterized as a guileless and naive ingenue whose foolhardy ways land the hapless hero in trouble. She remains untrusting of his intentions despite his valor and foolishly listens to a guilt-mongering priest who toadies to her enemy and discourages from consummating the marriage.

Undeserving of the knight in shining armour, I would say. It is fortunate that FitzRoger is the suave swashbuckling hero with wits and much patience. He gives character to the otherwise mediocre effort by Ms. Beverley. He champions this simple love story, set amidst Beverley's detailed historical landscape, to a harrowing victory.

Ok, I had totally forgotten that I had previously said that I was going to be more careful about reading JB's medieval romances! Opps! I did it again! This one is really hard for me to give a review on. On one hand, this is not at all my usual type of read (in fact, I usually RUN from this type!); On the other hand, I have to admit that JB has just done an excellent job on this story! I started out only having a grudging respect (& no liking) for the heroine.... by the end of the book, I couldn't have admired her more. The hero was to die for thoughout the entire story.
However, as I have found in the past, JB gives a terribly historically correct accounting of the lives the people led in the Middle Ages.... YUCK! However...... after just a few chapters, I knew that I didn't like this type of writing.... AND I knew that I was going to HAVE TO finish the story! (yes, I'm often confused! lol) So, as far as a recommend: For those of you that can't handle brutality - DON't read it; However, if you like a historically correct medieval romance, & those realities don't bother you, then this would most probably be an excellent read..... Your decision. Happy Reading!
(p.s. - now I just can't figure out if I want to to try another one! lol decisions, decisions, decisions!)

I didn't like this book as much as other Beverley books. I link that to the fact that the original printing of this novel was in 1993. Whether it is a compliment to say her writing has gotten better over time I don't know. It has a good storyline. I didn't particularly care for the ending but I don't hold that against the entire story. I do like that both the hero and heroine had "real issues". Witnessing a rape like Imogen did and basing sexual relations from that has to be tough. And FitzRoger's weakness was due to a significant event for a child. These details raised the book to my qualification for being a good read.

I have to agree with the other reviewers, hitting a woman is never alright, and I refuse to support a work of fiction which romanticizes such an issue.

If you are a stickler, as I am, for a well-written, well- plotted historical romance, you won't want to miss this re-issue of one of Jo Beverley's best stories. The heroine, Beth, is a "modern" 19th century woman who speaks plainly and enjoys her career as a teacher. The hero, Lucien, is the son of a Duke and a traditionalist who believes that the best wives are seen but not heard. The two come together through the machinations of Lucien's father, and the sparks begin to fly! The dialogue between these two is not only very witty and clever, but it is also very believable. There are a number of secondary characters in the book that are finely-drawn, and the plot contains a surprising suspenseful twist that keeps the reader intrigued. In short, if you have high standards and are tired of some of the "pap" that passes for romantic fiction nowadays, you will love "An Unwilling Bride." I can't wait for the re-issue of more of Ms. Beverley's older books.

I reviewed this book some while ago and have come back to look at ensuing comments from time to time with great interest. I do think it curious that readers of historical fiction so very often insist on applying contemporary behavioral standards to characters who peopled a world that is so different from our own that, if suddenly transported back, most of us would find life incomprehensible.

Domestic and marital law and attitudes have changed so much in the last 100 years that even our grandmothers would seem to have lived lives of deepest deprivation in what was, in fact, a "man's world" - you can't change the past!

So, why such vituperation at Jo Beverly for daring to present characters acting out situations from another world all together with a different set of morals and code of behaviour? The castigation she has received here seems to me to be ill-conceived at best. Would these critics be so scathing if reviewing science fiction? I doubt it but there is some similarity here in reading of a world radically unlike our own. Why read historical fiction if you prefer your stories and characters to be contemporary people dressed up in historical costume?

I believe this was an excellently written, brilliantly peopled story and should be read with an eye to historical context and understanding that one is reading about a very different world which, whether we like it or not, we cannot go back and change.

Journey to Jo'burg wa an O.K book. It wasn't a topselling thriller like Harry Potter or something, but it was overall an O.K book. Although this book was good it was to short. It didn't let you get to know the characters to have that emotional connection with them. Also the chapter titles gave the whole book away. Like you could predict the book by the chapter titles. Also this book needs more detail. You could describe this book in a couple of sentences. To really get into this book you would have to really stop and take a couple of paragraphs to describe each character, then a couple of pages to tell their background and features. This book is also not sixth grade level. The words are simple, it is more like a third grade reading novle. That is what i think about the novel Journey to Jo'burg.

I think that Journey To Jo`burg was a good book but not that well explained. I think this because you really didn't know what Mamgwane was. She never talked or anything so there wasn't a real reason of her even being in the book. Another thing, in the United States, most people don't measure in kilometers and they do in miles so in the book they could have told us how many miles 300 kilometers was. I also don't think that Naledi and Tiro would get in the back of a truck in which a man they did not know. There were good parts of this book but there were few. One of them was when they woke up and they were in the shed and they were afraid of the farmer coming out to get them. The farmer would have killed or punished them. You really didnt know what was going to happen so I did like that part. This is what I thought of the book and I hope you liked it to. (GT Level Reader)

Mma is given only a week from her employment, so they hurry back to the village. Mma took Dineo to the hospital; the doctor kept Dineo until her fever was broken. Mma was told to be sure that the baby had plenty of milk, fruits, and vegetables. However, they rarely have money for any of these things.
On their journey to Johannesburg, Naleda learned about the older students who were trying to change the unfair practices of apartheid. She is determined to find out about this and become part of the change. They are going on the bus and they did not read the sign it was a white sign they had to walk to the black sign because they was that the white sign. The mom wanted to see her girl because see was sick. The owner was going to a dinner and the owner said that you can see your little girl tomorrow. A woman said that it is not right that they have to but kids in jail. Grace had a passport but her friend didn't. when they went home two boys ran out the house. One of the girls was splashing water and the girl said do not do that because she remenber when she had to buy water. The mom said that the kids need schools and but the black and white tougher. On the banner that Dumi and his friends carried, they had written on the back of a paper they wrote BLACKS ARE NOT DUSTBINS.

Dineo the baby is very sick; Naledi was afraid because so many babies have died from this sickness. She and her brother Tiro traveled to Johannesburg to get Mma. Mma was a maid in a white lady's home, and the lady grudgingly allowed Mma to return home to help Dineo.
On their trip to Jo'burg, both Naledi and Tiro learn about the things that happen to black people under the white government called apartheid. They discover that they could be shot for picking and eating an orange just because they are hungry. In the train depot they discover that there are trains for blacks and for whites; they must ride the black cars even though they are overcrowded and have no seats. In Soweto, a place in which Mma fears for their safety, they see the police raid, looking for people who do not have their passbooks. The police even try to say that some of the children are older so that they can imprison them. Mma is given only a week from her employment, so they hurry back to the village. Mma took Dineo to the hospital; the doctor kept Dineo until her fever was broken. Mma was told to be sure that the baby had plenty of milk, fruits, and vegetables. However, they rarely have money for any of these things. On their journey to Johannesburg, Naleda learned about the older students who were trying to change the unfair practices of apartheid. She is determined to find out about this and become part of the change. Thirteen-year-old Naledi, her younger brother Tiro and baby sister Dineo live with their grandmother while their mother works as a maid in Johannesburg. When Dineo gets sick, Naledi and Tiro walk to Johannesburg to bring their mother home. On the way, Naledi sees a new world, and learns about the cruelty of Apartheid for the first time. This journey, which saves Dineo's life, causes pride to burn in Naledi, and makes her determined to hold her head up high. They don't understand the song's warning until they arrive in Jo'burg. There they watch, in amazement and fear, while the police storm their train, attacking and arresting people, and the song takes on new meaning. On the crowded city buses, in the sprawling suburbs, and on an unexpected visit to Soweto, Naledi and Tiro begin to see the painful struggle for freedom and dignity going on in the 'City of Gold. ' And slowly they realize that their own journey has just begun.



By Jakeba Henry

Though Jo Beverly's latest Regency on the Rogues bears uncanny shades of resemblance to her RITA-award winning novel My Lady Notorious, she acquits herself nicely in this nimble lark of a tale. Duke of St. Raven, Tristan Tresgallows chances upon the spirited Cressida Mandeville when he disguises as the notorious highwayman Le Corbeau and halts Viscount Crofton's carriage. Determined to save the innocent from the reputed lecher, he whisks her away to his retreat Nun's Chase, oblivious that he has foiled her plans to snatch back the treasure-secreted ivory statue that her father had lost, together with Stokeley Manor, in a gambling game with Crofton.

The rollicking adventure begins when Cressida bares her predicaments and St. Raven as the chivalrous knight errant steps in. They decide to penetrate into the Manor when Crofton holds his infamous sexual orgy and masquerade as a sultan and houri. Cressida is shocked by the decadence and oddly disappointed at Tristan's unsavory associations. She is however tantalized to the seductive masculine appeals of Tristan and knows love can never bridge the rank schism between them. Both of them fall in love against their wills.

Much of the intrigue is in the pursuit of the statue and Crofton's tenacity to unmask Cressida as the houri, which climaxes in a sharp battle of wits and lies to contradict Crofton's accusation. Corbeau, as Tristan's bastard cousin is the charming rogue who plays cupid to the reluctant pair. Jo Beverly is a master at her craft in creating simmering sexual tension and chemistry that sizzles and deftly avoids being vulgar in the detailing of the orgies. Her smooth narration compels readers to overlook the lack of resolution to the class distinction between the couple and the lack of emotional gravity that is surprising for a Jo Beverly's novel. No regrets though, St. Raven self-admittedly is fluff-light and every bit an entertaining sexy caper that packs escapism to the hilt.

For starters, I didn't think that Jo Beverly's "St. Raven" was lackluster romance novel at all. I found it to be a compelling and lightly steamy book. True, there are some things that some readers may find exasperating, but if you're looking for a romance novel that is a little bit more than what you'd usually expect, and one where the sensual-rating is slightly higher than usual (note: no heavy x-rated scenes though), than this is just the novel that may satisfy.

Tristan Tregallows, the Duke of St. Raven, is masquerading as the highwayman Le Corbeau (for reasons of his own), when he comes across Cressida Mandeville and Lord Crofton. That Cressida is a respectable lady is fairly obvious -- why she is with the loathsome and villainous Lord Crofton, however, is another matter. And in a fit of chivalry, Tristan decides to rescue Cressida for Crofton's clutches. However, the lady is anything but grateful. It so happens that Crofton has won a fortune off Cressida's father at cards. Facing near penury, Cressida and Crofton have struck a deal: she will be Crofton's mistress for the duration of a few nights in exchange for some of the Indian artifacts that her father had wagered and lost. Unbeknownst to Crofton is that one of the artifacts hides a small fortune in jewels, and that Cressida actually has a plan to retrieve the treasure as well as hold on to her virginity. But all goes horribly wrong when Tristan decides to rescue her. Upon hearing her tale however, Tristan finds himself volunteering to help Cressida retrieve her treasure. But what starts out as a deed in knight-errantry becomes something more when Tristan finds himself becoming totally enamored with the incredibly ordinary but courageous Cressida Mandeville, while Cressida discovers that falling in love with a rakish duke is one thing but expecting that love to lead to something more is an exercise in folly. For who would expect a duke of the realm to fall in love with and marry an ordinary miss of no particular birth or distinction...

I'll admit that while I did find "St. Raven" to be a rather romantic read, Cressida as a heroine sometimes had me rubbing my brow with frustration. Her vacillations and her frequent verbal jabs at Tristan because she thought that he was an unrepentant rake got rather old fast. Also, given that he had never really caused to doubt his sincerity and honour, her ability to believe the worse and jump to conclusions made me long to shake some sense into her. But every good novel needs obstacles and I suppose Cressida's whole trust problem was as good as any!

What makes "St. Raven" unique is that Jo Beverly has decided to write a romance novel that actually focuses on how two people from different strata of society fall in love and the problems that they face. Cressida Mandeville is a young lady who exists on the fringes of Society, and is someone with little money and no connections, while Tristan is a duke of the realm. She values the quiet life, while Tristan's duchess would always be Society's focal point. This is not a match made in heaven, nor would it be one that Society would actually sanction happily. And Jo Beverly focuses on the anguish that both Tristan and Cressida feel over their situation. It is the stuff of romance -- the love that they feel for each other, all the while knowing that it can come to nothing, and the eventual finding of happiness and the much longed for happily-ever-after ending. Along the way, one does become mildly irritated with Cressida (but not for long, thank goodness). But Tristan as a hero was a dream come true -- no neanthethal male here, but a take-charge, honest and rakishly charming man. (Also, for a rake, he didn't really behave all that rakishly at all -- there were actually instances where he left off a forceful seduction and left the decision on whether or not to give into temptation completely in Cressida's hands.)

Much of the novel flowed smoothly, though the whole finding-the-treasure subplot did meander a little. I would have been happy if the authour had spent the entire novel deciding how to get Tristan and Cressida together and how they would surmount all those odds without having them become even more entangled in the treasure subplot. But that's just me. My vote: this is a truly romantic novel, and just the thing for Valentine's Day.

As a great Jo Beverley fan I always look forward to her new releases and having had a glimpse of the mysterious and handsome Tristan Tregallows, Duke of St. Raven in "Hazard" I was totally intrigued and couldn't wait for his story. The book description sums up the story with Cressida Mandeville agreeing to the swarmy Lord Crofton's vile proposal with her naively thinking she is going to put one over on him and retrieve her father's hidden wealth. Rescue, in the guise of a 'highwayman' messes up her plans, as she and Crofton are held up by a 'highwayman' who recognizes and knows Crofton for the slime-monster he is, so thinking of doing a good deed he rescues Cressida from his clutches. Instead of grateful Cressida is furious!

Tristan, our knight-errant 'highwayman' is a complex character, not withstanding his very wild tendencies, he treated Cressida like a lady, once he realized she was an innocent, and her very naivety would make even him blush. Cressida is, for all her attempts at proving to be a lady, curious enough and naïve enough to have thought she could have gotten away with her plan. Realizing how tenuous her reputation is should word of this escapade be known she convinces herself to grasp whatever 'pleasurable' experience Tristan so succinctly offers her. Tristan develops extremely well and the orgy he brings Cressida to was, to me, a highlight of this story and not to be missed. The extremely sensual loveplay is tastefully and skillfully woven under the expert pen of Ms. Beverley.

If any part of this romance were to bother me, it would be the reality of the historical era that they lived in and the division of classes. All through the story, you see Cressida, wanting so much to be able to spend her life with Tris, and his thoughts as well on the dilemma, with both rationalizing that they could never cross over the barrier that separated the high-born from the masses, especially when their very association would have led many to speculate as to how they met which could have very well ruined her. Bottom line, this is Beverley at her best, a keeper and a must read!